2016 Free Dining Watch

[Confederate Scott]

Does anyone remember, What time online to book before calling opens up?

Also if DV holders get first crack at booking, wondering if there will be only one way to book (calling DV)?

There is no set time. It is whenever they release it to their website. If DV has first crack you have to call Disney to book and ask for the DV offer. All based on availability.

 

[Kingdome8]

That is not likely but with Disney who knows until any offer is released.

Really hope these dates are wrong. Don't wanna push back to November.

 

[Confederate Scott]

Really hope these dates are wrong. Don't wanna push back to November.

At least it seems as though you have the flexibility to move your dates if needed to take advantage of any offer.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Not really a FD question but I hope I can get some feedback.

My husband has me second guessing our trip this year and putting it off a year. My youngest will just be turning 2 when we plan to go in December. Would it be better to hold off a year? I'm just worried she will be bored and cranky the whole time. lol How much is there for a 2 year old to do?

We took our DD when she was sixteen months. There was a ton for her to do, and we had a great trip! Obviously the thrill rides are out, but baby swap is a great option, and we just did those rides when she napped. Also, you won't have to get her a park ticket or anything when she's two, once she's three you'll at least have to budget in a couple hundred for her park ticket.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I have a question...so I already have a package booked at CBR for dates that I think will hopefully have free dining offered. If free dining is offered, how do I get the discount applied to my package. I already have the dining plan on my package. TIA for all the help! Not sure if I am supposed to modify, or book a new package, cancel the old (how would that work since our flights were in the original package)...or what...

Please help! I want to be ready when the announcement is made....

Also, I see people talking about staying at a value and upgrading the dining plan...is that an option, and how much does it cost? Trying to look at all my options ahead of time.

Thank you!!!!!

You would have to call and have the package modified. As far as upgrading it's about $20 a night, or $3 for a child, more if you want to upgrade to deluxe.

 

[Funfire240]

You would have to call and have the package modified. As far as upgrading it's about $20 a night, or $3 for a child, more if you want to upgrade to deluxe.

Last year when I modified my reservation online to the free dining promo that morning, with booking at a value, I was given the option right online to update from the quick service plan to the dining plan. I did not have to make an extra phone call to upgrade.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

Good to see I'm not the only one crunching numbers with the assumption of last year's rules for FD (3+ nights, PH tickets, Mods get DDP, etc.). After things quieted down here last night around midnight, I looked at my party of six (2 adults, 1 junior, 2 children, and 1 free toddler) staying seven nights in two rooms at some Values and upgrading to the DDP, staying in suites at ASM or AoA and upgrading to DDP, and staying at the Cabins at FW, the only Moderate we can stay at. (I have decided against squishing us into POR, even though Disney will allow it, and we can't afford two rooms at any Mod.) The dining upgrade would be just over $70/day for three adults + two kids, or $491 for the week.
Here's what I got using WDWInfo's rack rates, adding in the 12.5% tax, adding in approx. $40/day for tips at our TS meals (3-4 of which will be character meals, plus a couple AYCE meals at TE and WCC), as Disney will automatically add 18% for our party of six:

Values
-ASMusic 260sqftx2 = 520sqft $1922 for two Preferred rooms, 520sqft $1873 Family Suite
$2162+491 = $2653 for room plus upgrade to DDP + ~$280 tips = $2933
$2933 + $2155 7-day PH = $5033 Suite/$5088 two Pref rooms

-POP Century 260x2 = 520sqft $904-$1112 for 7 nights, or $1808-$2224 (Preferred Pool View) for two rooms
$2502+491 = $2993 for room plus upgrade to DDP + ~$280 tips = $3273
$3273 + $2155 7-day PH = $5428 two rooms

-AoA Family Suites 565sqft $2379 (Cars) - $2463 (Nemo) for 7 nights
$2771+491 = $3262 for room plus upgrade to DDP + ~$280 tips = $3542
$3542 + $2155 7-day PH = $5697

Mods
Cabins at FW 504sqft $3390 for 7 nights with DDP + ~$280 tips = $3670
$3814 + $2155 7-day PH = $5969

The off-site comparison with no FD is at WBC where we have a $139/night offer for a 2-bdrm condo. I added in $20/day for parking at Disney parks for eight days (we are driving, so no rental car involved), $300/day for food, and discounted 7-day PHs from Undercover Tourist that save us $250.
WBC $140x7 for 1257sqft 2-bdrm apt with washer-dryer = $980 + $300x7 for food (mimicking $250/day for DDP plus tip at daily TS meal) + $160 Disney parking = $3240
$3240 + $1900 7-day PH from Undercover Tourist = $5140

Your thoughts? Glaring errors or omissions?

