2016 Free Dining Watch ~ Part 2

[Disneylover99]

You're making an apples and oranges comparison. Not everyone wants to stay at a moderate.

Of course not, but since the person asking the original question is posting on the FD thread and says they are willing to move resorts for the promotion and they would like to pay the same money as their deal with FD added, I'm guessing they're interested in the savings.

 

[Burlingtondw]

I already have a reservation at CBR for Sept. 30. So, I will be able to change my reservation online to include FD when released on Monday or do I have to call?

Yes you can do it online through mde, not sure what time though

 

[lacy1101]

On an existing reservation on MDE when you to go change my reservation will FD be under the dining plan or under the vacation offer?

I'd like to know the answer to this as well . . .

 

[Burlingtondw]

I am in the same boat. I know that earlier it was indicated that they were available at 6am but I chatted with a CM yesterday and they told me Midnight.

Just did mine in march, not available at 555 but it was at 6am est, midnight is usually just FP+

 

[Burlingtondw]

I'd like to know the answer to this as well . . .

Special offers

 

[Jordyn1123]

ONE. MORE. SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Disneylover99]

ONE. MORE. SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Til no sleep!!!!!

 

[lacy1101]

Special offers

Thank you!

 

[Jordyn1123]

Totally off topic but I got my first UOC yesterday!!!!!! Still can't believe it not for my dates but I made the list

 

[Disobsessed16]

I'd like to know the answer to this as well . . .

Me too, especially since when I try to modify my reservation it tells me to call

 

[damskipi13]

The stress eating that FD has caused this week has been the stuff of legends. I am so ready for Monday to get here so I can go back to not eating everything I look at.

Did anybody else notice that these posts were back-to-back?

So If I called today, would it be updated on MDE before Monday, you think? So far, it doesn't look like Pop is excluded from FD, right? Thank you, RedWolf95 and WoodNymph, for your responses!

When I called a week ago, the CM said it can take up to 24 hours to update in MDE. It is often less, but I would make any changes today and not wait until Sunday.

Random question....not sure if anyone knows the answer: I have an ADR for 4 people at ohana at 5:20pm. After I booked everything for 4 My parents said they may end up coming with us! We weren't able to find anything on that day (it's DH birthday) for a party of 6 so my parents booked a 5:05pm for 2. Do you think they'd let us all sit together since the reservations are so close?

Agree with previous respondents that it is possible but not probable. I think your best bet would be to continue checking. A lot of stuff will probably open in the next few weeks as people change their plans. Also, there will be late cancellations in the week leading up to the reservation, including the day prior. So you can have 2 reservations as a backup but still try for one.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Silly question....does anyone know if the refillable mug designed has changed? I just can't imagine have 4 more of that same design kicking around the house.

They changed the mug design sometime between our January trip and our February trip. We had to buy the new mug in February.

The price is great for a Deluxe no doubt, and it can't be beat. But you still have to factor in the cost of food. That's where FD at a mod becomes the better deal.

It is a cheaper deal, not a better deal.

Of course not, but since the person asking the original question is posting on the FD thread and says they are willing to move resorts for the promotion and they would like to pay the same money as their deal with FD added, I'm guessing they're interested in the savings.

I think that their family would kill them if the trip was switched to a moderate. And they would probably regret it, too. A split stay at Poly and BC is just about the most perfect Disney trip imaginable, imo.

 

[DisBuckMan]

It is a cheaper deal, not a better deal.

Bingo. Cheaper doesn't always mean "better".

 

[Disneylover99]

It is a cheaper deal, not a better deal.

I think that their family would kill them if the trip was switched to a moderate. And they would probably regret it, too. A split stay at Poly and BC is just about the most perfect Disney trip imaginable, imo.

You're right. Cheaper.

But forking out big bucks for food everyday makes those magical deals a little less magical when the reality of food costs hit you.

 

[NicoleLarson]

Regarding this, if we book a new stay at a moderate with FD, won't the system recognize that we are booked at two different place on the same dates? I suspect cancelling reservation won't be any TA first priority on release day.

No

 

[Wood Nymph]

But forking out big bucks for food everyday makes those magical deals a little less magical when the reality of food costs hit you.

True. But it did cost at least $750 more to stay at a moderate with free dining than it did to keep their "wonderful" deluxe vacation. So the additional cost for food might only be another $100 per day. And avoiding huge bus trips with multiple stops every day , and being able to see fireworks from your resort, and having a balcony, and having a bigger room, and having an awesome pool, would be worth it.

You also get a real closet with doors that close, a real dresser that holds more clothes, real glasses and real mugs instead of plastic, body wash, a nicer room, etc, with the BC and Poly.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

Guess we will be switching our normal week up then this year. We typically go the week before Thanksgiving, but I do not want to hit Thanksgiving crowds with a 11/15 start date. We will arrive now after Thanksgiving. My only worry is higher flight prices traveling that weekend.

It will be fun to see the Epcot Christmas attractions though that we have never gotten to see.

I'm in the same boat here. Always loved that week before Thanksgiving, but 11/15 is much too close to the crowds. Looking at the week after as well. What additional Christmas attractions have I been missing out on?
I'm not as worried about airfare, in my preliminary comparisons, it seemed comparable.

Yes, what happens and when at Epcot? MK obviously gets enough Christmas to hold the parties as early as Nov 7, but what about Epcot? Those of us planning to go in the first half of November will definitely miss out on the Candlelight Processional, but what about IllumiNations or Holiday Around the World? Will the tree get put up right after Halloween, or are they too busy with Food & Wine?
This could affect whether we go before or after Thanksgiving.

 

[CaraMiaBelle]

Our 180 day for making dining reservations is Monday....how difficult is it going to be for me to get online at 6am to make my reservations if free dining is announced! ?

Pretty difficult. That really stinks.
The good news is that no one else will be able to make theirs either.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Yes, what happens and when at Epcot? MK obviously gets enough Christmas to hold the parties as early as Nov 7, but what about Epcot? Those of us planning to go in the first half of November will definitely miss out on the Candlelight Processional, but what about IllumiNations or Holiday Around the World? Will the tree get put up right after Halloween, or are they too busy with Food & Wine?
This could affect whether we go before or after Thanksgiving.

Food and Wine will still be going on in Epcot the first week of November. I don't think they put any Christmas decorations up until later. If you wait until after Thanksgiving you will get the storytellers and the Candlelight Processional.

 

[DisBuckMan]

True. But it did cost at least $750 more to stay at a moderate with free dining than it did to keep their "wonderful" deluxe vacation. So the additional cost for food might only be another $100 per day. And avoiding huge bus trips with multiple stops every day , and being able to see fireworks from your resort, and having a balcony, and having a bigger room, and having an awesome pool, would be worth it.

Yep. If "cheaper" is the goal, why would anyone consider a moderate when the values would be even cheaper....not by much once one pays the upgrade to the regular dining plan fee, but still cheaper.