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

[smallworldnh]

Almost too quiet..

Feels like the calm before the storm!

 

[Attracted to Beasts]

Bummed that FD wasn't announced this morning. We are on a mini vacation and I can never sleep in a hotel so I was up checking all night since I couldn't sleep! On the plus side though we just went downstairs for breakfast and the Australian Navy is here (South NJ).....I could listen to those guys talk all day.....and stare at them too! Haha well off to the please touch museum in philly. Hopefully I don't miss too much on the Dis!

 

[ThistleMae]

So this might be sacrilege on this page, but just had a chat with DH. We're still leaning toward wanting FD at a moderate. But only if we can get the right priced room there.

Otherwise, we'll be going with a great rate at a deluxe and paying OOP for dining. I know, I know... But I have to say there is a piece of me that's kind of hoping to do that for a change!

We've had FD on every single trip so far. And I do love it!!!! But there are times we're eating just because it's "free". We don't need four desserts at our table. But we order them anyway. We don't always drink soda with every meal, but we order it anyway. There are times where I'd be perfectly happy just having an appetizer for dinner, but order the huge meal instead. Many times we could split meals but we don't. I know we could, but then we'd just end up with even more credits to use!!

So there is something about the freedom to just order exactly what I want, when I want that's appealing.

Still going to be trying for FD to make it a less expensive trip. But not going to be heartbroken if we end up at a deluxe and paying OOP!

We went during FD last time, but stayed at Poly with a great room discount. We ate oatmeal in our room for breakfast and split lunches. For dinner we did all of our favorites, the same ones we would have done if we did have FD, and we did not share. It cost us $ 800.00 for two on a ten day trip. I'd say we did pretty good and had a great time. So, sometimes it dose work out fine w/o free dining. And I hear you on ordering things just because they are included.

 

[jdubbsx10]

Even though I decided not to stay up last night my body woke me up at 3:50 screaming at me to check the special offers page

 

[ThistleMae]

I already have my reservations. Why? Are you meeting us there?

LOL...I'm going this summer, but I'll take a rain check!

 

[smallworldnh]

Not going to be today. I'm skeptical about Disney dropping it on next monday, Easter monday. I would put my money on April 24th.

UGH that would stink for me because I have offsite training that week. Hopefully I can do it online at the 4am mark if it comes out that way. I don't think my instructor would appreciate me being on the phone trying to nab free dining!! LOL!

 

[ThistleMae]

I don't trust anyone who says I can't say but trust me

I feel bad for all those folks on that thread who thinks he is legit. He is so far out there with his info, and simply lying to everyone. What a shame!

 

[pixie_mtl]

This Latin website (source: http://blog.viajeromagico.com/2017/04/05/cuando-sale-el-plan-de-comidas-gratis-disney-para-septiembre-2017/ ) made an interesting analysis. Basically saying:

• it is likely that Disney will offer free dining in 2017;
• possible release dates between April 24 and April 28
• the promo would apply without black-dates between August 29 and September 30, 2017
• no promotion in October (in 2016, only October 1 was included)
• Free dining plan is also expected for the months of November and the first 3 weeks of December but with several periods black-dates

The following table illustrates the dates where free dining was announced (left column) and the dates it covers (right column). There's more reading to do on that blog for those of you who are fluent in Spanish and would like to know more

 

[KimBean]

Not going to be today. I'm skeptical about Disney dropping it on next monday, Easter monday. I would put my money on April 24th.

Yeah we might just be back to its coming regular timing and not early.

 

[ThistleMae]

I'm not 100% either, but, I think you look under the Inbox tab at the top next to Alerts ??? Maybe someone in the know can confirm for both of us!!

At the top of your screen, inbox, click start a conversation, it brings you to a new page, fill in the names of those you want to receive it, fill in the message, and hit post.

 

[Neeky78]

On the plus side though we just went downstairs for breakfast and the Australian Navy is here (South NJ).....I could listen to those guys talk all day.....and stare at them too!

I'm Australian and even I have trouble listening to our accent!

 

[ThistleMae]

Does anyone else think dinner at La Hacienda during Illuminations is one of the best kept secrets in all of WDW? I know it's gaining in popularity but our family thinks is the highlight of our trips.

We love San Angel. Planned it so we just get out in time for Illuminations.

