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

[Kelly Sullivan]

Right. That's what I said.

That is kind of what I figured but I was hoping that wasn't the case thanks for the great info and quick response

 

[Disneylover99]

That is kind of what I figured but I was hoping that wasn't the case thanks for the great info and quick response

I wish you could do it. We're adding on a few days at the Poly after our FD stay at Pop in August.

 

[lok1sgrl]

We check in 9-20 at CBR!! We are planning MNSSHP On 24th and 26th!! Yay! See you at the Mouse House!!

We're at POR on 9/25 -- hoping to do MNSSHP 9/26 and maybe 9/29. Fingers crossed on tickets

 

[archdandy]

not last year I don't think...October is apparently becoming more crowded

I've been going in October for several years now and I can attest that it is becoming more crowded. It used to be a relatively peaceful time to go but the last few times I've started to realise it's not that way any longer. I'll probably be trying to avoid it from now on which sucks because it used to be my favourite month to go.

I'm in Toronto. Just after 7am here. I just woke up for the day.

I'm about an hour and a half north of Toronto! Hi! *waves*

Paying with points isn't considered rack rate? Sorry for all these questions.
Also some important info to keep in the back of my pocket, that they neglected to tell us, when it comes to my DVC purchase I want to make in the next year or two. Didn't know you don't qualify for offers when using DVC points

You do not get to participate in package or room discounts when renting DVC. I'm sorry you weren't told this when booking . You can get the dining plan added on but you would be paying full price for it. There's no way to get it free when renting. DVC points rental does usually come out to be a pretty big discount on it's own compared to rack rates for rooms if that helps make you feel better.

LOL I feel like every few posts someone needs to remind people new to the thread that we don't know what time it will drop.
Let's take turns.

WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT TIME IT WILL DROP.

I'll take my turn to remind everyone now, haha.

WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT TIME IT WILL DROP. It could drop at any point in the night, just because it dropped at 4am last year does NOT mean it will be at the same time this year.

Off topic, but I just got an alert from Touring Plans saying an 'Ohana reservation had popped up for my date/time, checked, found it, and booked it! I've been looking for that for months! Maybe its a good sign for tomorrow!

Congrats!

 

[TomServo27]

My favorite disney blogger just posted that that both AKL and WL are the best value with free dining (updated today)– one reason being that they sleep five (which is the number in my family). When I look on the website both hotels say only 4 adults in their rooms – except in suites or villas – which make them not the cheapest deluxe. I see a standard view one bedroom villa at AK at $5961 that sleeps five and a garden/woods view room at BC at $4990. Am I missing something? Because we would love to stay at AK. Are there standard size rooms at either of these resorts that sleep 5?

AKL and WL standard rooms sleep four maybe time to find a new blogger

 

[winepeople]

AKL and WL standard rooms sleep four maybe time to find a new blogger

Thank you - I thought so but I wanted to make sure!!

 

[wwffan7385]

Got my plans for tonight.

Probably taking a nap around 7:30pm-10pm (CT) and coming back ready to go at 11. Until it drops, I'll be watching a couple of episodes of NXT I need to catch up on.

Booked at CSR, water view, looking to change that first. Going to try for POR once things calm down and once I know what's included over there and what's not.

That's the only way I can rationalize the madness. Hoping for regular dining, knowing I'll get quick, and upgrade to deluxe from there.

Hoping that they move GP (I have a Disney Visa Debit) to starting August 23rd but not planning on it. ^_^'

 

[JadeDarkstar]

So topic of the day

What is everyone doing tonight to wait for FD drop?

Watching White Princess on Starz, then I should take a nap (might not) when it gets to about 11 my time (Az on Cali's time) then I'll eat ice cream or drink soda and try and stay up all night so I can hopefully get FD at one of the two places we are willing to go.

 

[kels420]

I've been going in October for several years now and I can attest that it is becoming more crowded. It used to be a relatively peaceful time to go but the last few times I've started to realise it's not that way any longer. I'll probably be trying to avoid it from now on which sucks because it used to be my favourite month to go.

I concur. My older daughters fall break is the last full week in October so we've gone that week for several years but last couple times noticed how crowded it had become. October definitely isn't a slow month anymore.

 

[Christine43]

That is awesome!

His costume would go well with yours, too bad we're not there at the same time!

 

[LindsayK]

Getting excited for tonight/tomorrow morning!!! We went ahead and booked our flights yesterday, so I'm hoping that the dates are all correct! Our return flight has a layover in Minneapolis, I'm hoping we don't have problems with any snow storms. lol (Our trip is 12/9-12/17)

I'm hoping to be able to modify my existing reservation at CBR to FD!! If I can't do that, I'll book something new and hope for the best.

Good luck to everyone...I'm sure we will all be chatting all night to stay awake! Thanks for all the helpful info that everyone has posted.

