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

[KimBean]

If you have CL ( breakfast covered and snacks


Okay so that looks like $557 a night, $2500 total just for the room. Using the summer room discount as a guide for a HOPEFUL fall discount it would be 20% off so $500. So $2000, 5 days for your husband without hopper is $370 with park hopper is $445 (didn't know which one you wanted.) then your food costs.

2445 + Food OOP

With free dining you have to pay $2500, plus tickets for both of you with park hopper $890.

$3390 with dining included.


With CL you have part of the dining covered... Breakfasta and snacks and drinks. How many are in your party?? If you are a room of 4 with 4 disney adults planning on everynight character dining. that is expensive and DDP is a win. but If you are couple sharing a room I would really crunch the figures and decide what your dining is like. F&W is this year early.. we are also at BC and i plan snacking a lot there.[/QUOTE]

My figures above are based on 2 people only. So if she has 4 like you state then the numbers would have to be reworked.

 

[AnnetteS]

Does everybody of your party have to be present at check-in?

 

[mousefan73]

no and a lot do online check in and never even physically go to the front desk. We have to as we are international and magic bands are held there. for most you get your bands in the mail, checkin online and you get a text with room number when ready.

 

[KimBean]

On the above post the quotes are all off....

I agree with Mousefan73. With snacks and food & wine I wouldn't get free dining. I would take advantage of a room discount and your AP.

 

[agassizsmile]

In previous years, I've always been able to upgrade from QS to TS when booking FD online.

Great question and I'm nervous.So on 24th which dining option do I select QS or Reg plan if my intent is to upgrade from QS?

 

[Susan Doeberl]

Since the news about the FD changes dropped I don't see as much excitement on this thread as before. I hope the part about the days you have to have on your ticket is wrong. That changes so much for so many people. I won't be staying up all night when it drops just not that excited anymore. I will just set my alarm. If the amount of days is correct on the tickets we won't be going for the FD. We want to stay on site because my DH likes to park the car and not drive again until we check out, but I also have to consider the prices on site compared to off site. We are not big SW fans so we won't be going when that opens. We are planning to traveling in Europe after this trip. Prices are about the same and we can stay longer and see places and things we have not seen before. Sorry if this upsets some of you, but Disney is getting a little boring. Seeing the same old same old is getting old. We went on the Frozen ride last year and were not that really impressed with it. I hope for everyones sake that they do better with the new lands.

 

[agassizsmile]

Last year was 4am. I don't know before that. I'm going to make a night of it. Party here next Sunday!!! Coffee, candy, disney music, and touring plans to perfect. All while hitting the refresh button. Whose with me??

Last year was 4am. I don't know before that. I'm going to make a night of it. Party here next Sunday!!! Coffee, candy, disney music, and touring plans to perfect. All while hitting the refresh button. Whose with me??

Need tips on how to not fall asleep

 

[sharonabe]

When they do they will increase discounts. What they need to do is to figure out a way to entice offsite people to spend more time at Disney. Offsite people get no perks besides ticket price decreasing over more days purchased. If resorts aren't the issue but offsite people aren't coming then the need to motivate the appropriate group.

The Early Morning Magic at MK (and HS for a little while) were created to entice offsite guests into the park. There was even a one-day dining plan for MK they tested. The only thing that has remained in the EMM at MK, and even that has been scaled back to fewer days. There's not much they can do to entice off-siters into the parks. I had a friend who did an Orlando vacation just last week. She didn't do any kind of research; just thought they would go down and do all the different things: Disney, Legoland, Sea World, etc. The one-day ticket price at WDW astounded her, and they didn't go to WDW. People who think going to WDW is like going to Six Flags or any other theme park probably will never be enticed to do WDW at current prices, and I don't see Disney reducing those.

Great question and I'm nervous.So on 24th which dining option do I select QS or Reg plan if my intent is to upgrade from QS?

You'll have to get to the FD offer FIRST. That should give you your options. If it doesn't, get the dining plan that comes with FD, then wait about a week and call in to upgrade.

