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

[Elsaalltheway]

I was referring to it being refurbished for the 50 anniversary not it being announced this far ahead of time.

I totally get that, but it would be a good excuse.

 

[KimBean]

I just thought it was odd that most of September is excluded which has some worried that it won't be offered in the gp offer.

Yeah I understood. Your post just inspired me to want to review last year. My mind went for this year we know what X looks like, what did X and Y look like last year and how did they compare, take away or add dates.

 

[KimBean]

I totally get that, but it would be a good excuse.

I'm really curious about this. I think it must need a long refurb that is neither here nor there. But, for the 50th? That's like 4 more years right? It will need it again. lol

 

[Lesley Wake]

So, because I always have to be super prepared (it's a serious issue ), I tested changing a reservation by making a single-night, confirming it, then switching to a different offer (then cancelled the res entirely). Here were the steps (with photos, because I am crazy, and procrastinating actually doing my work):

1) Go to "Change Reservation" in My Disney Experience. Hopefully it's fixed and everyone has it back by the time FD drops.
2) Select "Change" next to Vacation offer
3) Select the offer. If necessary, change dates/room type/resort. Click "Select"
4) Review reservation and click "Check Out"
5) Review again and click "Purchase". Be careful at this point. My computer had issues and the script stopped working; this was in the middle of a day without special offers, and my browser crashed, losing the offer. If I had been doing it for real, I would have had to go back to Step 1.
6) (optional) pass out with relief!

Note: the offer I put in didn't have any stipulations about purchasing park tickets or park hoppers. I do not know how complicated it gets if you have a room only or MYW without PH, and that is one of the requirements. I.e. I don't know if it will let you add the FD offer, then change the ticket type or if you need the correct ticket type then can add the offer. I also did not attempt to change resort or dates.

 

[KimBean]

So, because I always have to be super prepared (it's a serious issue ), I tested changing a reservation by making a single-night, confirming it, then switching to a different offer (then cancelled the res entirely). Here were the steps (with photos, because I am crazy, and procrastinating actually doing my work):

1) Go to "Change Reservation" in My Disney Experience. Hopefully it's fixed and everyone has it back by the time FD drops.
2) Select "Change" next to Vacation offer
3) Select the offer. If necessary, change dates/room type/resort. Click "Select"
4) Review reservation and click "Check Out"
5) Review again and click "Purchase". Be careful at this point. My computer had issues and the script stopped working; this was in the middle of a day without special offers, and my browser crashed, losing the offer. If I had been doing it for real, I would have had to go back to Step 1.
6) (optional) pass out with relief!

Note: the offer I put in didn't have any stipulations about purchasing park tickets or park hoppers. I do not know how complicated it gets if you have a room only or MYW without PH, and that is one of the requirements. I.e. I don't know if it will let you add the FD offer, then change the ticket type or if you need the correct ticket type then can add the offer. I also did not attempt to change resort or dates.

Nicely done! I remember the last time I went when FastPass + was still new and someone took pics of the whole process. It made me so relieved knowing exactly what it would look like when it was time. Thanks so much for doing this!

 

[squirrel]

I love the earlier predictions. I also did my own predictions using previous years dates. I booked with the free CS meal per day offer and hope that Free Dining will be announced for the dates I have planned. That deal was better than having nothing but FD would be even better, I won't bother upgrading from the QSDP.

 

[zebrastreyepz]

We are booked at POFQ in September. If...and I know it's an if...FD pops up for our time there, traditionally this resort is NOT included?

Would it be wise to move my reservation now to Coronado Springs?

 

[Elsaalltheway]

I'm really curious about this. I think it must need a long refurb that is neither here nor there. But, for the 50th? That's like 4 more years right? It will need it again. lol

I would rather hear that its for an update, then hear something is wrong and needs to be replaced.

 

[vever]

So, because I always have to be super prepared (it's a serious issue ), I tested changing a reservation by making a single-night, confirming it, then switching to a different offer (then cancelled the res entirely). Here were the steps (with photos, because I am crazy, and procrastinating actually doing my work):

1) Go to "Change Reservation" in My Disney Experience. Hopefully it's fixed and everyone has it back by the time FD drops.
2) Select "Change" next to Vacation offer
3) Select the offer. If necessary, change dates/room type/resort. Click "Select"
4) Review reservation and click "Check Out"
5) Review again and click "Purchase". Be careful at this point. My computer had issues and the script stopped working; this was in the middle of a day without special offers, and my browser crashed, losing the offer. If I had been doing it for real, I would have had to go back to Step 1.
6) (optional) pass out with relief!

Note: the offer I put in didn't have any stipulations about purchasing park tickets or park hoppers. I do not know how complicated it gets if you have a room only or MYW without PH, and that is one of the requirements. I.e. I don't know if it will let you add the FD offer, then change the ticket type or if you need the correct ticket type then can add the offer. I also did not attempt to change resort or dates.