 

[jenseib]

Need clarification! The family member planning our trip was told by a CM several times when he booked that as long as he calls in on the first day "a discount such as getting the dining plan for free," he'll be able to add it to our booking. From everything I'm reading, that doesn't seem to be right? I'm worried he's planning on calling at lunch or after work, and the rooms with discounts will all be taken by then. We're booked at the All Star Music, and I'd imagine that'd be as popular for this promotion as most other places. Thoughts??

That is incorrect. It has to have availability from the rooms they set aside for free dining. Existing bookings are not in that allotment which is why it is better to wait to book till the promotion is released. Anything already booked shows Disney that the resort is filling up so they don't need to release so much for that resort or room type.

 

[monorailrabbit]

So topic of the day

What is everyone doing tonight to wait for FD drop?

Watching White Princess on Starz, then I should take a nap (might not) when it gets to about 11 my time (Az on Cali's time) then I'll eat ice cream or drink soda and try and stay up all night so I can hopefully get FD at one of the two places we are willing to go.

I'll be doing a Law & Order SVU marathon - not very Disney-like I know but it's one of my favorite shows so it will hopefully keep me awake! Going to take the dogs to the lake after lunch and then lounge/rest until midnight when I start stalking

 

[jenseib]

Got my plans for tonight.

Probably taking a nap around 7:30pm-10pm (CT) and coming back ready to go at 11. Until it drops, I'll be watching a couple of episodes of NXT I need to catch up on.

Booked at CSR, water view, looking to change that first. Going to try for POR once things calm down and once I know what's included over there and what's not.

That's the only way I can rationalize the madness. Hoping for regular dining, knowing I'll get quick, and upgrade to deluxe from there.

Hoping that they move GP (I have a Disney Visa Debit) to starting August 23rd but not planning on it. ^_^'

I would get up about 4 or 5 AM. It is never dropped earlier than that.
I have not hear of ANY Visa early discount coming out for this one...but the rumors are all so vague.

 

[wwffan7385]

I would get up about 4 or 5 AM. It is never dropped earlier than that.
I have not hear of ANY Visa early discount coming out for this one...but the rumors are all so vague.

I'm just scared of Disney deciding to put it on at 1am ET or whatever.

 

[PrancingPony]

Got my plans for tonight.

Probably taking a nap around 7:30pm-10pm (CT) and coming back ready to go at 11. Until it drops, I'll be watching a couple of episodes of NXT I need to catch up on.

Booked at CSR, water view, looking to change that first. Going to try for POR once things calm down and once I know what's included over there and what's not.

That's the only way I can rationalize the madness. Hoping for regular dining, knowing I'll get quick, and upgrade to deluxe from there.

Hoping that they move GP (I have a Disney Visa Debit) to starting August 23rd but not planning on it. ^_^'

I'm on central time so my plans are very similar. Taking a nap from 6 to midnight, then getting up and watching Netflix/Hulu/HBOGO while refreshing this thread and the special offers page. This is my first time trying for FD and I want to give a sincere THANK YOU to this thread for being so friendly and helpful. We're at the finish line, I can almost taste the dole whip!

 

[Crissi M]

@Crissi - I want you to be correct and of course there is no reason for you to post that you've booked guaranteed connecting rooms if you haven't. Clearly there are opposing stories going on and it is just another "it depends who you talk to" Disney frustration. As I said in my original post on this subject. I've talked to multiple CMs, experienced TAs, and Disney experts.....and in all these discussions, I have never been told "guaranteed" connecting rooms. I have clearly been told it is not possible to guarantee connecting rooms. For me, I'd like to know how a TA books 2 rooms for 1 party on 1 reservation number.....would you please "start a conversation" with me (DIS board equivalent of a PM - you will need 10 posts to do this)?

It's very simple and I've explained it before. First I'm an experienced TA for an earmarked agency which is how I've done this several times. It all depends on your family make up. If you are a family of five or more with only 2 adults then you will need to call to book the room. Typically it works best at Value resorts as these rooms do not accommodate more than 4 people. So if you have 4 kids and it is just you and you hubby, then you call and say you need too book a room for your family at Pop. Tell them your family size and they will give you the option of booking a guaranteed connecting room with one reservation number, one deposit, but two linked rooms.

 

[lalariner]

I've read a couple items out there that are saying a 3 night stay plus 2 day park hopper instead of the 4 day ph in some of the early reports. Is anyone else hearing that?

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

I just hate how there's so much conflicting info.\
I've been PM'd not to worry that its 2 day tickets but seeing as I've seen more things that say 4 day tickets then I have 2 day tickets my gut says its 4 because Disney wants to phase it out so they won't be getting people like me that are all about shorter trips.
Right now I've moved beyond excited and I just want it to drop to see if I can even go.

 

[Disneylover99]

I would get up about 4 or 5 AM. It is never dropped earlier than that.
I have not hear of ANY Visa early discount coming out for this one...but the rumors are all so vague.

It dropped just after midnight a few years back til about 2am and then it wasn't bookable again til about 6am after that. While I don't expect that to happen again, you never know.