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

[JadeDarkstar]

I like my TA she has been awesome and timely. Over weekends sometimes I get an email saying she's out the office till Monday but other than that she is very helpful. I booked with her because it was 600 or so cheaper then with Disney. She has killer deals sometimes, called something Disney exclusives deals I don't know but she's pretty good.

I have been watching and talking to her for 3 years planning this wdw trip. She will be watching for free dining but she did mention the hold thing if I found free dining or a room only deal was better before she got ahold me. So that I dont lose it.

Thanks to all that answered the question about the hold I am reading up on this all now.

 

[archdandy]

Thanks good to hear! We are wanting to try it for the first time this trip!! We'd thought about skipping it, but I think we will definitely try and make it to Disney Springs to try it.

We tried Blaze for the first time last trip and it was delicious! It was my favourite CS of the trip. My favourite new to us TS would have to be Homecomin'. DH and I both agreed the food was amazing! I'm really looking forward to going back again.

 

[DisDee1982]

Sorry if this should be standard planning knowledge by now but I'm having trouble figuring this out...
We have an oct 2017 trip booked and are flexible with dates in the fall hoping for FD and can move dates if necessary/available

My question... if FD arrival dates are before my scheduled arrival date, Ill tack on extra dates to my existing package... if I split the dates at another resort is it considered one package/reservation or 2? Would I get FD for all dates? Does it matter what level of resort (if I started at Carribean and moved to AoA what level dining plan would FD be)

Thanks!

 

[Azjenn]

Lol...every time one of us does that I think of Finding Nemo......Hello, names Bruce!!!!! Welcome Stacie, your on the right track, anything we could help with we will, lots and lots of Disney knowledge on this thread!!!

Omg! I was just thinking this exact same thing hahaha

 

[Azjenn]

Hello! Near November 2016, we booked a package (hotel+tickets+regular DP, check in Sept 4th 2017), so if the free dining plan shows up on my dates, do you know if can I modify it online or necessarily I have to call?
If FD is offered, and we are staying at POP, we would like to upgrade from QS to regular DP.

First time doing this FD thing, shall I call to apply the discount (if any, of course) or can it be done online?

If you have the modify button you should be able to do it online if there is availability for what you are looking for. I do believe though that you have to call in to upgrade from quick service to the dining plan. You could wait a couple days until the craziness dies down I would think to do that. As long as you were able to modify online you should be good to go

 

[v0mich01]

Sorry if this should be standard planning knowledge by now but I'm having trouble figuring this out...
We have an oct 2017 trip booked and are flexible with dates in the fall hoping for FD and can move dates if necessary/available

My question... if FD arrival dates are before my scheduled arrival date, Ill tack on extra dates to my existing package... if I split the dates at another resort is it considered one package/reservation or 2? Would I get FD for all dates? Does it matter what level of resort (if I started at Carribean and moved to AoA what level dining plan would FD be)

Thanks!

If you split stay FD does not carry over. Meaning in order to get free dining at both resorts, you would have to book the minimum requirements at both resorts(I think in the past it has been 3 night min, and a 2 day PH ticket. If you were to book the minimum requirement at CBR you would get the DDP while there, then when you switched to Aoa, if you booked a minimum of 3 nights, and got a whole new minimum 2 day PH ticket, you would just get the quick service plan.

We are doing a split stay, Pop for the first three nights, and BC for the last 5. We're paying OOP for the DDP at Pop, then hoping for FD at BC(and all of our tickets are on this reservation)

Disney prices tickets such that the fewer days tickets you buy, the more expensive per day it is. Price it out carefully, it may not be worth it to to 2 separate ticket packages.

 

[Azjenn]

I was thinking of another thing that might help some of you out. If you have kiddos that are big eaters and would rather eat off of the adult menu, you can change their ticket to a Disney adult ticket and just pay the difference which usually isn't very much, like 20 dollars or so, and then, they get the "adult " dining plan and don't have to order off the kids menu at table service restaurants.

 

[dznygrl70]

I agree. I really get into planning family trips. Doesn't have to be expensive. It can be as simple as planning a few days at a state park. (Indiana has great state parks!) But what really rocks their boats is when I say "Let's do Disney". I have fun planning the basics, like rooms and ADR's. They jump in when its time to create the FPs. FD is nice when I can get it, but it doesn't stop the show. The memories we make are priceless, even on a budget.