 

[Kellett]

Last year when I modified my reservation online to the free dining promo that morning, with booking at a value, I was given the option right online to update from the quick service plan to the dining plan. I did not have to make an extra phone call to upgrade.

Yay thank you for explaining this I was thinking I would have to call after modifying online.

 

[rsbh00]

Okay one more question. We are a family of 5, me, DH, DD17, DD16 and DD12, do you think we could make it work in a room at CBR or POR? Older 2 girls have shared a full size bed at home for a week at a time without killing one another but just wondering if the 5 of us in one room would be too much? On our first trip we had 2 rooms at POP and the extra space was nice but we really want to try CBR and don't want to pay the money to get 2 rooms. The main thing that concerns me is only 1 bathroom for the 5 of us but I think we could make it work.

 

[dizneygirl55]

I have seen stated on this thread that when the FD is announced, you can modify the existing reservation online and others stating that you would need to call in to modify. Since the announcement is released before the phone lines open, I might try to modify online but if I did my math correctly, I would need to upgrade to a moderate and that I believe I would have to call to modify-anyway you look at it, I am so ready for this to be OVER!!!!! Come on Free Dining!!!!

 

[Kellett]

Good to see I'm not the only one crunching numbers with the assumption of last year's rules for FD (3+ nights, PH tickets, Mods get DDP, etc.). After things quieted down here last night around midnight, I looked at my party of six (2 adults, 1 junior, 2 children, and 1 free toddler) staying seven nights in two rooms at some Values and upgrading to the DDP, staying in suites at ASM or AoA and upgrading to DDP, and staying at the Cabins at FW, the only Moderate we can stay at. (I have decided against squishing us into POR, even though Disney will allow it, and we can't afford two rooms at any Mod.) The dining upgrade would be just over $70/day for three adults + two kids, or $491 for the week.
Here's what I got using WDWInfo's rack rates, adding in the 12.5% tax, adding in approx. $40/day for tips at our TS meals (3-4 of which will be character meals, plus a couple AYCE meals at TE and WCC), as Disney will automatically add 18% for our party of six:

Values
-ASMusic 260sqftx2 = 520sqft $1922 for two Preferred rooms, 520sqft $1873 Family Suite
$2162+491 = $2653 for room plus upgrade to DDP + ~$280 tips = $2933
$2933 + $2155 7-day PH = $5033 Suite/$5088 two Pref rooms

-POP Century 260x2 = 520sqft $904-$1112 for 7 nights, or $1808-$2224 (Preferred Pool View) for two rooms
$2502+491 = $2993 for room plus upgrade to DDP + ~$280 tips = $3273
$3273 + $2155 7-day PH = $5428 two rooms

-AoA Family Suites 565sqft $2379 (Cars) - $2463 (Nemo) for 7 nights
$2771+491 = $3262 for room plus upgrade to DDP + ~$280 tips = $3542
$3542 + $2155 7-day PH = $5697

Mods
Cabins at FW 504sqft $3390 for 7 nights with DDP + ~$280 tips = $3670
$3814 + $2155 7-day PH = $5969

The off-site comparison with no FD is at WBC where we have a $139/night offer for a 2-bdrm condo. I added in $20/day for parking at Disney parks for eight days (we are driving, so no rental car involved), $300/day for food, and discounted 7-day PHs from Undercover Tourist that save us $250.
WBC $140x7 for 1257sqft 2-bdrm apt with washer-dryer = $980 + $300x7 for food (mimicking $250/day for DDP plus tip at daily TS meal) + $160 Disney parking = $3240
$3240 + $1900 7-day PH from Undercover Tourist = $5140

Your thoughts? Glaring errors or omissions?