 

[KimBean]

Need tips on how to not fall asleep

We will just keep talking!! Do you go to bed early? It's about midnight for me anyway so probably won't get punchy until about 3 and then I'll just be too excited!!!

 

[KimBean]

The Early Morning Magic at MK (and HS for a little while) were created to entice offsite guests into the park. There was even a one-day dining plan for MK they tested. The only thing that has remained in the EMM at MK, and even that has been scaled back to fewer days. There's not much they can do to entice off-siters into the parks. I had a friend who did an Orlando vacation just last week. She didn't do any kind of research; just thought they would go down and do all the different things: Disney, Legoland, Sea World, etc. The one-day ticket price at WDW astounded her, and they didn't go to WDW. People who think going to WDW is like going to Six Flags or any other theme park probably will never be enticed to do WDW at current prices, and I don't see Disney reducing those.



You'll have to get to the FD offer FIRST. That should give you your options. If it doesn't, get the dining plan that comes with FD, then wait about a week and call in to upgrade.

They could offer a dining plan that off siters could get.

They could offer an add on to your tickets if you buy over 7 days you can add on Fast passes at 60 days. This would keep off siters to splitting their time at other places. Keep them as in the bubble as resort stayers. Could do something similar with parking. Buy a 7+ day ticket parking included. All they need to do is look at the places the 'reward' resort stayers and try to reward offsite stayers. I'm saying this based on the comment that thus haven't lost resort stayers but have lost revenue on those that stay offsite. Most likely going to see the wizard. Motivate them to spend more days at Disney.

 

[KimBean]

Since the news about the FD changes dropped I don't see as much excitement on this thread as before. I hope the part about the days you have to have on your ticket is wrong. That changes so much for so many people. I won't be staying up all night when it drops just not that excited anymore. I will just set my alarm. If the amount of days is correct on the tickets we won't be going for the FD. We want to stay on site because my DH likes to park the car and not drive again until we check out, but I also have to consider the prices on site compared to off site. We are not big SW fans so we won't be going when that opens. We are planning to traveling in Europe after this trip. Prices are about the same and we can stay longer and see places and things we have not seen before. Sorry if this upsets some of you, but Disney is getting a little boring. Seeing the same old same old is getting old. We went on the Frozen ride last year and were not that really impressed with it. I hope for everyones sake that they do better with the new lands.

What do you mean by amount of days? It going from 3-4?

 

[Kindermouse]

I have one kid with anxiety and sensory issues. The other OCD and sensory issues. So I get the obsessive worrying that isn't always logical. Just curious what the difference is? Does he worry it will break, run out of batteries? Not asking for any other reasons of curiosity and understanding making plans to squish as much of this so they can have fun and be kids for awhile.

Kim my kiddo has some of those same issues and a few other Neuro Dx's If you wouldnt mind I would love PM with somethings you do help them deal in the parks and in the days leading up to the trip. We are in a pretty good place right now but I always like to keep my bag of tricks fully stocked and fresh.

 

[KimBean]

Since the news about the FD changes dropped I don't see as much excitement on this thread as before. I hope the part about the days you have to have on your ticket is wrong. That changes so much for so many people. I won't be staying up all night when it drops just not that excited anymore. I will just set my alarm. If the amount of days is correct on the tickets we won't be going for the FD. We want to stay on site because my DH likes to park the car and not drive again until we check out, but I also have to consider the prices on site compared to off site. We are not big SW fans so we won't be going when that opens. We are planning to traveling in Europe after this trip. Prices are about the same and we can stay longer and see places and things we have not seen before. Sorry if this upsets some of you, but Disney is getting a little boring. Seeing the same old same old is getting old. We went on the Frozen ride last year and were not that really impressed with it. I hope for everyones sake that they do better with the new lands.

Why would it upset us that you and your family wants to go to Europe?

I certainly agree that if Disney is boring to you, you shouldn't go even if Disney were to pay you too.

 

[anitsa123]

They could offer a dining plan that off siters could get.

