ITS COMING -Nov. 2014 Free Dining - waiting, watching, wishing & worrying thread

[esuomyekcim]

dakotix, mrsap, and purplevalentine:

Thanks for being right there with me!! May 6 I can start planning reservations and I am on the Disney site every few days to keep myself occupied until then. I have my number of credits in my head and where I want to eat.

I have not been there since 2010 so I know there is more to experience with dining. Has anyone here tried Beauty and the Beast quick service? I already have Chef Mickey and Crystal Palace for dinner (in my mind anyway) for our 2 MK days. Now I am bouncing ideas for different QS for those days. Hmmmm. Maybe Crystal for breakfast and QS dinner. Love the options!!!

We've been watching POV ride videos on youtube to get DD's perspective on what rides she would like to go on. (FP+ planning has begun too!)

 

[deakam]

I booked a room only at a resort I don't want to stay at just so I can make ADRs for our September trip. We are going even without free dining but the number of days will be different without it. Checking every few days to see if something pops up.

 

[dakotix]

We are Charter members of Disney (Chase) Visa. We have never gotten any free dining offers. Never gotten any PINs.

Anyone know why?

I'm not 100% how it works but last time I found out that Free Dining was offered, it was anounced through the Disney Visa site. I was glued like everyone else to this site and others when the news broke that it had been released. I'm guessing that if I had the Visa card at the time I could have just called Disney and as long as I paid a portion of my balance with the card I could get free dining? I'm not sure, you just have to read the fine print. Try googling "free dining disney visa members" and view past years pages that cover this for clues.

Here's an example from last year: http://magicalmemorymaker.com/free-dining-for-disney-visa-card-members/

 

[mommajo143]

. Has anyone here tried Beauty and the Beast quick service?

Ate lunch there two days ago. I'd highly recommend trying for dinner if you can - the ambiance is completely different ... But, the lunch is very good, served quickly & quite different from the "norm" we have come to expect from many counter service around MK.

( edited for typo )

 

[dakotix]

Ate lunch there two days ago. I'd highly recommend trying for dinner if you can - the ambiance is completely different ... But, the lunch is very good, served quickly & quite different from the "norm" we have come to expect from many counter service around MK.

( edited for typo )

I'm curious if it is worth it. Be Our Guest for dinner cost 2 dining credits each. We splurged last time and spend the extra credits at Monsieur Paul at the French Pavillion. I had eaten there before and loved it but this time around I didn't find it to be as nice. To be honest I think it was the fact that I've changed not the restaurant! A little too hoity toity. Anyway I felt it was a waste of an extra credit.

 

[scard192]

I'm curious if it is worth it. Be Our Guest for dinner cost 2 dining credits each. We splurged last time and spend the extra credits at Monsieur Paul at the French Pavillion. I had eaten there before and loved it but this time around I didn't find it to be as nice. To be honest I think it was the fact that I've changed not the restaurant! A little too hoity toity. Anyway I felt it was a waste of an extra credit.

BOG for dinner is only one credit per person.

we used the BOG FP+ for lunch in October. So glad that I found about this "test" FP+ here on the DIS as it did not count towards our 3 FP+ per day. I had the braised pork and it was more like a TS meal than a CS one; wonderful meal.

 

[dakotix]

Oh that's great. Maybe I got BOG confused with another restaurant.

 

[lazer]

I'm not 100% how it works but last time I found out that Free Dining was offered, it was anounced through the Disney Visa site. I was glued like everyone else to this site and others when the news broke that it had been released. I'm guessing that if I had the Visa card at the time I could have just called Disney and as long as I paid a portion of my balance with the card I could get free dining? I'm not sure, you just have to read the fine print. Try googling "free dining disney visa members" and view past years pages that cover this for clues. Here's an example from last year: http://magicalmemorymaker.com/free-dining-for-disney-visa-card-members/

This is exactly what we did last year. Watched the boards and called when we heard it was offered. Paid a deposit with our card and booked free dining.

 

[momof4fairies]

I'm joining in! We are planning our first trip to Disney in November. I am anxiously awaiting the discounts and FD and for our trip in general. We will be there over our little one's birthday too. any recommendations on what to do for her birthday while we are there?

 

[tyniknate]

Wow....our tiny little November community is growing by leaps and bounds! Welcome to everyone who has joined since I last checked in. Here's hoping we can all find some pixie dust sometime soon. We can all officially mark off another month on the calendar. Just 8 short months until Disney! Seems incredible seeing as we started this thread with almost 16 months of waiting ahead of us all! We have officially made it half way through the wait.

Momof4fairies: How old is your daughter? Might help us give you a better idea of what is age appropriate.


dakotix: We are looking to eat at BOG just for the restaurant itself. The food doesn't look like anything we are overly thrilled about, but I hear the building and experience is incredible! Since B&TB is one of my favorites it is definitely on our list for this time!


jenwillis212: I know, the waiting is almost painful, isn't it? If your sister receives a free dining pin it can be applied to your reservation, too. Just so long as your group doesn't have too many rooms reserved. My sister and I "share" our pins every time we go. It has always worked for both of our rooms.


I finally broke down and booked our reservation. Wanted to wait until I had a firm discount, but the wait was more than I could take. Anyone else know what I mean .

I need to figure out my 180 day mark. It must be around the beginning of June, but don't know the date for sure. I've been on and picked the color of our magic bands, but haven't done much more than that. Has anyone seen the absolutely adorable Fab 5 cover set for the bands? I hate to spend the money, but they may be too adorable for me to resist.

 

[momof4fairies]

She will be turning 3. We will also be bringing her 4 1/2 year old sister. They are both nuts about all the princesses, especially Elsa/Anna and she loves Mickey/Minnie. TIA!

