2016 Free Dining Watch

[prettypatchesmsu]

This is kind of off topic but are people really getting good deals from that TA? I recently put in a request to them and the price I was quoted wasn't a good deal at all. I priced out 7 nights at AoA and Pop. The "exclusive rate" total was exactly the same price for both resorts as Disney's rack rate on the same dates. Did I do something wrong?

I've never gotten anything with a regular TA that was any better or different than what I could do myself. However, I think what people are doing that is better is using that so called magical agency that cannot be named for their TA. I've never used them so I cannot comment on that. But I agree with you about the regular TA's. I can do better with FD with disney for our family's needs.
Edit: to say, we only do values and I refuse to ever stay at All Star Sports again. We love Pop Century. But we love the QS FD promotion the most of any of the discounts, and a room discount on a value is nothing compared to it. But it looks like people staying at Mods/Deluxe get some great deals if you are interested in that.

 

[deakam]

Not sure what was quoted for you but I have been using them for our August trips the last few years and as an example, our trip this August... we're staying at the Beach Club for almost 52% off the room rate...you'll never see that rate with Disney. Also, when I priced out one of their exclusive rates for this coming October, it was about 29% off at the Beach Club, unfortunately our dates don't coincide with either of their October deals and because my dates are set in stone, I cannot change or you bet I would have.

Just put in a request with your guys---we will see what they come up with. Thanks a bunch.

 

[slbgnb]

Not that this would be any more valid...but my TA said the latest rumor she heard was "Disney Visa holders released on 4/25 and GP on 4/28". Hopefully, it's really 4/21 and 4/25, but thought I'd throw it out there...

 

[mommyrosa2]

Just put in a request with your guys---we will see what they come up with. Thanks a bunch.

I hope you have some luck because you're right, $11.00 discount is not great!

 

[The Dirty Steve]

And "Black et al." As a previous poster named them have been so quiet about tomorrow...I don't know what to think!

So, black, Dirty Steve-anything? Just curious if I'm getting a good nights sleep tonight or not.

I'm fairly certain I am qualified to answer for et al. but Black is on his own!!

Just because we are being quiet doesn't mean anything bad or that things have changed from what we previously reported. I know that for me, and I would imagine @black562 and @smitch425, when I hear something worth telling, you will see me post. I also try to answer anyone that tags me or asks a direct question of me. I am NOT a "Hypeman".

 

[Elsaalltheway]

So, since many of you have done DW before. I'm just going to ask where are your favorite places to eat on the QS FD. We are staying at Pop and have discovered we really like the options there, but when in the parks where does everybody else suggest?

 

[SJSloan]

That would be amazing!! Thank you so much! I kind of love it too...all the different scenarios and such, but I have to admit that I'm getting a bit burned out on all of it. Just want to pick something already and stick with it. Then, of course, I get to play the game with booking flights...which is also on hold until my dates are 100% set, since I guess that could still change (though I'm pretty confident we'll fall into the mix). We are flexible in order to get one discount or another.

No problem. That's one of the reasons I became a TA, there are only so many times I can price and book my own vacation...

Anyways, here are the numbers. I ran your dates for a Garden Room at the CR. I wasn't sure how many park days or if you would originally have park hopper but since free dining will probably require park hopper I added it. The following numbers include your dates, 6 day ticket + park hopper and the regular dining plan. Here are some numbers.

Free Dining = $6,345.60
30% room discount = $6,259.46
30% room discount without park hoppers = $5,965.54
25% room discount = $6,486.14
25% room discount without park hoppers = $6,192.22

So assuming a 30% discount is offered for Garden View rooms your savings over free dining would be $86.14. Without park hopper the savings would be $380.06. If only a 25% discount is offered and you want park hopper then free dining is a better deal if you eat more than the dining plan costs. If you don't want park hoppers then the 25% would still save you $153.38.

Generally a 30% discount is offered at Deluxes. But I just threw 25% out there in case they include any surprises.
Also, if you want the deluxe dining your savings would change, the prices above will just go up.

