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

[scrappinginontario]

I must say it makes me giggle when people are 'giving up' or 'getting frustrated' waiting for FD to be dropped.

We're early folks! Historically FD has dropped:
2014 - May 7, 2014
2015 - April 27, 2015
2016 - April 25, 2016

It's only April 13th! Yes, we're all excited for FD to drop but historically speaking, we're too early!!! It's like being mad that Santa hasn't arrived yet when it's only December 13th!

Don't get frustrated or give up, just hang out here with the rest of us enjoying the anticipation and participate in the little side-bar topics that are bouncing around as we all wait together.

A new topic to discuss: How old were you on your first Disney trip and at what age did you become a Disney fanatic! (And yes, I know most/all of you are considered Disney fanatics as we've been hanging out here together for a while now!)

My first trip was in 9th grade in 1980 but I would say I became a fanatic in 2003 when I first took my niece. I've been to Disney 31 times and counting.

 

[jessiegirl1982]

For years we walked right passed and and never got one. We used to go to Disneyland in February since that is my sons birthday month and it was often chilly and/or rainy so icecream was never what we were in the mood for-we would make a beeline straight to the latte's cocoa and hot freshly beignets in New Orleans Square. A few years ago when we first went for October/halloween and it was HOT and we decided to have one and...yum we were in heaven. I should have expected as much-its my sons 2 favorite things 1. Ice cream 2. citrus fruit. now we have to have one every visit even if its not hot.

The line at Disneyland is always soooooooooo long so now I just make sure to hop in line about 5 minutes before they open and I get the first one of the day. Now its tradition.

Quick tip at DL (not sure at WDW), go inside like you are waiting for the show, and just line up on the other side for the Dole wips. Always significantly shorter, and just leave through the turnstiles when you have your treats. No need to watch the show!

 

[Kshell40]

If anyone ever goes to Dutch wonderland in Lancaster, PA they have dole whips too!

Lol. True! My youngest loves that place. We said see we don't need Disney (joke)

 

[Disneylover99]

A new topic to discuss: How old were you on your first Disney trip and at what age did you become a Disney fanatic! (And yes, I know most/all of you are considered Disney fanatics as we've been hanging out here together for a while now!)

I was 8 on my first trip back in the 70's. We went 4 or 5 times throughout the 70's and 80's and I never really liked it as a kid. We went to MK mid day over Christmas or March break and all I remember were lines.

I finally went back in 2010 with my kids. We spent a week and fell in love. So I became a fanatic at 41.

 

[Moocabn2258]

I must say it makes me giggle when people are 'giving up' or 'getting frustrated' waiting for FD to be dropped.

We're early folks! Historically FD has dropped:
2014 - May 7, 2014
2015 - April 27, 2015
2016 - April 25, 2016

It's only April 13th! Yes, we're all excited for FD to drop but historically speaking, we're too early!!! It's like being mad that Santa hasn't arrived yet when it's only December 13th!

Don't get frustrated or give up, just hang out here with the rest of us enjoying the anticipation and participate in the little side-bar topics that are bouncing around as we all wait together.

A new topic to discuss: How old were you on your first Disney trip and at what age did you become a Disney fanatic! (And yes, I know most/all of you are considered Disney fanatics as we've been hanging out here together for a while now!)

My first trip was in 9th grade in 1980 but I would say I became a fanatic in 2003 when I first took my niece. I've been to Disney 31 times and counting.

I was 6 or 7 on my first visit. I've loved it ever since but became a true fanatic after my husband and I went for our honeymoon 2 years ago

 

[scard192]

I must say it makes me giggle when people are 'giving up' or 'getting frustrated' waiting for FD to be dropped.

We're early folks! Historically FD has dropped:
2014 - May 7, 2014
2015 - April 27, 2015
2016 - April 25, 2016

It's only April 13th! Yes, we're all excited for FD to drop but historically speaking, we're too early!!! It's like being mad that Santa hasn't arrived yet when it's only December 13th!

Don't get frustrated or give up, just hang out here with the rest of us enjoying the anticipation and participate in the little side-bar topics that are bouncing around as we all wait together.

2013 was May 9th. last 4 years it's been 50% end of April, 50% early May.

 

[Lesley Wake]

I've never had the dole whip. I love the Citrus Swirl. Has anyone had both to compare?

My sister is allergic to pineapple so has spent years just watching me and her BF eat a dole whip in front of her. She also would make him brush his teeth before she would kiss him again! When she went to WDW with her BF last year I told her they have an orange one but she thought it was at AK not MK, so never found it! This year I'm making her get it while I stick with my tried and true pineapple!

Also, I know Tamu Tamu in AK has a pineapple dole whip cup (as well as the rum float). Is it the exact same as the one in MK? The one in MK has ridges and the AK is smooth, but that could just be the machine they use

 

[Rusty2rules]

I've just about reached my waiting limit for FD. I think I'm just going to rebook a new reservation with the FL discount. My aunt and brother are coming with us, both live in florida, so I just may re book with them as the reservation holder. It's about $100 per night cheaper...

Heck, I would've done that to begin with.

 

[ellbell]

I must say it makes me giggle when people are 'giving up' or 'getting frustrated' waiting for FD to be dropped.

We're early folks! Historically FD has dropped:
2014 - May 7, 2014
2015 - April 27, 2015
2016 - April 25, 2016

It's only April 13th! Yes, we're all excited for FD to drop but historically speaking, we're too early!!! It's like being mad that Santa hasn't arrived yet when it's only December 13th!

Don't get frustrated or give up, just hang out here with the rest of us enjoying the anticipation and participate in the little side-bar topics that are bouncing around as we all wait together.

A new topic to discuss: How old were you on your first Disney trip and at what age did you become a Disney fanatic! (And yes, I know most/all of you are considered Disney fanatics as we've been hanging out here together for a while now!)

