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

[brooke789]

We were just talking about how much we like Pinocchio! Also, like Pecos Bill but don't think we ate there on our last trip (which was after their big menu change). We went there but think we just stopped in for cold drinks and a/c!

 

[Wojodis]

I had asked a CM a couple of weeks ago what the chances were that Disney was holding back rooms for an upcoming promotion. Her answer was she did not believe that was the case. I asked because I was surprised by some of the limited availability. I am thinking CSR and CB are down a lot of rooms with the rehab work so that likely accounts for some of the limited rooms. I do wonder if that will impact any FD offers...

I do think though that Disney must be aware that people sometimes book anticipating FD offers and even sometimes book multiple rooms... I wonder how many people are making bookings that they would cancel or dramatically alter if Disney did not offer FD or offered limited FD. I would think that must be on Disney's radar and their promotions would take that into account, even despite high room reservation rates. They have such a generous cancellation policy it makes altering and cancelling really easy if discounts are not released...

I don't know. Maybe it's like the saying about restaurants--"When unsure, always go to the place that seems busiest. It must be good." Maybe if the general public finds limited to no availability when they begin to plan a trip--it makes them want to go more (I doubt it though). It definitely helps to keep prices up. Also, it probably makes it easier to offer very limited FD initially. Those of us planning on being up at 4 a.m. on the day that it drops are also probably the ones that would make multiple reservations (for better or worse) in hopes of landing it. If I were Disney, I would just be afraid that the current limited availability may turn some potential customers off. Typically, you'll see much greater availability a few weeks after FD drops. Like I said, I don't know. I just want it to happen NOW! (gotta rationalize this obsessive behavior lol). Disney has had this offer for awhile so I'm sure they have every aspect and detail of it worked out perfectly!

 

[Wojodis]

At least with small hotels (like the one where I work) you are required to give them a certain number of rooms per night to sell. You have to hold those out of your inventory for expedia, etc even if they don't sell there. it very likely could be much different for a place like Disney, but that is how it works for the little guys.

This makes a lot of sense to me. Also like piggleto's idea that Disney then gets them back if unsold by a certain date.

 

[Lesley Wake]

I'm honestly so looking forward to the food at Disney! Here are my plans so far (was able to make ADRs for all of them):
BOG-both breakfast and dinner. I love how they have completely different menus for each meal; most of the time you see the same one for lunch and dinner. I wish I had snagged a lunch one too, and we could have decided later whether to do bfast or lunch.
CRT-dinner during the fireworks. Hopefully we will be able to get a window seat!
Le Cellier-our family is Canadian so it seems right to go there!
50s Prime Time-lunch; had to decide between that and sci fi drive in. But my sis had gone to sci fi the first time she visited, so we decided to go 50s now
Chef Art Smith Homecoming-sooo looking forward to that fried chicken!

And once the ROL dining (Tusker House) and Star Wars dessert party open up, we'll be getting those.

 

[Neeky78]

I think if there seems to be no availability that is NOT good for us. Disney isn't holding rooms back so they can give us free food. They are giving us free food (hopefully) to fill up the empty rooms and spend money in the parks. If the rooms are booked it's going to seriously limit the availability of free dining.

I'd say Disney's analytics team would be pretty au fait with people pre-booking multiple rooms in the hopes of getting free dining. They'd have years of trends where x number of rooms are booked prior to FD and after the dates are dropped, x% cancel.
They'd be aware the numbers aren't an accurate representation.

 

[Valstew]

I got an email with a unique code today for 30% off rooms till august 31 as a returning guest. Currently booked POFQ September 17-21. Although I'd take it had it been within my dates.

 

[pooch]

I can't wait to have the lobster roll @ CHH. I'm hoping I can get my wife to take the kids to Dumbo so I can sneak off and get it!

Ok I love CCH but that is NOT a lobster roll. It can barely be called a lobster salad. I know I am spoiled here in New England but whatever that is they are serving is an insult to shellfish to call it lobster roll. Sorry

 

[KimBean]

I can not believe how much some ppl pay for tips. I won't get into what I do or do not do but I think 20% is far too high. I also hate when they tap it on the bill. A TIP is a tip for good service and if I do not get good service I will not be paying 20% tip just because it's taped onto the bill. THAT is wrong!

That said we do have the tip picked for the meals we need it for and are putting those in envelopes for each place we go.
Also having tips for the resort staff and I want to get some cards made up for CM's who sprinkle extra magic or make our trip special, so I can make sure they get the recognition they deserve I will make sure they are mentioned at the city hall.

I only pay 20% if the bill is super low. Like $20-30 meal or if it was super duper fantabulous service. We had that at Narcoosses. If my husband says make sure you give him/ her good tip then I know to give 20%. I never give less than 15% even if it was horrible and average around 18%. But all depends on service.

 

[DiaryofaDisneyKid]

Thanks scard192 and Candice!! The one I'm most worried about is the Bon Voyage breakfast, but I did check dates yesterday around noon and there were still times available. Ohana might be the hardest because last year when I booked 180+10, there was only one time available at the end of our trip. BOG is also on our list, but maybe I'll just try for lunch.