@Niixxter I edited the post above because I was incorrect about the dining plan tax. That decreases the savings quite a bit, but if you go without park hopper they could still be cheaper. If you need park hopper than I would go with whichever discount you think is best or can get.

 

[scard192]

So, since many of you have done DW before. I'm just going to ask where are your favorite places to eat on the QS FD. We are staying at Pop and have discovered we really like the options there, but when in the parks where does everybody else suggest?

we were talking about QS favorites yesterday, check back around pg 146 of this theard

 

[Elsaalltheway]

we were talking about QS favorites yesterday, check back around pg 146 of this theard

Awesome. I don't know how I missed that. Thanks. I thought I was up on the threads.

 

[Wood Nymph]

This is the first time I've ever posted here, though I've been reading for about 100 pages now...I currently have a reservation for 2 rooms at the Comtemporary from 9/1-9/6/16, and hoping to get FD applied when it finally gets released. I see so much talk about going from Value to Moderate and back depending on the dates and availability, but what does anyone think about whether I'll have difficulty or not getting the FD applied to my deluxe ressie? And what kind of room category is usually included, because maybe I'll have to change that? Right now we're in Garden Wing-Garden view.

Would a room discount benefit me more than free dining? We're a party of 4, 2 in each room (2 adults and two kids, 14 & 15...so I guess technically adult).

BTW, we're also booked through a TA.

The way I calculated your stay was to only look at the room cost, since the ticket price would be the same for either reservation. Two garden view rooms at CR with one adult and one child in each would cost $4,533.78. A 30% discount, common for a deluxe resort, would be $1,360.13. So you and your family would have to eat $1,360.13 worth of food during your vacation in order to save money on free dining. And maybe you would be able to do that, but remember that free dining doesn't pay for all the food, and it doesn't pay for tips at table service restaurants - or booze, But the free dining offer doesn't work for your family because you are getting two rooms. If it was one room then it would probably be worth it.

This is kind of off topic but are people really getting good deals from that TA? I recently put in a request to them and the price I was quoted wasn't a good deal at all. I priced out 7 nights at AoA and Pop. The "exclusive rate" total was exactly the same price for both resorts as Disney's rack rate on the same dates. Did I do something wrong?

I think that the people getting the good deals are booking at deluxe resorts. Disney doesn't offer huge discounts at value resorts.

 

[sshaw0715]

My group for one is going to Universal if free dining cannot be had. That is the one deciding factor this year one where to go. With the crazy crowds at Disney now and crazy prices along with it this is the only thing that will push is in the favor of a Disney trip.

 

[Jgeauxmo]

I've been crunching numbers tell me if this will work...we have to check in on the 28th of November I'll do a five day package. Check out December 3rd and add a room only ressie for that night. If I remember right, our dining credits are good until midnight on check out day which would be December 3rd at midnight. We get up early December 4th and drive home. It will save us about $400 doing it this way. Will this work?

 

[scard192]

Awesome. I don't know how I missed that. Thanks. I thought I was up on the threads.

things are moving so fast, it is hard to keep up. I copied and pasted all the recommendations into a Word Doc so I did not lose them.

Have you looked at the menus at allears? might be helpful to figure out what your group might like.

 

[Stephanie Isaacson]

SJSloan,

Can I ask a quick question? My parents are FL residents. So, we were going to get 2 Fl resident tickets (adults), and 4 regular price tickets(2 adults, 2 under 10), non park hopper, and then hope for a discount for FL Residents (our dates are Nov 28th to December 2nd). I'm guessing I will save a more money with the ticket discounts for 2 people and the % discount for the room vs full price on room and 6 park hoppers to get the free dining deal? Do you know what the usual discount around that time for FL Residents for room only? Wilderness Cabins is our plan currently.

 

[deakam]

So, since many of you have done DW before. I'm just going to ask where are your favorite places to eat on the QS FD. We are staying at Pop and have discovered we really like the options there, but when in the parks where does everybody else suggest?

