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

[KimBean]

Since it's quiet today, I can ask my sort of OT question. If you had free dining, would you rather upgrade to deluxe for 1000 and enjoy yachtsman, narcoosee's and la cellier or spend 1500 and upgrade to club level. I have a FD BB booked and this is internal debate. I really love club but it is over 200 more a night. Deluxe is a better value because I will eat well and my family loves food. We also love CL. My kids love going for snacks and cans of soda. I enjoy the beer and all coffee. However, 1500 buys a lot of beer and soda! Thoughts?

Deluxe!!!

 

[KimBean]

Can anyone tell me the price to upgrade ddp to dxdp

Adult - $37.33

Child - $13.80

 

[jods]

Can anyone tell me the price to upgrade ddp to dxdp

I can only tell you what we paid. 7 night stay, for 4 disney adults it was a few dollars over 1000. Maybe 1005 or 1008.

 

[Neeky78]

I would figure without mich effort/bargain hunting you could save 40-50 per person on park tickets (undrcover tourist is $40ish in savings right now) so I would probably factor in $150 of possible savings, knowing you may be able to find better deals elsewhere if you dig. If you wouldn't get the park hopper without it being required for free dining I would factor that in as well.

We will be getting ph no matter what. I did look at Undercover Tourist but it didn't seem to save me that much. I'll have a look again. Maybe I missed those pesky taxes that keep surprising me when planning this USA trip! Thanks.

 

[sjs314]

From what I understand, you can't "convert it", you just spend it. Going to concierge asking for a QS to show on your ddp so you can spend it later as 3 snacks won't work. You need to go to a snack place, grab 3 snacks and when it comes to pay, ask for it to be rung up as a QS credit.
So 3 snack credits won't be added to your account and a QS taken off, just a QS will be taken off.

Hope I explained that properly!

I tried at Bw BAKERY WHICH SELLS snacks and was told no

 

[Amunet]

Does anyone know when park hours/schedules release?

I just realized that I can't plan ADRs with PH until I get those times lol

 

[sharonabe]

Let me see if I can clear up this QS to 3 snack exchange thing.

The concierge or anyone else CANNOT just change one of your QS credits into 3 snack credits to be used wherever. If it's done at all, it can only be done at the point of sale.

IF you want to try to get 3 snacks for 1 QS credit, please ask the CM where you want to do it BEFORE you gather your items. This exchange is not in writing anywhere in Disney literature. It is NOT an official policy at all. It does happen, but this year it has gotten much more inconsistent than in the past. Most reports have been that there is no problem doing this at your resort gift shop and resort QS restaurant. Some other places where it has been done are at Starbucks (3 Venti drinks anyone?), the Main St Confectionary, and Goofy's Candy over at DS. We do not know if the F&W booths will do this again this year. If it happens at Flower and Garden, then it should be okay for F&W. Please note: you must get all three snacks at ONE booth in ONE transaction. And if you're getting anything that is not a snack credit or you're getting more than three, you'll fare better if you do it in two separate transactions: QS credit for 3 snacks done by one person, wine purchase done by another person.

Does this help at all?

 

[sharonabe]

Does anyone know when park hours/schedules release?

I just realized that I can't plan ADRs with PH until I get those times lol

Here's a link to the thread that has the link to the travel agent calendars. October was just released, and you'll see November at that link before anywhere else.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/wdw-travel-agent-calendars-links.3566354/

 

[KimBean]

So as most of the "regular posters" know I am currently booked with a FD BB at WL for 8/24-8/29. However, DH is still waiting to hear about a new job that will relocate us from NY to either MD or VA. (We should find out this month) If we end up in VA I will have to change our plans because DS will miss the first 2 days of 1st grade. (NY and MD start school after Labor Day). I'm really starting to freak out because the current promotion goes until 8/31. I feel like there's no way FD will be offered 8/21-8/26 (possible new dates) unless they do a visa deal like last year (I have the visa). Has anyone had success with moving a BB offer around? I'm so afraid Disney is going to say no! I would really hate to give up my deal but there's no way I can have DS miss the first days of school at a new school!

I think you should just call and ask. You don't have to do it then just see what your options are.

 

[KimBean]

Does anyone have reviews of the diamond horseshoe? I just noticed that it will be open when we will be there. Liberty Tree is one of my planned ADRs. Maybe I will switch it and just eat there.

http://www.easywdw.com/easy/blog/diamond-horseshoe-table-service-dinner-review/

 

[pigletto]

I stayed away all day. No rumours yet?!?

 

[deakam]

Hey everyone! I didn't do the free dining last year because our trip was the middle of October for my daughter's wedding. This year I am thinking about booking. Does anyone remember what the requirements were last year and what the first dates in November were? I have the weekday annual pass so buying a two day park hopper would give me the week-end days in the parks. If I need a three day it makes things a bit more interesting.

 

[KimBean]

Crunching some numbers to see what my tolerance is if fd drops.

For a 4 day ph ticket, is there a massive difference purchasing directly with Disney compared to purchasing from an (approved) agent? I want to factor in that difference when deciding. I did a quick look and couldn't find anything significantly better. A few dollars here and there, but not enough to compensate for the peace of mind and ease of buying directly through MDE.
Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place?

My travel dates are Sept 29 - Oct 7 so it is value season. 3 adults (DD will be 12).

I've seen a few dollars nothing huge. When comparing thoughjust make sure you are looking at tax. Some sellers include tax and disney doesn't add it until after.

 

[KimBean]

Adult - $37.33

Child - $13.80

This is obviously per person per night.

 

[KimBean]

I stayed away all day. No rumours yet?!?

Nope but you were missed quiet day.

 

[pigletto]

Nope but you were missed quiet day.

Thanks for holding down the fort!
I wonder if it will be next weekend? I have a very hopeful, based on absolutely nothing hunch

 

[KTwiegs]

joining in. just booked our november 12th -18th trip

 

[KimBean]

Kingdom Insider just posted a blog on free dining. It was another -it is so confusing you really should just book through a TA.

 

[pigletto]

Kingdom Insider just posted a blog on free dining. It was another -it is so confusing you really should just book through a TA.

Geez, the blogosphere is really pushing this "Book through our TA" angle aren't they? Gag.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Kingdom Insider just posted a blog on free dining. It was another -it is so confusing you really should just book through a TA.

It also says you can save a lot of money with the dining plans even if you pay for them, which isn't always true