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

[JimmyBean42]

Yes, I use a wonderful TA also, and she does stay on hold for hours when something is newly released. The advantage is that the TAs have a special line and can do more than one reservations at a time - not a lot, but more than one - before having to call in again.

Our TA was awesome last year. We didn't get FD in the first batch released, but she stayed on top of it and got us it a few weeks after the initial batch was offered. And she got it for 4 rooms of people. I used to do all the bookings myself (it's a control thing) but our TA was so good last year that I don't think I'll do them on my own ever again.

 

[ehoops120912]

I would use a travel agent but...

1) I will stay up all night and be one of the first ones to get free dinning online even before the phone lines open

2) I know what everyone wants and what they are willing to compromise...What their top 3 picks are, etc...

If I didn't get FD by the time phone line opens then I would get on the phone. But I've done this for a couple years and last year is the only year I had a problem.

 

[Taylor F.]

I would use a travel agent but...

1) I will stay up all night and be one of the first ones to get free dinning online even before the phone lines open

2) I know what everyone wants and what they are willing to compromise...What their top 3 picks are, etc...

If I didn't get FD by the time phone line opens then I would get on the phone. But I've done this for a couple years and last year is the only year I had a problem.

I hear people keep saying stay up all night.
Does this mean the date FD bexomes available to be claimed is after the leak date? Hypothetically the leak date would be April 15th but you can't claim your FD until April 25th?

 

[Katmat75]

We are going 9/26 to 10/5 at ASMu! Hoping for free dining!!!

 

[VACamm]

Thank you!
The worst part of this year's anxiety is that during our October trip to Universal my son and I spent one night at Pop to go to a MNSSHP. I texted my dh while we were there about booking bounceback but our dates weren't firm so we didn't bother. Stupid.
Our exchange rate right now is pretty bad and free dining would save us thousands. If we can't get it, it will be a very different trip.

I know it is a terrible anxiety, and it feels so weird that this is my first year in 4 years NOT stalking this thread. You are right, the free dining is such a huge saver for many families, mine included! I really do hope that they release it soon for your trip! We will definitely be booking the BB rate again this year while we are in the resort... hopefully it will be FD again.

 

[Elsaalltheway]

Repeat after me.....I will book the FD BB in August, even if I'm not sure I'm going back.....

I'm going this year with two friends to POP in sept. I had two other friends call me last night to tell me they wanted 2018, so looks like I'll be doing another bounce back then, this time staying at a mod.

 

[nkereina]

Two semi-related questions:

1. The last time I did free dining, I was able to modify my existing resort reservation in MDE and just change it to an available free dining room. It was so easy and such a time saver not having to call to be able to take advantage of free dining. Is modifying a current reservation through MDE still an option? I realize no one knows for this year, but just asking for more recent experiences since mine was a few years ago.

2. IF the booking window opens early for Disney Visa card holders, is this something that can be modified online or do you need to call? And it's my understanding, we'd need to make a $200 payment with our Disney Visa to take advantage of it (since we have already paid a deposit with another card). Can anyone confirm?

Thanks! Fingers crossed for us all!

 

[Jellybass]

I also booked with the Disney Visa card and am curious as to any advantages to booking with that card.

 

[ThistleMae]

Why are there so many things to think about? It's tense and exciting all at the same time, especially when it's finally announced. Using the phone to call and rebook, or book new and cancel is so frustrating with Disney. Either you can never get though or the site is down. I wish they would make things a bit simpler....but don't think that's ever going to happen. Stalking these boards continuously! And I would be one of those people who are up at 4 a.m. to try and book.

 

[Disneylover99]

I've tried to get that so-and-so card for 2 years and keep getting turned down. In the same time frame I've bought a house and a car. But I can't get approved for a Disney CC.

Maybe you should apply for Canadian citizenship. It's probably easier. Us Canadians got FD 9 days earlier with the Visa card holders.

 

[Disneylover99]

I'm going this year with two friends to POP in sept. I had two other friends call me last night to tell me they wanted 2018, so looks like I'll be doing another bounce back then, this time staying at a mod.

We alternate between values and mods every year. We stick with quick service with the values and do regular TS with the mods. It makes each year quite different. This year we're doing Pop, we hope to book a FD bb at POR for next year.