I love this! I am not good with numbers and this really helped me to see this. We are staying at AoA lion king suite and want to upgrade to the DDP if we get FD. Thank you!

 

[vrajewski10513]

Okay one more question. We are a family of 5, me, DH, DD17, DD16 and DD12, do you think we could make it work in a room at CBR or POR? Older 2 girls have shared a full size bed at home for a week at a time without killing one another but just wondering if the 5 of us in one room would be too much? On our first trip we had 2 rooms at POP and the extra space was nice but we really want to try CBR and don't want to pay the money to get 2 rooms. The main thing that concerns me is only 1 bathroom for the 5 of us but I think we could make it work.

Logistically you could. As long as you think your family can be in close quarters without killing each other. Also, as long as your 12 year old isn't above average in height. The Murphy bed is only 66" long.
It'll also take a lot of organization to keep luggage for that many people out of the way.

 

[House of Rausch]

Seven of us (myself, wife, 2 daughters, son-in-law, 2 grandkids) looking at a 2-bdrm villa at OKW from 11/11-20. Any experienced travelers out there think we have a shot at FD given the leaked dates? If it's 11/15-21 and not 11/11-21 we're snookered, but my TA has said that scoring FD at OKW has been a hit-or-miss proposition historically anyway. Would we have a better shot if we booked Saratoga Springs instead?

 

[Me Thats who]

Going off the last 3 years the November dates don't make sense early on. If they used the same basis the 1st day in Nov should be the 6th thru the 8th. I hope these leaked dates are wrong as I already booked going off of past years logic.

 

[RedWolf95]

If October has no free dining. Think they will at least get a room discount?
Offset cost of food a little

That is not likely but with Disney who knows until any offer is released.

I disagree with this assessment. Disney has typically been much more open with the percentage room discount than with the free dining. Even last Fall when the free Dining dates were very restricted they offered a room discount 10-25% for all of October, November (except 11/25-27) and December through to 12/23 with no blackout except those 3 days in November. So odds are very likely that there will at least be a percent discount. See the following link for more on the history of Disney discounts...

http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/#2014

 

[Jgeauxmo]

Well I was a sucker and went ahead and added a night to my stay to check in during free dining in November. We ll see what happens! I don't think the November dates make any sense based on past years but there have been so many leaks recently it's certainly possible.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I disagree with this assessment. Disney has typically been much more open with the percentage room discount than with the free dining. Even last Fall when the free Dining dates were very restricted they offered a room discount 10-25% for all of October, November (except 11/25-27) and December through to 12/23 with no blackout except those 3 days in November. So odds are very likely that there will at least be a percent discount. See the following link for more on the history of Disney discounts...

http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/#2014

This. I think we'll see room discounts for all of fall regardless of when free dining is.

 

[mandis77]

Ugh! I'm so ready for this to be over. Last night Orlando By Joe said on FB to expect very limited availability. Not surprising but enough to up the anxiety level. I'm planning on POP then so hope I can secure 3 rooms Sept 13 for 7 nights.

 

[Confederate Scott]

I disagree with this assessment. Disney has typically been much more open with the percentage room discount than with the free dining. Even last Fall when the free Dining dates were very restricted they offered a room discount 10-25% for all of October, November (except 11/25-27) and December through to 12/23 with no blackout except those 3 days in November. So odds are very likely that there will at least be a percent discount. See the following link for more on the history of Disney discounts...

http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/#2014

Yes you are correct that they are more generous with the room discounts. Guess we all will wait and see what comes out.

 

[My Disney Dream]

I have seen stated on this thread that when the FD is announced, you can modify the existing reservation online and others stating that you would need to call in to modify. Since the announcement is released before the phone lines open, I might try to modify online but if I did my math correctly, I would need to upgrade to a moderate and that I believe I would have to call to modify-anyway you look at it, I am so ready for this to be OVER!!!!! Come on Free Dining!!!!

Same here! I seriously am loosing sleep over this