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

[vikkil70]

And, for the first time ever, I am thinking of NOT bumping up to table service plan from quick service. I'm going the 1st week of September and it's so darn hot, I have very little appetite and just feel we wasted so much food. Plus, I would like to try doing something different this trip. Maybe this will give us more freedom from schedules. However, if I can get it free with a moderate resort, I won't say "no thank you"

We did the same thing our last trip in 2012 and are keeping the QS again this year if we get free dining. We found enough good QS to keep us happy and it seems like there are more is DS now as well. We liked having the freedom to not have to worry about watching the clock to not be late for our ADRs. It is myself and my sons traveling with my father and his girlfriend so we everyone can eat when they want. We did make two ADRs one for BOG lunch and also Mamma Melrose for the Fantasmic dining package.


I had lots of pages to go through today but seems like no new news. This week has been crazy with real life butting in to my FD dreams, lol. Good crazy though we just adopted an 8 week old kitten who we named Nala. Right now she is on my lap as I read on my laptop and she is very fascinated with all the animated emojis we all post here, especially the dancing man.

I will be e-mailing my TA today to make sure we are on the same page if FD drops Monday, my only concern is we added the MM when we first booked and I hope that can be transferred if she can get us FD, maybe I should have waited to add it until after FD but I did not think about it at the time. OH well too late now. Just a few more days hopefully and we will all know.

 

[FinnsMom7]

If you really want to do all those TS meals, then yeah, you might as well upgrade.

But if you just want to do 3 TS meals, I would just pay oop with the $296 you have from not upgrading and then you'll also have 2 quick service meals as well. You'll have a ton of food!

Last year we just did 2 table services since it was DH first time and only 5 nights with loads to do. This year we have 7 nights and want to fit in more "laid back" meals at least 5 of our nights leaving one free to get in whatever we missed and then for MVMCP we won't do dinner maybe late lunch. So I made a list of places we think we will eat TS and its above $150 easily - At least I don't have to upgrade until it is closer to my trip so I will have plenty of time to - as my DH says - talk it over with myself and get myself to the answer LOL

 

[scard192]

Oh no, this throws a curve ball! So glad I know now!

also need to figure out your tickets too. it's probably cheaper to buy 10 day tix with your FD package rather than 4 day tix with the RO ressie and 6 day tix with the FD package. You can activate and use the tix from the FD package early; I know you can do this 3 days early hopefully someone else will post if they have been able to activate and use tickets 4 days early. If you buy all the tix with the FD package you need to go to Guest Services to activate the tickets; you will not be able to make FP+ 60 days in advance for 11/10-13 with this option. Once the tix are activated you could then make FP+ for the days you have the RO reservation.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

I'm a TA and I can tell you I've never received any notification ahead of time for any Disney discount. As long as I'm on the ball I can find out as soon as it drops, but so can anyone else who is paying attention like all the folks on this board. Disney doesn't have TAs employed by them.

This is just my opinion, but it's possible there is a TA somewhere who is saying this to try to get leads. If it drops as rumored, they may be able to help some folks get the deal, but I don't believe they received any official word from Disney. It is nice that the date they are mentioning agrees with the rumor.

I trust Black's info more than I would trust a TA saying they got a heads up from Disney. Whatever Black's sources are he seems to always be darn near spot on everytime with his info year after year. I'm following along here just like everyone to try to be ready for it.

Just hope everyone remembers, if anything unexpected happens and the info we are hoping is true turns out to not be what drops, don't get angry at any of the people who have posted the rumors. They are trying to help everyone as much as possible, but no matter what they say nothing is 100% for sure until the deal is actually available. I know most everyone here would stay civil, but I also remember when a couple folks got really aggressive on here back when one of the years things didn't go the way everyone was thinking. It was ugly, and it made the people who try to help question why they bother trying to help.

In all the excitement, please remember that you're doing all of this to go to the Happiest Place on Earth, so let's not get take the Highway to Hell to get there.

Sorry, know most of you don't need to hear this, but everyone is so anxious waiting. I get nervous every year about things getting nasty again. It was really sad. Getting off my soapbox now. Good luck everyone.

Well said!

 

[bizeemom4]

I'm a TA and I can tell you I've never received any notification ahead of time for any Disney discount. As long as I'm on the ball I can find out as soon as it drops, but so can anyone else who is paying attention like all the folks on this board. Disney doesn't have TAs employed by them.

This is just my opinion, but it's possible there is a TA somewhere who is saying this to try to get leads. If it drops as rumored, they may be able to help some folks get the deal, but I don't believe they received any official word from Disney. It is nice that the date they are mentioning agrees with the rumor.

I trust Black's info more than I would trust a TA saying they got a heads up from Disney. Whatever Black's sources are he seems to always be darn near spot on everytime with his info year after year. I'm following along here just like everyone to try to be ready for it.

Just hope everyone remembers, if anything unexpected happens and the info we are hoping is true turns out to not be what drops, don't get angry at any of the people who have posted the rumors. They are trying to help everyone as much as possible, but no matter what they say nothing is 100% for sure until the deal is actually available. I know most everyone here would stay civil, but I also remember when a couple folks got really aggressive on here back when one of the years things didn't go the way everyone was thinking. It was ugly, and it made the people who try to help question why they bother trying to help.

