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

[prettypatchesmsu]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/news-stories/uber-like-service-to-begin-soon-at-walt-disney-world/

Just saw this, super vague and I am sure another pay to use service -

Yes, this is interesting. It will have to be in the same price range as Uber or we wouldn't bother. Uber has been great for us when we have needed it at WDW and Universal.

 

[FinnsMom7]

Yes, this is interesting. It will have to be in the same price range as Uber or we wouldn't bother. Uber has been great for us when we have needed it at WDW and Universal.

I have never used Uber for parks just a trip to the airport on an off site stay - I was tempted when the bus was taking FOREVER one night but held out

 

[ThistleMae]

For all the Southwest people here, do any of your have one of the Rapid Rewards credit cards? Do you like it? We decided to get the RR Plus yesterday and thought with the 40,000 points plus whatever we earn, we can fly for free or nearly free in December. Any tips on using the card to our advantage? This is my first miles card. I feel very adult.

We did Thanksgiving week two years ago and it was fine. We saw the Osborne lights, their last year I was told...it was so awesome!

 

[Soulcraft]

Just jumping in this thread for the first time now. So free dining is still just a whisper and a rumor at this point, correct? Do people tend to book rooms now, aka before fd is announced and hope they overlap or is it best waiting and guaranteeing a check-in day at a resort of choice. I assume the big deluxe resorts might already be close to sold out in, say, late November early December?

I'm looking at Yacht, Beach, Contempo or Poly

 

[ThistleMae]

My computer died and my dishwasher started leaking yesterday. I feel like a fish out of water. That's my two main appliances down. I will not, could not, should not, tap into my Disney fund. No!!!!

My computer with no warning says disk failure and no recovery processes will work. Can't find hard drive or OS.

Ugh.

My vacuum died, my flag pole fell over, my driveway sank out of sight and I hurt my foot....but overall I still have my sanity (just barely) LOL!

 

[Mom2Stitch]

This is way off topic and a huge downer but I'm super sad today because we are putting our sweet doggie down. He has cancer and it's time. Lots and lots of tears in our house today. We are at the park now. Just gave him a cheeseburger and an ice cream cone. I could use some pixie dust for sure!!!

OMG I'm so sorry and sad for you. I know from experience how that hurts, lost my Tink almost 2 years ago and miss her every day. My condolences, be kind to yourselves. Many hugs to your family.

 

[Lesley Wake]

Just jumping in this thread for the first time now. So free dining is still just a whisper and a rumor at this point, correct? Do people tend to book rooms now, aka before fd is announced and hope they overlap or is it best waiting and guaranteeing a check-in day at a resort of choice. I assume the big deluxe resorts might already be close to sold out in, say, late November early December?

I'm looking at Yacht, Beach, Contempo or Poly

The strategy about booking in advance is debated endlessly
I think the general consensus is book what you would get if Free Dining isn't an option. So if you would not go to Disney without FD, then don't book. Or if you would stay in Resort A with FD or Resort B without FD, book Resort B now. If everyone books Resort A now then Disney may see that they don't need to offer FD at that resort, or limit the number of rooms of each type.

Personally, I booked at POR for specific dates. I will use those no matter what. FD will make my trip that much more enjoyable and affordable, and I may then be more willing to spend money elsewhere in the parks.

 

[ThistleMae]

This is way off topic and a huge downer but I'm super sad today because we are putting our sweet doggie down. He has cancer and it's time. Lots and lots of tears in our house today. We are at the park now. Just gave him a cheeseburger and an ice cream cone. I could use some pixie dust for sure!!!

Oh, so very sad, so sorry to hear. It's one of the hardest things to do....just so sad.

 

[Lesley Wake]

Does anyone know how snack credits work if you get the souvenir sipper? I'm assuming if you get the sipper you just pay for the entire thing OOP. But it would be nice to know if you can use a snack credit, then just pay the difference between sipper and the base drink.
(I collect sippers and am looking forward to expanding my collection while at WDW; still hoping to get the rose tumblr and/or pirate anniversary stein when I go back to DL in May).

 

[pixie_mtl]

How soon after the gljtching did FD drop?

10 days later. I think glitch happened on April 14 and FD was release in the night of April 24 to April 25

 

[Rusty2rules]

Just jumping in this thread for the first time now. So free dining is still just a whisper and a rumor at this point, correct? Do people tend to book rooms now, aka before fd is announced and hope they overlap or is it best waiting and guaranteeing a check-in day at a resort of choice. I assume the big deluxe resorts might already be close to sold out in, say, late November early December?

