Originally Posted By Mickeymickeymickey This is actually a 2 part question... First of all a girlfriend told me that sometimes Disney offers FREE dining if you schedule a vacation during hurricane season. Has anyone ever taken advantage of this? It just sounds too good to be true. Second...how is DisneyWorld during hurricane season? I haven't ever really paid attention, but never have heard of damage done to the park because of hurricane season. Thanks!
Originally Posted By Labuda Mid-August through the end of September is when you should look for the free dining promotion - I've done it twice ('05 and '06) and it was great. As for hurricane season - the parks were closed for a day or two during one of the '04 hurricanes, but usually WDW doens't get hit by hurricanes since it's so far inland. Just make sure if you book during hurricane season that you get trip insurance just in case!
Originally Posted By seafairy We went Last Aug.28th. Already had it booked at that time because we were doing the land and sea vacation and the rates were cheaper for the cruise at that time. We didn't have the free dinning when we booked,but saw it later and disney added it. It was a graet savings! Hurricane Ernesto happened when we were there but when it hit Orlando it was a tropical storm.The parks were pretty empty. We walked on almost all the rides.We only had one day when it poured down rain. It didn't start till 5:00pm.It was super windy so we headed back to our resort.We had a great time. Seafairy
Originally Posted By bloona free dining?.....wow! how does that work? do you get ALL meals free? We had a day in October 2004 where there was a tropical storm, it was far worse than Id anticipated. We were due to go to blizzard beach that day, but went to epcot instead.The rain was constant and really heavy for 90% of the day. Really disappointing. Remember sitting watching the Impressions de France film and shivering with the air con as we were so, so wet. Ponchos just werent enough. Oh hark at me "Mrs optimistic!!"...lol...sorry...I know it was unusual that year, with lots of hurricanes.Hurricane Jeanne(sp) hit two days before we went.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I was at WDW when Floyd came through. Although Floyd didn't do much damage to Orlando, I don't know if I would ever go during hurricane season again. It makes for a rather tense time because for several days before the storm hits there are predictions of where it is likely to go. Although you try to go ahead and have a good time, the thought of the storm is always in the back of your mind. I never worried about being injured or killed; that would be tremendously unlikely since Orlando is so far inland. I just worried about it being a logistical mess. The last night of my reservation at the All Star Sports was the night before Floyd was going to hit. If the storm actually did come through, where would I stay? Would I have to camp out at the airport? When would I be able to get home again? The one rather amusing part about being at WDW the night before Floyd is that the pool bar was jammed with people getting trashed. I'm sure many just used the storm as a good excuse to get really drunk. Others were truly scared. There was a young woman from England sitting near me who was absolutely in tears over the fear of what might happen. The next day I had my brother drive me to the airport really early so he would be able to get back home before things got bad. The airport was a mess… people doing practically anything they could to get a flight out of there before Floyd came through. My plane was one of the last flights to leave before they closed MCO. I’ve got to tell you… I’ve never been so happy to get away from a place in my life. Free food wouldn’t get me back. I’d hold out for a week at the Grand Floridian. ;-)
Originally Posted By Labuda "free dining?.....wow! how does that work? do you get ALL meals free?" You get the Disney Dining Plan for free - that means one table service, one counter service, and one "snack" free per night of your package.
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey My mom and I had the free dining plan in '05 and we saved over $400 on meals. It was definitely worth it.
Originally Posted By hihox2 1st Post!!Does anyone know when that free meal deal starts? We are going for the 1st time as a family August 5th -18th
Originally Posted By MPierce Rumor has it running from Aug. 26 - Sep.22. Remember that is just a rumor, however Disney will have to announce something soon for people to make their reservations. I believe U.K. residents already get free dining up until Sep. 29. Also if you stayed at WDW back in DEcember you had the option for free dining during this period. These are the rumors I've heard.
Originally Posted By MPierce I have no idea how my post got over here. I guess it's one of those mysterys of life.
Originally Posted By MinnieSummer Going during hurricane season isn't really that bad. I actually head to WDW when a hurricane is approaching to ride out the storm -- but then I live in South Florida and we get nailed all the time. There's nothing better than talking to my husband on the phone, who is sitting in the house with no a/c or lights, while I'm standing in line to ride one of his favorite rides. My daughter and I have a blast while he stays home and does the man thing -- protect the house from looters.
