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

[archdandy]

I will also say it isn't too fair then to offer such deals and promotions (some people got quite an upgrade) on one resort with construction and not others. Made more sense to me when there was going to be a major inconvenience.

I'm finding it really frustrating to make my list of resorts in order that I would want to stay in them. It's so hard because I don't know what kind of construction is going to be happening and how it will affect our stay. And it doesn't help that the two mods that are most likely to get FD have the updates going on. I really wanted to stay at CBR because we haven't been there yet but it looks like all of the restaurants will be closed down for a good length of time this year and I think that would really impact our trip. Plus we won't be getting the gift cards to make it worth it since we haven't booked yet.

I just read on another forum--someone says they have inside info of FD dates, and that they will be essentially the same as last year, but will start and end one day earlier. she also says it will drop "very soon"...don't know if true or not, but she says its insider info

Thanks for letting us know!

I really want free dining and I could certainly use the savings (my lovely landlord just let me know that beginning June 1st she will be upping my rent 300 a month) but I dont know if I want it bad enough to move over to a mod under heavy construction.

This trip is my once in a lifetime dream trip-I live too close to the other Disney for it not to be my go to resort-so I want to do it right and enjoy myself. I am really hoping that I will be able to get free dining and that it will be offered at mods other than CBR and CSR or that it would bring a deluxe into my price range. Here is to hoping I guess.

That really stinks! I'm hoping it will be offered at POR this year (it's a long shot I think). I really would have loved to get CBR but I'm not sure it's going to be what I want with all of the construction going on. They are making significant changes. Plus there seems to be a lot of work being done at CSR too, I just finished watching the update video on the work that was posted a few days ago. It's frustrating when Disney doesn't release a schedule of what's going to be done when.

Question for my fellow Canadians: I'm assuming that you won't be able to combine FD with the ticket discount right? Since it's a package I would think not but then there wouldn't be an issue doing RO + ticket discount?
Looks like either way I need to go back and do some math, not sure which route is more budget friendly for a party of 2 adults and then 2 adults + 2 kids staying in a mod.

If Disney doesn't allow the stacking of the Canadian ticket discount with FD my plan is to just buy the minimum amount of tickets for the FD package (I think it's two but it may have changed to three days last year) and then buy the rest of my tickets separately with the Canadian discount.

Looks like another lost weekend.... I remember reading through last year's thread and folks got the "heads up" on the Friday before. The thread went ballistic! Another painful week of anticipation ahead.

I like to think of it as another weekend down until the release date! We are getting closer and closer every day it doesn't get released

 

[DisneyFD]

So I am now just learning about River of Lights. I am assuming it like the Fantasmic Dinner Package in that you eat and then after go to your VIP seating area. Is it worth it to use a TS credit on this? I was planning on a Monday to be at AK and already had planned on using Tusker House as a breakfast. But now that I am seeing this, I wonder if I should use it for the dinner package. Will the characters still be at the dinner if you do a ROL dinner package? Anyone with info would be greatly appreciated. Our 180 days is Monday morning and I am just finishing up some planning. Thanks!

 

[AMC3boys]

We're there starting Aug 22. That's probably too early for Free Dining right?

 

[Jeaniec]

I've never eaten at Brown Derby. It seems very overpriced. Is it worth it you think?

I have been twice. Food was very good. It does require 2 TS credits. I don't think kids would enjoy it as much as, say, Hollywood and Vine.

 

[ThistleMae]

I'm finding it really frustrating to make my list of resorts in order that I would want to stay in them. It's so hard because I don't know what kind of construction is going to be happening and how it will affect our stay. And it doesn't help that the two mods that are most likely to get FD have the updates going on. I really wanted to stay at CBR because we haven't been there yet but it looks like all of the restaurants will be closed down for a good length of time this year and I think that would really impact our trip. Plus we won't be getting the gift cards to make it worth it since we haven't booked yet.



Thanks for letting us know!



That really stinks! I'm hoping it will be offered at POR this year (it's a long shot I think). I really would have loved to get CBR but I'm not sure it's going to be what I want with all of the construction going on. They are making significant changes. Plus there seems to be a lot of work being done at CSR too, I just finished watching the update video on the work that was posted a few days ago. It's frustrating when Disney doesn't release a schedule of what's going to be done when.



If Disney doesn't allow the stacking of the Canadian ticket discount with FD my plan is to just buy the minimum amount of tickets for the FD package (I think it's two but it may have changed to three days last year) and then buy the rest of my tickets separately with the Canadian discount.



I like to think of it as another weekend down until the release date! We are getting closer and closer every day it doesn't get released

You are right, much better outlook, I've been letting the waiting get to me...the weather has been horrible, so gray...I'm going to try and perk up!

 

[ThistleMae]

I wish I could find a fabulous place to eat in HS. We just avoid eating dinner here. There are so many other really great places to eat. Apologies to those who enjoy it.

 

[DiaryofaDisneyKid]

We have 3 kids and want to stay at POR. FD would save us more money but POR is not usually included in November for FD so we may end up going with a RO offer and the Canadian ticket offer. I will still probably stay up when FD is announced and check for POR though!

 

[GLS]

So I am now just learning about River of Lights. I am assuming it like the Fantasmic Dinner Package in that you eat and then after go to your VIP seating area. Is it worth it to use a TS credit on this? I was planning on a Monday to be at AK and already had planned on using Tusker House as a breakfast. But now that I am seeing this, I wonder if I should use it for the dinner package. Will the characters still be at the dinner if you do a ROL dinner package? Anyone with info would be greatly appreciated. Our 180 days is Monday morning and I am just finishing up some planning. Thanks!

