******Official 2017 Free Dining Plan Watch, Wait, and Dream

[Kudmani]

Here is my new Express Transportation idea. I know I said I was going to wait for my FP's but still thinking about it. Here it is: Drive to AK and leave the car (this is where we want to end up at night). Go into park and buy express pass. Take the bus to MK, where we want to start the day (thus avoiding the security and the crowds at the TTC). Use express to go to Epcot and back to MK and then back to AK after dinner or for dinner and drive back to our condo at the end of the night. What do you all think of this plan?

For myself, that would be too much of my day spent waiting for/sitting on buses.

 

[Kudmani]

For myself, that would be too much of my day spent waiting for/sitting on buses.

I would also miss that feeling of starting my day walking down Main Street with the image of the castle in the distance.

 

[Tom P.]

I would also miss that feeling of starting my day walking down Main Street with the image of the castle in the distance.

I agree with this, and it is the only downside I see to the express transportation. I actually like entering each park through its proper entrance. It's part of the experience. Coming in through a backstage area to some random area in the park would seem... less magical to me. I can see where the time savings would be huge, and I'll probably do it on our next trip at least some, but I'd miss the experience.

 

[Azjenn]

I would also miss that feeling of starting my day walking down Main Street with the image of the castle in the distance.

I never even thought of this aspect, but I would miss that too! Coming in through the front gates is definitely part of the experience for me. Maybe after I had gone to each park once I wouldn't mind.

 

[Disneylover99]

Here is my new Express Transportation idea. I know I said I was going to wait for my FP's but still thinking about it. Here it is: Drive to AK and leave the car (this is where we want to end up at night). Go into park and buy express pass. Take the bus to MK, where we want to start the day (thus avoiding the security and the crowds at the TTC). Use express to go to Epcot and back to MK and then back to AK after dinner or for dinner and drive back to our condo at the end of the night. What do you all think of this plan?

It depends on what time you want to start your day at. First Express bus will leave AK at 10am. Is sounds like you have a long day planned. I would want to be at MK at rope drop.

If you're going back and forth between MK and Epcot, wouldn't it just be easier (and cheaper) to use the monorail, then drive to AK later?

 

[Nagy3girls]

I'm seriously getting impatient now...lol...I just want a rumor at least...

 

[JJIRmom]

So quick question. Planning on staying at a value but wanting to upgrade from FD quick service to the regular dining plan. When FD is released would it be best to just book the free quick service & call to upgrade later, or does the website give us the choice to pay the difference from free quick service to regular?

 

[Taylor F.]

So quick question. Planning on staying at a value but wanting to upgrade from FD quick service to the regular dining plan. When FD is released would it be best to just book the free quick service & call to upgrade later, or does the website give us the choice to pay the difference from free quick service to regular?

Maybe it's just me, but I feel that in my moment of spazzing to book FD, I'd just book it and call when the phone lines opened to upgrade. Lol!

 

[memma05]

So anyone here, going the middle part of December?

We are! Booked at CBR 12/11-12/22

 

[Elle23]

So quick question. Planning on staying at a value but wanting to upgrade from FD quick service to the regular dining plan. When FD is released would it be best to just book the free quick service & call to upgrade later, or does the website give us the choice to pay the difference from free quick service to regular?

You have the choice to upgrade on the site. We upgraded from qs to the regular dining plan when booking the stay, play, and dine package with no problem.

 

[DiaryofaDisneyKid]

DOOM AND GLOOM AGAIN TODAY! Well, we had two days of sun, I got lots done outside. The rain is back, another disappointing day, just like the NO NEWS days of Disney FD....

Same here, it was beautiful and sunny the last 2 days but now it's grey and cloudy. I really want FD to be released soon!

 

[DisneyMumMum]

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I agree with you about Main Street, it's my favorite part of the trip...however will love saving time hopping to other parks .We have a split stay at GF/WL so maybe start most days at MK then hop as needed

 

[MomTo3PrincessesInNJ]

I'm headed to France (and Disneyland Paris) next week and will be out of touch with the real world for 12 days, so you can all rest assured that FD will drop then, since I won't be able to grab it as soon as it's listed.

You're welcome.

 

[pghmom]

I'm starting to get anxious about this darn FD release. SW dropped fares to $66 one way yesterday, but I can't book because IDK if we are going. If we don't get FD, we're going to be priced out this year given some budgetary adjustments we've recently had to make (I'm looking at you, back porch that needs to be demolished and rebuilt). Ugh.

If we can stack FD + CBR gift cards, we should be able to swing it. If not... looks like we may adjust to a week at the beach instead.

 

[DisneyLifePapioNe]

Maybe it's just me, but I feel that in my moment of spazzing to book FD, I'd just book it and call when the phone lines opened to upgrade. Lol!

Spazzing

 

[ThistleMae]

Just keep in mind the park operating times for that plan as well as when the express will actually run - if MK opens at 8 and you want to be there early you won't be able to get the express bus until 10am from AK

Yes exactly, so many things to keep in mind.

 

[Rusty2rules]

If we can stack FD + CBR gift cards, we should be able to swing it.

Are they still giving out the CBR gift cards? For some reason I thought the reservation window for qualifying for those had closed.

 

[Rusty2rules]

OK, since there aren't any rumors about FD, I have another question. Kind of food related...

I have reservations for the Happily Ever After dessert party at Tomorrowland Terrace, which I had to pay for up front. But if I can snag a reservation to the Star Wars dessert party at DHS I want to get that one instead and cancel the other one. Here's my question. I know I can cancel the reservation. Will I get refunded?

 

[pghmom]

Are they still giving out the CBR gift cards? For some reason I thought the reservation window for qualifying for those had closed.

I have a reservation that qualifies for them that was booked prior to the end date.

ETA: Sorry, that didn't answer your question. They're only for reservations booked prior to 3/20 (I think that was the cutoff date).

 

[bizeemom4]

Are they still giving out the CBR gift cards? For some reason I thought the reservation window for qualifying for those had closed.

They are not doing it for new reservations