Past trends when releasing new rates?

[RyMelEm]

I know that no one knows for sure until Disney releases the 2009 rates but based on previous years when new rates are released are all or most of the discount for that years released at that same time? :shrug:

Example: In August of last year when the new rates came out for 2008 did they announce when the free dinning periods would take place or did they wait until a later date to give out that info?

My concern is booking our vacation package as soon as the new rates come out only to find out that if we had waited 6 months we could have gotten free dining? Hope that makes sense? BUT! If we wait too long we miss our 180 ADR date which is in mid-April!(And having ADR's booked at our favorite resturants is super important to our Family!)

The thing is we are going in a non-peak, non-free dinning period.(Oct 27th -Nov 6th 2009) But I've been hearing all over that if the economy continues on like this there's a REALLY good chance Disney will and could extend the free dinning through the end of October. :shrug: Is that a long shot?

I honestly don't know what to do! :hammer:

 

[mschmitt1217]

Discount rates kind of just pop up. You can book asap and still get a discount you just have to call Disney and ask to add the rate to your current trip and if their are openings at the resort of your choice they'll be happy to book it. As for free dining being extended I don't believe that to be true because Disney does that for a short period to boost ticket sales during dead periods and I'm sure as you realize they lose a lot of potential profit of people who would buy the dining plan. So I doubt the validity of that ever coming into being.

 

[MagicalMJ]

Dining Discounts

The short answer here is No--they didn't post dining discounts when they released 2008 rates last year. That being said--if you book with an authorized Disney Vacation planner--usually you can just sit back and relax with your reseravation. Most are kept in the loop by their respective agencies and know at least 24 hours in advance when those specials will be released. So they call right away and add it to their clients packages that are already booked. I know that happened a lot with this year's promotion. My best advice if you are staying on site is to utilize the resources of an a Disney specialist--they will save you time and money in the long run!

 

[RyMelEm]

So if I book through WDW Travel next month when new rates come out and than let's say in June of '09 they offer free dinning. Will I than be automaticly adjusted into the free dinning because I already have a prior reservation during that time frame? Or do I need to call and have WDW Travel adjust it?

 

[lilclerk]

So if I book through WDW Travel next month when new rates come out and than let's say in June of '09 they offer free dinning. Will I than be automaticly adjusted into the free dinning because I already have a prior reservation during that time frame? Or do I need to call and have WDW Travel adjust it?

If you book through WDW Travel, you will not be automatically rebooked for the discount. You will have to monitor discounts yourself and call to be rebooked if possible.
However, if you book through a travel agent specializing in Disney travel (such as Kingdom Konsultants) they will usually rebook for you if a discount comes out and it's available for your reservation. You'll have to ask if that's their (whatever agency you choose) policy though.

 

[MagicalMJ]

Feel free to PM me--but I'm suggesting that you utilize a vacation consultant who specializes in Disney...they have access to information, if they are with a good company, and will know ahead of time for you. They will add it to your ressie when it becomes available if you have booked with them. Not through Disney itself, but one of the many authorized agencies.
Take care,
MJ

 

[hansel1]

I know that no one knows for sure until Disney releases the 2009 rates but based on previous years when new rates are released are all or most of the discount for that years released at that same time? :shrug:

Example: In August of last year when the new rates came out for 2008 did they announce when the free dinning periods would take place or did they wait until a later date to give out that info?

My concern is booking our vacation package as soon as the new rates come out only to find out that if we had waited 6 months we could have gotten free dining? Hope that makes sense? BUT! If we wait too long we miss our 180 ADR date which is in mid-April!(And having ADR's booked at our favorite resturants is super important to our Family!)

The thing is we are going in a non-peak, non-free dinning period.(Oct 27th -Nov 6th 2009) But I've been hearing all over that if the economy continues on like this there's a REALLY good chance Disney will and could extend the free dinning through the end of October. :shrug: Is that a long shot?

I honestly don't know what to do! :hammer:

Free dining is typically in the fall of each year. So if you book in august or september you might hit free dining. If you book in may, then probably not.

Other discounts tend to open a couple of months prior to the travel dates. There will be no discounts for 2009 that open when the prices are released in august.