My DD is still deciding between Bon Voyage Breakfast or 'Ohana breakfast for her pick. We each get a pick and then decide as a group on the rest. We have never actually been to the Boardwalk, we keep missing it every time and I think we might have to check it out this year. I hope you get all the ADR's you want!!! Last year my kids decided they wanted to try 'Ohana dinner about a month before our trip! All my careful planning. I tried every day but could not find it. When we were on our trip I checked once a day and found a reservation for dinner for the next day twice! So there is always hope!!

 

[KimBean]

I loved BOG's breakfast and lunch, and Columbia Harbour House was great. I don't see the pull for using a table service credit for BOG dinner when you can go for a QS. I'd save it for Akershus or something. But that's me...can anyone explain why it's worth the TS credit?

It's totally different food and experience. That being said I did not enjoy either when I was there in 2014. But I didn't enjoy lunch either so you might like dinner. For me it's one of those places I've seen it I don't need to go back unless something drastically changes.

 

[KimBean]

That's only 2 small glasses of wine per person. That wouldn't even be a splurge.

No but they must have been really expensive bottles of wine. Caveat- anything that can't be bought at the grocery store counts as expensive to me.

 

[pigletto]

My DD is still deciding between Bon Voyage Breakfast or 'Ohana breakfast for her pick. We each get a pick and then decide as a group on the rest. We have never actually been to the Boardwalk, we keep missing it every time and I think we might have to check it out this year. I hope you get all the ADR's you want!!! Last year my kids decided they wanted to try 'Ohana dinner about a month before our trip! All my careful planning. I tried every day but could not find it. When we were on our trip I checked once a day and found a reservation for dinner for the next day twice! So there is always hope!!

We booked the Bon Voyage breakfast for our last morning! I am looking forward to it. I've always wanted to try Ohana for breakfast again, but Ohana dinner always wins with my crew. We did go once for breakfast when we stayed at the Poly and I really enjoyed it .

 

[v0mich01]

Ok, It is not explicitly a free dining question, but maybe someone in here can help me out....I currently have three reservations for the beach club. I have 2 garden view rooms booked 9/13-9/18(the dates I want) today I was able to book a 2 br at BC for 9/12-9/18. But online, they won't let me do 9/13-9/18. Any ideas why? I know I could just call, and I will in the morning, but I think its kinda weird.

 

[KimBean]

I had asked a CM a couple of weeks ago what the chances were that Disney was holding back rooms for an upcoming promotion. Her answer was she did not believe that was the case. I asked because I was surprised by some of the limited availability. I am thinking CSR and CB are down a lot of rooms with the rehab work so that likely accounts for some of the limited rooms. I do wonder if that will impact any FD offers...

I do think though that Disney must be aware that people sometimes book anticipating FD offers and even sometimes book multiple rooms... I wonder how many people are making bookings that they would cancel or dramatically alter if Disney did not offer FD or offered limited FD. I would think that must be on Disney's radar and their promotions would take that into account, even despite high room reservation rates. They have such a generous cancellation policy it makes altering and cancelling really easy if discounts are not released...

I agree I would hope they have so much statistical data that our minds would be blown. They can't know exactly but they know how many percent of people booked already will rebook as free dining and how many are new bookings. Like 2014 we weren't planning a trip and I didn't even know about FD until 2 weeks after it dropped. I'd heard about it but we never got it and we had never stayed onsite (except my husband - who stayed GF platinum with his parents when he was 15.) so I saw it I wanted it and from first learning about it here in 2 hours booked a package.

So there are some people who it brings to the park who wasn't coming and some who are coming anyway and will either upgrade resort or stay more days or go to parks more OR who at least put you in that disney bubble more and you spend less time at universal so disney wins. Lol!!

 

[DiaryofaDisneyKid]

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

Last trip I had the Gluten Free Caprese Flatbread and it was SO good!

 

[tinkpower]

Ok, It is not explicitly a free dining question, but maybe someone in here can help me out....I currently have three reservations for the beach club. I have 2 garden view rooms booked 9/13-9/18(the dates I want) today I was able to book a 2 br at BC for 9/12-9/18. But online, they won't let me do 9/13-9/18. Any ideas why? I know I could just call, and I will in the morning, but I think its kinda weird.

Seriously!?!?! If you have multiple reservations for yourself for the same trip the system SHOULDN'T allow you to keep doing it.

 

[Wojodis]

Seriously!?!?! If you have multiple reservations for yourself for the same trip the system SHOULDN'T allow you to keep doing it.

I think they are trying to switch from 2 rooms to a 2 bedroom--but can not get the same dates

 

[v0mich01]

Seriously!?!?! If you have multiple reservations for yourself for the same trip the system SHOULDN'T allow you to keep doing it.

I'm not booking another, I'm trying to modify an existing one. And its not letting me. Saying it isn't available. but I know its available, bc its my reservation. Does that make sense? Like I'm currently booked for 6 days, and I want to take off the first day.

 

[Amunet]

We're trying to figure out Dining plans, so this question DOES relate a smidge

We will be driving, thus having a car while vacationing. I've never had a car at WDW and depended on the free transportation. For anyone that has used both, what were the pros and cons for you?

 

[JadeDarkstar]

Kimbean Ahh thank's I was sitting here going nuts thinking it was 20% all the time. Thanks for that clarification. Oh I have reached in and got more out than I normally plan, for someone who did a good job.