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Will there be free dining in 2008?

Posted: Apr Tue 01, 2008 9:22 am
by Croaker
any thoughts or inside knowledge? anyone think this is a waste of time? Money?

This topic may have already been addressed and discussed but i didn't see it.

Posted: Apr Tue 01, 2008 11:37 am
by lebeau
Seems likely.

We're goin in September, but we've decided to stay off property. So, it makes no difference to me if they offer it this year or not.

Posted: Apr Tue 01, 2008 11:41 am
by meticulus9
i think thhey will offer it. economy is softening....any little tricks to get people to stay on property

Posted: Apr Wed 02, 2008 9:20 am
by Sleeping Beauty 5
I wasn't considering going to Disney this year but if they offer the free dining you might see me there :mickey:

Posted: Apr Wed 02, 2008 10:45 am
by Croaker
Just found out the Rumor is....

April 7th the free dining will be offered to Visa (Disney) card holders then,
April 10th General Public listing offer

again this is a rumor so until those dates we just can't be sure.

Posted: Apr Wed 02, 2008 10:50 am
by SWHorn
We were there during Free Dining last September. They extended an offer to us for Free Dining again in September 2008. They said the Free Dining offer would only be for current guests on the offer and that reservations had to be made before the end of our stay.

We didn't book with this offer because we're taking a trip in December. But, I would be pretty irritated if they told me that and then opened the offer up to everyone else. Free Dining opened to the masses makes the parks a lot more crowded in September.

That being said, I would not be surprised in the slightest if they had it for everyone in September.

I really enjoyed Free Dining. It was a completely different experience for us to take a trip like that. And considering that we have been to WDW so many times, it was okay to have an "eating" trip that took up so much of our time on food. I wouldn't want to do it every trip. I don't like the changes they have since made to the dining plan, and I would not recommend the DP to anyone who has never been to the World or hasn't been in years.

Posted: Apr Wed 02, 2008 12:02 pm
by Dr. Ravenscroft
With the economy in the toilet I think we will all be seeing some awesome deals coming from Disney. Now many of the deals may not be advertised but DISNEY travel agents should know what to look for.

Posted: Apr Sun 06, 2008 11:02 am
by AVITWeb
This would rock!!! I mean, yeah, more people go in a slow time because of it, and the whole no appetizer, bring your own tip thing is kinda crappy, but it does make things much easier.

Posted: Apr Sun 06, 2008 3:07 pm
by meticulus9
no appy and no tip is crappy, but free food is free food (or atleast thats what they told me in college!)....lol It would get me to try some diff restaurants

Posted: Apr Sun 06, 2008 9:36 pm
by DisBeamer
I'm pretty sure they will, and likely in September again, during the old 'slow time' (I don't think there are all that many slow times at Disney World anymore - not like there used to be).

If I was going during the time I would probably take advantage of it - if I bought a package - because you can't really lose with it being 'free'. I'm not a fan of the plan in general though. I sort of wish they'd end it, or realize that they need to require deposits on some of the harder to get ressies to avoid having places like Le Cellier booked up for 2 years in advance (oftentimes by people who aren't planning to show up). Uh oh .. rant coming on... step away from the keys. :lol:

Posted: Apr Sun 06, 2008 11:39 pm
by wdwannabe
I've heard the rumors too about it comming in April....we shall see...

We did the free dinning in Sept of 2006...it was great! They pulled us in by it. But right now, with the dinning plan not including appatizers and no tip...not sure if it's such a good value even free...I would have to check out what we ate last time and what it cost now and just see...I would love to go again, and if dh would go because of free dinning, then I would be packing!

Posted: Apr Mon 07, 2008 12:31 am
by tmptnr
they will continue this most likely. I have seen the attendence at most resturants go up through the past 2 years. This is good for disney as the resturants are a gem inside and outside the parks. A great way to break up your day is to have a relaxing lunch. We normally go the brown derby at Hollywood Studios. It's a little cheaper than dinner. The ohana experiance is great as well.

Posted: Apr Mon 07, 2008 5:44 am
by AKLRULZ
You can book free dining today if you're a Disney Visa Card Holder. Thursday April 10th is the big day for everyone else. Should be another huge hit for everyone. Good luck!

Posted: Apr Mon 07, 2008 1:26 pm
by MouseMan
AKLRULZ, how long ago did they inform the travel agents of these dates for the promotion? Just curious.

Posted: Apr Mon 07, 2008 1:28 pm
by bbowen13
AKLRULZ wrote:You can book free dining today if you're a Disney Visa Card Holder. Thursday April 10th is the big day for everyone else. Should be another huge hit for everyone. Good luck!
I just received the email about Visa cardholders being able to book for free dinning upgrade, but the special was only for the base magic your way. The base only allows a single admission per day.

I'm sure there will be other specials though. :mickey3: