Free Dining 2013

[MackenzieFL]

We booked our ADRs to get prepared. That's one thing I hate is planning where I'll be eating ahead of time like that, I'm not one to go by a schedule like that. But, we figured what park we'd go to each day based on EMH, MNSSHP & F&WF...

We're doing breakfast buffets: 1900 Park, Chef Mickeys & Ohanas.

On big mid-day late lunch/early dinner at the Sci Fi theater at HS.

And dinner at 1900 park, Garden Grill at Epcot & Planet Hollywood.

Most of these we've never been to; this is more character meals in 1 trip than I think we've done in 5 years of being Disney regulars. This is very exciting, I'm just going to be on edge now until we actually have a lock on a FD package.

 

[mjmpoohfamily]

So this is my second post and I'm copying and pasting from a different thread because it seems like a lot of vets and good advice being thrown out here. I have been stalking this thread for a while but wasn't sure if I was going to post, but I really enjoy what is being said. I am also very thankful for all the updates and I'm excited about free dining, although we will be doing an upgrade to get table service. Ok so here is the other post I made:

"Hi this is my first time posting on any of these boards. This will be mine and my husband's second time going to Disney World. Our first time was in December 2012 for Christmas. We had a blast and it was just the two of us. Our 9 year old didn't want to go because he didn't want to miss school. So cute but who does that. So since we got back we are going through withdrawls. So we decided to do milestone birthday's as a good way to *justify* going back to Disney. So 1st up is our son's 10th birthday. We are leaving friday the 13th around 9 pm for a 12 hour drive. He has know idea that we are going. We went around and around about how to tell him and we decided that once he is asleep he stays asleep (in the car), so why not drive all night and wake him up by saying SURPRISE we are in Disney for your birthday week. So we are coming September 14-20 2013. Oh did I mention it's also his 1st trip. He is (along with us) a big Pooh fan. So we booked for his actual birthday September 15 a breakfast at Crystal Palace with the Winnie the Pooh characters. We also have Chef Mickey's and Tuskers planned. We also will be doing the TSDP, are there any suggestions on places to eat that we missed? Also any tips on making this not only the best birthday trip but the most exciting 1st trip? Thank you for any input."

Again thank you for any insights and sorry for the half novel. We are also booked and paid for the LM room. If when we call on (fingers crossed) the 9th and the room isn't available for FD can we use the money we already paid to apply it to another room that does offer FD?

 

[babydoll65]

Oh I have all sorts of goodies!!!

I have to ask, is THAT the hotel phone?

 

[black562]

I have to ask, is THAT the hotel phone?

From the Poly yes.....

 

[babydoll65]

From the Poly yes.....

OMG,that's funny. Boy why didn't I think of that . All I have taken is the soap and shampoo. The only thing I still own to this day was a mug I got on my first trip in 1977. It was made of what I think they call today as milk glass. It had my name and the castle. But it has worn off now.

 

[black562]

OMG,that's funny. Boy why didn't I think of that . All I have taken is the soap and shampoo. The only thing I still own to this day was a mug I got on my first trip in 1977. It was made of what I think they call today as milk glass. It had my name and the castle. But it has worn off now.

Haha well I'm glad to say it didn't slip itself into my luggage. I bought it for six bucks when they sold it from surplus after a renovation. I also got a comforter from ASM as well.

 

[plutospalforever]

So this is my second post and I'm copying and pasting from a different thread because it seems like a lot of vets and good advice being thrown out here. I have been stalking this thread for a while but wasn't sure if I was going to post, but I really enjoy what is being said. I am also very thankful for all the updates and I'm excited about free dining, although we will be doing an upgrade to get table service. Ok so here is the other post I made:

"Hi this is my first time posting on any of these boards. This will be mine and my husband's second time going to Disney World. Our first time was in December 2012 for Christmas. We had a blast and it was just the two of us. Our 9 year old didn't want to go because he didn't want to miss school. So cute but who does that. So since we got back we are going through withdrawls. So we decided to do milestone birthday's as a good way to *justify* going back to Disney. So 1st up is our son's 10th birthday. We are leaving friday the 13th around 9 pm for a 12 hour drive. He has know idea that we are going. We went around and around about how to tell him and we decided that once he is asleep he stays asleep (in the car), so why not drive all night and wake him up by saying SURPRISE we are in Disney for your birthday week. So we are coming September 14-20 2013. Oh did I mention it's also his 1st trip. He is (along with us) a big Pooh fan. So we booked for his actual birthday September 15 a breakfast at Crystal Palace with the Winnie the Pooh characters. We also have Chef Mickey's and Tuskers planned. We also will be doing the TSDP, are there any suggestions on places to eat that we missed? Also any tips on making this not only the best birthday trip but the most exciting 1st trip? Thank you for any input."

