thatsnice99
New Member
Free meals? Ever again? Does anyone think there is a shot of Disney offering free meals maybe for the fall?
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Disney is stuck on 30% room only discount
- Thread starter thatsnice99
- Start date
disneysince71
Well-Known Member
Who knows... but seems like most are guessing no... 
Welcome to WDW Magic!
Welcome to WDW Magic!
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disneysince71
Well-Known Member
As my Grandpa used to say "You may have opened a can of worms here.... "
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Hakunamatata
Le Meh
Well, if you can't get free dining you got to eat something......As my Grandpa used to say "You may have opened a can of worms here.... "
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Monty
Brilliant...and Canadian
- In the Parks
- No
They normally announce free dining in April. If it's going to happen, they usually announce Disney Visa cardholders a few days prior.
There have been comments that free dining packages were not offered in the UK for this year, which doesn't bode well for the rest of us, but until they do or don't announce, we won't know for sure.
There have been comments that free dining packages were not offered in the UK for this year, which doesn't bode well for the rest of us, but until they do or don't announce, we won't know for sure.
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cowanfamily
Well-Known Member
The current bounce back offer is for free dining. Chances are it probably will pop back up. I don't think the window of dates available will be as large as once was though.
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erstwo
Well-Known Member
Are you sure? I went in February and the current bounceback was for 35% villas and 30% off Deluxe and Moderate only. I'll be back again next week, so I'll be sure to check it out again.
I tend to think no or it will be extremely limited. There was never a General Public offer of Free Dining for January and February like last year AND unlike last year, there was no Free Dining bounceback offer for January and February. The only people who got free dining were bouncebacks from last year and a select few with a pin code. I'm crossing my fingers for September, because it will help my family immensely, but I've told my sister there are no guarantees.
I think the reasons are two fold - #1 - the tour groups are packing out the Values during off seasons now - Disney has figured out how to work with travel companies all over the world (not just Brazil - I've seen groups from the UK, Canada, etc.) and fill up those rooms. So, no need to offer a discount to the average American family - they don't have rooms for them anyway. #2 - WDW is busier than ever. I don't know if it's new Fantasyland, or the economy is recovering, or everyone has been putting of their WDW vacation for years now and they are finally just saying 'Forget it, we're breaking into the savings and going.' or what, but things are booming. And people know that January/ February/ September/October/ the last weeks of November/ the first weeks of December have been 'slow' weeks (because we all have the interwebs now.
) and that's when they want to book if they possibly can. So, as sad as it makes me to say this - because Free Dining allowed so many friends to stay at a Value and afford a WDW vacation - no, I don't really think we will see it come back.
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dopeylover
Well-Known Member
I think it will come back occasionally, maybe through e-mail PIN code offers and VISA cardholders, but I doubt it will to the extent that they were doing it in the past. It seems like they did FD about 3 times a year over the past couple of years, but that seems to be ending. I'm sad about it, b/c that was the only way we were able to afford to take our large family trip last year, but I love a good discount, so I'll take anything!
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dannyboyindc
Well-Known Member
The thing is, if free dining becomes limited or completely phased out, are we still looking at the same OOP prices and relatively homogenized menus compared to past years? My guess is yes, and for that free dining going away may not make much of a difference in dining experiences (other than it being easier to get a reservation)
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Hakunamatata
Le Meh
Which is reason enough in and of itself. If the menus improve, thats just a bonus....
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dannyboyindc
Well-Known Member
I guess...although I can't see these places remaining busy with EVERYONE paying OOP at current menu offerings/prices. At some point prices would have to come down...at least let's hope.
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Hakunamatata
Le Meh
Or, quality goes up. I have no problem paying more for better quality food or highly themed experiences.
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cowanfamily
Well-Known Member
Are you sure? I went in February and the current bounceback was for 35% villas and 30% off Deluxe and Moderate only. I'll be back again next week, so I'll be sure to check it out again.
I tend to think no or it will be extremely limited. There was never a General Public offer of Free Dining for January and February like last year AND unlike last year, there was no Free Dining bounceback offer for January and February. The only people who got free dining were bouncebacks from last year and a select few with a pin code. I'm crossing my fingers for September, because it will help my family immensely, but I've told my sister there are no guarantees.
I think the reasons are two fold - #1 - the tour groups are packing out the Values during off seasons now - Disney has figured out how to work with travel companies all over the world (not just Brazil - I've seen groups from the UK, Canada, etc.) and fill up those rooms. So, no need to offer a discount to the average American family - they don't have rooms for them anyway. #2 - WDW is busier than ever. I don't know if it's new Fantasyland, or the economy is recovering, or everyone has been putting of their WDW vacation for years now and they are finally just saying 'Forget it, we're breaking into the savings and going.' or what, but things are booming. And people know that January/ February/ September/October/ the last weeks of November/ the first weeks of December have been 'slow' weeks (because we all have the interwebs now.
So, as sad as it makes me to say this - because Free Dining allowed so many friends to stay at a Value and afford a WDW vacation - no, I don't really think we will see it come back.
I was there last week. I booked my next trip with free dining on the bounceback offer.
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cowanfamily
Well-Known Member
Are you sure? I went in February and the current bounceback was for 35% villas and 30% off Deluxe and Moderate only. I'll be back again next week, so I'll be sure to check it out again.
I tend to think no or it will be extremely limited. There was never a General Public offer of Free Dining for January and February like last year AND unlike last year, there was no Free Dining bounceback offer for January and February. The only people who got free dining were bouncebacks from last year and a select few with a pin code. I'm crossing my fingers for September, because it will help my family immensely, but I've told my sister there are no guarantees.
I think the reasons are two fold - #1 - the tour groups are packing out the Values during off seasons now - Disney has figured out how to work with travel companies all over the world (not just Brazil - I've seen groups from the UK, Canada, etc.) and fill up those rooms. So, no need to offer a discount to the average American family - they don't have rooms for them anyway. #2 - WDW is busier than ever. I don't know if it's new Fantasyland, or the economy is recovering, or everyone has been putting of their WDW vacation for years now and they are finally just saying 'Forget it, we're breaking into the savings and going.' or what, but things are booming. And people know that January/ February/ September/October/ the last weeks of November/ the first weeks of December have been 'slow' weeks (because we all have the interwebs now.
So, as sad as it makes me to say this - because Free Dining allowed so many friends to stay at a Value and afford a WDW vacation - no, I don't really think we will see it come back.
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/2013-free-dining.861556/#post-5371701
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bethymouse
Well-Known Member
We tend to book for free dining. I do like the 30% off discount better though. When you book "room only" it gives you a nightly rate and there really is a significant difference in price. The dates for the discounts are not always convenient however. I agree w/ most, if they did do away w/ "free" dining, then perhaps it would be easier to book a dining reservation and actually get the restaurant you want!
The dates for the discounts are not always convenient however. I agree w/ most, if they did do away w/ "free" dining, then perhaps it would be easier to book a dining reservation and actually get the restaurant you want!
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erstwo
Well-Known Member
That is exciting - but seems extremely limited. It's only offered for 4 resorts -AKL, WL, OKW & SS. None of which are even in the moderate category. Not to mention the Values (which is the only place free dining has been a savings for us.). My family has their hearts set on AoA, so here's hoping.....
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