2016 Free Dining Watch

[xipotec]

As long as your check in date falls in the dates offered, you'll get it your whole trip (up to 14 nights).

Not sure about when Christmas decorations go up. I know very soon after the last MNSSHP party since their first MVMCP is starting 11/7.

Based on my experience (extensive) the decor begin to go up November 1st week. Its a huge job and takes some time. Each resort seems to have its own schedule. At Poly they have always been finished by November 15 or so. One year they were done second week. 2 years back the were just starting second week.

Each visit we have gone in November the parks had about the same schedule. MK seems to be the quickest, and we have been there Vetern's day and seen decor there every year. Hollywood studios and AK also had quite a bit of decor up by the 14th. Epcot seems to be the slowest.....

 

[xipotec]

 

[lilkimmyk]

 

[KT0191]

Based on my experience (extensive) the decor begin to go up November 1st week. Its a huge job and takes some time. Each resort seems to have its own schedule. At Poly they have always been finished by November 15 or so. One year they were done second week. 2 years back the were just starting second week.

Each visit we have gone in November the parks had about the same schedule. MK seems to be the quickest, and we have been there Vetern's day and seen decor there every year. Hollywood studios and AK also had quite a bit of decor up by the 14th. Epcot seems to be the slowest.....

Ohh, good to know! Thank you.

 

[Brer boy]

Thanks! I know it's just speculation but it brings great excitement to us just to have an insider 'suggesting' that it might be possible

Another question: based on last years blackout dates of 10/3-10/24 and again 11/1-11/7, if we were to check-in on 10/29 for 8 days, would we have received FD for the duration of our trip or would we only have FD on the 29th-31st of October?

And one last question (for now): when does Disney start putting up decorations for Christmas? In years prior we have always been there during Halloween and typically depart the 30th or 31st, but this year our kids' schedules may allow us more flexibility to span the last part of October and the first part of November. Just wondering if we would likely see some of the Christmas decor during the first few days of November.

Thanks again

I'm not sure if other answers were clear, but in your example FD would end Oct 31 even if you have room reservations for several more days. We were at WDW last year and left Oct 31 because FD ended and they would not extend one more day, which was our original reservation.

 

[kdisser]

As long as you check in for your vacation while the promo is going on it will last for the whole package..up to 14 days. So if you check in on the last day of the promo to be staying the night on the last night of the promo such as checking in Oct. 31 when that is the last day for the promo it will last for the whole trip.

 

[Disneylover99]

I'm not sure if other answers were clear, but in your example FD would end Oct 31 even if you have room reservations for several more days. We were at WDW last year and left Oct 31 because FD ended and they would not extend one more day, which was our original reservation.

If she checked in on Oct. 29th, for eight nights, she could get free dining until Nov. 6th depending on availability of course.

 

[maybethisyear]

This is year two that I have followed these threads. Last year, I did extensive research in the hopes of being prepared for this year's release. I do have concerns that as time goes on, they will further reduce the benefits of the offer. Having said that, I'm not sure my kid is ready for Disney yet - which is why I'm fairly noncommittal. Myself, husband and child have never been to Disney.

Things I wonder - We are definitely not hot weather people. Would November still be terrible for us? Are the crowds horrendous (one of the reasons we are pessimistic about the prospect of going) in November/Early December?
We want to time it when the crowds are as low as possible, the heat is not terrible, there is free dining, and there are Christmas decorations. Not a big list at all right? lol

Also, I've read previously about people booking their children as adults during free dining. Paying the extra ticket price, but making it possible for the child to order off either the adult or children's menu. This sounds like the option we would like to go with if anyone has more recent experience about trying to do this. Our child has never eaten a chicken finger or anything else fried and would not touch the typical kids food. Anybody have feedback on doing this?

And lastly,
My parents have expressed interest in going on this trip with us. I'm not sure if that will actually happen or not. There is question as to if they would stay in a similar room at the same resort, or something downgraded (we will likely book a better room in whatever resort we go with). Would it be better to book the entire thing together when free dining is released, and then modify the reservation with their part later if need be? Or, better to book them separate and just cancel/modify theirs if it didn't work out?

 

[Confederate Scott]

This is year two that I have followed these threads. Last year, I did extensive research in the hopes of being prepared for this year's release. I do have concerns that as time goes on, they will further reduce the benefits of the offer. Having said that, I'm not sure my kid is ready for Disney yet - which is why I'm fairly noncommittal. Myself, husband and child have never been to Disney.