 

[Azjenn]

Two semi-related questions:

1. The last time I did free dining, I was able to modify my existing resort reservation in MDE and just change it to an available free dining room. It was so easy and such a time saver not having to call to be able to take advantage of free dining. Is modifying a current reservation through MDE still an option? I realize no one knows for this year, but just asking for more recent experiences since mine was a few years ago.

2. IF the booking window opens early for Disney Visa card holders, is this something that can be modified online or do you need to call? And it's my understanding, we'd need to make a $200 payment with our Disney Visa to take advantage of it (since we have already paid a deposit with another card). Can anyone confirm?

Thanks! Fingers crossed for us all!

If it's open for disney visa only you do have to call in to modify or book that. You can't do it online. If you have put down a deposit with another card they will require a $200 deposit on your disney visa. If the initial deposit was made with the Disney Visa they will just apply it to the new reservation and you won't have to put down an additional $200. Hth

 

[Rusty2rules]

Maybe you should apply for Canadian citizenship. It's probably easier.

Sad but probably true. There are several problems with this though. I sold off my snowmobile suit and snow blower when I left Indiana. I don't look good in plaid so I'd make a terrible lumberjack. I'm too old for horseback riding so I wouldn't make a good Mounty. I don't like ice fishing. I don't like hockey. And I don't like saying "eh" all the time. But it's an option.

 

[Disneylover99]

Sad but probably true. There are several problems with this though. I sold off my snowmobile suit and snow blower when I left Indiana. I don't look good in plaid so I'd make a terrible lumberjack. I'm too old for horseback riding so I wouldn't make a good Mounty. I don't like ice fishing. I don't like hockey. And I don't like saying "eh" all the time. But it's an option.

Yeah, it sounds like you're not a good candidate. Too bad. You definitely don't meet the requirements.

 

[DisneyNic]

Is anyone starting to get anxiety yet or am I the only one?

I don't know if anyone remembers last year but free dinning was released when the disboards went under construction and all of us on the thread moved to a chat room (forgot what it was called). I had problems with the Disney website because I had a package in my cart and it took me a half hour to get it fixed so I didn't get my first pick. I will say all of you on this board are amazing and helped me try to figure out what was wrong till I got it. I haven't booked my vacation yet because FD is all based on supply and demand. This year though, I'm booking for my hubby's family also so it's more crucial.

Is anyone worried about the dates of the bounce back that were for 2017 and think they will be similar for FD?

Definitely feeling the anxiety. Thanks for sharing about having problems because of the package in your cart. It may cause problems for people this year, but now they will at least have an idea to check. I am worried about the BB dates, too. Our arrival date in November was included in last years, but there is nothing in the BB. We will still go, but I will be bummed if we can't get FD.

I hear people keep saying stay up all night.
Does this mean the date FD bexomes available to be claimed is after the leak date? Hypothetically the leak date would be April 15th but you can't claim your FD until April 25th?

Exactly what it means. I believe last year, the SERIOUS hint of FD being released was put out on Thur/Fri, then FD was released Monday morning. (someone who was here, correct me if I am wrong.)

Two semi-related questions:

1. The last time I did free dining, I was able to modify my existing resort reservation in MDE and just change it to an available free dining room. It was so easy and such a time saver not having to call to be able to take advantage of free dining. Is modifying a current reservation through MDE still an option? I realize no one knows for this year, but just asking for more recent experiences since mine was a few years ago.

2. IF the booking window opens early for Disney Visa card holders, is this something that can be modified online or do you need to call? And it's my understanding, we'd need to make a $200 payment with our Disney Visa to take advantage of it (since we have already paid a deposit with another card). Can anyone confirm?

Thanks! Fingers crossed for us all!

You should be able to modify your existing reservation through MDE as long as there is a "Change Reservation" button. Some have it, some don't. I have a theory that it is always there to begin with, but if you modify anything, which includes adding flight info in my case, the button disappears. Again, not certain, just a theory.

 

[black562]

Did someone call my name?

 

[The Dirty Steve]

Did someone call my name?

There he is.

 

[black562]

There he is.

I was occupied last week...by the Las Vegas strip.

 

[sharonabe]

Did someone call my name?

Ok, ok. You got me.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Hail, hail, the gang's all here, We're a bunch of live ones, not a single dead one; Hail, hail, the gang's all here, Sure I'm glad that I'm here, too!

 

[Azjenn]

Did someone call my name?

Woohoo!!!! So glad to see you on here!!