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

[aballerina]

Saw my name pop up via a Google alert (I swear I'm not self-obsessed ) and thought I'd offer some clarification...

The last reliable info I received on occupancy rates was just prior to the big marketing blitz on ABC for Pandora, and at that point, occupancy rates were most definitely down for summer and beyond.

Whether they still are depends at least in part on the efficacy of that marketing. Based upon promos we've since seen released and the state of several key global markets, I'm inclined to believe the Pandora marketing has not moved the needle too much. (Disney's online booking system is not exactly the best, and I would not recommend surmising anything about occupancy based on searches.)

What, I think, will have the potential to move the needle more for fall/winter bookings is the actual opening of Pandora and buzz that results from that. This is why I would not be shocked if Disney did a bifurcated Free Dining release, or initially holds back some room inventory for later FD dates until they can gauge buzz and see how room sales are without the discount. (Note: neither of these possibilities are based on solid intel; just what I could see happening...)

Am I the only one who had to look up what "bifurcated" means?

 

[JadeDarkstar]

My TA says she is watching for the free dining too and will hold a reservation for me until she gets back to me and then we make a choice if her deal or Disney dining is best. I appreciate all her help. I hate hate hate never knowing and always thinking I have to plan things and change something. I am trying hard not to.
I have let her know what I want and I think she will get it if it is availbule.

I also was watching that dis fix today, and started to do some math in case room only disco discounts run too. Just so I can be prepared.

Off topic my hubs wanted me to do some play pricing. He wanted a Animal Kingdom Savana view package. (He said add dinning, everythingg we have with the TA.) he just wanted to see. LOL

He said it will be easy to say no. Was he right..it was 8 in half grand. Lol
I can make my own fp's and dining just can't change the reservation it self.

 

[DisneyLifePapioNe]

Am I the only one who had to look up what "bifurcated" means?

LOL.....I believe it means to split up or multiple.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

This thread is funny. Anyone who offers more hope is awesome and anyone who offers less hope is, well, not awesome. I hope that everyone gets free dining, but you guys need to breathe. No matter what happens, we will all be fine, and we will all have great WDW vacations.

 

[otg]

Am I the only one who had to look up what "bifurcated" means?

No you are not. I really hope they don't do a two part release. It makes getting adrs more difficult not knowing your dates.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

He said it will be easy to say no. Was he right..it was 8 in half grand. Lol

Yeah, that step up to deluxe is huge, especially when you go for the more expensive room types.

 

[DisneyLifePapioNe]

This thread is funny. Anyone who offers more hope is awesome and anyone who offers less hope is, well, not awesome. I hope that everyone gets free dining, but you guys need to breathe. No matter what happens, we will all be fine, and we will all have great WDW vacations.

We WILL have FABULOUS vacations!!!!!

 

[vever]

Am I the only one who had to look up what "bifurcated" means?

Nope; did that right away

 

[vsnowflakew]

I just got a dinner but don't like the dinner menu debating splitting AK up in 2 days and just trying for a fp, especially since both pandora rides are tier 1.

I agree bout the dinner, I am hoping to get a Lunch. But I am happy to hear you at least got a reservation.. that means there is hope for me I will keep trying

 

[vsnowflakew]

I've read on the ROL dining package thread that they haven't opened up all of the dates for August yet, apparently they were opening up dates in reverse from the end of September or something? I'd keep checking if you're looking for an August date!

Thanks for the Info!! I hope that is correct, i guess i will be checking throughout the day consistently until one opens up… i am hoping for a lunch on Friday August 25th, but I have a few other days (that we had scheduled for Water Parks) that I can switch around if needed. Fingers crossed we can get something.. if not then we will probably use a FP for it ( if that is an option)

 

[Amunet]

I have been checking here everyday so I can keep an eye on FD, since we really want to make it a food-centric trip, we wouldn't be able to afford the DxDP without the FD.
I have the DV but I check here constantly so I don't pay attention to any mails for promotions lol



Okay, off topic:
Would anyone that has earned or is earning a PhD, message me? I have questions about the process

 

[KimBean]

Am I the only one who had to look up what "bifurcated" means?

