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

[v0mich01]

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

Yes, this. My TA holds the 2 individual rooms so I couldn't modify those, so when a 2 bedroom was available for almost my dates I booked it for myself. But it would only let me book 6 days, not 5. So I did, hoping I could modify it. I don't think the villas have a minimum night, or if they do it's not a 6 night minimum.

 

[DiaryofaDisneyKid]

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 can't remember if anyone found out why some couldn't modify. I think it was because once the number of rooms set aside for each resort for FD was gone it wouldn't matter if you had a room booked. FD for that room category was gone so you couldn't modify. The WDW site does seem to get overloaded and stop working too, so that could have been a contributing factor. If you can't modify I would try making a new reservation and then cancelling the old one.

 

[DiaryofaDisneyKid]

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 .

We tried 'Ohana for dinner last time and loved it! My DD loves Stitch so that is why she wants breakfast, lol. They are both so different and great I think I could eat at both! I do want to try a QS at the Poly though and I don't think I can get my family to go there 3 times.

 

[KimBean]

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?

I have not used both I have only used my own car. But just looking at the times posted on the boards I. Ant see much circumstance where your car isn't faster.

 

[Wojodis]

Yes, this. My TA holds the 2 individual rooms so I couldn't modify those, so when a 2 bedroom was available for almost my dates I booked it for myself. But it would only let me book 6 days, not 5. So I did, hoping I could modify it. I don't think the villas have a minimum night, or if they do it's not a 6 night minimum.

I understand--got the same thing going on at the poly--booked from the 2 to 14 but want the 2 to 12--it's already my reservation but the system won't let me shorten it.

 

[KimBean]

We tried 'Ohana for dinner last time and loved it! My DD loves Stitch so that is why she wants breakfast, lol. They are both so different and great I think I could eat at both! I do want to try a QS at the Poly though and I don't think I can get my family to go there 3 times.

My girls both love stitch. My oldest is 16 so stitch came out when she was little and still watched the same movie 5 times a day. I would lthink be to try bon voyage but my husband says only 1 breakfast - he isn't a fan and the girls say they HAVE to do stitch.

 

[tinkpower]

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.

You have a post saying you have a "zillion" reservations with various deposites so I just assumed.

 

[jend178]

Alright now I'm reeeaallly hoping for FD when I'm there. We suddenly decided to sell our house and buy a new one. So, every bit of discounts I can get will help with this trip! CR for 7 nights in August

We are in the process of buying a new home too! I just hope to have everything done before our vacation!

 

[DiaryofaDisneyKid]

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?

We always drive and prefer it over the buses. You don't have to wait in long lines for the bus, especially at the end of the night after fireworks! Parking is also free if you are staying on property. Remember to ask the front desk for your parking pass when you check in. I can't think of a con!

 

[KimBean]

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.

I'm confused are you going to 50s or homecoming or both. I would go to both I love fried chicken. Somehow we've ended up at neither. Lol. I had homecoming and then my dh whined for more seafood and we switched to paddlefish and I love 50s but harder to find stuff dd16 likes and we went last time so sci fi this time and next time back to 50s.

 

[KimBean]

We always drive and prefer it over the buses. You don't have to wait in long lines for the bus, especially at the end of the night after fireworks! Parking is also free if you are staying on property. Remember to ask the front desk for your parking pass when you check in. I can't think of a con!

I agree. I also hate standing I much rather be moving. I'd rather walk to my car and once I get there die of exhaustion then stand and wait on a bus.

 

[v0mich01]

I understand--got the same thing going on at the poly--booked from the 2 to 14 but want the 2 to 12--it's already my reservation but the system won't let me shorten it.

Have you tried calling? I'm hopeful that may be the solution.

You have a post saying you have a "zillion" reservations with various deposites so I just assumed.

It feel like that right now! With the split stay, and also my inlaws res...woof. Lol. I'm kinda regretting going with the TA bc I can't just switch it at will, instead I ended up booking another.

 

[KimBean]

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....

Yeah I don't want to use 4 snack credits on everyone getting fries. But thanks for the suggestion.

 

[anitsa123]

Have all my ADRS now hoping for Free dinning and upgrading to DxDDP going with DH, DD 25 and GS 1 will be celbrating is 2nd Birthday while we are there.

