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

[Neeky78]

Thank you, I was just wondering how they are tied? For instance what stops someone from making a Disney resort vacation and being able to book all dining reservations at 180 days plus the rest of the stay then cancelling the Disney resort vacation (and then staying offsite)? Just wanted to make sure that the change in reservation and adding FD does not cancel anything. thanks

Nothing to stop them! Except the hassle and the $200 holding deposit for the resort.

 

[Disneylover99]

I believe you can upgrade your tickets to AP at any time between now and your trip, and even while you're in your trip, and only pay the difference it would have been if you bought AP originally (but at the current prices). Your Fastpasses would roll over as it's all linked.

So I guess you could buy the tickets needed for fd and get your fastpasses then call up and speak to someone on the phone about upgrading the tickets to AP. I can't see why they would take the fd away as you're spending more money with the AP They want AP holders as they're the regular income as they spend money at the parks and on accomodation on a regular basis.

I'm not an expert, but I asked a similar question when speaking on the phone to a CM and the bottomline was you could always upgrade your tickets easily, with no financial disadvantage, but not go "down" in ticket levels.

You can access your package tickets up to 10 days early at guest services outside the parks. Once you access them, you can upgrade to an AP, but you cannot do this 60 days out or over the phone.

 

[stayathomehero]

Hi, I have a quick question. I saw last year that Disney Visa cardholders were able to receive free dining for earlier dates than the general public. How did this work? Did you need to go through Disney Rewards' website, or could you book on WDW's regular booking and it automatically applied if your visa is linked? Or did you need to call 407-W-Disney?

Thanks so much!

 

[Neeky78]

You can access your package tickets up to 10 days early at guest services outside the parks. Once you access them, you can upgrade to an AP, but you cannot do this 60 days out or over the phone.

Really?? When I spoke to a CM I was asking about this. I'm not 100% on how many days we'll need tickets for as we're still finalising itineraries with our friends. I asked if I purchased, for example, a 4 day ticket and then decided to go for 5 days, could I change it before we go and she said yes. She said I would just pay the difference between a 4 day and a 5 day pass and not a whole separate day, which is obviously more expensive.
I'm sure she said to just call back and they can do it over the phone, but they couldn't "downgrade" them once purchased.

If you're correct, then that throws a spanner in the works! I'd planned to buy the minimum park tickets for FD and then upgrade once we worked out what we were doing. We were going to have it sorted before the 60 day fastpass window opens up.

But if I can't add days until we're actually at the park in person, that won't work.

Hmmm.

 

[Elsaalltheway]

Really?? When I spoke to a CM I was asking about this. I'm not 100% on how many days we'll need tickets for as we're still finalising itineraries with our friends. I asked if I purchased, for example, a 4 day ticket and then decided to go for 5 days, could I change it before we go and she said yes. She said I would just pay the difference between a 4 day and a 5 day pass and not a whole separate day, which is obviously more expensive.
I'm sure she said to just call back and they can do it over the phone, but they couldn't "downgrade" them once purchased.

If you're correct, then that throws a spanner in the works! I'd planned to buy the minimum park tickets for FD and then upgrade once we worked out what we were doing. We were going to have it sorted before the 60 day fastpass window opens up.

But if I can't add days until we're actually at the park in person, that won't work.

Hmmm.

You can add days. I'm on a bounce back and I called and added two days and had all my days covered.

 

[Rusty2rules]

I can't book though because I'm not sure if we're going to be flying out of Long Island, Baltimore, or D.C./Reagan or Dulles!!! DH better find out soon about this job it's killing me!

You're hubby needs to get his priorities straight!

 

[DisneyLifePapioNe]

Hi, I have a quick question. I saw last year that Disney Visa cardholders were able to receive free dining for earlier dates than the general public. How did this work? Did you need to go through Disney Rewards' website, or could you book on WDW's regular booking and it automatically applied if your visa is linked? Or did you need to call 407-W-Disney?

Thanks so much!

I believe all you had to do is use your card for the minimum $200 deposit.

 

[Tom P.]