Things I wonder - We are definitely not hot weather people. Would November still be terrible for us? Are the crowds horrendous (one of the reasons we are pessimistic about the prospect of going) in November/Early December?
We want to time it when the crowds are as low as possible, the heat is not terrible, there is free dining, and there are Christmas decorations. Not a big list at all right? lol

It is Disney so it will always be somewhat busy. That said, November is a great time to go as long as you avoid the week leading up to Thanksgiving. By the second week in November a lot of the Christmas decorations, etc. will be up but the full Christmas programs at Epcot, etc. do not start until the day after Thanksgiving. The week after Thanksgiving is a great week as are the first two weeks in December. The weather is not horribly hot in November or December.


Also, I've read previously about people booking their children as adults during free dining. Paying the extra ticket price, but making it possible for the child to order off either the adult or children's menu. This sounds like the option we would like to go with if anyone has more recent experience about trying to do this. Our child has never eaten a chicken finger or anything else fried and would not touch the typical kids food. Anybody have feedback on doing this?

I have never heard this but cannot imagine being able to do this, especially if you are taking the meal plan. On at least some of the kid's menu they do healthier options, which are called Mickey check meals. Not sure what exactly they are though.

And lastly,
My parents have expressed interest in going on this trip with us. I'm not sure if that will actually happen or not. There is question as to if they would stay in a similar room at the same resort, or something downgraded (we will likely book a better room in whatever resort we go with). Would it be better to book the entire thing together when free dining is released, and then modify the reservation with their part later if need be? Or, better to book them separate and just cancel/modify theirs if it didn't work out?

I would say book separately.

 

[Attracted to Beasts]

This is year two that I have followed these threads. Last year, I did extensive research in the hopes of being prepared for this year's release. I do have concerns that as time goes on, they will further reduce the benefits of the offer. Having said that, I'm not sure my kid is ready for Disney yet - which is why I'm fairly noncommittal. Myself, husband and child have never been to Disney.

Things I wonder - We are definitely not hot weather people. Would November still be terrible for us? Are the crowds horrendous (one of the reasons we are pessimistic about the prospect of going) in November/Early December?
We want to time it when the crowds are as low as possible, the heat is not terrible, there is free dining, and there are Christmas decorations. Not a big list at all right? lol

Also, I've read previously about people booking their children as adults during free dining. Paying the extra ticket price, but making it possible for the child to order off either the adult or children's menu. This sounds like the option we would like to go with if anyone has more recent experience about trying to do this. Our child has never eaten a chicken finger or anything else fried and would not touch the typical kids food. Anybody have feedback on doing this?

And lastly,
My parents have expressed interest in going on this trip with us. I'm not sure if that will actually happen or not. There is question as to if they would stay in a similar room at the same resort, or something downgraded (we will likely book a better room in whatever resort we go with). Would it be better to book the entire thing together when free dining is released, and then modify the reservation with their part later if need be? Or, better to book them separate and just cancel/modify theirs if it didn't work out?

I would defitnely book separately. My parents may go this year too and Are going to do their own reservation. As far as food goes, look at the menus of the places you may want to eat at and see if your child would eat anything off the menu. A lot of places offer more than just typical "kid" food. Also, if you plan to eat at mostly buffets or family style like chef Mickeys, ohana, etc. then it defitnely does not pay to pay extra because they can eat whatever they want!

 

[ougrad86]

This is year two that I have followed these threads. Last year, I did extensive research in the hopes of being prepared for this year's release. I do have concerns that as time goes on, they will further reduce the benefits of the offer. Having said that, I'm not sure my kid is ready for Disney yet - which is why I'm fairly noncommittal. Myself, husband and child have never been to Disney.

Things I wonder - We are definitely not hot weather people. Would November still be terrible for us? Are the crowds horrendous (one of the reasons we are pessimistic about the prospect of going) in November/Early December?
We want to time it when the crowds are as low as possible, the heat is not terrible, there is free dining, and there are Christmas decorations. Not a big list at all right? lol

Also, I've read previously about people booking their children as adults during free dining. Paying the extra ticket price, but making it possible for the child to order off either the adult or children's menu. This sounds like the option we would like to go with if anyone has more recent experience about trying to do this. Our child has never eaten a chicken finger or anything else fried and would not touch the typical kids food. Anybody have feedback on doing this?