My first trip was in 9th grade in 1980 but I would say I became a fanatic in 2003 when I first took my niece. I've been to Disney 31 times and counting.

Not mad, just bored with the hype. To use your analogy it's like setting up your tree on November 1st and being over the Christmas excitement by December 12th. At this point I'm not excited anymore I just want it over with.

 

[pigletto]

How old were you on your first Disney trip and at what age did you become a Disney fanatic!

My grandparents had a winter place near Tampa in a place called Tarpon Springs. We went down every winter, sometimes twice, and we would do day trips to Disney. I will never forget the feeling of driving by the Ploynesian on the monorail and thinking "I want to stay there!!!". It reminded me of the Brady Bunch vacation to Hawaii episodes. That show was in syndication already when I was a kid, but I loved it.

We had Christmas down in Florida one year and my uncle said he would buy me a record player, or he would take me to MK for the day. Let's guess what I picked?
It was the day after Christmas and he took me and we couldn't get in because of the crowds. I was so sad. I got to go back later in the trip AND i got the Winnie the Pooh record player.

Disney, being in Florida, it's all tied together in my memory as a safe happy place, filled with family and love. My grandparents are gone and I miss them dearly, but I take my kids and have no doubt we will retire to Florida in the winters one day. I love the thought of carrying on the legacy.

 

[SCBENGAL]

My first trip to WDW was in 2014 at the age of 43 and I've been a fanatic since then. This December will be my 3rd trip.

 

[Bittersweet & Strange]

I have always been a Disney fanatic, but it wasn't until recently that I had the means to actually visit regularly. My family got to do one trip to Disney World in 1997 when I was 12, and my grandparents took us to Disneyland in 2000 when I was 14. I didn't visit again until after I was done with college and law school. I finally went back to Disneyland in 2013, and I've done some kind of Disney trip every year since! I love being there and I love all the planning and anticipation before the trip. I am going to drag most of my extended family with me this year if I can get FD in September!

 

[disneydreamer1980]

I was 6 on my first trip to WDW. My parents were/are disney fanatics and bought into the DVC when it first started in '91 when I was 10, so I was raised to be a fanatic. Using their points we went every year when I was younger, now every other year as with my kids there are more of us and they bank their points for the grand villas. This will be my first trip there ever without my parents. Pretty sad, since I'll be 36 when we go!

 

[VillainFavs]

My first trip was in 2007 at the age of 42! The day I became a true Disney Fanatic was the first time I walked down Main Street.

Thought that trip would be our one and done, once in a lifetime vacation. We've now got 7 trips under our belts, #8 is planned for August, and the kids are sneaking off next week with their high school band!

 

[vanjust14]

I was 12 on my first trip in 1990 at Christmas. I loved it, but really didn't have the money to go back much until I brought my son for the first time in 2009. Unfortunately he doesn't take after me and prefers Universal ( although I must say I do enjoy Universal as a close second). So now we try to alternate trips between the two.

 

[missnikki411]

I was 7 on my first trip to Disney. I went a few times from 1993-1999. Then I don't think I went back until 2010 with my now DH because he had been every year as a kid and I was SO jealous so I said we needed to go....and we have been every year since (minus one).

 

[trucker den]

Lol. True! My youngest loves that place. We said see we don't need Disney (joke)

Never been to Dutch wonderland but I drive past it every week. I looks kinda sad. Is it just for little kids?

 

[LiaNWillsmom]

A new topic to discuss: How old were you on your first Disney trip and at what age did you become a Disney fanatic! (And yes, I know most/all of you are considered Disney fanatics as we've been hanging out here together for a while now!)

Fun topic! I actually went to Disney for the first time at 21 years old. I was just dating my husband at the time, it was 1999. We stayed at the Beach Club with his parents. I will NEVER forget this trip! It was so amazing walking into Epcot, checking out the world showcase, staying somewhere so nice my first visit!
We ended up going back the next year, and staying off property, with one night in all stars, then heading to Daytona Beach. We got engaged on this trip, right in front of the castle. He bought a crystal glass slipper to propose with.
We went back for an anniversary (4 years i think), stayed at the swan
Went back while i was Pregnant with my DD6 (swan again)
Went for my DD6's 3rd birthday, with the in-laws, stayed at OKW in a 2 bedroom villa (was perfect for help with the little ones, DS4 had just turned 1)
Went last May, stayed in CS (in-laws with us again)
Now going for the first time during Christmas season for my DS4's 5th Birthday!!!

On another note, my DH has been going with his family since he was just a baby! I will tell you that my MiL and FiL have been there SO many times, but they say every time they get to experince something new!

 

[DisneyLifePapioNe]

I think of it this way, everyday that goes by is a day closer to a FD offer being released....although I wish it would be NOW!!!......meanwhile I could make up a good rumor if you want me to!!!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

DL- started when I was 7 or 8 I think. (I have had some head trauma that makes it hard to remember ages and some things. But my dad took me to DL and had my mother go with us because he was so sick. The Doctors were worried he might not make it back and my mom had to go with.
DL I have been many times. One time my step-dad took us for my sisters (new years Bday)
We went to WDW in April 2006 (moms bday) (long drive, cheap hotel, my step dads overtime didn't come in when it was supposed to. I had to pay for the whole hotel stay. We had rides shut down as we were in line like 3 times.) I had not planed.
DL about half a dozen times with my DH and DS.
2 Halloween parties. (DS's bday time)
1 summer time (with my step dad and mom)
2-4 times at Christmas time. (my bday time (also step dad was born Christmas day lol))
I did run the 5 k in NOV the first year that opened. (after losing 15lbs on my own for this race)

I love Disney and have for a long time.