2018 Free Dining Watch Thread V3

[IluvMGM]

I check quite often and haven't seen any free dining rooms available for my length of stay in a long time, but just searched and see Coronado, Saratoga and Boardwalk. Just an FYI for those still trying to get free dining without luck.

 

[Scoobie]

I've been checking most days since fd dropped for my dates as well, and there was only insanely expensive rooms available the day after. That lasted for a bit, but now there isn't anything. I was able to get a room at Pop on drop day, that never came back. In fact, Pop is booked completely for my dates, can't even find room only. It's gonna be packed in Dec.!

 

[Disneylover99]

I've been checking most days since fd dropped for my dates as well, and there was only insanely expensive rooms available the day after. That lasted for a bit, but now there isn't anything. I was able to get a room at Pop on drop day, that never came back. In fact, Pop is booked completely for my dates, can't even find room only. It's gonna be packed in Dec.!

But dead Christmas week!

Strangely enough, there has always been FD Pop availability in standard rooms for check in dates on Dec. 22nd and 23rd since FD opened in April.

 

[Allybaster]

This will be our first free dining experience. Staying at Coronado Springs in December. We have the free quick service, but I am thinking about upgrading to the DDP, we eat a lot of food on our trips...

 

[sharonabe]

This will be our first free dining experience. Staying at Coronado Springs in December. We have the free quick service, but I am thinking about upgrading to the DDP, we eat a lot of food on our trips...

I would try and make ADRs for where you WANT to eat before doing the upgrade. You can upgrade as late as 72 hrs in advance, so you have some time to decide.

 

[Allybaster]

I would try and make ADRs for where you WANT to eat before doing the upgrade. You can upgrade as late as 72 hrs in advance, so you have some time to decide.

We can make our ADRs in one day from now, so we're going to do that. If the average cost of the meals we want is more than it costs to upgrade I'll probably do that. We're going to upgrade our tickets to APs, too. I've just spent a year at my first big girl office job and we're finally stable with cash! Going all in on Disney!

 

[Rickat96]

I've been checking most days since fd dropped for my dates as well, and there was only insanely expensive rooms available the day after. That lasted for a bit, but now there isn't anything. I was able to get a room at Pop on drop day, that never came back. In fact, Pop is booked completely for my dates, can't even find room only. It's gonna be packed in Dec.!

Crowds are generally manageable- Keep in mind for the resorts- a lot of room inventory is not available because of construction. Same thing happened last year.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Crowds are generally manageable- Keep in mind for the resorts- a lot of room inventory is not available because of construction. Same thing happened last year.

The OP is going in December and by then the entire resort will be fully open. Pop is just really popular right now and often at 100% capacity. I tried to book a 1 night room only reservation before our Dec trip and there wasn’t any availability at all.

I’m not concerned that it will be too busy even though it’s at full capacity. The food court will be crazy at times so I’ll manage my expectations and prepare for it to be busy.

 

[kpd6901]

The OP is going in December and by then the entire resort will be fully open. Pop is just really popular right now and often at 100% capacity. I tried to book a 1 night room only reservation before our Dec trip and there wasn’t any availability at all.

I’m not concerned that it will be too busy even though it’s at full capacity. The food court will be crazy at times so I’ll manage my expectations and prepare for it to be busy.

Do we anticipate some rooms opening up when Pop Warner groups solidify their numbers? We are extending our stay at AoA thru Dec. 2 from Dec. 1. No problem. My folks are at Pop and are currently only thru Dec. 1. We will obviously keep checking, but just wanted to see if our veterans of Pop Warner timeframe could provide some historical insight.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Sorry, I’m not sure as we’re normally Sept peeps. Delayed last Sept’s trip to Jan due to Irma so delaying this Sept trip to Dec.

You’re wise to just keep trying.

 

[Scoobie]

The OP is going in December and by then the entire resort will be fully open. Pop is just really popular right now and often at 100% capacity. I tried to book a 1 night room only reservation before our Dec trip and there wasn’t any availability at all.

I’m not concerned that it will be too busy even though it’s at full capacity. The food court will be crazy at times so I’ll manage my expectations and prepare for it to be busy.

Four days ago I decided to add a room only night at Pop between Uni and DW (I already have 2 week res. at Pop) to have an extra day of rest between the two, only one open was pool view preferred for $201 (w/ tax). I went ahead and booked it, but I thought, "What?! $201 for a value room?" Normally I do not like pool view, since they play music until 10pm, but I was too afraid not to book it. I have kept looking in case a cheaper one opens up, but only 2 days after I made that res. there were none. I wonder if they hold some back for specials they don't release until mid- july, or if they will just all be gone now for Dec.
I am like you, I just figure it'll be busy and roll with it.