Again thank you for any insights and sorry for the half novel. We are also booked and paid for the LM room. If when we call on (fingers crossed) the 9th and the room isn't available for FD can we use the money we already paid to apply it to another room that does offer FD?

Sounds so fun and special!!! When you check in they will probably ask you, but ask for a birthday button and wear it the whole time your there. When you make an ADR, tell them you are celebrating a birthday, or if doing in online, check the box. They always bring a special dessert for the birthday person. They also have cakes to purchase with no advance notice for around $20 or they have more elaborate ones you can order in advance online.
Also get a my 1st visit button. Depending on how over the top you want to go, you can also have Disney merchandise/balloons package delivered to your room for a surprise present all the way to having a character experience I believe, but that was really expensive.

 

[Malibustyle23]

So this is my second post and I'm copying and pasting from a different thread because it seems like a lot of vets and good advice being thrown out here. I have been stalking this thread for a while but wasn't sure if I was going to post, but I really enjoy what is being said. I am also very thankful for all the updates and I'm excited about free dining, although we will be doing an upgrade to get table service. Ok so here is the other post I made:

"Hi this is my first time posting on any of these boards. This will be mine and my husband's second time going to Disney World. Our first time was in December 2012 for Christmas. We had a blast and it was just the two of us. Our 9 year old didn't want to go because he didn't want to miss school. So cute but who does that. So since we got back we are going through withdrawls. So we decided to do milestone birthday's as a good way to *justify* going back to Disney. So 1st up is our son's 10th birthday. We are leaving friday the 13th around 9 pm for a 12 hour drive. He has know idea that we are going. We went around and around about how to tell him and we decided that once he is asleep he stays asleep (in the car), so why not drive all night and wake him up by saying SURPRISE we are in Disney for your birthday week. So we are coming September 14-20 2013. Oh did I mention it's also his 1st trip. He is (along with us) a big Pooh fan. So we booked for his actual birthday September 15 a breakfast at Crystal Palace with the Winnie the Pooh characters. We also have Chef Mickey's and Tuskers planned. We also will be doing the TSDP, are there any suggestions on places to eat that we missed? Also any tips on making this not only the best birthday trip but the most exciting 1st trip? Thank you for any input."

Again thank you for any insights and sorry for the half novel. We are also booked and paid for the LM room. If when we call on (fingers crossed) the 9th and the room isn't available for FD can we use the money we already paid to apply it to another room that does offer FD?

Cna't answer all of your questions but I am sure they will be by someone here.

Where are you staying?

When making reservations if staying onsite and for the ADR to Crystal Palace be sure to tell them that you are there to celebrate DS' bday. Also when you check in ask for a bday pin for him. It's just a regular pin that shows he is celebrating his bday. While it does not guarantee anything he "may" get doted on or extra attention because of it. They have different pins for different special occasions. He could also get one for his first visit. WDW also has a special cake line that you can order special personalized celebration cakes that they will deliver to your meal or (I think) your resort. I have that number if you're interested.

Have fun! We are also surprising our dd and ds with a trip 9-16 and dd will turn 5 on 9-17. We are planning a bday dinner at Askerhus with the princesses.

Sorry for the duplicate advice, Plutospal types faster than me!

 

[plutospalforever]

Cna't answer all of your questions but I am sure they will be by someone here.

Where are you staying?

When making reservations if staying onsite and for the ADR to Crystal Palace be sure to tell them that you are there to celebrate DS' bday. Also when you check in ask for a bday pin for him. It's just a regular pin that shows he is celebrating his bday. While it does not guarantee anything he "may" get doted on or extra attention because of it. They have different pins for different special occasions. He could also get one for his first visit. WDW also has a special cake line that you can order special personalized celebration cakes that they will deliver to your meal or (I think) your resort. I have that number if you're interested.

Have fun! We are also surprising our dd and ds with a trip 9-16 and dd will turn 5 on 9-17. We are planning a bday dinner at Askerhus with the princesses.

Sorry for the duplicate advice, Plutospal types faster than me!

It's always better to have more input than less. The more the merrier! There is always something I leave out and then I'll read somebody elses post and say, Oh yeah, I forgot that! Birthdays are so much fun at WDW. We are celebrating DD's 5 at CRT and DS's 2 at Tusker House.

 

[TheDisney411]

Again thank you for any insights and sorry for the half novel. We are also booked and paid for the LM room. If when we call on (fingers crossed) the 9th and the room isn't available for FD can we use the money we already paid to apply it to another room that does offer FD?

To add the FD discount to your existing reservation you have to be booked under a Magic Your Way Package that at least includes room and tickets. If your are booked under a room only reservation you would have to cancel that reservation and rebook under a package reservation.