 

[ThistleMae]

I'll be the wet blanket. People get points for sending pm's about that deal. So I would tread carefully. The travel agency in question is not to be mentioned here as per Dis rules.

What do you mean people get points?

 

[KimBean]

This Latin website (source: http://blog.viajeromagico.com/2017/04/05/cuando-sale-el-plan-de-comidas-gratis-disney-para-septiembre-2017/ ) made an interesting analysis. Basically saying:

• it is likely that Disney will offer free dining in 2017;
• possible release dates between April 24 and April 28
• the promo would apply without black-dates between August 29 and September 30, 2017
• no promotion in October (in 2016, only October 1 was included)
• Free dining plan is also expected for the months of November and the first 3 weeks of December but with several periods black-dates

The following table illustrates the dates where free dining was announced (left column) and the dates it covers (right column). There's more reading to do on that blog for those of you who are fluent in Spanish and would like to know more

Yeah sometime in the last week we studied that blog. They give no details really so I don't know what to say about it. I'm late November and early December so for me it's just a big fat nada.

 

[ThistleMae]

Have you seen the dining plan punch cards people design over on the the dis creative forums. You can print them out and then mark off as you use credits.

I just looked them up, really nice idea, and you can print them out for yourself. But you still have to check your slips, they sometimes make mistakes.

 

[FinnsMom7]

I went to bed figuring the "vets" weren't buying a drop and it was too quiet for a blitz attacked, and then I tossed and turned all night waking up 3 different times - I am going to be DRAGGING today for sure - and the one thing I would love to do to pick me up would be start planning my December trip but I can't until I confirm FD or not - UUUUGGGHHHHHH

 

[KimBean]

Okay while I was waiting last night I got my dining credits worked out. I was going to do some wiggling and have 1 person (disney adult) pay OOP some meals to cover our 2 signatures - so whoever was ordering cheapest entree.

But then I learned I needed to pay OOP at via Napoli. So I've just decided to also pay OOP at Yak & Yeti and I'll be all set. That is easier in my vacation brain anyway. Pay OOP for all of us 2 meals, pay DDP on all of us the rest. If I lose $20 oh well.

I had all kinds of grandiose ideas about still trying to get bon voyage breakfast in there and maybe homecomin. But if I leave it alone it will be via Napoli at lunch not too expensive and yak and yeti apps appeals to us more than meals. So I can probably pay for those two out of my grocery budget for the week and now I'm done.

The only thing that could switch is Raglan Road for Homecomin. But my DH loves Raglan.

Come on free dining!!

 

[Moocabn2258]

Okay while I was waiting last night I got my dining credits worked out. I was going to do some wiggling and have 1 person (disney adult) pay OOP some meals to cover our 2 signatures - so whoever was ordering cheapest entree.

But then I learned I needed to pay OOP at via Napoli. So I've just decided to also pay OOP at Yak & Yeti and I'll be all set. That is easier in my vacation brain anyway. Pay OOP for all of us 2 meals, pay DDP on all of us the rest. If I lose $20 oh well.

I had all kinds of grandiose ideas about still trying to get bon voyage breakfast in there and maybe homecomin. But if I leave it alone it will be via Napoli at lunch not too expensive and yak and yeti apps appeals to us more than meals. So I can probably pay for those two out of my grocery budget for the week and now I'm done.

The only thing that could switch is Raglan Road for Homecomin. But my DH loves Raglan.

Come on free dining!!

You can buy discounted Yak and Yeti gift cards as well! I know Verizon has them through their rewards program. I believe you could also buy them through discounted gift card sites. Just an option to save more for you OOP meals

 

[ThistleMae]

Hi all! I'm super new but I'm watching this thread like a hawk! We have the luxury of being super flexible with our travel dates so I'm really hoping to snag free dinning. I've only done free dinning once and it happened to be what looks like a rare offering in February. At the time we stayed at Boardwalk so we got the regular DP. This time we will most likely be in a Value. It sounded like you could upgrade from the QS dining plan to the regular dining plan by paying the price difference. Anyone know if that's accurate? Thanks! Hope we all get some info soon!

Yes you can.

 

[KimBean]

You can buy discounted Yak and Yeti gift cards as well! I know Verizon has them through their rewards program. I believe you could also buy them through discounted gift card sites. Just an option to save more for you OOP meals

Yeehaw!!