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

[scrappinginontario]

What date are you checking out @Michelle512? You are able to book the BB and date within your stay. I have stayed at Pop in the last week of August and successfully booked a FD BB for the following year. Not sure what date it normally starts being offered. If it's not available when you arrive I would keep trying right through the length of your stay as the BB offer may change during your stay.

 

[stayathomehero]

For everyone stressing about ADRs, it's always good to be open to adjust your schedule and keep checking, because you never know when things will pop up. Last trip, we were able to book BOG the day before because there happened to be an opening. You never know who's going to cancel and when.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

For everyone stressing about ADRs, it's always good to be open to adjust your schedule and keep checking, because you never know when things will pop up. Last trip, we were able to book BOG the day before because there happened to be an opening. You never know who's going to cancel and when.

You could also try the touring plans reservation finder, it finds hard-to-get reservations for you

 

[Michelle512]

What date are you checking out @Michelle512? You are able to book the BB and date within your stay. I have stayed at Pop in the last week of August and successfully booked a FD BB for the following year. Not sure what date it normally starts being offered. If it's not available when you arrive I would keep trying right through the length of your stay as the BB offer may change during your stay.

Thank you! That's good to know. This is our first August travel time.. but I think that August will likely be our new month to travel since the kid's schools just don't seem to understand Disney's educational value as exused absence We will be there from the 16th. through to the 22nd so I'm hoping the BB might be switched to FD while we are there. That would work out great! I was curious if the August BB is generally FD, which looks like it's a possibility.

 

[sharonabe]

I apologize if this question has already been asked, I did search but there are so many free dining posts it was difficult to browse through them all.
For the ticket requirement, do you need to purchase a ticket for every person in the room who will be participating in the free dining? We are thinking of going the week after Thanksgiving and staying at the Poly. My husband is military, and the military tickets end up being cheaper than free dining, unless I can purchase a ticket for my 6 year-old to satisfy the ticket requirement and then purchase the rest of our tickets using the salute discount. Thanks!

It sounds like you need to do some math. We are also eligible for the military discounts, and they are a better discount that FD.

First, though, do you have the military discount on the room at Poly? Make sure you call and ask for that. There may not be any rooms available, but I'm betting there are. The 40% off at the Poly and the Salute tickets should be way less than the FD offer would be as you have to pay rack rate for the room.

 

[KimBean]

30 % off rooms through 8-31 l. The same as the other ones. At least I know I am on the list. That is if there is a list to be on....

Is it even 30% off value?

 

[Attracted to Beasts]

Thank you! That's good to know. This is our first August travel time.. but I think that August will likely be our new month to travel since the kid's schools just don't seem to understand Disney's educational value as exused absence We will be there from the 16th. through to the 22nd so I'm hoping the BB might be switched to FD while we are there. That would work out great! I was curious if the August BB is generally FD, which looks like it's a possibility.

We were there last August (8/27-9/1) with FD. There was no flyer in my room but I called the Bounceback number and asked if there were any deals. I was able to book the FD BB for this year.

 

[pooch]

I used to at least get a few emails from Disney Destinations. Then I helped a friend plan her trip & ordered park maps sent to her house as a surprise for her kids. Then I got email offers...... in HER name! I called. I emailed. I begged but could not get her off. Finally, I was told they would just delete the account and I could set another up for myself. That was it, never got anything from them ever again :-/

 

[dwalterpsu]

I used to at least get a few emails from Disney Destinations. Then I helped a friend plan her trip & ordered park maps sent to her house as a surprise for her kids. Then I got email offers...... in HER name! I called. I emailed. I begged but could not get her off. Finally, I was told they would just delete the account and I could set another up for myself. That was it, never got anything from them ever again :-/

Wow!! I thought I was the only one. I always plan our trip. Last year, another couple went with our family. Prior to that, I had never received a UOC. Since our last trip, I have received 6....all in the name my friend.....sent to my email. I have never tried to use one, so I didn't now what would happen if I did. Did you ever try to use one?

 

[JackieO]

So I'm looking at my plan in case I don't get FD (I know, I know, don't stone me ) I'm wondering if anyone has experience with planning for FD and then paying for those same plans OOP. Did you end up paying less than you would have with the DP? I know some of you are going to say I will have to do the math, and believe me I've tried. I know what I'm asking for and that someone elses experience would be different from my own, but I'm asking it anyway. Just want to know other's experiences.

 

[pooch]

Wow!! I thought I was the only one. I always plan our trip. Last year, another couple went with our family. Prior to that, I had never received a UOC. Since our last trip, I have received 6....all in the name my friend.....sent to my email. I have never tried to use one, so I didn't now what would happen if I did. Did you ever try to use one?

I called guest relations & firmly but nicely insisted they let me use a free dining pin I got for May of 2012. They hemmed & hawed but I finally got a call back & they booked it for me. In 2013 it happened again & again I was able to book free dining at POFQ for early December. Haven't gotten a code in anybody's name since.

 

[scrappinginontario]

This is a link that will be super helpful to you @JackieO !!

 

[FinnsMom7]

Funny enough I just got an email from Disney Destinations with an "update" now including the code - guess they are slowly sending out second emails

 

[jknc]

youre welcome

 

[tchull]

Quick question...this will be our first fall trip and first attempt for FD. If I'm not able to get FD...do they usually offer some sort of fall room discount? I've got my budget figured on no discounts or promotions, but was just curious. Thanks!

 

[JackieO]

This is a link that will be super helpful to you @JackieO !!

Thank you so much. I'll go check that out!!

 

[dolewhipdreams]

Quick question...this will be our first fall trip and first attempt for FD. If I'm not able to get FD...do they usually offer some sort of fall room discount? I've got my budget figured on no discounts or promotions, but was just curious. Thanks!

Yes, they have offered a room only discount in the past. Usually 10-30% off, depending on the resort category.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

Quick question...this will be our first fall trip and first attempt for FD. If I'm not able to get FD...do they usually offer some sort of fall room discount? I've got my budget figured on no discounts or promotions, but was just curious. Thanks!

In the past we've been able to get one or the other. I'm hoping that's true this year as well since we are in the same boat -- booked a trip and budgeting for rack rate but hoping for free dining or a room discount. Frankly, a room discount seems more likely for us since we are traveling in early November, and last year those dates were blacked out for the free dining offer.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Is it even 30% off value?

The one I got was 30% off deluxe, 20% off mods and values

 

[tchull]

In the past we've been able to get one or the other. I'm hoping that's true this year as well since we are in the same boat -- booked a trip and budgeting for rack rate but hoping for free dining or a room discount. Frankly, a room discount seems more likely for us since we are traveling in early November, and last year those dates were blacked out for the free dining offer.

Thank you @GeorgiaHoo and @dolewhipdreams! We are planning for Sept 6-10, so I'm hoping our dates will line up. We do have a bit of flexibility though. I'm just so ready to know one way or another. I love the "chase" of all this, but it's stressful too. And I think my husband is seriously tired of me talking about it. lol