Pop has a good selection but go ahead and walk over to AoA. They have an amazing selection. We prefer Magic Kingdom-Columbia Harbour House but the last trip I had to send my shrimp back---way over cooked---burnt in fact---they replaced it with a chicken pot pie that was great. Or we like the BOG lunch but that one needs a reservation most of the time. EPCOT we love the French pastry shop but if you like sushi the Japan QS is tasty and the fish and chips next door to Rose and Crown is great. Last trip we ate at the Mexican QS and it was very good. At Hollywood Studios---it is a tough one----Studio catering by Honey I shrunk the kids had some tasty choices but I think it is closed---could be wrong. The other one we liked was the burgers at the place next to Star Wars. I think they were the best burgers we have ever had at Disney. But I think that one was going through some renos as well. I remember a CM telling me it was being turned into the Cantina from the 1st Star Wars movie. Animal Kingdom we love Flame Tree. We usually spend a good bit of time sitting down by the river and relaxing. We also find that Yak and Yeti QS is pretty tasty. We have not tried any of the new places at Harambe Market but they sound delicious.

 

[Elsaalltheway]

things are moving so fast, it is hard to keep up. I copied and pasted all the recommendations into a Word Doc so I did not lose them.

Have you looked at the menus at allears? might be helpful to figure out what your group might like.

I did, its just with so many changes, so many of my favorites are disappearing. I used to love the Taco salads at Pecos Bills but now they are nowhere. I'm bummed about that. And normally we stay at PoP so we have come to really enjoy their Burgers but we were looking to stretch our legs this year. It appears some things stay the same every year and then when I find a fave and go back its gone.

 

[6loversofdisney]

I remember wayyy back when I made this thread and thought to myself - "Why is no one on here?" Now I'm considering a new poll question, "How often do you stalk this page"? For me it's multiple times daily in addition to the emails I get when someone makes a new post. I'm FDing obsessed!!!

 

[Elsaalltheway]

Pop has a good selection but go ahead and walk over to AoA. They have an amazing selection. We prefer Magic Kingdom-Columbia Harbour House but the last trip I had to send my shrimp back---way over cooked---burnt in fact---they replaced it with a chicken pot pie that was great. Or we like the BOG lunch but that one needs a reservation most of the time. EPCOT we love the French pastry shop but if you like sushi the Japan QS is tasty and the fish and chips next door to Rose and Crown is great. Last rip we ate at the Mexican QS and it was very good. At Hollywood Studios---it is a tough one----Sstudio catering by Honey I shrunk the kids had some tasty choices but I think it is closed---could be wrong. The other one we liked was the burgers at the place next to Star Wars. I think they were the best burgers we have ever had at Disney. But I think that one was going through some renos as well. I remember a CM telling me it was being turned into the Cantina from the 1st Star Wars movie. Animal Kingdom we love Flame Tree. We usually spend a good bit of time sitting down by the river aand relaxing. We also find that Yak and Yeti QS is pretty tasty. We have not tried any of the new places at Harambe Market but they sound delicious.

Wow thank you. I will really look into this. Yeah the Cantina really had some good food last year. Plus my brother is a HUGE Star Wars fan so we will be going there. This year we are looking for different options. And this is great input. Thank you.

 

[6loversofdisney]

I did, its just with so many changes, so many of my favorites are disappearing. I used to love the Taco salads at Pecos Bills but now they are nowhere. I'm bummed about that. And normally we stay at PoP so we have come to really enjoy their Burgers but we were looking to stretch our legs this year. It appears some things stay the same every year and then when I find a fave and go back its gone.

I haven't tried it but aren't there taco bowls or at least tacos at the CS in epcot?

 

[Elsaalltheway]

I remember wayyy back when I made this thread and thought to myself - "Why is no one on here?" Now I'm considering a new poll question, "How often do you stalk this page"? For me it's multiple times daily in addition to the emails I get when someone makes a new post. I'm FDing obsessed!!!

Guilty. I've been trolling for years, and just signed up this year actually, so I'm a true stalker here.