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

[MomTo3PrincessesInNJ]

OK, since there aren't any rumors about FD, I have another question. Kind of food related...

I have reservations for the Happily Ever After dessert party at Tomorrowland Terrace, which I had to pay for up front. But if I can snag a reservation to the Star Wars dessert party at DHS I want to get that one instead and cancel the other one. Here's my question. I know I can cancel the reservation. Will I get refunded?

Yes. Usually there's a 24 hr notice required.

 

[Katmat75]

I'm starting to get anxious about this darn FD release. SW dropped fares to $66 one way yesterday, but I can't book because IDK if we are going. If we don't get FD, we're going to be priced out this year given some budgetary adjustments we've recently had to make (I'm looking at you, back porch that needs to be demolished and rebuilt). Ugh.

If we can stack FD + CBR gift cards, we should be able to swing it. If not... looks like we may adjust to a week at the beach instead.

Wow $66! That's great! My flights have not dropped under $122 one way yet!

 

[ThistleMae]

It depends on what time you want to start your day at. First Express bus will leave AK at 10am. Is sounds like you have a long day planned. I would want to be at MK at rope drop.

If you're going back and forth between MK and Epcot, wouldn't it just be easier (and cheaper) to use the monorail, then drive to AK later?

It depends on what time you want to start your day at. First Express bus will leave AK at 10am. Is sounds like you have a long day planned. I would want to be at MK at rope drop.

If you're going back and forth between MK and Epcot, wouldn't it just be easier (and cheaper) to use the monorail, then drive to AK later?

You have a very good point indeed. This is what I was thinking and why I made the plan the way I did. I was trying to avoid parking at MK TTC and I'm NOT planning to get to AK at rope drop. So if I take the bus to AK (thinking security may not be bad, then take the bus and I'm right inside MK. But then again, it really depend on what time and what day I can get my FP's. My whole schedule (which I have written up) will have to change. Oh the madness!

 

[ThistleMae]

I agree with you about Main Street, it's my favorite part of the trip...however will love saving time hopping to other parks .We have a split stay at GF/WL so maybe start most days at MK then hop as needed

I guess I don't have a burning desire to walk down Main Street. But....a good point...it is rather exciting isn't it? And I do have to stop at the fire station to get my Sorcerers of the MK cards...oh but there is a second location...I'll have to look to see where the express bus drops you again.

 

[Ybeads]

I may be pulling at strings here, but the WDW website and app are super glitchy today... people can't seem to book ADRs or FPs. I seem to remember this happening last year before FD dropped as well? Am I crazy or does anyone else remember this happening too?

 

[ThistleMae]

Having to drive around with the car, does not excite me either. I love the transportation system. This will be a whole other way to do Disney. It sort of feels like I'm carrying the car around and have to keep figuring out where to put it...LOL.

 

[ThistleMae]

I may be pulling at strings here, but the WDW website and app are super glitchy today... people can't seem to book ADRs or FPs. I seem to remember this happening last year before FD dropped as well? Am I crazy or does anyone else remember this happening too?

IDK...I think it's glitchy lots of days. Some days I even have to close this site and go back in periodically because my typing freezes up...ugh!

 

[Heagen]

Newbie here with a question.

We are going to WDW 11/25 through 12/2

How does it work if FD falls on only 1 or 2 of those days?

 

[minniemous]

Newbie here with a question.

We are going to WDW 11/25 through 12/2

How does it work if FD falls on only 1 or 2 of those days?

Ud

Usually if you arrive when FD is in effect then it extends into your entire vacation.

So iff the offer ends 12/02 and you arrive 12/02 and stay until 12/12 then you will have Free dining the entire time.

 

[Kudmani]

I guess I don't have a burning desire to walk down Main Street. But....a good point...it is rather exciting isn't it? And I do have to stop at the fire station to get my Sorcerers of the MK cards...oh but there is a second location...I'll have to look to see where the express bus drops you again.

Between Buzz and COP.

 

[Rusty2rules]

As long as FD falls into part of your stay your entire trip should be included in FD. At least that's how it's been in the past.

 

[Lesley Wake]

Newbie here with a question.

We are going to WDW 11/25 through 12/2

How does it work if FD falls on only 1 or 2 of those days?

Your check-in date is what matters. So if FD was available 11/25, then you could get it for your entire trip. But if it doesn't become available until 11/28 (for example), you'd have to do a split stay with 2 reservations. If they are at the same resort you MAY be able to keep the same room, but that's not an absolute.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Newbie here with a question.

We are going to WDW 11/25 through 12/2

How does it work if FD falls on only 1 or 2 of those days?

As long as you arrive on a day that FD is offered you will get it for the length of your stay. If you're already there and FD starts part way through your trip it's a bit trickier.

I'll let someone who isn't typing in a phone tackle that one.

 

[krisfan]

Wow $66! That's great! My flights have not dropped under $122 one way yet!

In this case we can buy SW POINTS and book the ticket... of course points are little expensive than ... paying price.. but points never expire and no cancrllation... now 30% extra points offer going on

 

[Heagen]

Thanks all! Do we have any rumored dates as of today?

 

[VillainFavs]

Just something I thought I'd throw out there! I've seen several people mention staying at a value and upgrading to the regular dining plan.

Make sure you do your math before you make this decision!!!

I know there's some speculation about which mods will or won't be included this year, or even which rooms within those mods. But depending on what's available, it may be just as cheap to book a mod than it is to stay value and upgrade dining. A few years ago we were lucky enough to get a PIN code for free dining that actually included POFQ!!! We were going to stay at an All Star and upgrade our dining plan. When we did the math, it was only about $100 more for us to spend the week at POFQ instead. No brainer! Of course, our kids were already considered adults so it was four adult dining plans that we needed to upgrade.

I'm sure most people have already thought about this, but wanted to mention it just in case!

 

[momto4obkids]

Newbie here with a question.

We are going to WDW 11/25 through 12/2

How does it work if FD falls on only 1 or 2 of those days?

As long as your check in day falls within the free dining days, then you would be ok.

Example, say free dining is for 11/25 to 11/28 your good to go because you check in on the 25th.

If free dining was 11/29 to 12/2 you would not be eligible, because your check in day is not within the window of free dining dates.

 

[FinnsMom7]

My work would probably love FD to drop ASAP (maybe more than I want it to now) so that my productivity goes back to what it normally is. As much as I keep saying I won't check, I just can't help myself. FOMO big time over here

 

[scrappinginontario]

Just something I thought I'd throw out there! I've seen several people mention staying at a value and upgrading to the regular dining plan.

Make sure you do your math before you make this decision!!!

I know there's some speculation about which mods will or won't be included this year, or even which rooms within those mods. But depending on what's available, it may be just as cheap to book a mod than it is to stay value and upgrade dining. A few years ago we were lucky enough to get a PIN code for free dining that actually included POFQ!!! We were going to stay at an All Star and upgrade our dining plan. When we did the math, it was only about $100 more for us to spend the week at POFQ instead. No brainer! Of course, our kids were already considered adults so it was four adult dining plans that we needed to upgrade.

I'm sure most people have already thought about this, but wanted to mention it just in case!

You are quite right although much has to do with the size and ages of your travel party.

Our family is 1 adult and 1 child. I've run the numbers many times but for us it is always more economical to stay at a value resort and upgrade our dining plan.

 

[AnnetteS]

I may be pulling at strings here, but the WDW website and app are super glitchy today... people can't seem to book ADRs or FPs. I seem to remember this happening last year before FD dropped as well? Am I crazy or does anyone else remember this happening too?

yesterday you couldnt book rooms for a few hours