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

[wenpop]

Well I was really pleased and thrilled that I got to change my ressie to FD this morning at 5:35 at Pop!! For early Sept... What a rush!! Don't give up for those of you who are still trying..

 

[Felicis]

Ah, I kind of thought FD wouldn't work out for me, and it didn't. However, everyone moving to FD elsewhere freed up standard rooms at PORFQ, and changing to that from river view is in effect a room discount, in that out overall price has gone down, so I am happy with that! Yay!

 

[dolewhipdreams]

What's the giftcard thing people keep talking about?

Folks who booked at CBR before a certain date got an offer of a $75 GC/night as compensation for putting up with the construction. There was worry about losing the GCs when you modified your reservation for FD.

 

[SG131]

Edit: Did anyone else have this problem?

I had the same problem with a different resort for awhile.

 

[mousefan73]

can I pick everyone's brains? I'm making a power point, yes I'm obsessive. to show both my DH who is only familiar with TS dining and my friend and her DH who have never done dining.

don't worry about the small details (like costs I am going off gut - such as the no show fee - htis is justwhat I've thrown together in the last 10 minutes with no research - anyone else think of anything I'm missing. We've done the TS dining plan about 4 times so I feel like I have that under control. There are only a couple restaurants we really like and a couple we've wanted to try. If we did Akershus dinner and Ohana breakfast, those 2 out of pocket meals don't add up to the upgraded cost for either of our parties. So then it becomes a question of paying that OOP cost and keeping all those QS meals or paying the upgraded cost which we then have 4 more meals to come up with and we lose a lot of QS. as mentioned in a prior post, we are a party of 9 - 6 of whom are girls (14, 11, 10, & 7) or moms who all eat fairly light

QS plan
•Included in our cost already
•2 QS meals and 2 snacks per night per person
•This equals 24 snack credits and 24 QS meals for W party and 30 snack credits and 30 QS meals for S party

Pros to Quick Service
•No reservations to make!
•Smaller portions
•Can often convert 1 QS credit to 3 snacks if the dining partner offers it
•Easier to share meals for those who are lighter eaters
•We can eat breakfast in our cabins, thereby allowing everyone to have full 2 more meals each day.
•There are many QS options available around parks and resorts. Each country in EPCOT has excellent choices with unique dining
•Can still pay Out of Pocket (OOP) for certain TS meals if we want, possibly save 10% with Disney Visa and still have large number of QS meals left.

Cons to QS
•You can get in a rut with food options if you don’t choose wisely (too many eggs & burgers anyone?)
•No character meals

Disney Dining Plan (DDP)
•Upgraded cost to participate in the dining plan
•Includes one QS and one table service (TS) and 2 snacks per day per person
•Upgraded cost: S: $532.26 W: $507.84

Pros to DDP
•Character meals are included
•Can really save big if you eat expensive meals

Cons to DDP
•Reservations required –
–can be difficult to obtain
–you may end with a reservation time that overlaps a desired fast pass line
–you may be stuck in a line and your dining time is coming close
–there is a $10 per person no show fee
–You could be at on side of the park and your dining reservation is completely on the other side
–You must commit to a park 180 days in advance due to having to make reservations (Fast Pass is 60 days, so your commitment to a park is closer to travel dates)
•Tons of food
–All but one or 2 TS character meals are buffets. A lot of others are also buffets. Can be difficult to “eat your fill”
–Often leftovers on ordered meals (can’t easily be carried around) and buffets you can’t take anything with you either.

I think the answer is simple. Can you even get the ADRs for your larger group size to any of those TS you would be doing? Not sure when your ADR date is, but FDing.. books all the good ones out fast.

 

[tinkerbell1112]

I think the answer is simple. Can you even get the ADRs for your larger group size to any of those TS you would be doing? Not sure when your ADR date is, but FDing.. books all the good ones out fast.

oh GREAT point for the con. that could be very difficult

 

[dolewhipdreams]

can I pick everyone's brains? I'm making a power point, yes I'm obsessive. to show both my DH who is only familiar with TS dining and my friend and her DH who have never done dining.

don't worry about the small details (like costs I am going off gut - such as the no show fee - htis is justwhat I've thrown together in the last 10 minutes with no research - anyone else think of anything I'm missing. We've done the TS dining plan about 4 times so I feel like I have that under control. There are only a couple restaurants we really like and a couple we've wanted to try. If we did Akershus dinner and Ohana breakfast, those 2 out of pocket meals don't add up to the upgraded cost for either of our parties. So then it becomes a question of paying that OOP cost and keeping all those QS meals or paying the upgraded cost which we then have 4 more meals to come up with and we lose a lot of QS. as mentioned in a prior post, we are a party of 9 - 6 of whom are girls (14, 11, 10, & 7) or moms who all eat fairly light

QS plan
•Included in our cost already
•2 QS meals and 2 snacks per night per person
•This equals 24 snack credits and 24 QS meals for W party and 30 snack credits and 30 QS meals for S party

Pros to Quick Service
•No reservations to make!
•Smaller portions
•Can often convert 1 QS credit to 3 snacks if the dining partner offers it
•Easier to share meals for those who are lighter eaters
•We can eat breakfast in our cabins, thereby allowing everyone to have full 2 more meals each day.
•There are many QS options available around parks and resorts. Each country in EPCOT has excellent choices with unique dining
•Can still pay Out of Pocket (OOP) for certain TS meals if we want, possibly save 10% with Disney Visa and still have large number of QS meals left.