They could offer an add on to your tickets if you buy over 7 days you can add on Fast passes at 60 days. This would keep off siters to splitting their time at other places. Keep them as in the bubble as resort stayers. Could do something similar with parking. Buy a 7+ day ticket parking included. All they need to do is look at the places the 'reward' resort stayers and try to reward offsite stayers. I'm saying this based on the comment that thus haven't lost resort stayers but have lost revenue on those that stay offsite. Most likely going to see the wizard. Motivate them to spend more days at Disney.

I am with you on the dining I do not know why they do not offer a dining plan to go with the tickets for those who chose to stay off site. I know some theme parks has add food plan for so much to your tickets. I have done it and saved a lot of money by doing it that way.

 

[agassizsmile]

The Early Morning Magic at MK (and HS for a little while) were created to entice offsite guests into the park. There was even a one-day dining plan for MK they tested. The only thing that has remaine
d in the EMM at MK, and even that has been scaled back to fewer days. There's not much they can do to entice off-siters into the parks. I had a friend who did an Orlando vacation just last week. She didn't do any kind of research; just thought they would go down and do all the different things: Disney, Legoland, Sea World, etc. The one-day ticket price at WDW astounded her, and they didn't go to WDW. People who think going to WDW is like going to Six Flags or any other theme park probably will never be enticed to do WDW at current prices, and I don't see Disney reducing those.



You'll have to get to the FD offer FIRST. That should give you your options. If it doesn't, get the dining plan that comes with FD, then wait about a week and call in to upgrade.

Thnx

 

[Susan Doeberl]

What do you mean by amount of days? It going from 3-4?

Last year it was a 2 day park ticket with a PH or water parks and more. This year if the rumor is correct it is 4 day park ticket with a PH or PH+.

 

[Susan Doeberl]

Why would it upset us that you and your family wants to go to Europe?

I certainly agree that if Disney is boring to you, you shouldn't go even if Disney were to pay you too.

Sometimes you can get a remark or 2 from people.

 

[KimBean]

Sometimes you can get a remark or 2 from people.

Lol!!!

I love WDW but I like to go every 3-4 years. We went a couple of years in a row and I felt like it lost some charm. I think 3-4 years gives time for enough new stuff and some nostalgia. Also kids being different ages brings new experiences. We haven't been since 2014 and don't plan on going back until 2021.

 

[DisneyNic]

Call me nuts but I'm calling in sick that day.Not going anywhere kids staying home!

Luckily, I already have that day off as DD is getting her braces off (YAY!). Her appointment is not until 10:30 so hopefully I can snag what I need to snag and maybe have a little nap before we need to head out (although, I'm sure I will be too excited and my natural clock wakes me up at 6 AM NO. MATTER. WHAT)

Since the news about the FD changes dropped I don't see as much excitement on this thread as before. I hope the part about the days you have to have on your ticket is wrong. That changes so much for so many people. I won't be staying up all night when it drops just not that excited anymore. I will just set my alarm. If the amount of days is correct on the tickets we won't be going for the FD. We want to stay on site because my DH likes to park the car and not drive again until we check out, but I also have to consider the prices on site compared to off site. We are not big SW fans so we won't be going when that opens. We are planning to traveling in Europe after this trip. Prices are about the same and we can stay longer and see places and things we have not seen before. Sorry if this upsets some of you, but Disney is getting a little boring. Seeing the same old same old is getting old. We went on the Frozen ride last year and were not that really impressed with it. I hope for everyones sake that they do better with the new lands.

I completely understand what you are saying. I don't get to WDW that often, but the excitement for this trip has slowly declined. I'm sure I will be bouncing off the walls once things are set and ready (FD, FP+, ADRs), but right now I'm feeling blah. We are taking a last minute (in my planning world) trip to DL in June and then the surprise trip in November, but I think that will be the last we see of Disney for a while. There are so many places that I want to see in the actual world.

 

[trucker den]

Need tips on how to not fall asleep

Do what I do. Get up for work at 10 pm! By 4 I'm about halfway through my workday. I plan on refreshing and when it drops pull over and book.