Free Meal Plan?

[MMlover]

I have a friend who wants to go in August. There will be two adults, two teenagers and one child. They are wondering if Disney will offer the free dining plan in mid-to-late August. Has anyone heard anything?

[oregontraveler]

I'm guessing if Disney does this again, it will posted in a month or so.
That what I found out by searching thru posts. I was hoping to go in September but decided not to.

[Greg in TN]

I wouldn't necessarily count on exactly the same discounts/incentives each & every year (although they have done the free dining promotion for several years).

Last summer they were offering the 4/3 promotion (stay 4 days, get 3 days free), and we were all excited about that one being offered again this year. Instead, they offered the the $350/$500/$750 gift card promotion--still nothing to sneeze at ;).

However, I do remember hearing some higher-up Disney exec say that later this year they were going to start cutting back on discounts/promotions. Good luck on that free dining promotion, though. Maybe the economy is recovering slower than they thought it would, and they'll keep offering these things :).

[littlej]

It seems to me that there's a trend: if pin codes go out to selected people for a particular discount, the same discount often will be rolled out to the general public a while later.

That being said, I just got a pin code for free quick-service dining "when you purchase a 4-night/5-day non-discounted Walt Disney Travel Company vacation package that includes accommodations at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels and Theme Park tickets! For stays most nights now through 8/14/10."

It's only good through mid-August, but keep your eyes peeled. Good luck!

[absolutedisneyfan]

I'm planning to go in September, and patiently awaiting the "free dining offer". It is normally offered at the end of April to the public, while the Disney Visa card holders get the first offers. Good luck, and hope you have a great time!

[crazysheli]

I'm hoping to get that special email sometime in the next week or so with the offer since we have a Disney Visa. Last year it came out around March 27th for us first then a few days later at the beginning of April to the general public. We will get to eat a lot better if we get free dining than if it's not offered since we will just pay out of pocket for a lot of quick service.

[wishiwasthere]

If it does come out then I would say it will come out this Monday after the current promotion ends.

[1st time family]

The new promotion just came out offering free( I think ) QSDP. If I want to upgrade to the regular dining plan, will they allow me to pay the $$ difference between the 2 plans ?

[mickeymom5]

The new promotion just came out offering free( I think ) QSDP. If I want to upgrade to the regular dining plan, will they allow me to pay the $$ difference between the 2 plans ?

Yes, they will let you pay the difference and upgrade to the regular plan!

[GusMan]

I wouldn't necessarily count on exactly the same discounts/incentives each & every year (although they have done the free dining promotion for several years).
...
However, I do remember hearing some higher-up Disney exec say that later this year they were going to start cutting back on discounts/promotions. Good luck on that free dining promotion, though.
Going off of what Greg mentioned... I would not necessarily wait for an offer if you already know you want to vacation at a certain time. If you already know you want to vacation in September, for example, then go ahead and make your reservations. If a new code or promotion comes up, you can always try to have your ressie changed to include the offer. Sometimes it would require you to be a little flexible to get the offer, though.

But think of it this way - is it better to have a room with no offer than having problems getting a room once an offer is announced? Granted, it is a personal decision, but in the most cases, having something then changing it is a lot safer bet.

[adriennek]

The new promotion just came out offering free( I think ) QSDP. If I want to upgrade to the regular dining plan, will they allow me to pay the $$ difference between the 2 plans ?


That's what our family did last year.

Adrienne

[Drince88]

The new promotion just came out offering free( I think ) QSDP.

Where did you see this? I don't see it on MouseSavers or the WDW Site.

[DizneyMommy]

Where did you see this? I don't see it on MouseSavers or the WDW Site.

Has anyone been able to confirm this? I am seeing people talk about this like it was announced but can't find a thing

[wishiwasthere]

A lot of people have been getting Pin codes for the QSDP. That could be what they are talking about it.

[TinaMouse]

I've heard nothing concrete....

[littlej]

Pin codes only, as far as I can see...

[Xandux]

QSDP question... can you use the QSDP for table service meals and character dining?

Would a table service meal be counted as 2 credits or can you only do QS meals with this plan and have to pay out of pocket for any TS/character meals??

[Drince88]

For the quick service plan, you can only use it for quick service meals (and whatever snacks are included). No trading 2 QS credits for a TS, sorry.

You'll have to pay for any TS (including character meals) out of pocket.

So you might want to run the numbers on the QS plan vs the 'regular' plan to see if it makes more sense if you're doing a number of TSs.

[adriennek]

QSDP question... can you use the QSDP for table service meals and character dining?

Would a table service meal be counted as 2 credits or can you only do QS meals with this plan and have to pay out of pocket for any TS/character meals??

Adding to Drince's comment, if you get free QSDP you can upgrade it to Basic plan with table service.

Adrienne