I knew by context but didn't know the word exactly. I was reading it to my dh and since I want late November-dec said yeah that means we are going to be furced.

 

[KimBean]

No you are not. I really hope they don't do a two part release. It makes getting adrs more difficult not knowing your dates.

Good grief didn't even think to worry about this. I need to know before May 31st. At least I'm not planning things that are that sought after. No CRT or BOG.

 

[Susan Doeberl]

Thank you, right now we have pop and dining for the same price. I think we would lean towards the rr if it did come up and all stars aligned lol.

We stayed in the RR last year from September 1-11 for my daughters 18 birthday. We got a corner room and we could not be happier. Nice walk to everything. Staff is the best and very friendly. You would love these room. We highly recommend. We added up the cost at Pop up grading to the DDP it was almost the same price as POR.

 

[KimBean]

This thread is funny. Anyone who offers more hope is awesome and anyone who offers less hope is, well, not awesome. I hope that everyone gets free dining, but you guys need to breathe. No matter what happens, we will all be fine, and we will all have great WDW vacations.

I might be fine but I'll be fine with $1100 less dollars. That isn't piddle to me. Takes me quite a bit to save that amount. I'll breathe once I get this done. Lol!

Type A versus Type B. My bestie and I want to go to WDW one day together. I love to plan, in fact I'm pretty sure planning the vacation is slightly more fun than the vacation itself. She does NOT plan. She likes roller coasters, I don't. Carousel of progress and soarin are my favorites she can't stand either. I love sit down meals and she rather get a corn dog and go. I think a trip together would be hilarious.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

That is where we are leaning. If all my math is correct and those dates are opened to us. We are definitely leaning this way. I booked with my TA a while ago because I know we are going. I knew there was a chance for FD or other good deals too but I wanted to grab the offer I have booked now, because I knew prices would go up.

No matter what we are doing the DDP because it works for us. The math just was so close, to just have it paid for sounded better. My son is a walking stomach now too so no more sharing meals. LOL

The Free dining part just makes it possible to save a little more or upgrade. And who are we kidding that 1000 is going back to Disney somehow, so might as well go for comfort and Royal rooms (if they pop up) lol

 

[JadeDarkstar]

I might be fine but I'll be fine with $1100 less dollars. That isn't piddle to me. Takes me quite a bit to save that amount. I'll breathe once I get this done. Lol!

Type A versus Type B. My bestie and I want to go to WDW one day together. I love to plan, in fact I'm pretty sure planning the vacation is slightly more fun than the vacation itself. She does NOT plan. She likes roller coasters, I don't. Carousel of progress and soarin are my favorites she can't stand either. I love sit down meals and she rather get a corn dog and go. I think a trip together would be hilarious.

LOL omg my mother or sister are just like your friend, I want to have almost everything planned including those melt down or slow down moments. LOL I know they happen so now I am just planning them in and trying not to kill ourselves with trying to catch and make so many reservations.

We have pretty much mastered what we like and how we travel, at DL, I do know DL and WDW are vastly different in size. However, I am still trying with (touring plans) and Dis, to make sure we all have a good time even when something goes wrong.

 

[DisTXMom]

Feels nice that all of the adultish folks are checking in on us (don't mean any offense to anyone- I include myself in "us"). It's just a comfort to know that we are 'd

And I guess I'm a total nerd because I have to use the word bifurcate on a somewhat regular basis at work (accounting).

We will take a trip in the fall with or without FD, but y'all sure make this a fun ride!!!

 

[KimBean]

Feels nice that all of the adultish folks are checking in on us (don't mean any offense to anyone- I include myself in "us"). It's just a comfort to know that we are 'd

And I guess I'm a total nerd because I have to use the word bifurcate on a somewhat regular basis at work (accounting).

We will take a trip in the fall with or without FD, but y'all sure make this a fun ride!!!

NERD ALERT!!!

 

[The Dirty Steve]

Be honest Steve... are you a daily checker?





Don't you lie to me.

I'm honestly not. I normally get updates throughout the day though. Some folks like to talk more than others. It's probably better to be a good listener and have multiple sources, right?