******Official 2017 Free Dining Plan Watch, Wait, and Dream

[agassizsmile]

Tried

We booked a package. EEEEK. First time ever booking Disney and I haven't been since I was a kid! We're really hoping for FD-- it would help us out a LOT-- but we're still making it work without so we just wanted to make sure we had our room and favorite dates reserved. We do have 6 standby options worked out if we need to change it for a promo.

I have a few more questions about the process/strategy. I was reading through the 2016 dining watch thread and see some people saying they couldn't modify their reservation online (once they tried to check out) and they wished they hadn't already booked, and then others had no issue. Is there a particular reason people might not be able to modify? Right now my page has the change reservation option and I can look at offers, change dates and room type, etc. like a previous poster said I would, so I assume it's OK?

Presuming I'm able to modify, should I plan on going straight to the MDE page and either adding the offer (if our dates are eligible) or if not, change dates and room types and see if it's eligible? Or should I first go to see what's available by clicking on the main offer page, THEN go to MDE to alter my reservation? Or go to the main offer page, immediately try to book what works with our alternative dates with a new deposit, then cancel the old reservation?

My mind feels like it's about to blow up.

Great questions.Altough my reservation has the link to change it it won't let me check out so my changes were not really made.Worried this will happen on FD day!

 

[Elsaalltheway]

Nearby Starbucks.

Great, thank you.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Nothing beats wolfgang pucks express. It's soooo good and a good use of a QS credit since the meals are expensive. And it's not a place to order burger or chicken tenders!

 

[BuckeyeBama]

$100 seems kind of low. But if only 6 nights, 2 people. TS for 2 - $75 x 6 = $450 x 20% = $90. So just depends number of nights and number of people.

Agreed, but I must be doing something wrong. Even when only traveling as a couple, I don't think that we have ever had a $75 TS bill.

 

[agassizsmile]

Tried


Great questions.Altough my reservation has the link to change it it won't let me check out so my changes were not really made.Worried this will happen on FD day!

Bump bump this question is very crucial any replies?

 

[agassizsmile]

We booked a package. EEEEK. First time ever booking Disney and I haven't been since I was a kid! We're really hoping for FD-- it would help us out a LOT-- but we're still making it work without so we just wanted to make sure we had our room and favorite dates reserved. We do have 6 standby options worked out if we need to change it for a promo.

I have a few more questions about the process/strategy. I was reading through the 2016 dining watch thread and see some people saying they couldn't modify their reservation online (once they tried to check out) and they wished they hadn't already booked, and then others had no issue. Is there a particular reason people might not be able to modify? Right now my page has the change reservation option and I can look at offers, change dates and room type, etc. like a previous poster said I would, so I assume it's OK?

Presuming I'm able to modify, should I plan on going straight to the MDE page and either adding the offer (if our dates are eligible) or if not, change dates and room types and see if it's eligible? Or should I first go to see what's available by clicking on the main offer page, THEN go to MDE to alter my reservation? Or go to the main offer page, immediately try to book what works with our alternative dates with a new deposit, then cancel the old reservation?

My mind feels like it's about to blow up.

I meant to bump this

 

[Katmat75]

Park hopper is really nice. We didn't have it the first time and second time they required it for free dining. Now that we have had it, we don't think we can go back to doing one park a day.

We have always used the park hopper! A few years ago money was really tight so we decided to do without it and do only a base ticket! HATED IT! Will never be without a hopper again!

 

[Elsaalltheway]

We have always used the park hopper! A few years ago money was really tight so we decided to do without it and do only a base ticket! HATED IT! Will never be without a hopper again!

I'm afraid of the day when I have to try that again. I hope it wont be any time soon, but I love the freedom to move around the parks.

 

[Disneylover99]

We went last year from September 1 and checked out on September 11 and we tried blaze pizza for the first time and it was awesome. We tried the d-luxe burger and it was the worst meal that we had the whole time we were there the burgers were so raw we couldn't even eat them.

I had heard ahead of time that their burgers weren't well cooked. We asked for it extra well done and it was cooked perfectly.

 

[Disneylover99]

Going to D-Luxe but paying OOP. With no side and can't get shake as drink didn't see value in a $12 burger being the whole credit. So we will pay OOP and use the QS credit for lunch on driving home day.

I think you can get fries as a snack credit if that's what you want to do. I know we always have extra snack credits left over, although maybe we won't have any extra credits left over this year since they scaled back the quick service plan. Ahhhh, the good old days....

