New "free" dining rumor for fall 2011

[DizneyRox]

I thought it was Iger that said, we won't be offering discounts even if it means we take an initial hit in earnings.

I think we've all been waiting for that to hit, and it doesn't/won't.

I'm not surprised they did, but you kindof start losing faith in what they are saying if everytime they announce one thing, they do another. If I were a stakeholder, I might be questioning leadership right about now.

[dismommy]

OK, my dates are there, but we didn't intend to use the dining plan. With free dining might consider it, but would my room rate change from the magic your way package rate I was give when I booked?

[VWL Mom]

Hopefully there is an AP rate announced soon for the fall. Good luck to those that can use the free dining.

We're booked with a DVC rate but still hoping for an AP rate. Only problem is if they will even have anything left after people book free dining.

[Strmchsr]

OK, my dates are there, but we didn't intend to use the dining plan. With free dining might consider it, but would my room rate change from the magic your way package rate I was give when I booked?

Yes. If you book the "free" dining discount you pay full rack rate for the room. That's what makes the discount a rather dubious one at the moderate and deluxe level unless you have 3 or 4 adults in the room.

[dismommy]

So basically I should stick with my package and wait and see if another discount comes out onstead of buying into the free dining hype.

[Strmchsr]

So basically I should stick with my package and wait and see if another discount comes out onstead of buying into the free dining hype.

It depends. Are you staying at a value level resort? If so, go with the "free" dining. If a moderate or deluxe, hold tight. I always let Magical Journeys figure out for me the best path, but if you're definitely sticking with a package, the "free" DDP will probably be the best discount you'll get. However, if you're not really interested in the DDP regardless, a room only discount (instead of a package) and paying OOP for your food will probably save you more money. You could also order your tickets through the Official Ticket Center (see the Intercot Sponsor section) and save a little money (though not a lot) on your tickets.

[seanyred]

when the free dining is offered does it require the purchase of park tickets? I have AP vouchers and needed to add on three days at the end of a DVC stay and I would be willing to pay rack rate at a value for free CS dining.

Otherwise does anyone know if you can get AP discounts without having activated the vouchers yet?

[DizneyRox]

AP only needs to be active at check-in, not just to book the discount.

[Strmchsr]

when the free dining is offered does it require the purchase of park tickets?

Not just tickets, but a package. It's a minimum 3 night package. Disney cut out some of the loopholes on the deal. So, for AP holders the "free" DDP is really not worth considering. You're better off with the AP discount and using the TIW card for food.

[badkitty]

Not just tickets, but a package. It's a minimum 3 night package. Disney cut out some of the loopholes on the deal. So, for AP holders the "free" DDP is really not worth considering. You're better off with the AP discount and using the TIW card for food.

If we get the AP discount though. They seem to come later and later every year and are not guaranteed. I don't even like the DDP. Too much food. Fingers crossed for an AP discount!

[Strmchsr]

If we get the AP discount though. They seem to come later and later every year and are not guaranteed. I don't even like the DDP. Too much food. Fingers crossed for an AP discount!

I'm with you! We're going in December and definitely hoping for an AP discount. Don't want the DDP.

[dpamac]

I'm hoping for something. We're going down for a wedding that we just can't miss, but the cost is simply killing us. Seems to be the wrong time to hit us with lack of specials. Especially those of us trying to squeeze every bit we can out of our dollars.

[magicofdisney]

Not just tickets, but a package. It's a minimum 3 night package. Disney cut out some of the loopholes on the deal. So, for AP holders the "free" DDP is really not worth considering. You're better off with the AP discount and using the TIW card for food.

We have passes. I did the math for our family group of 5. Because of my children's age, 3 of them get an adult DDP. The AP discount (at POR) and TIW route was approximately $200 less, however we would lose out on 2-day tickets (per person) that can be applied toward an AP renewal. Occasionally, "free dining" really is the better deal in the long run.

In other words, this "free dining" vacation is costing us $1700. We could spend $1500 paying OOP for meals, purchasing the TIW card and using an AP discount on the POR room. Nevertheless, we'd each lose the 2-day ticket.

[disneymomma2010]

Ok, today disney has announced free dining. But are the dates in the origional post correct? I have been told two diffrent dates today. Specificly the october dates.

[Strmchsr]

Ok, today disney has announced free dining. But are the dates in the origional post correct? I have been told two diffrent dates today. Specificly the october dates.

Check this thread posted by Magical Journeys for all the details. It includes 2012 dates, too. All further discussion should go to that thread since it's the official information and not rumors.

[Ian]

Since this is now no longer a rumor, I'm going to close this thread out and direct all conversation on the topic to the thread Chris has linked in his post above.

Thanks!