Has anyone heard if they are going to extend the free dining into August and September 2012?
Has anyone heard if they are going to extend the free dining into August and September 2012?
In previous years, Disney has had free dining sometimes in August and September. As usual with Disney though, that is no guarantee that a similar offer will be made this year.
If you were thinking of going to WDW in August/September only if they have free dining, I would figure out the 180 day mark in Feb/Mar prior to when you were thinking of going to see if a free dining offer (or extension) was out by then. (The "Patience, Grasshopper" method).
If you were thinking of going to WDW in August/September - regardless if they have a free dining offer or not - (you are just hoping that an offer is made) - I'd book a resort just prior to the 180 day mark (pay 1 night's deposit) and make ADR's at the 180 day mark. You then have the flexibility to convert your resort reservation to one with free dining (if an offer is made), keep what you have, or to cancel the ADR's and room and have your one night's deposit refunded. (The "WDW trip gamble" method)
“When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” - Roy Disney
Agreed.... this is the best planning advice. It is better to have a reservation than to not to and be left out in the cold, or having to pay more than you expected.Originally Posted by Barberella
The search function is like the Force. It may take practice, but the more you use it, the more control you will have over it!
There is free dining on Disney UK packages in August (and I think September) in 2012. This has been advertised here for well over 6 months now. There is often, not always, an overlap in US and UK free dining dates. If you go to www.disney.co.uk you will see all the free dining dates for the UK for the whole of 2012.
If no-one out there understands, start your own revolution and cut out the middle man (Billy Bragg)
There was also an offer for Canadians that was good for free dining for August/September 2012 - that was advertised for many months and only recently expired.
“When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” - Roy Disney
Thank you for all your input. We are still thinking about things, but were hoping they would extend into the summer like they did last year. C'mon Mickey!
I'd like to add a little bit of advice to this already great information. If you want to use the WDW trip gamble method, book a package, not a room-only reservation. Why? because if a free dining offer is released for your travel dates, your room only reservation will have to be cancelled if you want to book the free dining package instead. Your reservation number will change from room-only to a package. Packages can be converted between different offers and retain the same reservation number, but room only reservations is just that, no tickets, no dining. Package deposits are $200; room only reservations are the first night's lodging.
I have no idea if there will be a free dining offer will occur, but want to also point out that offers frequently have gaps in applicable dates. The free dining offer that just expired was good for specific dates, not entire months. It could be that your travel dates might not synch with the dates of an offer. It is also possible that an offer is not available at certain resorts (I've seen this too.)
I hope that you'll make a reservation that will make you happy, even if a free dining offer does not materialize. It would be a shame to book something that you won't like, hoping for an offer that might (or might not) materialize.
MaryK@CruisingCo.com
Does anyone know if there will be free dining offered in October for Disney World in Florida?
^ As of today's date, no one knows if there will be free dining offered in October.
You can bookmark MP's main page and check frequently for any updates though.
“When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” - Roy Disney
I'm subscribed to this website:Link which notifies me by email when new information pops up about the Free Dining Plan.
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Stephanie
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Disney has offered a free dining discount in August/September every year for the last 8 years. That is the height of hurricane season and the reason that they created a free dining discount - to fill those empty rooms during that time frame. Other times of year can be iffy as to when the FD offers are going to be, but Mid-August - September is a pretty safe bet because no matter what the economy is, August/September is always going to be hurricane season. The new free dining dates should be released in the next 6 to 8 weeks.
Who Knows What EVIL Lurks In The Heart Of Disney Marketing?!
When Disney feels ready to implement their next promotion they will do so. If other recent promotions have been any indication, for about the first month nobody will really understand it and the Marketing people will not have thought out all the ramifications.
Last edited by stan4d_steph; 02-21-2012 at 03:41 PM. Reason: Max font size = 3
Disneyland Trips: 13 trips for 49 nights.
But I live less than 20 miles from Walt Disney World! And work there part-time.
For more information about Disabled Access to Disney World and nearby areas, check this out. Or for tickets, check out my Everything About WDW Tickets post.
^ I am at my computer lol.
Is this a bit of dark foreshadowing on your part, Cheshire Figment?
Interesting.....purple caps, large font and all.
“When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” - Roy Disney
Free dining is available as of March 5th to the general public for trips between Aug. 25th and Sept. 29th.
WOW you talked this one up! Good for you!
Kathy
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