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

[otg]

Also people won't buy party tickets till they know when they are going to Disney. Even more of reason to drop free dining early.

 

[FoxC63]

Speaking of MNSSHP the dates have been released!
https://www.disboards.com/threads/o...-so-scary-halloween-party-boo-to-you.3580223/

 

[disneydreamer1980]

I do think there will be FD this year. I think the backlash would be too strong to drop it all at once. They will slowly pull it back, less and less availability and more restrictions every year till it's not a good deal anymore, than they'll drop it. My brother in law is in marketing, and he says this is most likely the case. Also, apparently bookings are down as compared to last year,which were down as well. Pandora may draw people in, but as of now, the resort is apparently not that full for the summer and after. Also, OT, I think it's funny that people say "not to be a wet blanket"...and then they proceed to be a wet blanket

 

[DisneyLifePapioNe]

Yes, but this year, Disney gets the bonus of Universal opening a park with no new hotels to go with it - their big hotel competition from Universal is still a year or more off, so more people may actually stay at Disney, even if they are doing more park time at Universal...and Disney itself has less rooms thanks to the mod renovation (and more bennies they've already given for many of the non-renovated rooms)...

Has anyone heard about how many rooms will be lost to the construction? Just curious. I believe Universal gets 400 or so more rooms for those new towers at Cabana, but I bet that's probably a close # that Disney is losing to construction really kind of minimal considering they have I believe 30,000 plus resort rooms, sorry have gotten a little !!!

 

[KimBean]

Last year is not indicative of this year - this year has a whole new finally technologically advanced immersive land and a whole new park from a competitor...pushing the parties and food and wine (along with the bennies they've already given for the renovation) is probably what Disney hopes keeps them full this fall...

I would make no plans based on any of the last 3 years when Disney really opened nothing for its fans that wasn't there before...

EDIT TO ADD: If anything, I expect Disney to offer a further "wean you off free dining" offer as they've been doing in past years (more limited, more you have to buy, less rooms available)...the Brit plan may be the one that finally makes it here...they will want free dining gone in full once Star Wars Land opens...

Yes this has all been speculated about before. One year will probably be the last year. No one will know until a different discount instead of free dining is offered. Most of us are fine with a different discount. I'm personally booked where I can afford to buy DDP anyway if it isn't offered. ASMu for 10 nights and 11 days.

 

[DisneyLifePapioNe]

Changing some lyrics again tell me what you think.....

We will we will......book Free Dining!!!!!

 

[menotyou21]

I'm getting excited...fingers crossed. I know my DH is ready for it to drop too because he's tired of me talking about it in anticipation. Love of Disney should be one of those core values you discuss before marrying your partner! lol JK

I actually did have this conversation with my wife....pre-marriage! 11 years later and she's SLOWLY coming around!

 

[Neeky78]

Still reading forward so this may already have been answered but when you check in you will need to prove citizenship with your passport. If you can't the deal is removed from your reservation.

Same thing is happening right now with people who purchased the Canadian discounted park tickets. The first time we enter the park we need to have our Canadian Passports with us for each member of our party to prove citizenship.

Do you have to prove citizenship or residency? I have a British passport but I am also Australian and live in Sydney. I have no UK address.

 

[Kiki_pa]

Agreed. And I'll probably end up going, but I agree that it's crazy to be so early.

I can't believe it either. We will probably go since we've never experienced it before.

The Disney agent I spoke with this morning said tixs will go on sale May1st. She also said the the Aug. dates may be cheaper than closer to Halloween. Also she said they will change the park hours to close at 7pm on those dates! Right now it says 9pm but she said that will change. I'm not very happy about that. We are going Aug 22-29.

 

[debf]

I am so hoping for a DV release date like last year. Ever since DD started college we changed our vacation weeks. DH put in his vacation time for the weeks of 8/14 & 8/21 figuring we have to make sure DD gets back in time for school. Low and behold she will be in Florida doing the Disney College Program for the semester. So I really hope free dining is offered early again this year for DV holders.

 

[KimBean]

I can't believe it either. We will probably go since we've never experienced it before.

