Free Dining 2014 Discussion

[nikkyluvsmickey]

Hey Nikky, I just checked Facebook and it's a post by Joe regarding Free Dining!

ok i will check it out

 

[LindseyLou2222]

ok i will check it out

Can anyone share for those of us weirdos without Facebook??

 

[Mom2lgf]

I am new to posting here. I decided to stop lurking and say thanks for all the info. You guys are great! I was also wondering what you think my chances are of getting POR for 5 once free dining for the general public opens. I do not have a Disney Visa. I just do not see any other realistic (for us) cost wise options for a family of 5. We have gone every year since 2004 pretty much on free dining mostly booking BB. Last year I was not sure of our plans for this year and I did not book the BB. I am so mad at myself that I didn't just book it then.

 

[donp]

I am new to posting here. I decided to stop lurking and say thanks for all the info. You guys are great! I was also wondering what you think my chances are of getting POR for 5 once free dining for the general public opens. I do not have a Disney Visa. I just do not see any other realistic (for us) cost wise options for a family of 5. We have gone every year since 2004 pretty much on free dining mostly booking BB. Last year I was not sure of our plans for this year and I did not book the BB. I am so mad at myself that I didn't just book it then.

For september, I think your changes are fine! I think that we all get a little paranoid about this time, but I personally have been successful in getting 5 at POR in September with no trouble multiple times with FD. Good luck!

 

[JuffoWup]

It was a link to a blog on his site that Free Dining IS coming on May 1st for Visa Holders. I appreciate the hard work, and I know I'm new so maybe it's commonly known, but what's the source? (Just curious!)

 

[AKFrieze]

Copied from Chip&Co
Fingers Crossed

Hiya ladies and gents, guess who? Oh you already know it’s Anonymouse. I am about to sprinkle some big time pixie dust on your day. I have some big news on everyone’s favorite topic, FREE DINING! We know Chipperoo lives for some free food.
I have it on very good authority that free dining will be released for Disney Visa Cardholders as soon as May 1 and May 2. So that usually means that it will be released to general public the following week.
This is great news since I know many of you have been waiting for this news to plan your trip. So be ready especially the Travel Agents, you know they love getting up at 6 am to get put on hold. At least they get to hear Disney music! Seriously they do love making your vacations more magical.

 

[mandis77]

Yay! Happy for all you Sept planners. Now let's hope the Fall FD PINS come out (and I get one!) in few weeks too and all breathe a collective sigh of relief and enjoy the summer.

 

[disneyfantotheend]

removed

 

[hoguefamily4]

Yay! Happy for all you Sept planners. Now let's hope the Fall FD PINS come out (and I get one!) in few weeks too and all breathe a collective sigh of relief and enjoy the summer.

Right there with you Mandis77! I'm happy for all the September vacationers but I'm holding my breath waiting for the October dates.

 

[sugarbobbin]

Is Free Dining really a good deal? All this hoopla makes me wonder about switching to free dining over RO discount. What is the better deal? Is it a better deal for families or is still a good deal for 2 adults? Is it still a good deal if you're staying at a deluxe?

Granted, I'm going in october. I still have plenty of time to figure it out.

 

[kelly3927]

Is Free Dining really a good deal? All this hoopla makes me wonder about switching to free dining over RO discount. What is the better deal? Is it a better deal for families or is still a good deal for 2 adults? Is it still a good deal if you're staying at a deluxe? Granted, I'm going in october. I still have plenty of time to figure it out.

It's best to go on the website and price out your scenario to figure out which is a better deal. In my case for a family of 5 at a moderate FD will save me around $1500. However if it's 2adults staying in a deluxe and they don't necessarily want all the food included in the dining plan it may very well be a better deal to go RO discount.

 

[disneyfantotheend]

Is Free Dining really a good deal? All this hoopla makes me wonder about switching to free dining over RO discount. What is the better deal? Is it a better deal for families or is still a good deal for 2 adults? Is it still a good deal if you're staying at a deluxe?

Granted, I'm going in october. I still have plenty of time to figure it out.

It definitely varies depending on many factors such as resort level, number of people and your eating style. The first two are very easy to figure out. Price the two packages with DDP and see which is cheaper for you. Then you need to decide if the dining plan is for you. Some people prefer to pay out of pocket, because they don't like dessert, can't eat dessert, want appetizers, don't eat snacks, etc. If you are one of those people, it may be better for you to go with room only. Then there are people like me, who gets the dining plan regardless and don't stay deluxe, so FD is the better deal for me always.

 

[smitch425]

Guys, please do not reference the blog or FB page here. We could get into trouble.

 

[Nermel9]

Is Free Dining really a good deal? All this hoopla makes me wonder about switching to free dining over RO discount. What is the better deal? Is it a better deal for families or is still a good deal for 2 adults? Is it still a good deal if you're staying at a deluxe?

Granted, I'm going in october. I still have plenty of time to figure it out.

I've found, with my husband and I, that a room only discount is better when staying at the deluxes, and free dining is better when staying at a moderate. It might be different for families, but for the 2 of us, that's what seems to work!

 

[Nermel9]

So just so I'm caught up...we're thinking May 1 for Visa cardholders for Free Dining now?

 

[smitch425]

So just so I'm caught up...we're thinking May 1 for Visa cardholders for Free Dining now?

Yes

 

[bnstucker]

question about split stay and free dining... if we book Oct 15-17 at a resort then book a free dining package Oct 17-26 with 8 day park tickets at the same or other resort... Are the park tickets only good starting on the 17th since that is the check in date of the Package Deal?

 

[BelleMarie]

While I sit here and wait for news of the FD release, I'm constantly going over our ADRs that we have and changing them. But the only one I wasn't able to get, and I keep checking back for availability, is the Fantasmic Package for Mama Mel's. Is it really booked, or do you think they are holding some tables? I do have the Fantasmic Package for Hollywood & Vine reserved, but we'd prefer MM. We're looking at Tuesday, 9/16.

I just cancelled a 330 or 345 for MM on 9/16, you can try for it

 

[Nermel9]

question about split stay and free dining... if we book Oct 15-17 at a resort then book a free dining package Oct 17-26 with 8 day park tickets at the same or other resort... Are the park tickets only good starting on the 17th since that is the check in date of the Package Deal?

You should be able to pick up your park tickets early...I've done it a few times, but I haven't since Magic Bands were introduced, so I'm not sure if the rules have changed!

So basically, I'm no help with this question, but I know you used to be able to pick up tickets before your package started!

 

[Nermel9]

Yes

Fantastic, thank you!

May 1 also happens to be my husband and I's 4 year anniversary, so hopefully that date will bring us all good luck!