Day 1: San Angel Inn Lunch Coral Reef Dinner

Day 2: Fairytale Dining Lunch at Cinderella’s Royal Table California Grill Dinner

Day 3: Yak and Yeti Lunch Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue Category 2-3rd Show Dinner

Day 4: Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room Lunch Le Cellier Steakhouse Dinner

Day 5: Donald's Dining Safari Lunch at Tusker House Restaurant BOG Dinner

Day 6: Minnie's Seasonal Dine at Hollywood & Vine Lunch Fantasmic! Hollywood Brown Derby Dinner

Day 7: Liberty Tree Tavern Lunch Narcoossee's Dinner

Day 8: Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano Lunch Yachtsman Steakhouse Dinner

Day 9: Tiffins Restaurant Lunch

Day 10: A Buffet with Character Breakfast at The Crystal Palace

 

[v0mich01]

Have all my ADRS now hoping for Free dinning and upgrading to DxDDP going with DH, DD 25 and GS 1 will be celbrating is 2nd Birthday while we are there.

Day 1: San Angel Inn Lunch Coral Reef Dinner

Day 2: Fairytale Dining Lunch at Cinderella’s Royal Table California Grill Dinner

Day 3: Yak and Yeti Lunch Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue Category 2-3rd Show Dinner

Day 4: Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room Lunch Le Cellier Steakhouse Dinner

Day 5: Donald's Dining Safari Lunch at Tusker House Restaurant BOG Dinner

Day 6: Minnie's Seasonal Dine at Hollywood & Vine Lunch Fantasmic! Hollywood Brown Derby Dinner

Day 7: Liberty Tree Tavern Lunch Narcoossee's Dinner

Day 8: Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano Lunch Yachtsman Steakhouse Dinner

Day 9: Tiffins Restaurant Lunch

Day 10: A Buffet with Character Breakfast at The Crystal Palace

YUM! This all sounds delcious. from of a mom of a two year, I can definitely see the perks of two sit downs a day, ready made breaks

 

[Disneylover99]

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?

For years we flew down and relied on Disney transportation. Loved it! The last two trips we drove down. It was nice to have a car for the waterparks, Disney Springs and visiting other resorts. But we mostly used the buses to go back and forth to the parks. We found that easy and quick. I found some of the longest waits for the trams.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Have all my ADRS now hoping for Free dinning and upgrading to DxDDP going with DH, DD 25 and GS 1 will be celbrating is 2nd Birthday while we are there.

Day 1: San Angel Inn Lunch Coral Reef Dinner

Day 2: Fairytale Dining Lunch at Cinderella’s Royal Table California Grill Dinner

Day 3: Yak and Yeti Lunch Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue Category 2-3rd Show Dinner

Day 4: Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room Lunch Le Cellier Steakhouse Dinner

Day 5: Donald's Dining Safari Lunch at Tusker House Restaurant BOG Dinner

Day 6: Minnie's Seasonal Dine at Hollywood & Vine Lunch Fantasmic! Hollywood Brown Derby Dinner

Day 7: Liberty Tree Tavern Lunch Narcoossee's Dinner

Day 8: Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano Lunch Yachtsman Steakhouse Dinner

Day 9: Tiffins Restaurant Lunch

Day 10: A Buffet with Character Breakfast at The Crystal Palace

That's a TON of food! Enjoy!

 

[Amunet]

For years we flew down and relied on Disney transportation. Loved it! The last two trips we drove down. It was nice to have a car for the waterparks, Disney Springs and visiting other resorts. But we mostly used the buses to go back and forth to the parks. We found that easy and quick. I found some of the longest waits for the trams.

I have seen the trams at AK, do all parks have them?
Are the trams worse than buses after park close (or after a party like MNSSHP)?

Does anyone have links with helpful info for parking at the various parks (maps/images are a huge help)?

 

[disneydreamer1980]

We always drive down, and usually drive to the parks. We always take disney trasportation to MK because it's just much easier that way. You can also visit Universal if you want much easier, and sometimes before we head home we'll visit an outlet for cheap disney souvenirs. Also, you can go grocery shopping if need be ( we always stay somewhere with a kitchen). Easier to do all of this with a car. Plus you can pack as much as you want, and don't have to worry about how to fit souvenirs in your bags.

 

[TomServo27]

Two of the places I'm most excited about trying are morimoto and homecoming but I must be the only one never see anyone have either one those on their list.