Anyone going to Disney in September with free dining?

[Princess Stitch]

Disney opened up their free dining plan option to non-visa card members today. Just booked my trip for September 8-15 at the All Star Music. That was my third choice because Pop Century and All Star Movies were all booked up already!

Anyone else going during this time? If you want to book there might still be a few rooms available.

[AwallaceUNC]

I would really love to take advantage of this, but unfortunately (and, I think, inexplicably), Annual Passholders are left out.

-Aaron

[Escapay]

More ways to keep guests on Disney property, free Mickey-Approved Ear-Shaped Food!

I just hope by now people actually understand and know how to use the Disney Dining Plan. The first few months of its use was sheer murder! Well, for the "snack option" aspect of it...can you imagine the frustration for both the guest and castmember when snacks had to be rung up, card-swiped, approved, and receipt-signed ONE AT A TIME? Got worse when a guest ran out of snack options and insisted they still had some left, so we'd just comp it to them and have them leave in order to get the line moving again Or if the POS system suddenly died, or refused to read the card. I'm just grateful they fixed all the bugs in that before off-season was over...

Escapay

[Princess Stitch]

More ways to keep guests on Disney property, free Mickey-Approved Ear-Shaped Food!

I just hope by now people actually understand and know how to use the Disney Dining Plan. The first few months of its use was sheer murder! Well, for the "snack option" aspect of it...can you imagine the frustration for both the guest and castmember when snacks had to be rung up, card-swiped, approved, and receipt-signed ONE AT A TIME? Got worse when a guest ran out of snack options and insisted they still had some left, so we'd just comp it to them and have them leave in order to get the line moving again Or if the POS system suddenly died, or refused to read the card. I'm just grateful they fixed all the bugs in that before off-season was over...

Escapay

Haha.... we went last September too with the same dining plan and had absolutely no problems at all! That being said, I researched everything to death before I went so I knew exactly what to expect. This is really the only way I can afford Disney since it saves us hundreds of dollars not having to buy food while we're there

I don't suppose you'll still be there that week Escapay? I could drop by and say hi

[Escapay]

Haha.... we went last September too with the same dining plan and had absolutely no problems at all! That being said, I researched everything to death before I went so I knew exactly what to expect.

*sigh* If only all the guests were like you!

I don't suppose you'll still be there that week Escapay? I could drop by and say hi

That's still up in the air for me. I'm contemplating doing my usual summer schtick (late-May to early-August) or sticking around until January and checking out the schools there for transfer possibilities (namely UCF). Heck, I don't even know when I'm coming down yet, Disney still hasn't mailed me the forms with the dates yet.

Escapay

[Princess Stitch]

*sigh* If only all the guests were like you!

Well, I always like to know what I'm getting in to. I find having a good idea of how things will go makes for a better vacation. Like researching the hotel before you go. I've also worked in retail/customer service, so I try and be the kind of guest that I'd want to deal with if I was a CM

That's still up in the air for me. I'm contemplating doing my usual summer schtick (late-May to early-August) or sticking around until January and checking out the schools there for transfer possibilities (namely UCF).

Well hopefully you're there still. Keep us posted From the sounds of it, you're going to have people from the boards coming up to you and taking pictures like you were a character. I wish I could be in the College program, but alas, I live in Canada and we're not eligible. Probably too difficult to get us work visas.

[blackcauldron85]

More ways to keep guests on Disney property, free Mickey-Approved Ear-Shaped Food!

I just hope by now people actually understand and know how to use the Disney Dining Plan. The first few months of its use was sheer murder! Well, for the "snack option" aspect of it...can you imagine the frustration for both the guest and castmember when snacks had to be rung up, card-swiped, approved, and receipt-signed ONE AT A TIME? Got worse when a guest ran out of snack options and insisted they still had some left, so we'd just comp it to them and have them leave in order to get the line moving again Or if the POS system suddenly died, or refused to read the card. I'm just grateful they fixed all the bugs in that before off-season was over...

Escapay

Last year (I think it was last year), my husband's family came down (like they do often), and they had the dining plan. Towards the end of their stay, we had a bunch of free snacks left, so we wanted to get some drinks (and maybe snacks) at a drink/chip cart at Epcot. We had 13 or so snacks left, and the cast member was flustered, I guess, and he ended up just giving us the drinks/snacks and not swiping the cards, so we still had 13 or so free snacks left.

[Escapay]

*sigh* If only all the guests were like you!

Well, I always like to know what I'm getting in to. I find having a good idea of how things will go makes for a better vacation. Like researching the hotel before you go. I've also worked in retail/customer service, so I try and be the kind of guest that I'd want to deal with if I was a CM

Pink elephants for Princess Stitch!

From the sounds of it, you're going to have people from the boards coming up to you and taking pictures like you were a character.

Then I'd get no work done!

I wish I could be in the College program, but alas, I live in Canada and we're not eligible. Probably too difficult to get us work visas.

There's the International Program that you can apply for, it's pretty much the College Program under another name, lol. In 2005 I knew a whole slew of Hong Kong castmembers (who were sent to DL and WDW to "train" for HKDL, then go back to HKDL and train new castmembers there), and in 2006 there was a variety of Brazilian, Canadian, and French castmembers I got to know.

Escapay

[Princess Stitch]

Pink elephants for Princess Stitch!

Aw, my very first Pink Elephants! I don't know what to say.. I guess, I'd like to thank Escapay for this honour. I'd like to thank Luke for making this all possible...um.. I guess I'd like to thank my mom and step-dad for paying for the internet... *tear*

From the sounds of it, you're going to have people from the boards coming up to you and taking pictures like you were a character.