And lastly,
My parents have expressed interest in going on this trip with us. I'm not sure if that will actually happen or not. There is question as to if they would stay in a similar room at the same resort, or something downgraded (we will likely book a better room in whatever resort we go with). Would it be better to book the entire thing together when free dining is released, and then modify the reservation with their part later if need be? Or, better to book them separate and just cancel/modify theirs if it didn't work out?

I regret not taking my child to WDW when he was younger. There is so much to do at almost any age. And the look in their eyes as they drink in everything...

November is pretty good temperature wise. There is a lot of variability though, can't always guarantee the weather. We were there end of October - beginning of November for a couple years. Able to wear shorts, but not too bad, and I'm originally from Wisconsin - 70's and 80's. This last January we went and just about froze!! It is busy during F&W and Thanksgiving. If you are not interested in F&W, avoid that time. EasyWDW has crowd calendars, and Touring Plans although that is a small subscription - but a very good site. Unofficial Guide book is an excellent resource for every aspect of a Disney vacation, and it gives you a discount on the Touring Plans website last I heard.

I don't think you can get the adult dining plan for him unless you plan to also buy adult tickets. And Disney asks age, so you might not be able too. That said, look at the menus on allears. There is a wide variety, buffets he can eat just about anything, and I know WDW has been trying healthier options. My son has been an adult since our second trip so I haven't really been following that.

Have fun!

 

[cmarsh31]

Also, I've read previously about people booking their children as adults during free dining. Paying the extra ticket price, but making it possible for the child to order off either the adult or children's menu. This sounds like the option we would like to go with if anyone has more recent experience about trying to do this. Our child has never eaten a chicken finger or anything else fried and would not touch the typical kids food. Anybody have feedback on doing this?

We did that two years ago - DS was 9. We upgraded his child's ticket to an adult ticket ($70 for 6 days, PH, etc) so he got the adult dining plan under FD. It was well worth the $70. He hasn't eaten a kid's meal in 5+ years. We would have ended up paying for an extra kid's meal every time we ate to keep him full (and he definitely prefers adult meals over the kids' stuff).

 

[Allisonmomofthree]

Is it just me - or is this waiting pure agony???

Totally agree~!!!

 

[Kingdome8]

I'm hoping for CBR, fingers crossed!

Me too. I'm booked for October 22 -29. Hope they offer. Going right online to add free dining. They said though it possible I may have to switch to 23rd. Which is fine for free dining

 

[1sttimedisneymama]

Any new rumors? I'm ready to have finalized plans!

 

[Just Love Disney]

Me too. I'm booked for October 22 -29. Hope they offer. Going right online to add free dining. They said though it possible I may have to switch to 23rd. Which is fine for free dining

Someone at Disney told you you may have to rebook for the 23rd in order to get FD?

 

[Kingdome8]

Someone at Disney told you you may have to rebook for the 23rd in order to get FD?

Yup. She said it's a historical week and hotel for free dining. Of course nothing gaurenteed. She said only concern might be my start date. Said her experience showed after blackout date it could start in Sunday. So I would just have to adjust my start date. So sat- sat would become sun-sat. Or sun-sun. She said easy switch. I'll do whatever it takes. Just getting antsy

 

[Just Love Disney]

Yup. She said it's a historical week and hotel for free dining. Of course nothing gaurenteed. She said only concern might be my start date. Said her experience showed after blackout date it could start in Sunday. So I would just have to adjust my start date. So sat- sat would become sun-sat. Or sun-sun. She said easy switch. I'll do whatever it takes. Just getting antsy

Oooh, very interesting....Thanks!

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

Yup. She said it's a historical week and hotel for free dining. Of course nothing gaurenteed. She said only concern might be my start date. Said her experience showed after blackout date it could start in Sunday. So I would just have to adjust my start date. So sat- sat would become sun-sat. Or sun-sun. She said easy switch. I'll do whatever it takes. Just getting antsy

Wow, that is a very interesting and specific comment from a Disney phone CM.

 

[Kingdome8]

Wow, that is a very interesting and specific comment from a Disney phone CM.

Yup. Thought so too. Even said. If not able to switch start day right away. She could fill some electronic request transfer and have answer in 24 hours. But said shouldn't have to do that. I just want free dining. Makes a huge difference in vacation quality. Glad I booked a while back cause does t look like any standard rooms left at cbr