Curious about FD anxiety - does this happen every year?

[jessicamouse]

I am relatively new to the boards, and have become completely consumed with anticipation over whether or not we will get FD for our upcoming early December trip. Last year we literally stumbled upon FD for our Dec trip with no problems whatsoever, and enjoyed it SO much we are (of course) hoping to have the same thing happen this year. I have been reading the threads for the past couple of months and feel as if many are of the opinion that it is not likely to happen this year as in years past. Once in a while, I've seen a post where someone says something like "this happens every year, and we get FD every year". For those of you who have been through this before, what are your thoughts? I guess I'm just looking for a little perspective

On a different note - these boards (while somewhat anxiety provoking) have been an awesome find! They have totally helped me get through the wait until we are back in our happy place. Thanks a bunch to you all!

 

[scard192]

I am relatively new to the boards, and have become completely consumed with anticipation over whether or not we will get FD for our upcoming early December trip. Last year we literally stumbled upon FD for our Dec trip with no problems whatsoever, and enjoyed it SO much we are (of course) hoping to have the same thing happen this year. I have been reading the threads for the past couple of months and feel as if many are of the opinion that it is not likely to happen this year as in years past. Once in a while, I've seen a post where someone says something like "this happens every year, and we get FD every year". For those of you who have been through this before, what are your thoughts? I guess I'm just looking for a little perspective

On a different note - these boards (while somewhat anxiety provoking) have been an awesome find! They have totally helped me get through the wait until we are back in our happy place. Thanks a bunch to you all!

what are your dates? the experienced DIS'ers (not me) seem to feel that if there is a GP FD offer it will be close to the dates of the PINs are have gone out:

For arrivals most nights 8/25–10/2/13,
10/18–10/31/13, 11/11–11/23/13,
11/30–12/4/13 and 12/15–12/22/13.

 

[jessicamouse]

11/30 - 12/8, so if the GP offer runs similiar to the pin code, we should be fine. But that big fat IF keeps getting me down

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

11/30 - 12/8, so if the GP offer runs similiar to the pin code, we should be fine. But that big fat IF keeps getting me down

So...to add a little more to the anxiety, have you checked if you have a PIN code? Even if you didn't get an e-mail, give them a call and see if there's one attached to your account. That's what happened with me--never got an e-mail, but on my third call there it was!!!

Now you can become obsessed with checking for PIN codes as well! Welcome to the madness that sucked me in!!!!

 

[cmjohannes]

I was just like you! I booked my September vacation months ago, and kept telling my husband that free dining would come (because really, we could only afford it if we got the FD). After several very anxious months I heard about the FD here on the boards. What a relief! We saved enough money to upgrade from a moderate (POFQ) to a deluxe - the Wilderness Lodge!
With that being said, I think you have an excellent chance of getting free dining for your dates. We went in November/December 2010 with the free dining. Historically, the two weeks after Thanksgiving have lighter crowds and Disney always wants to fill the parks!
The advice about checking for a PIN is good too - you never know unless you ask.
Good luck!

 

[TDC Nala]

The only time of year that has gotten free dining every year since 2005 is September. So unless you're talking September, then no, it's not EVERY year. There are PIN codes now, so it seems likely for some sort of general public offer for at least some dates after September 2013. Unfortunately there is no way to say with absolute certainty that there WILL be a general public offer or that it WILL be the same dates as the PIN codes.

 

[CaraMiaBelle]

I am relatively new to the boards, and have become completely consumed with anticipation over whether or not we will get FD for our upcoming early December trip. Last year we literally stumbled upon FD for our Dec trip with no problems whatsoever, and enjoyed it SO much we are (of course) hoping to have the same thing happen this year. I have been reading the threads for the past couple of months and feel as if many are of the opinion that it is not likely to happen this year as in years past. Once in a while, I've seen a post where someone says something like "this happens every year, and we get FD every year". For those of you who have been through this before, what are your thoughts? I guess I'm just looking for a little perspective

On a different note - these boards (while somewhat anxiety provoking) have been an awesome find! They have totally helped me get through the wait until we are back in our happy place. Thanks a bunch to you all!

I'm planning to go the exact same dates as you and sooo need a pin code to talk my husband into this. I am now stalking my mail carrier and pouncing as soon as I hear her truck coming down the street. And my email I've been checking incessantly! I've gotten 13 "fake" 3 digit pin codes in the last month alone from Disney Destinations and every time I see one my heart accelerates!
But alas, no luck on this last wave. Good luck to you!

 

[tiki23]

Curious about FD anxiety - does this happen every year?

Well, we've gone several times without free dining BUT I get anxious about FD because I'm always willing to see if I can squeeze in another trip, lol.

 

[jessicamouse]

I'm planning to go the exact same dates as you and sooo need a pin code to talk my husband into this. I am now stalking my mail carrier and pouncing as soon as I hear her truck coming down the street. And my email I've been checking incessantly! I've gotten 13 "fake" 3 digit pin codes in the last month alone from Disney Destinations and every time I see one my heart accelerates!
But alas, no luck on this last wave. Good luck to you!

Good luck to you too!

 

[poohbear13]

I get crazy every year ... don't know why... I always works out

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Can't stress enough---call and check on those PINs!!! When the new ones started coming out last month, I was going crazy checking e-mails every few minutes, getting totally discouraged each time there was nothing from Disney.

I called one night and had them check---nothing. Called back and asked them to double check under my husband's account--nothing.

Then I called the next day to try again, even though I fully expected to be told the same thing. But no--it was there!!

We had already booked and were going anyway but FD means POFQ instead of POP and more TS than we would have probably done paying OOP.

Hoping for PINs all around!

 

[laceyinwonderland]

I totally get what the OP is saying! We've gone twice, and both times had free dining. Our first trip was totally fly by the seat of our pants, no planning, no adrs, we just called to book and they said we could get the dining plan for free. Second year, I saw on a blog free dining had been released. Called and booked a trip after it had been released to the general public for a few days. Still got resort and room type of our choice. Now this has been my first year on these boards, and my nerves are tore up!! We've always done QDDP, and decided this year to do the regular. Make all ADRs at 180, got everything we wanted for the times we wanted. Sadly, if we do not get FD, I will have to cancel them. No way we can do 5 Counter service meals (one of which is CRT) and pay OOP. I have faith that FD will come, I'm just anxious about not getting POFQ, which is what I have my heart set on. I hope we find out something soon!

 

[disneyfantotheend]

For those of you who have been through this before, what are your thoughts? I guess I'm just looking for a little perspective

It does happen every year, since free dining has been released obviously. However, this year there is more reason for concern, because they eliminated free dining for early this year other than that offered with pin codes. The only time that has received FD publicly so far is a very short span of time in September, so this year is not your typical year. I still think and hope that it will be released to the public, but I am not banking on it. Those who are predicting it will are saying that some dates may be removed from the public offer. That probably depends on the response they get from the pin codes. I am pretty sure that those who say it is not coming year after year are those who do not like free dining or the dining plan in general. But this year there is good reason to be a little worried. But here is to hoping!!!!