Then I'd get no work done!

Well at least in September it's not all that busy Maybe we can just form a line up and wait for your break LOL

There's the International Program that you can apply for, it's pretty much the College Program under another name, lol. In 2005 I knew a whole slew of Hong Kong castmembers (who were sent to DL and WDW to "train" for HKDL, then go back to HKDL and train new castmembers there), and in 2006 there was a variety of Brazilian, Canadian, and French castmembers I got to know.

Wow, I never even heard of this! And now I'm done University Finished up last May, so I guess I'll never get to live this dream. Does it take any of the magic away from the parks having worked there and seeing all the backstage stuff?

[Prince Charming 12]

Reading this series of posts reminded me of a young cast member, on the college work program, that I met during the holiday season last year. He was working at the counter in the Backlot Express dining area of MGM Studios and we briefly struck up a conversation, as my food was being prepared. Let me tell you, he was one home sick 18 year old!

He said that he was in the final month of a six month stint and that it could not end soon enough. The phone calls from his parents and other family members (in Ohio) telling him that they all missed him were weighing heavily on him emotionally. And working longer hours, during the holiday season, certainly was not helping. I tried to cheer him up, but unfortunately he was depressed as he would not be coming home until after Christmas.

My encounter made me realize that this work program, even at the happpiest place on Earth, does have its challenges. I think it would be prudent, for college students considering this opportunity, to review your options accordingly.

[pinkrenata]

I enjoyed visiting during the free dining plan promotion last September, and seeing it return again makes it all the more tempting to make a return trip. As if one needs more reasons to go to Disney World!

[Princess Stitch]

I was there last September as well! Maybe we passed each other by in the park...

[Escapay]

Does it take any of the magic away from the parks having worked there and seeing all the backstage stuff?

No, you kind of get used to headless characters, Princes necking in the locker room, tunnels under the Magic Kingdom, Subway in the Mouseketeria, and realizing that the huge Christmas tree is only plastic and is in storage right outside Disney University.

Escapay

[blackcauldron85]

Does it take any of the magic away from the parks having worked there and seeing all the backstage stuff?

No, you kind of get used to headless characters, Princes necking in the locker room, tunnels under the Magic Kingdom, Subway in the Mouseketeria, and realizing that the huge Christmas tree is only plastic and is in storage right outside Disney University.

Escapay

When I worked at WDW, one day in the Mouseketria Cinderella was in her sweats with her hair perfect and she was eating with the Mad Hatter (I'm pretty sure he was in "normal" clothes, too, but his nose was as big as ever...!). That is something I'll never forget!

[peoplemover]

I would really love to take advantage of this, but unfortunately (and, I think, inexplicably), Annual Passholders are left out.

-Aaron

you can still do it if you are an annual passholder. (well, it's too late now because it's over). but, all you have to do is buy a one day ticket as part of the package. what will you do with that one day ticket? you can then use that for the renewal of your annual pass!!

we'll be going with my family to a couple of restaurants this year...le cellier, hoop-dee-doo, and i think a few others!

we did it last year (with them) and it was great to get whatever you want and not worry about the price!!!

[QueenRahel]

can anyone elaborate on this dining plan a bit more...? what does it include or exclude...i am a fl resident....but i dont have a annual pass ...too broke at the moment...but i would save for a stay at a hotel there if i got some free food?!

[Princess Stitch]

can anyone elaborate on this dining plan a bit more...? what does it include or exclude...i am a fl resident....but i dont have a annual pass ...too broke at the moment...but i would save for a stay at a hotel there if i got some free food?!

LOL... well the past 3 years Disney offered this free dining plan from the end of August to the end of September. You need to book at least 3 nights at rack rate in a hotel and get at least a 1 day magic your way base ticket and then you get the dining plan for free each day of your visit. Dining plan includes one snack (anything under $4 pretty much), one counter service meal (combo & dessert), and one table service (appetizer, entree, dessert) per day of your visit. Normally the dining plan costs about $40 per day per adult.

There are very few restrictions as well. Last year my boyfriend got the $15.99 rib and chicken combo at Starlight Ray's for a counter service meal for example. We totaled up all of our receipts for the 7 days and I think it ended up being around $600 of food that we got for free.. good deal for me!

[peoplemover]

can anyone elaborate on this dining plan a bit more...? what does it include or exclude...i am a fl resident....but i dont have a annual pass ...too broke at the moment...but i would save for a stay at a hotel there if i got some free food?!

the booking period for this upcoming free dining has already ended...i think in june, don't quote me on that...but, you will have to wait until next year if you want to do it.

it is worth it, though! we are too poor to do it ourselves, but, we've tagged along with my aunt/uncle when they come down and it's great!

i forget how many of us went, but, we went to le cellier last year and the bill came to $50/person!

it's also funny because since tax and tip are included, the waitstaff are pushing you to get more because the more you get the more the tip goes up that disney has to pay them...so, even though you don't feel like dessert, they really want you to get it because it's more money for them! (it's also tough to pass up free dessert!!)

[QueenRahel]

thanks guys!!! i have lived here forever and didnt know that existed!! i guess ill have to wait for next year...sigh. it sounds like a really great deal.

[Princess Stitch]

You'd probably get a better deal using an annual pass or florida resident rate for the room and paying the $40 per day for the dining plan... I think I mentioned, but you have to pay rack rate for the hotel room and buy at least a one day pass.. that's probably why you haven't heard of it in Florida. I don't think it's too much of a good deal for the locals, just us suckers who travel during hurricane season!