2016 Free Dining Watch

[Disneylover99]

Haha! Don't forget the paranoia

Ooh yeah..... A heavy dose of that!

 

[Tracy11th]

Yes. Princess rooms are usually the last to go because they cost the most.

Hi - was it restricted on dates I was hoping for that one to but didn't want to go in September- thanks

 

[DennisandAngel]

Haha! Don't forget the paranoia

It will destroy ya!!!

 

[Coconuts]

I know that the FD dates listed are still just rumored, but having been on these boards for years, the rumors usually end up being true. That being said I am really surprised and disappointed at the blackout dates listed. I am from NJ and have taken advantage of the FD promotion for Jersey week, usually by leaving a day or two early and checking in on the last day before a blackout week starts. The blackouts have typically been the actual Jersey week and Thanksgiving week and some time mid-October for Columbus Day. I looked and the 2015 blackouts were 10/3-10/24, 11/1-11/7, 11/20-12/14. If the rumored dates are true, this is a huge difference in blackout dates, and completely ruins any chance of our family getting FD. Unfortunately that is a deal breaker for my family, since they only want to stay on-site and love doing the DDP. So that basically ruins a fall WDW trip for us.

Any thoughts as to why such a difference in blackout dates, and why they would include Thanksgiving week in FD?

 

[DennisandAngel]

Hi - was it restricted on dates I was hoping for that one to but didn't want to go in September- thanks

Yes, there were some black outs.

 

[DennisandAngel]

I know that the FD dates listed are still just rumored, but having been on these boards for years, the rumors usually end up being true. That being said I am really surprised and disappointed at the blackout dates listed. I am from NJ and have taken advantage of the FD promotion for Jersey week, usually by leaving a day or two early and checking in on the last day before a blackout week starts. The blackouts have typically been the actual Jersey week and Thanksgiving week and some time mid-October for Columbus Day. I looked and the 2015 blackouts were 10/3-10/24, 11/1-11/7, 11/20-12/14. If the rumored dates are true, this is a huge difference in blackout dates, and completely ruins any chance of our family getting FD. Unfortunately that is a deal breaker for my family, since they only want to stay on-site and love doing the DDP. So that basically ruins a fall WDW trip for us.

Any thoughts as to why such a difference in blackout dates, and why they would include Thanksgiving week in FD?

Oh, don't let that ruin the chance of going on a trip. We have stayed off property on our longer trips with no dining and loved it. Bring subway in and find a quiet spot to enjoy lunch. It can give your family more privacy at night to sleep better. Usually more bathrooms in a condo to take your time getting ready. The boat ride over to magic kingdom is incredible to start a trip!!! Just be creative! We do Disney different every time!!!

 

[SPOERLX3]

An hour ago there was availability for my dates and preferred resort in all room categories. Now there is zero availability.

I noticed this same thing for our dates. Soooooo either everyone is snatching them up in case the FD promo does roll out OR others are moving dates around with the "rumored" dates being posted OR Disney has blocked the rest of the rooms until the FD promo has rolled out. Those are my thoughts

 

[SJSloan]

I'm so tired. I woke up multiple times to check. I also had a dream that it did get posted and it was for princess themed rooms and the little mermaid rooms were included! I woke up thinking I had booked and was happy it was a little mermaid room!

This is me aside from the dream... But I woke up every half and hour from 3:30am - 6:00am, that's after staying up until midnight to make sure it didn't drop then. This is my first and possibly last free dining rodeo as we usually go in June.
I'm afraid last night is only a taste of what this Thursday and next Monday will be like...

 

[Coconuts]

Oh, don't let that ruin the chance of going on a trip. We have stayed off property on our longer trips with no dining and loved it. Bring subway in and find a quiet spot to enjoy lunch. It can give your family more privacy at night to sleep better. Usually more bathrooms in a condo to take your time getting ready. The boat ride over to magic kingdom is incredible to start a trip!!! Just be creative! We do Disney different every time!!!

Believe me I have tried talking my family into doing offsite and they won't budge. They will have to though if we can't get FD. They may now be open to Universal for a day or two though since the Walking Dead will have an attraction.

BTW, is there any restrictions on bringing food/meals into the parks?

 

[twoolle]

Same here. We stayed at CBR last time, considering trying POR if it's included (doubtful!). The suites at AoA look awesome but pricey!

POR was included for September only last year which prompted us to make our trip. I assumed it wouldn't be based on 2014, but was surprised when the rumors were leaked in 2015 that it would be.