I'm looking at Yacht, Beach, Contempo or Poly

Here's the deal. Are you going regardless of FD? Then book where you plan on staying. Book your stay and just plan on NOT getting FD, like if you get FD it'll be a nice bonus. Do you have flexible dates? Are you pretty flexible on your resort? And you really want FD? Then probably the best strategy is to wait. Having said that, once FD drops rooms tend to fly off the shelves like milk and bread before a blizzard. Hope that helps.

 

[stayathomehero]

I carried around my laptop with me on vacation across multiple states this weekend just in case Free Dining dropped while I was away. I'm not sure if I should commend my preparedness or feel ashamed.

 

[KimBean]

This is way off topic and a huge downer but I'm super sad today because we are putting our sweet doggie down. He has cancer and it's time. Lots and lots of tears in our house today. We are at the park now. Just gave him a cheeseburger and an ice cream cone. I could use some pixie dust for sure!!!

I'm so sorry. We had a dog with mass cell tumors. He lived a long time but had to have surgeries and when he passed had tumors inside. It was so sad to decide but he was suffering. I know the pain.

 

[Avalon_toon]

This is way off topic and a huge downer but I'm super sad today because we are putting our sweet doggie down. He has cancer and it's time. Lots and lots of tears in our house today. We are at the park now. Just gave him a cheeseburger and an ice cream cone. I could use some pixie dust for sure!!!

I am so sorry :-(. Pixie dust for you and your sweet pup.

 

[DisKaren]

This is way off topic and a huge downer but I'm super sad today because we are putting our sweet doggie down. He has cancer and it's time. Lots and lots of tears in our house today. We are at the park now. Just gave him a cheeseburger and an ice cream cone. I could use some pixie dust for sure!!!

I am so sorry to hear that. I do know how you feel, as we have had to do that also. Even my DH who almost never cries was bawling when we put our dog to sleep. You get so attached to your furkids. Try to take comfort in the knowledge that you gave him a good life and he knows he was loved.

 

[TXHauntedMansionFan]

We're also booked that week (11/25-12/5), must be a popular week! We're staying at FW cabins and so excited about it. Also hoping FD drops soon, if we can get it DH says we can add 2 extra nights, so crossing fingers!

We're also booked that week at POR. There's 7 of us going so FD would be a HUGE help!

 

[Lesley Wake]

So now I'm debating on booking a WL standard room in addition to my POR room. The blogs and tips are saying don't expect POR to be offered for FD. Which, I'm like, ok, that sucks, but whatever. Then I would go for a room discount at POR. But what if the room discount also excludes POR?!? I originally did the pricing difference for AKL and knew it would be like $40 difference between discounted AKL and non-discounted POR; the extra $360 wasn't worth it to me. But now I looked at WL and it would only be a $10 difference; I would definitely be willing to spend $90 more for a deluxe resort for a week. But I don't want to cancel the POR reservation in case it is available for the discounts (right now the only thing available for our dates is a Royal Room, which we aren't interested in). So do I:
A) Keep the POR I have, hoping there is a discount (food or room); if there isn't, do I then just hope they still have WL standard rooms available?
B) Book the WL standard as well as keep the POR reservation. The extra deposit isn't an issue, because I know I'll get one of them refunded in the next few weeks once discounts are released. I hate to be one of those people sitting on 2 reservations, but I would also hate to miss out on the chance to go deluxe.

 

[clairebear1012]

So now I'm debating on booking a WL standard room in addition to my POR room. The blogs and tips are saying don't expect POR to be offered for FD. Which, I'm like, ok, that sucks, but whatever. Then I would go for a room discount at POR. But what if the room discount also excludes POR?!? I originally did the pricing difference for AKL and knew it would be like $40 difference between discounted AKL and non-discounted POR; the extra $360 wasn't worth it to me. But now I looked at WL and it would only be a $10 difference; I would definitely be willing to spend $90 more for a deluxe resort for a week. But I don't want to cancel the POR reservation in case it is available for the discounts (right now the only thing available for our dates is a Royal Room, which we aren't interested in). So do I:
A) Keep the POR I have, hoping there is a discount (food or room); if there isn't, do I then just hope they still have WL standard rooms available?
B) Book the WL standard as well as keep the POR reservation. The extra deposit isn't an issue, because I know I'll get one of them refunded in the next few weeks once discounts are released. I hate to be one of those people sitting on 2 reservations, but I would also hate to miss out on the chance to go deluxe.

I would only book it if you are willing to stay there no matter what (even without a discount or free dining).

 

[JackieO]

Thank you everyone for the condolences. We will need time to grieve but FD is a great distraction!! I so appreciate this group.

 

[KimBean]

My vacuum died, my flag pole fell over, my driveway sank out of sight and I hurt my foot....but overall I still have my sanity (just barely) LOL!

I think together we have a country song!