 

[disneydreamer1980]

I think you can get fries as a snack credit if that's what you want to do. I know we always have extra snack credits left over, although maybe we won't have any extra credits left over this year since they scaled back the quick service plan. Ahhhh, the good old days....

What do you mean they scaled back the QS plan? No dessert?

 

[menotyou21]

We are going to do just QS this time for our 4 day trip. What are your favorites? These have been such interesting post! THank you so much for sharing your info. Helps us newbies out!!

A lot of good replies already. I'd definitely suggest reading threads and sites on each park's offerings.

HS - Backlot Express is a family favorite, but I believe they changed the menu recently.
MK - my kids love Pinocchio Village Haus.
AK - Flame Tree hands down. If you don't care for BBQ, my kids enjoy Restuarantosaurus.
EP - too many!!!!! Depending on what your family is in the mood for: La Cantina, Lotus Blossum, Sunshine Seasons, Tangierine Cafe

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

Agreed, but I must be doing something wrong. Even when only traveling as a couple, I don't think that we have ever had a $75 TS bill.

I can tell you my experience at Disney table services. Last trip we ate at Via Napoli, probably the least expensive TS meal we had, and I'm pretty sure it was more than $50 a person because we ordered a couple of appetizers for the table (4 people), several pitchers of sangria and a beer or two. We also had Teppan Edo, which is $30+ per person for the entree, ordered a couple of sushi rolls, and had a few beers/cocktails, and that had to be close to $75 a person. Finally, we ate at Narcoossee's and 3 of the 4 had the surf and turf when it was available on the dining plan, which cost around $65 at the time, and another had a fish dish that was $40+. I had the cheese plate as a dessert and that was $20 or so, plus we had an app and a number of drinks. That bill had to be over $400, and the tip getting close to $100. We usually tip a minimum of 20% and often more, so tips can certainly add up.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

I had heard ahead of time that their burgers weren't well cooked. We asked for it extra well done and it was cooked perfectly.

"Extra well done" Always get mine medium rare.

On edit, this was posted in good fun.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

A lot of good replies already. I'd definitely suggest reading threads and sites on each park's offerings.

HS - Backlot Express is a family favorite, but I believe they changed the menu recently.
MK - my kids love Pinocchio Village Haus.
AK - Flame Tree hands down. If you don't care for BBQ, my kids enjoy Restuarantosaurus.
EP - too many!!!!! Depending on what your family is in the mood for: La Cantina, Lotus Blossum, Sunshine Seasons, Tangierine Cafe

We also like Pinocchio, but a lot of people apparently don't. Sit upstairs - much quieter. At Epcot my daughter and I always get a brat and potato salad from Sommerfest and like breakfast/lunch at Les Halles.

 

[Disneylover99]

What do you mean they scaled back the QS plan? No dessert?

A quick service meal now consists of a meal and a drink....no dessert. The last couple of years were awesome because you could substitute sides for your drink and dessert. Now I don't think you're even allowed to sub out your drink.

They did add a snack this year, but getting rid of 2 desserts/sides for 1 snack is a bit of a downgrade.

 

[KimBean]

Agreed, but I must be doing something wrong. Even when only traveling as a couple, I don't think that we have ever had a $75 TS bill.

Bahahaha!!! I don't think we would spend that. But I don't drink and dh is pretty frugal so 2 - $10 beers or 1 - $20 cocktail is about all he is going to do in the whole day. And probably will be while we are walking around and not while he is eating. Even though I want him to get some of those flights that look so neat.

 

[v0mich01]

Ok everyone. I know we don't really know but has anyone heard of, or gotten, free dining in a 2bd villa?

 

[rebsie]

I think you can get fries as a snack credit if that's what you want to do. I know we always have extra snack credits left over, although maybe we won't have any extra credits left over this year since they scaled back the quick service plan. Ahhhh, the good old days....

No, the QS doesn't have dessert anymore but you still get that extra snack that you can use anywhere. I like that way better! I'm not a fan of most desserts offered by counter service places. How many times do you want to eat chocolate mousse? lol. Give me a cheese pretzel any day over that!

 

[menotyou21]

We also like Pinocchio, but a lot of people apparently don't. Sit upstairs - much quieter. At Epcot my daughter and I always get a brat and potato salad from Sommerfest and like breakfast/lunch at Les Halles.

Agreed. Not sure why so many don't like it.