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

[Elsaalltheway]

We're staying Value and hoping for Free Dining-if the info is correct our dates are included. However only QS for the Values? Right now we're paying for the regular DP. Do you suppose we'll be able to pay the difference and upgrade? Or do they really mean that the Values won't be *allowed* the regular plan?

I did a bounce back and am staying at PoP and they offered to up to regular and just pay the difference.

 

[kels420]

Is it easier to add days to your stay or remove days? We won't have a good idea of exactly when we will be arriving or returning home until flights are opened up for December. Right now, we are thinking Dec 1-10 but it could end up being Dec 2-10 or Dec 2-9. Any advice?

I would go ahead and book extra day- it's no problem to remove a day but to add a day can sometimes be a problem

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

And now I am spewing pea soup (spinning head-pea soup-tubular bells? Gotta be old to get the reference!). I know my hubby would say I am way over thinking this AND YOU ALL ARE NOT HELPING MY OBSSESSION!!!

I totally got The Exorcist reference and I'm 27!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

But if you only book for 5, you may end up with a table that won't have room for everyone. I think the automatic gratuity will kick in based on the number of people who order meals, not reserve seats. Then again, is it really an issue for the 18%? I would probably just tip that anyways for our party of 2.

I completely forgot it may impact table size.

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

A bit off topic but I'm not sure where else to post and everyone here is so helpful... I am travelling with 4 adults, 1 child and 1 under 3... Should I reserve for 5 or 6 ppl for TS? We will have DDP, and I know they charge 18% gratuity for parties of 6, just not sure if we would be considered 5 or 6.

Agree with others that have responded. You have to book for the number of people in your party regardless of age. (think fire codes)

 

[Obi Shaun Kanobi]

Are deals always dropped on Mondays? Is it at all possible that it drops any other day of the week?

 

[kels420]

We're staying Value and hoping for Free Dining-if the info is correct our dates are included. However only QS for the Values? Right now we're paying for the regular DP. Do you suppose we'll be able to pay the difference and upgrade? Or do they really mean that the Values won't be *allowed* the regular plan?

We always stay value and upgrade to regular. It's $21 per adult per day and $4 per kid per day.

 

[momto4obkids]

I have heard that it is often less expensive to fly on Thanksgiving day. Is that actually the case?

We flew down on Thanksgiving day because it was cheaper than the Friday, Saturday and Sunday after on Southwest.

I wasn't complaining because it got me out of cooking and cleaning! We are doing it again this year!

 

[Lesley Wake]

Are deals always dropped on Mondays? Is it at all possible that it drops any other day of the week?

The past 2 years it was a Monday. Before then it was mid-week. But the most reputable rumors are indicating the 24th (a Monday)

 

[Elsaalltheway]

Is this new info?

Nope, I believe its taking so many weeks to do the upgrade but the roooms dont go live till summer. But that is a rumor

 

[squirrel]

And now I am spewing pea soup (spinning head-pea soup-tubular bells? Gotta be old to get the reference!). I know my hubby would say I am way over thinking this AND YOU ALL ARE NOT HELPING MY OBSSESSION!!!

Are there really 4 adults in the room? Children 10 + are still considered children for the room portion, just checking that you knew that and weren't thinking children 10 and up are considered an adult for the room.

 

[Elsaalltheway]

Agreed. There are so many wonderful teachers out there, they don't get enough credit by a long shot, but that doesn't mean that they'll all be 100% understanding. Just look at the "discussions" on this forum regarding whether it's okay to pull kids from school for vacation, it gets very heated. It would be nice to think that everyone was understanding, but that's probably not the case. You can worry that a teacher is judging you (and find that annoying) while still respecting teaching as a profession and keeping in mind district policies.

Who knows what going to happen with the new voucher program. I know my first trip to Disneyland was at the start of my Sr year and I missed a few days. But then again back in the 90's they didn't care that much. I missed more school my last year then all my prevoius years combined. But then again I only missed 14 my sr year.

 

[menotyou21]

I thought the park hours often change just weeks before your trip?

The park hours can change while you're in the park. Happen to us in 2014 @ HS. Park was busy so they extended hours and added a 2nd Fantasmic. It was great for us. Was able to ride a few rides with a near empty park because most people left or only thought the 2nd show was extended. I remember sitting outside Star Tours while the kids rode it until they got all the story lines. LOL.

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

A bit off topic but I'm not sure where else to post and everyone here is so helpful... I am travelling with 4 adults, 1 child and 1 under 3... Should I reserve for 5 or 6 ppl for TS? We will have DDP, and I know they charge 18% gratuity for parties of 6, just not sure if we would be considered 5 or 6.

We have the exact same party make up as you and I've been told directly by Disney that you must count everyone in the number, even those under 3. As someone mentioned, it is a fire code thing as well as a table space issue. You will automatically be charged the 18% gratuity based off of the total price of food ordered. If you are at a buffet or family style restaurant (Ohana, garden grill, etc), you will not be charged for anyone under 3's meal, but you will still be charged the 18% gratuity on the bill for all the other people, even though there are only 5 people being charged. At non AYCTE places, you will be charged for anything you order for the Child under 3 as well as assessed the 18% on everything ordered, even if you don't order food for the little one. Listing children under 3 on the ADR is mandatory and will trigger the auto gratuity if it makes the party 6 or more regardless of whether or not food is purchased for all 6 people. Also, even if you only list 5 on the ADR, if you show up with 6 they can deny you a table and even if they do sit you, they can still charge the 18% since you would have 6 people, even though one is under 3.

 

[cshell624]

I've very much enjoyed following this thread. I was wondering... if you do not have any room reservations or confirmation number... can you still make dining reservations on line? I'm looking to go in august if by the grace of God I can snag free dining. I've tried it on line, but it doesn't seem to work?

Yes, I made my ADR's earlier this month and I have not booked my room yet. Hoping to fix that next week!!

 

[JennJ84]

I have to say, I am so excited about fd that I can't stand it. My husband is so sick of me talking about it and obsessing. He hopes it drops Monday so I can move onto a new Disney obsession.

 

[Lesley Wake]

I have to say, I am so excited about fd that I can't stand it. My husband is so sick of me talking about it and obsessing. He hopes it drops Monday so I can move onto a new Disney obsession.

Yup, my family too! My mom commented that I've spent more time obsessing over this trip for 2 people than she did planning a 6-person trip to England for 3 weeks!

 

[Lesley Wake]

I thought the park hours often change just weeks before your trip?

I've heard that if they change hours it would only benefit people, like opening earlier or closing later. I think the one we have to watch out for is AK. They will probably watch how busy Pandora is and may adjust accordingly.

 

[archdandy]

Just popping my head in and saying "hi"!

 

[Neeky78]

So what am I missing? Is it a chocolate cupcake with confectionary sugar frosting? Or is there some secret surprise in the middle?

It's just because of the link with Beauty and the Beast and that they're limited to a few locations.

Same as how some people ask what the big deal is about Mickey. Isn't he just a mouse??