Cons to QS
•You can get in a rut with food options if you don’t choose wisely (too many eggs & burgers anyone?)
•No character meals

Disney Dining Plan (DDP)
•Upgraded cost to participate in the dining plan
•Includes one QS and one table service (TS) and 2 snacks per day per person
•Upgraded cost: S: $532.26 W: $507.84

Pros to DDP
•Character meals are included
•Can really save big if you eat expensive meals

Cons to DDP
•Reservations required –
–can be difficult to obtain
–you may end with a reservation time that overlaps a desired fast pass line
–you may be stuck in a line and your dining time is coming close
–there is a $10 per person no show fee
–You could be at on side of the park and your dining reservation is completely on the other side
–You must commit to a park 180 days in advance due to having to make reservations (Fast Pass is 60 days, so your commitment to a park is closer to travel dates)
•Tons of food
–All but one or 2 TS character meals are buffets. A lot of others are also buffets. Can be difficult to “eat your fill”
–Often leftovers on ordered meals (can’t easily be carried around) and buffets you can’t take anything with you either.

I love that you are making a powerpoint. We may be kindred spirits.

One plus to QS is that you get more park time, if that's important to you.
On the flip side, while it takes more time for a TS, you get to relax inside with some AC and comfy chairs.
It depends on which one is more important to you.

 

[jessiegirl1982]

Ohana breakfast is $34.08A, $20.24C
Akershus is $50.06A, $29.82 (B), $60.71A, $36.21C (L) and (D)

Do you have two rooms? If so, you might want to do the math for upgrading just one room to the regular DDP and sharing the credits. Just don't do it for the room with the child because their credits can only be used for kid's meals. So add in the kid's OOP price to your calculations.



Choose from any thing on the kid's menu. The "Mickey Check" meals are Disney's attempt to offer healthy meals to kids. You can mix and match the entrees and sides from all of them.

If she does upgrade one room, I would suggest to upgrade the one with the "child" as the upgrade is only just over $4 a day (and you are not going to find a kid's table service meal under that price).

 

[cshell624]

Congrats to all those who were able to book deals today, especially those at CBR with gift cards!! For those of you still looking to book, don't give up just yet. This offer can be booked till July so a lot could happen (cancellations, pin codes). I had to shorten my trip by 2 days so I could book FD, but I'm not giving up on those 2 days just yet. Otherwise, I'll have to cancel my date with Eugene (dang it). Remember, if this thread gets closed, here's the new one...
https://www.disboards.com/threads/2017-fall-planning.3599042/


Thanks @black562, @Disney Ron and @The Dirty Steve for looking out for us Disney discount addicts by sharing your info on the disboards!! It is very much appreciated!!

 

[lok1sgrl]

Well I was really pleased and thrilled that I got to change my ressie to FD this morning at 5:35 at Pop!! For early Sept... What a rush!! Don't give up for those of you who are still trying..

Same here. Upgraded to TS. I'm so happy and grateful to get this. Thank you everyone here for your support.

 

[squirrel]

can I pick everyone's brains? I'm making a power point, yes I'm obsessive. to show both my DH who is only familiar with TS dining and my friend and her DH who have never done dining.

don't worry about the small details (like costs I am going off gut - such as the no show fee - htis is justwhat I've thrown together in the last 10 minutes with no research - anyone else think of anything I'm missing. We've done the TS dining plan about 4 times so I feel like I have that under control. There are only a couple restaurants we really like and a couple we've wanted to try. If we did Akershus dinner and Ohana breakfast, those 2 out of pocket meals don't add up to the upgraded cost for either of our parties. So then it becomes a question of paying that OOP cost and keeping all those QS meals or paying the upgraded cost which we then have 4 more meals to come up with and we lose a lot of QS. as mentioned in a prior post, we are a party of 9 - 6 of whom are girls (14, 11, 10, & 7) or moms who all eat fairly light

QS plan
•Included in our cost already
•2 QS meals and 2 snacks per night per person
•This equals 48 snack credits and 48 QS meals for W party and 60snack credits and 60 QS meals for S party

Pros to Quick Service
•No reservations to make!
•Smaller portions
•Can often convert 1 QS credit to 3 snacks if the dining partner offers it
•Easier to share meals for those who are lighter eaters
•We can eat breakfast in our cabins, thereby allowing everyone to have full 2 more meals each day.
•There are many QS options available around parks and resorts. Each country in EPCOT has excellent choices with unique dining
•Can still pay Out of Pocket (OOP) for certain TS meals if we want, possibly save 10% with Disney Visa and still have large number of QS meals left.