This is true- have done it multiple times. The under 3 year old does not "count"- we could stay at POR or CBR with our family of 6 since my youngest is under 3- it would be tight, but Disney allows it.

We stayed at POR as a family of 6 last year. We actually had 2 under 3 and they booked us in the mansions section that sleep 4 and no Murphy bed. They expected both the littles to be in pack and plays. I requested they move us to alligator bayou because our 2 yo needed a bed. They did! We used hanging shelves to store our clothes and it worked great.

 

[Mickeycrocs]

What's everyone thinking now? Maybe Thursday? Or Monday?

 

[ajanssen]

I'm afraid last night is only a taste of what this Thursday and next Monday will be like...

DW and I were up off and on all night/morning checking and waiting to seal the deal.

 

[DennisandAngel]

Believe me I have tried talking my family into doing offsite and they won't budge. They will have to though if we can't get FD. They may now be open to Universal for a day or two though since the Walking Dead will have an attraction.

BTW, is there any restrictions on bringing food/meals into the parks?

That Walking Dead attraction will be awesome! Love that show but I'm not sure I could do it! LOL

THey have never told us no. When my kids were younger we stayed off a lot. Always brought lunch and snacks in. We did subway twice and ate lunch on one of the side streets off Main Street and it was wonderful! Don't bring waters because you can go to any kiosk or quick service and ask for water. It is filtered with ice and FREE!!

 

[Jordyn1123]

this next week is going to drive me crazy!!!

 

[1sttimedisneymama]

What's everyone thinking now? Maybe Thursday? Or Monday?

I'm gonna check Thursday. I bet with the media stuff being this week they make release for DV that day IF they release early for DV. If not I think it'll be Monday

 

[DennisandAngel]

this next week is going to drive me crazy!!!

ME TOO!!!!!

 

[Funfire240]

I know that the FD dates listed are still just rumored, but having been on these boards for years, the rumors usually end up being true. That being said I am really surprised and disappointed at the blackout dates listed. I am from NJ and have taken advantage of the FD promotion for Jersey week, usually by leaving a day or two early and checking in on the last day before a blackout week starts. The blackouts have typically been the actual Jersey week and Thanksgiving week and some time mid-October for Columbus Day. I looked and the 2015 blackouts were 10/3-10/24, 11/1-11/7, 11/20-12/14. If the rumored dates are true, this is a huge difference in blackout dates, and completely ruins any chance of our family getting FD. Unfortunately that is a deal breaker for my family, since they only want to stay on-site and love doing the DDP. So that basically ruins a fall WDW trip for us.

Any thoughts as to why such a difference in blackout dates, and why they would include Thanksgiving week in FD?

My thoughts as to the rumored blackout dates for early November is because of the way the Wine & Dine Half Marathon is scheduled this year. The "jersey week" blackout has also been the week leading up to the marathon weekend. We are booked the 4-13 because of me running in the 10k on the 5th and I told DH awhile ago in looking back at the historical black out dates that I highly doubted we would get free dining this year. It would be nice to be wrong but when we booked a few weeks ago a lot of room categories were already sold out for these dates (we booked since our dates are set in stone with employment vacations entered and we are going no matter what)

 

[Disneylover99]

I noticed this same thing for our dates. Soooooo either everyone is snatching them up in case the FD promo does roll out OR others are moving dates around with the "rumored" dates being posted OR Disney has blocked the rest of the rooms until the FD promo has rolled out. Those are my thoughts

I was thinking/hoping that Disney has blocked out the rooms until the FD promo has rolled out. Or (and here's where the paranoia sets in ) just my dates are blocked out for me, and me alone.

 

[smallworld101]

DW and I were up off and on all night/morning checking and waiting to seal the deal.

This is my first planned Disney trip - so this is my first go at securing FD - and I am obsessed on this now to secure it! I'm at CBR. So when you say you were up checking all night -
1) where do I need to be checking the MDE site, here, other boards, where? And once I see it, obviously I can't call b/c it will be after hours -
2) do I try and grab it outline through MDE?
When I talked to Disney yesterday it sounded like I had to call them.
3) So does that mean check all night and then wake up ASAP when the phone lines open?
This is what I need clarifications on - exact steps - hand holding steps!!! Thanks!!!!

 

[cassie58]

You are allowed to bring in food and drinks, just no rolling coolers or glass containers. As PP mentioned you can free ice water at QS restaurants, and can always bring flavor packs to add into water(Crystal Light, KoolAid, etc.)