If you are booked under a package reservation you will simply call Disney reservations and they will add the FD discount code and credit you the difference. The Little Mermaid rooms are rarely included in discounts, but if they are available, they will add the discount to your reservation. It's good to always have a back up room category and/or resort when you call. If you have to switch resorts you still will not have to rebook and your reservation number will stay the same.

 

[Malibustyle23]

It's always better to have more input than less. The more the merrier! There is always something I leave out and then I'll read somebody elses post and say, Oh yeah, I forgot that! Birthdays are so much fun at WDW. We are celebrating DD's 5 at CRT and DS's 2 at Tusker House.

Have you had the Princess Storybook dinner? Just wondering how it compares to CRT. DH and I have both been to CRT but our kids haven't so they won't know what they are missing. DH just didn't want to use two dining credits there this time.

 

[plutospalforever]

Have you had the Princess Storybook dinner? Just wondering how it compares to CRT. DH and I have both been to CRT but our kids haven't so they won't know what they are missing. DH just didn't want to use two dining credits there this time.

You will have to let me know how it compares. When my oldest DD turned 4 we did 1900 Park Fare for dinner and that was really nice. The food was great and the character interaction with each other and the guests was quite entertaining throughout the entire meal. Even my oldest DS enjoyed it; he was 7. My youngest DD however is a total Princess freak and has been talking about going to Cinderella's Castle since she was 2. It would not be a WDW trip to her without it. Eating in The Castle is the most important thing to her. However, next trip will either do 1900 again or I would like to try Akershus.

 

[TheDisney411]

Have you had the Princess Storybook dinner? Just wondering how it compares to CRT. DH and I have both been to CRT but our kids haven't so they won't know what they are missing. DH just didn't want to use two dining credits there this time.

Akershus is great, just like the princess meal at CRT, minus the castle. We've been to Disney many, many times and have eaten in the Castle a few times, but I simply won't spent 2 TS credits to eat there anymore. The Luau is about the only thing I'm good spending 2 credits on anymore

 

[3SugarBugs]

Hi! Quick question - we are booked at BC from 9/20-9/28, Club Level in a Deluxe room....does anyone know if those are usually included in FD, or excluded?

We're a family of 5 and it's our first trip for all but me (I did College Program Summer of '92) so we wanted to go big. Of course FD would be a very, very, nice savings for us, but not a deal breaker.

Thanks in advance for the response...this place is wonderful!

I think my question got lost in the shuffle...Black or 411 do you happen to know the answer? Thanks!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Made all my ADR's this am!!!!! I got everything I wanted...BOG dinner, Cindy's Royal Table at 8:05 breakfast, Crystal Palace 8:05 breakfast, Ohana dinner, Le Cellier dinner...and many more but those are the headliners!!! Sooooo excited! Now all I need is a free dining offer for the end of October!! By the way, today is my 180 day mark. The system allowed me to book 11 days worth...so 180 days from today plus 10 beyond that. I thought it was just the 10 total, not 11. Maybe I misunderstood all these trips? Anyway, we are set for our 12 day trip!!!

 

[TheDisney411]

I think my question got lost in the shuffle...Black or 411 do you happen to know the answer? Thanks!

Your resort should be included in the FD offer, but some room categories may not be included or be very limited. For a CL room, I would be on the phone first thing to have the FD code applied. It's always best to have a back up room category or resort, just on case

 

[3SugarBugs]

Your resort should be included in the FD offer, but some room categories may not be included or be very limited. For a CL room, I would be on the phone first thing to have the FD code applied. It's always best to have a back up room category or resort, just on case

Thanks for the response! We are Disney Card Holders (opened for this trip ) so I'll be calling first thing on Monday and crossing my fingers that the offer is open to us that day. Here's hoping!

 

[black562]

Made all my ADR's this am!!!!! I got everything I wanted...BOG dinner, Cindy's Royal Table at 8:05 breakfast, Crystal Palace 8:05 breakfast, Ohana dinner, Le Cellier dinner...and many more but those are the headliners!!! Sooooo excited! Now all I need is a free dining offer for the end of October!! By the way, today is my 180 day mark. The system allowed me to book 11 days worth...so 180 days from today plus 10 beyond that. I thought it was just the 10 total, not 11. Maybe I misunderstood all these trips? Anyway, we are set for our 12 day trip!!!

That's great, a big chunk of stress lifted. I've had mine for quite some time now, I love it when you get just what you want.

 

[theguda]

Stop waiting for free dining. You can get a better deal and never have to wait for Disney to offer FD. Read this...

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3105456

 

[black562]

Stop waiting for free dining. You can get a better deal and never have to wait for Disney to offer FD. Read this...

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3105456

This isn't for everyone and can pose many challenges in and of itself. How many threads have you posted this?