Cons to QS
•You can get in a rut with food options if you don’t choose wisely (too many eggs & burgers anyone?)
•No character meals

Disney Dining Plan (DDP)
•Upgraded cost to participate in the dining plan
•Includes one QS and one table service (TS) and 2 snacks per day per person
•Upgraded cost: S: $532.26 W: $507.84

Pros to DDP
•Character meals are included
•Can really save big if you eat expensive meals

Cons to DDP
•Reservations required –
–can be difficult to obtain
–you may end with a reservation time that overlaps a desired fast pass line
–you may be stuck in a line and your dining time is coming close
–there is a $10 per person no show fee
–You could be at on side of the park and your dining reservation is completely on the other side
–You must commit to a park 180 days in advance due to having to make reservations (Fast Pass is 60 days, so your commitment to a park is closer to travel dates)
•Tons of food
–All but one or 2 TS character meals are buffets. A lot of others are also buffets. Can be difficult to “eat your fill”
–Often leftovers on ordered meals (can’t easily be carried around) and buffets you can’t take anything with you either.

I would keep the QSDP and pay out of pocket for those two TS meals. I am doing the same, only I have only booked one TS for a 10 night stay. You will save a lot more money on the tips. You will also have a lot more time for rides and attractions.

 

[Momzillay]

What link please?

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/resort-stay-dine-package/

 

[stayathomehero]

I have a question that I don't know the answer to. Last time, we flew in and checkin happened magically while on the Magic Express. This time, we're driving in. Do the dining credits start the morning of your arrival date, or do you have to actually "check in" to your hotel first? We have an earliest ADR at a different resort on our arrival date (Chef Mickey Brunch...I'm a little afraid based on reviews, some you have to try it at least once...right?).

 

[erigby]

WaHOO!!!!!!!Just added the QSFD to our reservation @ CBR standard room and kept our $75 GCs!

How?? I had a standard reservation and when I called to modify they told me I had to switch to a pirate room in order to qualify for free dining.

 

[Colt]

Hi everyone, I am a longtime lurker who wants to send a huge to all on this forum. The persistence finally paid off, I had been waiting for the offer to drop since midnight last night, the offer finally popped on my computer at 430 am central time. I just finally found success with a reservation that combined our limited vacation availabiity, children school schedules, the desire to be at disney for the christmas season, and to use our Caribbean beach $75 gift card per night. Our dates are Dec 09-23 in a standard view room with the free dining plan, and we have been informed by two cast members we will be able to combine the gift card with free dining... I am so tired yet so excited that our family dream trip will become a reality !!
A huge thank you to all of you who have been so gracious with your willingness to help others and provide assistance and support I am so impressed with this forum I just may come out of the shadows of lurkdom now...once again thank you to all for making my family dream come true, and I hope that all of you have your Disney trip dreams come true too!

 

[Neeky78]

Congrats to all those who were able to book deals today, especially those at CBR with gift cards!! For those of you still looking to book, don't give up just yet. This offer can be booked till July so a lot could happen (cancellations, pin codes). I had to shorten my trip by 2 days so I could book FD, but I'm not giving up on those 2 days just yet. Otherwise, I'll have to cancel my date with Eugene (dang it). Remember, if this thread gets closed, here's the new one...
https://www.disboards.com/threads/2017-fall-planning.3599042/


Thanks @black562, @Disney Ron and @The Dirty Steve for looking out for us Disney discount addicts by sharing your info on the disboards!! It is very much appreciated!!

And thanks @KimBean too! Had a ball everyone.

 

[Mindwellwasted]

The more and more I hear other people's experiences (plus my own) with trying to book Pop for early December, I really think Disney didn't release any FD rooms for the first 2 weeks of the month. Either holding them back to fill up the other resorts first or holding them back till closer to the promos end to see how behind they will be with the renos.


I've been checking all day to see if it would let me book my original dates (11/25-12/5), and while rooms have been coming and going for all the other resorts from people canceling, changing, etc, Pops been unavailable this whole time. Plus, I was on the site the minute it dropped this morning and nada. That has to be more to it then just bad pixie dust.


I'm still grateful I got the dates I got as it means I get to spend my birthday at Disney - something I never though I'd get to do working in retail - but it's interesting.

 

[monorailrabbit]

For those that were able to connect to someone live, what phone number did you use that's the "magical" one? All I'm getting is busy signals, "all circuits are busy" or "call cannot be completed at this time..." Help!

My "magical number": 407-827-7386 Good Luck!

Another post of encouragement - I was really about to give up when I was able to snag it! Keep trying! Even if your resort seems hopeless!!! I'm so happy for all of you who got what you wanted and I super hope the rest of you do as well!!

 

[Sadiemae76]

I agree after all the gift cards are just money going right back to Disney! Im bitter my TA lost my gc deal because she wasn't online till 7 and put me in a resort costing me a grand more!!!!!!

What!!!! Have your TA move you back to CBR!!! I looks like a lot of rooms have opened up I would contact them!

 

[unwritten01]

Thanks all for the insight. See ya'll in December!