 

[123SA]

I just realized that the Art of Animation is a pet friendly hotel which doesn't work for me. I was able to book 8/4 - 8/17 at AS Music (Suite) with the Disney Visa free dining. I was surprised to find availability for those dates at the Art of Animation Suites and Kidani Village, Jambo House, AKL, 2 rooms at POP, Grand Floridian and Carribean Beach resort as well.

 

[sharonabe]

I just realized that the Art of Animation is a pet friendly hotel which doesn't work for me. I was able to book 8/4 - 8/17 at AS Music (Suite) with the Disney Visa free dining. I was surprised to find availability for those dates at the Art of Animation Suites and Kidani Village, Jambo House, AKL, 2 rooms at POP, Grand Floridian and Carribean Beach resort as well.

That's because those dates were not available to the general public here in USA. Only Canadian and Disney Visa Card holders can book that early.

 

[Scoobie]

My Adr's opened up Monday - I had to be at the computer at 3am for 5 days in a row to get all of them done. That was a bit stressful! I do love free dining, though. made 15 res., got all the ones I wanted. I only had to compromise on the time for one, it's earlier than I'd like but it'll do. The worst part was the second day when I had 10 days worth to make - the site was glitching soo bad. I ended up having to call at 4am to get the rest, they just weren't going through. First time I have ever had to do that in all these years and trips.

 

[moodyeeyore]

My Adr's opened up Monday - I had to be at the computer at 3am for 5 days in a row to get all of them done. That was a bit stressful! I do love free dining, though. made 15 res., got all the ones I wanted. I only had to compromise on the time for one, it's earlier than I'd like but it'll do. The worst part was the second day when I had 10 days worth to make - the site was glitching soo bad. I ended up having to call at 4am to get the rest, they just weren't going through. First time I have ever had to do that in all these years and trips.

I'm sorry you had to deal with all the glitches, but glad you were able to get the reservations you wanted! My adr date is Tuesday morning, and I'm worried because of how many people have been having issues with the website. Fingers crossed!

 

[Scoobie]

I'm sorry you had to deal with all the glitches, but glad you were able to get the reservations you wanted! My adr date is Tuesday morning, and I'm worried because of how many people have been having issues with the website. Fingers crossed!

My last day was Friday, Thurs. & Fr. went without a hitch so maybe Disney worked out all the kinks. I don't know how many you need, but the site should be working ok. I'm sending you extra pixie dust so hopefully you'll get all the Adr's you want!

 

[Mrs Grumpy]

I am booking our 2019 trip on my own this time. Have always used a TA in the past. So if I was hoping for free dining next year how is the best way to book the trip. If the same requirements happen to be for next year of course. Do I go ahead and book with the park hopper and regular dining plan from the beginning (will be staying at a value and would want to upgrade to the regular plan)? If we don't get free dining we would drop the hopper and pay out of pocket for meals vs. paying for the dining plan. Is there a way I should book in order to make it easier and go smoother next year if and when they offer free dining. Or do I just book for what I want if the deal isn't offered? Kind of early to be thinking about this I know but plan on booking tomorrow.

 

[sharonabe]

I am booking our 2019 trip on my own this time. Have always used a TA in the past. So if I was hoping for free dining next year how is the best way to book the trip. If the same requirements happen to be for next year of course. Do I go ahead and book with the park hopper and regular dining plan from the beginning (will be staying at a value and would want to upgrade to the regular plan)? If we don't get free dining we would drop the hopper and pay out of pocket for meals vs. paying for the dining plan. Is there a way I should book in order to make it easier and go smoother next year if and when they offer free dining. Or do I just book for what I want if the deal isn't offered? Kind of early to be thinking about this I know but plan on booking tomorrow.

Book exactly what you want and where you want without free dining. You can easily make the needed modifications if it does come out.

 

[Huff]

Pop Century shows free dining availability in November for preferred pool view rooms. Today is the first time since FD was released I've seen any availability for Pop for November. We're currently booked at AsSports. Pop preferred pool would cost us another $500. Just cannot afford that. Hopefully a standard room will open so we can switch.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Keep checking! Hopefully something will work out for you @Huff! I changed my dates when FD was released due to no rooms at Pop. Hopefully you find what you want.