The Disney agent I spoke with this morning said tixs will go on sale May1st. She also said the the Aug. dates may be cheaper than closer to Halloween. Also she said they will change the park hours to close at 7pm on those dates! Right now it says 9pm but she said that will change. I'm not very happy about that. We are going Aug 22-29.

Yes party dates MK close at 7pm for general admission. If you have a party ticket you can enter at 4pm. So if you go on a party day you should expect it to get more crowded around 4. This is usually a good time for is to ride the train, pin trade, shop, etc.

 

[Kiki_pa]

I was thinking the same thing. They said all other promos were early but summer was released 2 weeks later then usual. I wouldn't even be surprised if it was early may this year! [/QUO

The Disney agent I spoke to said May or June but I was hoping he didn't know what he was talking about. I'm really hoping for April 10!

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

Ma

I can't believe it either. We will probably go since we've never experienced it before.

The Disney agent I spoke with this morning said tixs will go on sale May1st. She also said the the Aug. dates may be cheaper than closer to Halloween. Also she said they will change the park hours to close at 7pm on those dates! Right now it says 9pm but she said that will change. I'm not very happy about that. We are going Aug 22-29.

Magic kingdom's hours for August 25 and 29 have shown the park being closed at 7pm since hours were first published. It's been like that on the travel agent calendar as well as Disney's calendar on their website.

 

[pigletto]

Do you have to prove citizenship or residency? I have a British passport but I am also Australian and live in Sydney. I have no UK address.

It says right on the ticket voucher that I have to exchange that I need to bring my passport.

 

[menotyou21]

Now that I have figured out what MNSSHP means!! I realize it lands on our scheduled MK day! If we don't do the party how does that affect dining plans?! We have ADR at CRT at 6:55?

In 2014 my TA was able to book us the Dessert Party, but we ended up canceling it because we were required to have a MNSSHP ticket. I hope they let you keep the 6:55 time; without requiring a MNSSHP ticket.

 

[vever]

Yes party dates MK close at 7pm for general admission. If you have a party ticket you can enter at 4pm. So if you go on a party day you should expect it to get more crowded around 4. This is usually a good time for is to ride the train, pin trade, shop, etc.

Curious if MK is slower in the morning on party days? Any thoughts?

 

[KimBean]

Curious if MK is slower in the morning on party days? Any thoughts?

In my limited experience yes. Also Josh on easywdw has always recommended party days for crowds.

 

[squirrel]

Talked to my TA and I have booked the Summer Room Discount at ASM and added on the Canadian Resident Ticket Offer and it's $447, cheaper than the Savory Summer Offer.

I can't decide between the two offers. The only expensive CS meal I have planned is a BoG (breakfast). I don't drink soda so water, iced coffee or the odd powerade is all I would drink. But if paying oop I would just ask for a cup of ice water. Still iffy if dessert is included in this offer. I can't get the pdf to load.

$447 is $47.74 per day in food for my niece and I to eat. Most CS meals are $10-15. BoG will be $24 per person, but the savings over the other 9 days should easily cover the extra for this. Not the greatest with numbers but I'm leaning towards the new discounted offers being the better deal for me.

She said she would double check for me about the cost to upgrade the Savory Summer Offer to QSDP, since prices have changed since booking.

 

[Kiki_pa]

Ma


Magic kingdom's hours for August 25 and 29 have shown the park being closed at 7pm since hours were first published. It's been like that on the travel agent calendar as well as Disney's calendar on their website.

OHHH I misread the dates. I thought it was Aug 25-29 not Aug 25 AND Aug 29. I saw the 25th said 7pm but the other days said 9pm. Makes sense now. I am going to have to check my schedule and see what changes I need to make to my dining reservations and plans. We can only go the 25th since we leave the 28th.

Thanks!!

 

[LiaNWillsmom]

So speaking of MVMCP, I've never been to a party before. If we do a Tuesday party, can we make FP from 4-7 before the party in advance with just the party ticket? I know I read that there are no FP for the party times. Also, from those that have experience, what are the lines typically like?