Indiana does have great parks! We have the parks pass. Going this weekend. But our "home" is now Disney. Can't stay away.

 

[memma05]

but.......I am working on our September trip and cant decide on a resort! We are staying at CBR in December for 11N/10D with our 3 kiddos but the DH and I are planning 9/1-9/4 and I cant choose a resort! Any input on Contemporary, The Grand or AKL?? We are dining at Sanaa and Kona but haven't finalized anything else yet! Depending on availability and which room we go with Im thinking a RO might be a better discount then FD especially if you factor in having to buy the hopper for FD

 

[KimBean]

I don't think that the code would bother me so much but when I've asked a couple CMs about it they get standoffish. Then they both asked me if I was from Florida even though I just had to give my address for verification purposes and then wanted to transfer me to dining to make reservations even though my ADR window doesn't start for another month. Idk Very strange

Do you live in Florida? Do you have a Florida package? The only thing I can find so far is TBX - Tampa Bay Expessway.

 

[KimBean]

but.......I am working on our September trip and cant decide on a resort! We are staying at CBR in December for 11N/10D with our 3 kiddos but the DH and I are planning 9/1-9/4 and I cant choose a resort! Any input on Contemporary, The Grand or AKL?? We are dining at Sanaa and Kona but haven't finalized anything else yet! Depending on availability and which room we go with Im thinking a RO might be a better discount then FD especially if you factor in having to buy the hopper for FD

I've never stayed at any of those but this sounds fabulous!!!

 

[KimBean]

@Wojodis you mean that "(TBX)" by the plan? I have the same thing on mine.

So do you have a Florida package? Anyone tell I'm bored? Spring break week.

 

[Wojodis]

Do you live in Florida? Do you have a Florida package? The only thing I can find so far is TBX - Tampa Bay Expessway.

Nope, not Florida, north of Boston but I was wondering the same thing--maybe somehow my reservation got categorized improperly or something. Like I said, I wouldn't worry so much if the CMs could give me some answer--they tell me "idk. It's just the computer system". Hey, maybe it will end up helping me out. Any deal or discount I can get I'll take it. I just don't want to get to my ADR day and have issues. With all the planning we do, I'd hate to miss out on things we really want.

 

[agassizsmile]

So the day FD drops im worried if I dont type fast enough my room will be gone by time I modify it.Is this true or is there a hold of some sort while I check out, like when you modify and cancel ADRs?

 

[KimBean]

Nope, not Florida, north of Boston but I was wondering the same thing--maybe somehow my reservation got categorized improperly or something. Like I said, I wouldn't worry so much if the CMs could give me some answer--they tell me "idk. It's just the computer system". Hey, maybe it will end up helping me out. Any deal or discount I can get I'll take it. I just don't want to get to my ADR day and have issues. With all the planning we do, I'd hate to miss out on things we really want.

So weird. Quite the mystery. I'm surprised they didn't just say something about internal coding and leave it at that.

 

[DisneyLifePapioNe]

Just curious, is everyone game for a FD drop tonight/tomorrow morning?

 

[Wojodis]

So weird. Quite the mystery. I'm surprised they didn't just say something about internal coding and leave it at that.

When I find out I'll be sure to share.

 

[wildboyzmommy]

Hey when you have 3 sons between the ages of 14-20, you need FD. We hit all the buffets. Only way you can fill them up!!!

Seriously! I took my boys (ages 14, 16, & 17) during FD and it was wonderful. I know that is the only way we were able to afford the trip.

 

[squirrel]

Do you live in Florida? Do you have a Florida package? The only thing I can find so far is TBX - Tampa Bay Expessway.

I think it means Table Service. X means it's the deluxe plan.

 

[TomServo27]

We tried Blaze for the first time last trip and it was delicious! It was my favourite CS of the trip. My favourite new to us TS would have to be Homecomin'. DH and I both agreed the food was amazing! I'm really looking forward to going back again.

Really looking forward to homecoming and blaze. So many good places to eat at Disney springs.