Hi, I have a quick question. I saw last year that Disney Visa cardholders were able to receive free dining for earlier dates than the general public. How did this work? Did you need to go through Disney Rewards' website, or could you book on WDW's regular booking and it automatically applied if your visa is linked? Or did you need to call 407-W-Disney?

Thanks so much!

Actually, I'm pretty sure that Disney Visa cardholders have not been given early access to the free dining promotion for the last couple of years, though that was once the case.

 

[stayathomehero]

Actually, I'm pretty sure that Disney Visa cardholders have not been given early access to the free dining promotion for the last couple of years, though that was once the case.

I meant that they had access to an earlier set of dates (starting August 14th instead of August 23rd).

 

[DisneyLifePapioNe]

Last year we got one week more available to us then the public but it dropped across the board at once card holders could actually check in like 8-14 public was 8-21 I think.

 

[DisneyLifePapioNe]

I'm ready for Free Dining to be released......like at any second now would be perrrrfect!!!

 

[Disneylover99]

Really?? When I spoke to a CM I was asking about this. I'm not 100% on how many days we'll need tickets for as we're still finalising itineraries with our friends. I asked if I purchased, for example, a 4 day ticket and then decided to go for 5 days, could I change it before we go and she said yes. She said I would just pay the difference between a 4 day and a 5 day pass and not a whole separate day, which is obviously more expensive.
I'm sure she said to just call back and they can do it over the phone, but they couldn't "downgrade" them once purchased.

If you're correct, then that throws a spanner in the works! I'd planned to buy the minimum park tickets for FD and then upgrade once we worked out what we were doing. We were going to have it sorted before the 60 day fastpass window opens up.

But if I can't add days until we're actually at the park in person, that won't work.

Hmmm.

You can definitely change your 4 day ticket to a 5 day ticket ahead of time.....up to a 10 day ticket, but you cannot upgrade your ticket to an AP over the phone. I was just responding to the bolded part of your answer.

 

[SKYYCAMEL]

The wait for the FD announcement is killing me. I'm working with Lisa at Dreams Unlimited Travel. I hope she's on top of things when the hammer drops!

 

[nagshead]

Refreshing. All. Day. Long.

 

[JackieO]

Refreshing. All. Day. Long.

SAME

 

[pigletto]

I'm ready for Free Dining to be released......like at any second now would be perrrrfect!!!

Thumping my forehead down on the table in agreement. THUD. I just want to stop all the obsessive checking and rechecking. I'm so impatient.

 

[pammydw]

The wait for the FD announcement is killing me. I'm working with Lisa at Dreams Unlimited Travel. I hope she's on top of things when the hammer drops!

Does this mean there is an expected announcement soon?

 

[sjs314]

But if u book new reservation you pay new ticket prices right? I booked before they increased.So if I book new reservation I lose my little savings on ticket prices. ..? Did the increase go up really high if its a small amount then I guess its ok.

When FD comes out if you change aka modify your reservation to take advantage of the promo you are charged the new ticket prices anyway.

 

[Taylor F.]

Refreshing. All. Day. Long.

I'm glad you are. Update here the moment something changes. lol that way I don't have to refresh.

 

[KimBean]

Really?? When I spoke to a CM I was asking about this. I'm not 100% on how many days we'll need tickets for as we're still finalising itineraries with our friends. I asked if I purchased, for example, a 4 day ticket and then decided to go for 5 days, could I change it before we go and she said yes. She said I would just pay the difference between a 4 day and a 5 day pass and not a whole separate day, which is obviously more expensive.
I'm sure she said to just call back and they can do it over the phone, but they couldn't "downgrade" them once purchased.

If you're correct, then that throws a spanner in the works! I'd planned to buy the minimum park tickets for FD and then upgrade once we worked out what we were doing. We were going to have it sorted before the 60 day fastpass window opens up.

But if I can't add days until we're actually at the park in person, that won't work.

Hmmm.

My experience is from 2014 so keep that in mind. When I booked mine free dining was already out. I goofed and thought I booked for 9 nights and 10 days with 10 day tickets. I really purchased 8 nights and 9 days with 9 day tickets. I called and they added on the additional night and ticket day without issue.