 

[lazer]

From what I've read, an Askerhaus meal is the way to go to meet princesses, especially those from Frozen. My kids that age also love lunch at Hollywood & Vine at Hollywood Studios (Jake, Sophia, Doc, and more). Make sure you get a "it's my birthday" pin from your resort desk or at the park. We're celebrating a 6th bday this year, cannot wait

 

[TwoAtDisney]

I'm not 100% how it works but last time I found out that Free Dining was offered, it was anounced through the Disney Visa site. I was glued like everyone else to this site and others when the news broke that it had been released. I'm guessing that if I had the Visa card at the time I could have just called Disney and as long as I paid a portion of my balance with the card I could get free dining? I'm not sure, you just have to read the fine print. Try googling "free dining disney visa members" and view past years pages that cover this for clues.

Here's an example from last year: http://magicalmemorymaker.com/free-dining-for-disney-visa-card-members/

Thanks for the website. I will watch it & Disboards.

However, what did you mean by "Disney Visa site"? Is there a special site for this? When I go online for my Disney Visa account, I go to Chase Bank - haven't seen a special site for Disney Visa.

 

[Fracfam4]

Hi there!
We're booking a trip in November and hoping for FD too. Laser, you mentioned the Frozen Princesses are at Askerhaus. That would be great because DD will be wanting to meet them. We have friends that have just returned from WDW and the line to meet Elsa and Anna was 5 hours long. I don't think we want to do that.

 

[deakam]

Hi there!
We're booking a trip in November and hoping for FD too. Laser, you mentioned the Frozen Princesses are at Askerhaus. That would be great because DD will be wanting to meet them. We have friends that have just returned from WDW and the line to meet Elsa and Anna was 5 hours long. I don't think we want to do that.

As far as I know Elsa and Ana have a meet and greet spot in Norway somewhere but not at Akershus. I have not heard of them being part of the princess rotation either. This may have changed but I don't think so. The wait for the girls can be anywhere from 2 to 4 hours.

 

[tyniknate]

From what I've read, an Askerhaus meal is the way to go to meet princesses, especially those from Frozen. My kids that age also love lunch at Hollywood & Vine at Hollywood Studios (Jake, Sophia, Doc, and more). Make sure you get a "it's my birthday" pin from your resort desk or at the park. We're celebrating a 6th bday this year, cannot wait

With their ages I have to agree that this might be the best way to celebrate. We have eaten there several times at the Princess Breakfast and have loved the interaction. Some of the places they are barely at the table long enough to sign a book. It hasn't been my experience at Akershus. The princesses were wonderful!

I do not believe Anna and Elsa are at this breakfast, though. I think the only way to meet them is through the line in Norway. I also cannot believe there is a 5 hour line to meet them. I would say if your plan is to meet them be sure to be at the park at opening and find out what time their meet and greet starts. Then plan to be in line 30 minutes prior to the line opening. Bring some snacks and juice boxes, maybe something else to entertain the girls and then wait. This method has always worked for us. Good luck!

 

[lazer]

With their ages I have to agree that this might be the best way to celebrate. We have eaten there several times at the Princess Breakfast and have loved the interaction. Some of the places they are barely at the table long enough to sign a book. It hasn't been my experience at Akershus. The princesses were wonderful! I do not believe Anna and Elsa are at this breakfast, though. I think the only way to meet them is through the line in Norway. I also cannot believe there is a 5 hour line to meet them. I would say if your plan is to meet them be sure to be at the park at opening and find out what time their meet and greet starts. Then plan to be in line 30 minutes prior to the line opening. Bring some snacks and juice boxes, maybe something else to entertain the girls and then wait. This method has always worked for us. Good luck!

This is what I should have clarified, currently, they aren't at Askerhaus, but across from it. Snag an early reservation, and someone in your party head to the Elsa & Anna line.

 

[LucyBC80]

Even though I changed my dates I don't want to mess with my ticker, poor Donald would have to start from the beginning all over again!

 

[mom_of_2]

This is what I should have clarified, currently, they aren't at Askerhaus, but across from it. Snag an early reservation, and someone in your party head to the Elsa & Anna line.

I agree. I would do this as well. I believe I read somewhere that they start meeting and greeting at 9:00/9:30. Which is apparently earlier then they have been meeting.

 

[dakotix]

Wow....our tiny little November community is growing by leaps and bounds! Welcome to everyone who has joined since I last checked in. Here's hoping we can all find some pixie dust sometime soon. We can all officially mark off another month on the calendar. Just 8 short months until Disney! Seems incredible seeing as we started this thread with almost 16 months of waiting ahead of us all! We have officially made it half way through the wait.

Momof4fairies: How old is your daughter? Might help us give you a better idea of what is age appropriate.

dakotix: We are looking to eat at BOG just for the restaurant itself. The food doesn't look like anything we are overly thrilled about, but I hear the building and experience is incredible! Since B&TB is one of my favorites it is definitely on our list for this time!

jenwillis212: I know, the waiting is almost painful, isn't it? If your sister receives a free dining pin it can be applied to your reservation, too. Just so long as your group doesn't have too many rooms reserved. My sister and I "share" our pins every time we go. It has always worked for both of our rooms.

I finally broke down and booked our reservation. Wanted to wait until I had a firm discount, but the wait was more than I could take. Anyone else know what I mean .

I need to figure out my 180 day mark. It must be around the beginning of June, but don't know the date for sure. I've been on and picked the color of our magic bands, but haven't done much more than that. Has anyone seen the absolutely adorable Fab 5 cover set for the bands? I hate to spend the money, but they may be too adorable for me to resist.

I know what you mean! I can't believe we're going either. I don't want to get to excited though...this winter sucked and I'm in no hurry to start it as over again!