In all the excitement, please remember that you're doing all of this to go to the Happiest Place on Earth, so let's not get take the Highway to Hell to get there.

Sorry, know most of you don't need to hear this, but everyone is so anxious waiting. I get nervous every year about things getting nasty again. It was really sad. Getting off my soapbox now. Good luck everyone.

Exactly. Another TA here. If Disney found out that the TA is advertising this falsely, they would face big issues. It puzzles me how unscrupulous some folks can be. I wouldn't do business with that TA for sure.

 

[Obi Shaun Kanobi]

Last year, I just I took my first trip to DW ever and just got lucky. I booked in May to get Free Dining at Coronado. It saved so much money. We are hoping to go again in December of this year. Being new to this group, will we know before Monday if the rumored drop on the 24th is true or not? Will we know before Monday which hotels really are included/excluded? For those Disney veterans out there, what should I expect heading into the weekend? I live in CA, so should I be up at 1am on Monday? We wanna take our 4 year old to all of the character dining spots, but wont be able to afford it without FD. Thank you.

 

[missnikki411]

I need advice from people better at running the numbers than I am. It's just DH and I going. We don't eat at any of the more expensive restaurants, and typically order some of the cheapest meals where we do eat. Because of this, I am thinking if we are staying at a mod, we would be better off taking the room discount instead of QS FD. If we did FD, we would still want a few sit downs, so would be paying out of pocket and potentially not using all our QS. Or should we upgrade to DDP instead of room discount? ADVICE PLEASE AND THANKS

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Last year, I just I took my first trip to DW ever and just got lucky. I booked in May to get Free Dining at Coronado. It saved so much money. We are hoping to go again in December of this year. Being new to this group, will we know before Monday if the rumored drop on the 24th is true or not? Will we know before Monday which hotels really are included/excluded? For those Disney veterans out there, what should I expect heading into the weekend? I live in CA, so should I be up at 1am on Monday? We wanna take our 4 year old to all of the character dining spots, but wont be able to afford it without FD. Thank you.

Nothing is for sure until it actually happens. The past few years the offer has become available around 4am, but it could be any time. The rumors could change or become more solidified before it drops, but until it's live on Disney's site there is nothing guaranteed as far as dates, which hotels are included/excluded, etc.

 

[KimBean]

I need advice from people better at running the numbers than I am. It's just DH and I going. We don't eat at any of the more expensive restaurants, and typically order some of the cheapest meals where we do eat. Because of this, I am thinking if we are staying at a mod, we would be better off taking the room discount instead of QS FD. If we did FD, we would still want a few sit downs, so would be paying out of pocket and potentially not using all our QS. Or should we upgrade to DDP instead of room discount? ADVICE PLEASE AND THANKS

I can help. PM me.

 

[Meeko5]

Last year, I just I took my first trip to DW ever and just got lucky. I booked in May to get Free Dining at Coronado. It saved so much money. We are hoping to go again in December of this year. Being new to this group, will we know before Monday if the rumored drop on the 24th is true or not? Will we know before Monday which hotels really are included/excluded? For those Disney veterans out there, what should I expect heading into the weekend? I live in CA, so should I be up at 1am on Monday? We wanna take our 4 year old to all of the character dining spots, but wont be able to afford it without FD. Thank you.

We won't know until it goes live, but usually the dates and exclusions leaked are correct. I'd have a 1st choice and backup plan ready and start checking the disney site early. Last year it went live about 4am EST!

 

[Icicles]

Hi everyone

I keep seeing things about FD not necessarily saving $. I don't quite understand how that is possible. Do room rates go up?

I'm looking at 5 nights at WL in December...2 adults and 2 kids with dining plan and park hoppers....It comes out to about $5300. How could FD not save $? If I take the dining plan off the price drops $1,000. Is this not how it all actually works out if FD is offered?

I am one of those people! According to my math (albeit not my strong suit) it would be more expensive to use FD is it comes out as rumoured. For 2a 1c, by the time we pay for PH and upgrading the QSDP to DDP (we want TS for our first on-site stay) it appears more expensive than buying CDN tix, finding a RO and paying for dining.!

 

[Meeko5]

I need advice from people better at running the numbers than I am. It's just DH and I going. We don't eat at any of the more expensive restaurants, and typically order some of the cheapest meals where we do eat. Because of this, I am thinking if we are staying at a mod, we would be better off taking the room discount instead of QS FD. If we did FD, we would still want a few sit downs, so would be paying out of pocket and potentially not using all our QS. Or should we upgrade to DDP instead of room discount? ADVICE PLEASE AND THANKS

Usually 2 adults at a mod will be better off with a RO discount I think - especially if you aren't "make the most of the DDP and order steak every day" people haha.

 

[Bethislucy]

Has anymore clarity been leaked if it will be park hoppers or park hoppers plus that’s required? I’ve heard it both ways.

 

[KimBean]

Uh oh, I dont log on for a day and the forum jumps about 25 pages. What was said? Any new information? Are we still going with what Black said to be true?

