free dining question/s

[MargaretMessler]

I have never used the Dining Plan, as I am never very structured with how/when we eat. However, in light of the free dining plan offers, how can one go wrong but to take it? My question, when booking a package online, do you have to do anything else special besides choosing the option in the booking screen? Will it automatically be "free" when your total is displayed? If the total does increase, do I take this to mean all the available slots for this promo are taken? (Yes, the dates I was choosing were within the free perdio.) Also, it advertises for a 5N/6D package, can you do this for a longer package if you're still within the timeframe?

[VWL Mom]

If you are booking online you need to go in through the "specials" page. If you go in through regular reservations, you will not get the discount. Go to the WDW site, on the top you will see Tickets and Packages and the you will see specials in that drop down menu.

[Itchy]

As the previous poster stated you will need to click on the specials at the bottom of the WDW web page and then go to the free dining promo link.

You could also use Magical Journey ( Intercot Sponsor ) and let them book your vacation. I have used them for years now and will never book my own again.

As for number of days increased for your stay, yes you can and the dining plan follows you. You really need to make Dining Reservations to ensure you will have a table or you might be disappointed.

I like control of my vacation as well so when it comes to using the dining plan it is no different than using cash except you only pay for anything beyond what is included in your dining plan package.

Oh! forgot to mention that Magical Journey's will do everything for you for free. But you still have to pay for the vacation. Darn.

Hope this helps....

[greengeen]

Just in case you're not aware, you pay max rack rate on the resort room to get "free" dining. Depending on your eating habits, it's not always the best deal. A room-only discount often works out to be cheaper. If you don't care for snacks and desserts, and you like appetizers, like us - dining plan is a bust!

[Alaska Disney Fan]

Just in case you're not aware, you pay max rack rate on the resort room to get "free" dining. Depending on your eating habits, it's not always the best deal. A room-only discount often works out to be cheaper. If you don't care for snacks and desserts, and you like appetizers, like us - dining plan is a bust!

You pay the exact same amount for a room with the free DDP as you do without it. Go on the DW website and book a room with it and without it, it's the same price.

[magicofdisney]

You pay the exact same amount for a room with the free DDP as you do without it. Go on the DW website and book a room with it and without it, it's the same price.

Unless you have a discount code for "room only". This discount may be greater in value than "free dining". It's definitely something that should be considered when making plans.

However, a discount for "room only" can not be combined with the "free dining" promo.

[Alaska Disney Fan]

For a 7 day stay a 30% discount would save about $400 on a Moderate or about $250 for a Value. I would pay much more than that for food for 7 days for our family of 4. So for us free dining saves us way more than a room discount. PIN codes can be hit and miss as far as timing, if your lucky enough to get one. We almost always go in September and we always get the dining plan, regardless of when we go.

MargaretMessler
Are you planning on staying at a moderate or a value? If your getting the counter service dining plan for staying at a value, it certainly takes a lot less planning, but with the table service for staying at a moderate you will need to plan your days out and then make ressie's. We have done both, and both plans have their benefits.

[MargaretMessler]

Will be staying value. So I would definitely get more use out of the quick service based on my "typical" eating habits. Some days we will do a sit down, some days we only eat two meals, so for free I would take it. To pay...probably would break even so no.

For a 7 day stay a 30% discount would save about $400 on a Moderate or about $250 for a Value. I would pay much more than that for food for 7 days for our family of 4. So for us free dining saves us way more than a room discount. PIN codes can be hit and miss as far as timing, if your lucky enough to get one. We almost always go in September and we always get the dining plan, regardless of when we go.

MargaretMessler
Are you planning on staying at a moderate or a value? If your getting the counter service dining plan for staying at a value, it certainly takes a lot less planning, but with the table service for staying at a moderate you will need to plan your days out and then make ressie's. We have done both, and both plans have their benefits.

[Alaska Disney Fan]

There are plenty of good counter service meals that will certainly fill you up. We do alot of 2 meals a day or meal sharing. Some of those single counter sevice meals will feed 2 people easily. The thing I like about the CS DDP is the freedom to go and eat on the fly without being tied down with ressie's. Good luck!