Anyone else think free dining is being released in batches this year?

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

You'd get as valid an answer if you asked for anyone who thought that the world was not semi-spherical. All pure conjecture. Those that know cant say.

And all I was looking for was conjecture so I'm still trying to figure out why you thought it was anything more that I was seeking.
Did I ask for insiders to come on and risk their job to tell me? No.
Just wanted regular people's thoughts yet you took it and made it out to be something it's not.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

I did not want this thread to become controversial and I still don't, however since room rate discounts came out for my dates I want to share how for me the proof is in the math.
2 adults, August 24-29, 4 day PH, and DDP.

With room rate discount:
.

With free QSDP (IF FD COMES OUT FOR MY DATES) upgraded to DDP

This is why I always recommend that you do the math for yourself and decide what is best for you vs telling others what's right for them.

 

[wdwfan22]

I did not want this thread to become controversial and I still don't, however since room rate discounts came out for my dates I want to share how for me the proof is in the math.
2 adults, August 24-29, 4 day PH, and DDP.

With room rate discount:
. View attachment 439533

With free QSDP (IF FD COMES OUT FOR MY DATES) upgraded to DDP
View attachment 439534

This is why I always recommend that you do the math for yourself and decide what is best for you vs telling others what's right for them.

Your comparing a regular dining plan to a quick service dining plan.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Your comparing a regular dining plan to a quick service dining plan.

I'm comparing item for item.
The free dining price includes the cost to upgrade to the regular DDP.

 

[NYwdwfan]

I did not want this thread to become controversial and I still don't, however since room rate discounts came out for my dates I want to share how for me the proof is in the math.
2 adults, August 24-29, 4 day PH, and DDP.

With room rate discount:
. View attachment 439533

With free QSDP (IF FD COMES OUT FOR MY DATES) upgraded to DDP
View attachment 439534

This is why I always recommend that you do the math for yourself and decide what is best for you vs telling others what's right for them.

In the past I've had an issue with the standard room being available during the free dining promotion. If there are no standard rooms and you need to upgrade to Pool view or Preferred view it chips away at the savings.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

In the past I've had an issue with the standard room being available during the free dining promotion. If there are no standard rooms and you need to upgrade to Pool view or Preferred view it chips away at the savings.

I have gotten FD 10 times now and getting the room category I want has not been an issue for me in the past.
If I cant get standard at POP I would likely try for one of the AS resorts since the preferred rooms at those cost less than a standard at POP.
Either way I do it it's very likely FD would still be the better discount for me.

 

[NYwdwfan]

I have gotten FD 10 times now and getting the room category I want has not been an issue for me in the past.
If I cant get standard at POP I would likely try for one of the AS resorts since the preferred rooms at those cost less than a standard at POP.
Either way I do it it's very likely FD would still be the better discount for me.

Out of curiosity - if you go that often and prefer free dining why not book the bounceback offer which has been free dining the past few years? It's a $200 deposit for the reservation, more favorable date availability and less stress wondering if/when discounts will be released.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Out of curiosity - if you go that often and prefer free dining why not book the bounceback offer which has been free dining the past few years? It's a $200 deposit for the reservation, more favorable date availability and less stress wondering if/when discounts will be released.

I have done the FD BB once.
However there were several times that I went during FD but not during a FD BB offer. (for example there was free dining December 2018 but it was a room rate discount BB. and in July 2019 there was FD but still only the room rate discount for BB. Going in late August this time should land me with a FD BB which is great for a 2021 trip but I'm also planning a November or December 2020 trip and for THAT trip it will be a long weekend and would not be staying long enough or getting the correct tickets to even be eligible for FD if its offered for those dates)
Besides I don't always know the next time I'm going.
Sometimes we decide to go just because a discount pops up.
Sometimes we have it planned far out and sometimes we book within a few weeks of travel.

 

[JenniferS]

Out of curiosity - if you go that often and prefer free dining why not book the bounceback offer which has been free dining the past few years? It's a $200 deposit for the reservation, more favorable date availability and less stress wondering if/when discounts will be released.

I love BounceBack. We go the same time every year, and as you stated, it eliminates all the worry and stress about whether my preferred dates will or will not be included. In the past, FD used to come out in April, which was past the 180 ADR booking date for us.

It also makes leaving less sad.
We’ll be back next year. Cue the happy face.

 

[wdwfan22]

Free dining only comes out as a savings if your staying at a Value resort. We always stay Deluxe and the room discount is always the better deal.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Free dining only comes out as a savings if your staying at a Value resort. We always stay Deluxe and the room discount is always the better deal.

Hence why I say to do your own math and not let someone else say what will work for YOU.
Although what I will say is that I decided to do the math for myself at CBR and YC both item for item (same room category, same dates, same party size, same tickets, same dining plan) and for me FD would STILL be the better deal if its offered for those dates.

CBR room rate discount:
$2,988.40
CBR if FD were offered and upgraded QSDP to DDP:
$2,731.24

YC with room rate discount:
$3,707.48
YC if FD were offered and it comes with free DDP:
$3,557.46

 

[I am Timmy]

Last year Disney released a similar FD special in Jan., for dates through summer (and a bit into Sep.). They then released more FD deals later in the year that included later dates (fall) into Dec. Many believe Disney waited to see if resorts would fill for fall, and released more deals later when they didn't fill "enough". First year to operate this way. This year, again, released FD dates in Jan. for summer - hard to tell whether they will release any more for the year since they will be watching how well resorts are booked into fall this year. The BB during Aug.-Oct. last year (for this year) saw FD for fall this year, which suggests Disney is still looking at this promotion through the end of 2020. Other than that, a watch and wait stance is still the best option for those looking for dates after Sep. Does this help at all? Probably not, but I guess having the money ready and flexible dates will be the best way to book if something drops at the last minute. Good luck!