Sorry I only have about 30 minutes this morning and it appears no one on this morning knows what was said 4 pages back - me included!! Last night while I was trying to shut off my addiction to the DIS and go to sleep someone posted that Dad said that FD blackout dates worked exactly as RO blackout dates. He stated this was how it worked last year as well. I don't believe this to be true so I'm just confirming - we are ignoring this and moving on right?

 

[Meeko5]

Oh and adding the park hopper if you wouldn't use it ups the cost too obviously. We would buy hoppers anyway, especially since MK closes early so much for Parties when we go.

Value all depends on your vacation style there!

 

[scard192]

Usually 2 adults at a mod will be better off with a RO discount I think - especially if you aren't "make the most of the DDP and order steak every day" people haha.

unless the mod is POFQ, RO tends to be less there

 

[ThistleMae]

Hello DIS Boards! I've been stalking this thread since early March, but I couldn't resist posting any longer. Your general politeness and willingness to help your fellow travelers inspired me to post!

I grew up in California, but moved to Massachusetts in 2014. A couple of my friends from California and I were planning a trip to WDW for May, but they're staying off-site and weren't really interested in doing much planning because that's not how it works at DLR. Unluckily for me, I tore my Achilles last year and ended up having surgery to repair it three weeks ago - so I had to cancel the May trip. This is me:

Luckily for me, I have an amazing older sister, who decided that our first time at WDW should be together (because our DBfs would be sticks in the mud)! Our dates are September 4-13! Oddly enough, we didn't know about FD until AFTER we picked our dates. It was sheer coincidence that we made our hotel reservations 184 days before our vacation. Those three or four days were spent on YouTube, watching past and present episodes of the DIS Unplugged to figure out the best places to eat. I was able to wake up at 6 AM at 180 days out and get all of the ADRs we wanted.

Our current budget includes dining costs, but if we can get FD, we'll take it! We're currently staying at CBR, but already have plans to book WL on Monday if we can't get it at CBR. I'm hoping to be able to fall asleep at 8 PM or so on Sunday night and wake up at 3 AM. My sister still lives in California, so she'll be able to check before then. I'll be around with the rest of you Monday morning, hoping to celebrate the FD that comes our way!!

We are the best, just a bunch of nice people. I have an Achilles tendon thing going on....wearing the "boot" to the parks. Welcome to the Madness!

 

[sharonabe]

Last year, I just I took my first trip to DW ever and just got lucky. I booked in May to get Free Dining at Coronado. It saved so much money. We are hoping to go again in December of this year. Being new to this group, will we know before Monday if the rumored drop on the 24th is true or not? Will we know before Monday which hotels really are included/excluded? For those Disney veterans out there, what should I expect heading into the weekend? I live in CA, so should I be up at 1am on Monday? We wanna take our 4 year old to all of the character dining spots, but wont be able to afford it without FD. Thank you.

We should have a better idea sometime this weekend, but no guarantees. Just hang around here and check in every now and then to see what's being said. And yes, you will want to be up Sunday night. Unfortunately, there's no way to know when Disney will load it into the system. It could be any time between midnight EDT and 7 am EDT.

I need advice from people better at running the numbers than I am. It's just DH and I going. We don't eat at any of the more expensive restaurants, and typically order some of the cheapest meals where we do eat. Because of this, I am thinking if we are staying at a mod, we would be better off taking the room discount instead of QS FD. If we did FD, we would still want a few sit downs, so would be paying out of pocket and potentially not using all our QS. Or should we upgrade to DDP instead of room discount? ADVICE PLEASE AND THANKS

Discount at mods is usually 20-25%, so you just need to run the numbers. Choose the mod you're most interested in and see if you can get a non-discounted room only price for your dates and then do the math with the discount. Is that enough money for the two of you to eat? Do you have access to discounted tickets to up that amount? Compare that number to what the non-discounted rate is with an upgrade to DDP.

 

[scard192]

Sorry I only have about 30 minutes this morning and it appears no one on this morning knows what was said 4 pages back - me included!! Last night while I was trying to shut off my addiction to the DIS and go to sleep someone posted that Dad said that FD blackout dates worked exactly as RO blackout dates. He stated this was how it worked last year as well. I don't believe this to be true so I'm just confirming - we are ignoring this and moving on right?

I think you are correct, last year FD was blacked out from 10/2-11/14; pretty sure there were RO discounts for some parts of October. I do remember the first RO discounts for Fall ran until ~ 11/5,people were waiting for the next bunch of dates to come out.

 

[KimBean]

I need advice from people better at running the numbers than I am. It's just DH and I going. We don't eat at any of the more expensive restaurants, and typically order some of the cheapest meals where we do eat. Because of this, I am thinking if we are staying at a mod, we would be better off taking the room discount instead of QS FD. If we did FD, we would still want a few sit downs, so would be paying out of pocket and potentially not using all our QS. Or should we upgrade to DDP instead of room discount? ADVICE PLEASE AND THANKS

I pm'ed you. If you can give me just a few details I can give you the numbers to compare.