I think I read somewhere that ROL is 2 TS. Anyone know?

 

[FinnsMom7]

I wish I could find a fabulous place to eat in HS. We just avoid eating dinner here. There are so many other really great places to eat. Apologies to those who enjoy it.

I always felt that way but last year we tried 50s PTC and really enjoyed it the jump back in time and CM make it more than just dinner

 

[KimBean]

I've never eaten at Brown Derby. It seems very overpriced. Is it worth it you think?

I really enjoy HBD and think it is a great signature when paying OOP because it is lower priced than many. My husband doesn't care for it, and I don't think it is worth it on the DDP. There are better more expensive signatures that I would spend my 2 credits on.

 

[DiaryofaDisneyKid]

That's ok. I've come to enjoy everyone's company. We'll hang out a little longer.
Next weekend would be ideal for me in some ways. I have the Monday off for Easter and staying up all night on Sunday wouldn't be quite as painful. I could at least nap the next morning.

Same here!

 

[VillainFavs]

I think I read somewhere that ROL is 2 TS. Anyone know?

It's 2 credits if you go to Tiffin's. 1 credit for Tusker House.

 

[skmastaz]

We are going up the last week of November/first week of December. Hopefully the AOA suites will still be included! I'm on double watch now! I feel it coming soon!!

 

[DiaryofaDisneyKid]

Okay, here's my dilemma today....mud season is in full bloom, my driveway is a mess! Going to buy some plywood to put down to stop my car from sinking out of sight...one of the drawbacks of country living!

My retriever seems to enjoy mud season.

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

The writing advisor was pretty excited about the topic during a writing workshop.
Yay!!! I have two final papers and this thesis before I'm able to graduate. I'm done with classes though. What is your portfolio about and your 'major'?


I do I'm shy around other people but CMs are fine if I remember to look at their pins lol. I prefer the crew pin trading event on Disney cruise ships.

I am finishing up my master's in library science, I am looking for a career change. I already have my master's degree in psychology so I'm hoping to work in an academic library and get a tenure position eventually. The graduate portfolio is basically a large paper similar to a thesis, but instead of a topic you have to use all of your work from the program and show how you have met the competencies of the profession with what you learned with each project. You have to complete the portfolio in your final semester and have to pass it to graduate. I had just been notified I'd passed it, and was so relieved.
Congrats on being done with your classes! I will be done in the first week in May, and I cannot wait! What is your degree in? I'm sure you are getting excited to be almost done too!!!

 

[mickeymomof3girls]

I

Maybe you should call Disney! I'm no expert, but I would assume You should be in the window to get them!

Yes I will call. I am waiting on the free dining. It is more important to have that for my family of 5... if CBR isn't included for some weird reason we will change resorts to get it. We are lucky this year since we are traveling with another family of 3 and if we need to we can shift one of our kids to their room so we don't have to have a room for 5.

 

[DisneyLifePapioNe]

We have crunched the dining numbers many times we still end up almost even. If there would be any savings oop my hubs has already said he'd rather the dining plan so we all know we will eat.

I do have a few questions.
We are thinking of trying the Brown Derby instead of Hollywood and vine for the Fantasmic meal package. Has anyone found a time it's not so loud? Less crowded? Also if someone goes in knowing they wouldn't like some parts can they take some things off?
I think my Hubs and I found some meals we would like but my son might not. He like's pork, was wondering about ordering the pork but asking them not to add the things he would not eat.
My Hubs is very into Historic things. He really wants to eat here now. (Thank you, Peat and Craig) lol.
Thinking of the crispy duck breast and the Lamb two ways. Anyone have opinions on them?.

I'm thinking of telling him ok to his request if he gives me the castle (even with some bad reviews the good ones are starting to make me lean that way. Come on Eating in the Castle would be so cool. (at possible firework time)
This would mean I would take the dinner show , down or we would pay oop for crystal palace and Rapunzel's new breakfast.

If I can not do the dinner show (Hawaiian or BBQ food ) I know I can find BBQ food with QS. Would anyone here know where to find a good qs with a few Hawaiian flavors? Or Would the 1 TS credit breakfast or Dinner be worth it?

We are a family of simple tastes. I am trying to find places where we can try new things but also have some comforts in case we just do not like the flavors.

Flametree is awesome!!! Especially when the weather is nice, sit down at the patio with a view overlooking the lake and a great view of EE we do it every trip!!!


Extra tip: do it a little early before it gets real crowded 11ish

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

I really enjoy HBD and think it is a great signature when paying OOP because it is lower priced than many. My husband doesn't care for it, and I don't think it is worth it on the DDP. There are better more expensive signatures that I would spend my 2 credits on.

The F+ package ups the value for your 2 credits because you get an appetizer as well as dessert. It's a great meal if you don't mind literally eating up your park time. We also enjoyed the characters and buffet quality at Minnie's Seasonal Dine at H&V. Better than Tusker or Chef Mickeys for sure.

 

[skmastaz]

I should also note that I hope it isn't blacked out for the week after thanksgiving!

 

[archdandy]

I wish I could find a fabulous place to eat in HS. We just avoid eating dinner here. There are so many other really great places to eat. Apologies to those who enjoy it.

I always find it hard to try and plan meals at HS too. I don't mind the the TS options but they aren't my favorite. The CS is awful in my opinion. We used to get sandwiches from Starring Rolls but they closed that down so now I don't know what to do for food there