2016 Free Dining Watch

[SJSloan]

Where can I find this crowd calendar?

easywdw.com

Josh has my favorite crowd calendars!

 

[Disneymom1126]

I updated my address on my MDE account and got one the next week.

What's the chance there will be a room only discount released at the same time as the FD? Has anyone heard rumors about that?

Last year the room only discounts for that time frame were released in mid-July and the available rooms went fast! My dates are likely not going to be free dining a so I did some research on when room only discounts have been announced in the past - Do a google search for "historic room discounts Disney" and it should take you to the site that has them.

Edited - I went and looked and actually there were room only discounts released for the August - early October (10/3) dates around this time last year when FD was announced...sorry I was looking for mid-October and those weren't released till July!

 

[black562]

What's the chance there will be a room only discount released at the same time as the FD? Has anyone heard rumors about that?

A good one, at least for the first month.

 

[ssgtravel]

If I have a package booked with a dining plan and FD shows up for my dates, can I just modify my plan on line, or do I have to call?

 

[Wood Nymph]

If I have a package booked with a dining plan and FD shows up for my dates, can I just modify my plan on line, or do I have to call?

If you have a modify button showing on your reservation page then you should be able to modify online. You also might have to call but you won't know until the time comes.

 

[fllwntr]

It's quiet in here and I'm on a 20 minute hold with WDW. Was FD released?

Never mind. It wasn't.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

How do you know you're obsessed? When you notice HBO is running a "Game of Thrones" Season 5 marathon and only then remember that the Season 6 premiere is this Sunday--because you've been doing too much FD planning to kvetch over Jon Snow.
Just trading one obsession for another.

 

[dancer_mom]

I'm in the same boat. I was planning on the week before Thanksgiving (11-12 to 11-19), though I hadn't booked anything yet. That week the kids have a day off of school, which is why I picked it. But the week after Thanksgiving is looking pretty good now. It looks like it might be slower and have more Christmas. Plus, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is supposed to be down for refurb until around the 18th - if we go the week after Tgiving we'd have a better chance of being able to ride it! And you're right, a little cheaper too!

Ah - I hadn't even researched enough to know about Big Thunder.

I have to readjust expectations a little (no food and wine, not as good a chance for swimming) but honestly for the price difference and convenience of not having to do a split stay or something I think it will be worth it.

I haven't asked my DH yet but I would bet a lot of money that when he sees even the small price difference he will say it is a no brainer

 

[pinkcheezit]

Yes, we are also considering changing our dates. We were thinking the week of 11/12-19th but now with these dates I looked into the week following Thanksgiving and it looks like a better week, lower crowds, BTMRR is running, more Christmas...it looks like that may be when we book. Can't wait for the official announcement!

 

[CMAG38]

I'm in the same boat. I was planning on the week before Thanksgiving (11-12 to 11-19), though I hadn't booked anything yet. That week the kids have a day off of school, which is why I picked it. But the week after Thanksgiving is looking pretty good now. It looks like it might be slower and have more Christmas. Plus, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is supposed to be down for refurb until around the 18th - if we go the week after Tgiving we'd have a better chance of being able to ride it! And you're right, a little cheaper too!

where do you find ride closures?

 

[Attracted to Beasts]

So since it looks like we'll have a few days to wait.....where does everyone plan on eating with their FD?!?! We have ADRs for Tusker House, Ohana (breakfast and dinner), Tutto Italia, Liberty Tree Tavern, and Rainforest Cafe (not super excited about that one but DS (4) and DS (3) really want to go!

 

[Iowamomof4]

Someone remind me that Disboards folks are a small minority of all Disney guests. All these people talking about moving to the week after Thanksgiving are making me nervous that my vacation time will end up being horribly crowded!

 

[Jgeauxmo]

So since it looks like we'll have a few days to wait.....where does everyone plan on eating with their FD?!?! We have ADRs for Tusker House, Ohana (breakfast and dinner), Tutto Italia, Liberty Tree Tavern, and Rainforest Cafe (not super excited about that one but DS (4) and DS (3) really want to go!

We have a laundry list! I think we are going to do biergarten, yachtsman, bog, ohana dinner cape may breakfast, 50's, hddr, via Napoli and Rose and crown. I'm still hoping they tweak the dates so we can check in on the 29th instead of the 28th but we shall see. Getting ADRs is going to be a nightmare.

 

[1sttimedisneymama]

Lol I think this really is a very small percentage of Disney vacationers

 

[Mickeycrocs]

So since it looks like we'll have a few days to wait.....where does everyone plan on eating with their FD?!?! We have ADRs for Tusker House, Ohana (breakfast and dinner), Tutto Italia, Liberty Tree Tavern, and Rainforest Cafe (not super excited about that one but DS (4) and DS (3) really want to go!

We have reservations for chef mickeys, tusker house, Hollywood & vine, Ohana breakfast, garden grill and crystal palace! Never been to any of them before, except Ohana. Can't wait!

 

[Attracted to Beasts]

We have a laundry list! I think we are going to do biergarten, yachtsman, bog, ohana dinner cape may breakfast, 50's, hddr, via Napoli and Rose and crown. I'm still hoping they tweak the dates so we can check in on the 29th instead of the 28th but we shall see. Getting ADRs is going to be a nightmare.

Make your ADRs now...you don't need a reservation to make them. That's what I did. I have ADRs for August and September and then I'll just cancel the ones we don't use!

 

[1437disney]

Someone remind me that Disboards folks are a small minority of all Disney guests. All these people talking about moving to the week after Thanksgiving are making me nervous that my vacation time will end up being horribly crowded!

Me too! We had this week book since last September! We choose it because of the crowd level and my my youngest DD is special needs and low crowds/wait times would work best for her.

 

[Mickeycrocs]

Hey guys flip on abc on tv they're doing a Disney segment

 

[Sharongal74]

So since it looks like we'll have a few days to wait.....where does everyone plan on eating with their FD?!?! We have ADRs for Tusker House, Ohana (breakfast and dinner), Tutto Italia, Liberty Tree Tavern, and Rainforest Cafe (not super excited about that one but DS (4) and DS (3) really want to go!

Since I don't have exact dates yet Im making a list. 50's, hoop Dee do, sci fi, crystal palace, tusker house, le celliar. Trying to do one we haven't done so if anyone has any suggestions. And I'm trying to stay away from breakfast since I booked a ton last time and hated being rushed around in the morning.

 

[pinkcheezit]

I know a lot of people don't have flexible dates, with kids being in school and work schedules.