Love this, thanks!

 

[Elsaalltheway]

We are booked at POFQ in September. If...and I know it's an if...FD pops up for our time there, traditionally this resort is NOT included?

Would it be wise to move my reservation now to Coronado Springs?

I haven't known FQ to be offered, its usually one of those that is excluded. I would suggest just waiting till the drop.

 

[mkillian21]

You've had no water for a month? OMG!

That's great that it was the transformer and not the pump! Ours is the pump and because the ground was frozen (now completely muddy and still a bit frozen and it has been raining all day making the ground much worse))" nobody can fix it yet. My hubby can't pull the pump out. It's completely stuck. We have a temporary fix but pretty much without water unless my hubby turns on he temporary pump to use. It sucks in air which is why we can't use it al the time. So we can't do laundry or run the dishwasher yet. . It's been extremely stressful. I am so thankful he agreed to do a disney trip later this year so I have something good to look forward to!!

 

[menotyou21]

This is weird or new for this year as I always book my package before tickets go up and have always had to pay the difference in ticket prices when adding FD, unless I've booked a BB. It's always been explained to me that hey don't just add the FD to existing reservations they book a whole new one and just keep the same reservation number.

I seen others say the same as you. As mentioned, they all seem to say different things. I guess I expected DSS to be more "in-the-know", but it would appear not. I sent them an email last night about 2 items, both related to "what is really true". They called me just now in response to my email. I was in a meeting and will have to call back, but it would lead me to believe they don't want to put anything in writing now.

 

[cshell624]

I remember back in 2013 when free dining came out, I had to call to add it. I don't remember even looking for the change reservation option online. Not to sure it was there, cuz I was stalking these boards and no one mentioned it. However, they did mention a special phone number to call that I didn't see anywhere on the Disney site. Anybody know this phone number?

You should be able to call the main line (407-WDISNEY) and have it added.

 

[vever]

Any more rumors/news on if CBR will be included in FD? Nervous about booking there if it's not. I don't want to have to change resorts/cancel reservation. Anxiously waiting...

 

[disneydreamer1980]

If CBR isnt included, lots of folks are gonna transfer elsewhere then Disney will have to fill it up somehow again...my guess is they'll allow double dipping for those who already have the GC offer...just my guess though

 

[vever]

I’m not sure if anyone else has done this yet.

Let assume the dates are the same as last year, just adjusted for the way the days fall in 2017 vs 2016.

These would be the key dates:

Announcement date: 4/24/17.

Arrival dates for free dining:

Aug 13 – Sept 30,

Nov 3 – Nov 4,

Nov 14 – Nov 21,

Nov 26 – Nov 28,

Dec 9 – Dec 20

These would be great if it works out this way; crossing my fingers this is the way it plays out!

 

[KCanuck]

So, because I always have to be super prepared (it's a serious issue ), I tested changing a reservation by making a single-night, confirming it, then switching to a different offer (then cancelled the res entirely). Here were the steps (with photos, because I am crazy, and procrastinating actually doing my work):

1) Go to "Change Reservation" in My Disney Experience. Hopefully it's fixed and everyone has it back by the time FD drops.
2) Select "Change" next to Vacation offer
3) Select the offer. If necessary, change dates/room type/resort. Click "Select"
4) Review reservation and click "Check Out"
5) Review again and click "Purchase". Be careful at this point. My computer had issues and the script stopped working; this was in the middle of a day without special offers, and my browser crashed, losing the offer. If I had been doing it for real, I would have had to go back to Step 1.
6) (optional) pass out with relief!

Note: the offer I put in didn't have any stipulations about purchasing park tickets or park hoppers. I do not know how complicated it gets if you have a room only or MYW without PH, and that is one of the requirements. I.e. I don't know if it will let you add the FD offer, then change the ticket type or if you need the correct ticket type then can add the offer. I also did not attempt to change resort or dates.

Thank you for this.

 

[vever]

If CBR isnt included, lots of folks are gonna transfer elsewhere then Disney will have to fill it up somehow again...my guess is they'll allow double dipping for those who already have the GC offer...just my guess though

I'm hoping you are right, I can't imagine they'd want all those cancellations

 

[disneydreamer1980]

I reallly hope there are some late november-december dates in there...my dates are pretty flexible as long as it's in november or december, not too close to the craziness of christmas. I'm booked from 11/25-12/5 for now.

 

[cshell624]

Seems a long way away to refurbish for that.

I seen that it would be down Aug 28-Nov 16 however nothing that it would be for the 50th anniversary. Doesn't make sens for it to be for the 50th anniversary since that won't be until 2021, they just celebrated the 45th on Oct 1, 2016. And I hope it is back open on Nov 17th as that's my 40th birthday.

I agree, it does seem a bit strange since rides are always going down for refurbs, but that was the reason given on the thread regarding the refurb .

What a great birthday gift it would be if the ride is back up and running by then.