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

[Disneylover99]

Ok, I welcome any and all opinions on this matter!

I am going down to Disney in September regardless of FD. However, if FD is available to us we can stay in CS for around $140 more total than if we stayed at POP, assuming we upgrade to regular dining on top of the FD at POP which we would do. Does anyone think this is worth it? I stayed at CS a while ago when I was younger so I don't remember much, and I've never stayed at POP. This is a girls weekend so no children. Is the extra $140 worth it to upgrade if FD is available? If no FD then we are sticking with POP anyways. Just want to see if anyone here likes CS and thinks that the extra $ would be worth it.

It might be worth it. How long are you staying? And are you comparing a standard room at CSR to a standard room at Pop? We stayed at CSR last year instead of Pop because we were doing TS restaurants but that's because we managed to snag a standard room at CSR. If we had to get a water view or preferred room, we would have stuck with Pop.

 

[scard192]

Me too!!!!!!!!!!!



I didn't get the email Is there some link on it that you could share? Or info about how or where you register? I pay all of the things you mentioned with my DV so I would love the extra perks!

there is a button in the e-mail to click to enroll, maybe try logging into your DV account with Chase and look at offers

 

[Disneylover99]

our kids are older now and very vocal last year that they wanted to spend as much time as possible on attractions and not "waste time" in TS restaurants. Was so nice eat when we wanted and where we wanted instead of where I decided 6 months before. when the kids were younger we did DDP and a lot of character meals.

Like the freedom of QS meals especially now that we are locked in with FP+ times.

We switch it up every year now. Quick service one year, table service the next. So we alternate between Pop and one of the mods. It works out great!

 

[Disneylover99]

As I'm sitting here at work dreaming of free dining, I'm considering changing/adding some ADRs.

Thoughts on Tusker House or Boma???

I've never eaten at either but can't decide between the two. Has anyone eaten at both? Tusker is a character meal but the food options at Boma looked a bit better? Thoughts?

in advance!

I love the food at Boma, but I like Tusker house. Boma just feels so much upscale in comparison to Tusker House. It's quieter and feels less chaotic.

 

[Rusty2rules]

We are staying at Pop with FD for two weeks this summer. We will not be upgrading to TS. We like the flexibility of all quick service meals. It makes our vacation really relaxing and enjoyable.

That's interesting. I never looked at it that way. Hmmmmm...

 

[Disneylover99]

That's interesting. I never looked at it that way. Hmmmmm...

I just find being tied down to ADR's can be stressful. It's easy to switch up fp's, or blow them off, but you don't want to be dinged with cancellation fees for ADR's, so you force your family to go to places when they are really not in the mood, or too tired to enjoy it.

 

[Avalon_toon]

We're hoping to stay at POP with free dining during the last two weeks of August... do you think it's better to book a room now and switch to free dining if/when it becomes available, or NOT to book a room, and so hopefully encourage Disney to offer the promotion during those weeks because they have unbooked rooms? We would probably stay off-site if free dining wasn't offered.

 

[Disneylover99]

We're hoping to stay at POP with free dining during the last two weeks of August... do you think it's better to book a room now and switch to free dining if/when it becomes available, or NOT to book a room, and so hopefully encourage Disney to offer the promotion during those weeks because they have unbooked rooms? We would probably stay off-site if free dining wasn't offered.

Just wait.

 

[JackieO]

Ok, I welcome any and all opinions on this matter!

I am going down to Disney in September regardless of FD. However, if FD is available to us we can stay in CS for around $140 more total than if we stayed at POP, assuming we upgrade to regular dining on top of the FD at POP which we would do. Does anyone think this is worth it? I stayed at CS a while ago when I was younger so I don't remember much, and I've never stayed at POP. This is a girls weekend so no children. Is the extra $140 worth it to upgrade if FD is available? If no FD then we are sticking with POP anyways. Just want to see if anyone here likes CS and thinks that the extra $ would be worth it.

I like Pop and when we do value that our pick every time, but at only $140 to upgrade I would do that for sure! CS rooms have been in the top of my favorites list. For me it would be right behind our CL Savannah View at AKL. Those huge sliding wooden doors?!

 

[DisneyNic]

our kids are older now and very vocal last year that they wanted to spend as much time as possible on attractions and not "waste time" in TS restaurants. Was so nice eat when we wanted and where we wanted instead of where I decided 6 months before. when the kids were younger we did DDP and a lot of character meals.

Like the freedom of QS meals especially now that we are locked in with FP+ times.

I just find being tied down to ADR's can be stressful. It's easy to switch up fp's, or blow them off, but you don't want to be dinged with cancellation fees for ADR's, so you force your family to go to places when they are really not in the mood, or too tired to enjoy it.

This is exactly how I feel. Our first trip, we snagged FD at Sports which back then was the regular plan. We did a ton of really great TS (CRT, Chef Mickey, Tusker, Crystal Palace, Coral Reef, Tony's, Sci-fi, Rose & Crown). For a first trip, it couldn't have been any better. The next trip was a girl's trip with QS FD. We did do a couple of TS OOP, but I loved being able to stop and eat when we were ready instead of saying "I know we just left a TS 45 minutes ago, but it's time to check into our next one." The TS are great, but they take so much time planning and then actual time during your vacation. It's nice to go with the flow!!

We're hoping to stay at POP with free dining during the last two weeks of August... do you think it's better to book a room now and switch to free dining if/when it becomes available, or NOT to book a room, and so hopefully encourage Disney to offer the promotion during those weeks because they have unbooked rooms? We would probably stay off-site if free dining wasn't offered.

If you won't use that reservation without free dining, I wouldn't book it.

 

[Avalon_toon]

Just wait.

I was thinking this too... but its so hard to start planning a trip and not book something! Must learn self-control...

 

[JackieO]

I'm about to start my spreadsheet. Wish me luck..... Oh it's 5:15 maybe I should start dinner first. Oh real life why do you plague me???

 

[DisneyNic]

I'm about to start my spreadsheet. Wish me luck..... Oh it's 5:15 maybe I should start dinner first. Oh real life why do you plague me???

Eh, dinner can wait. If you put it off long enough, they will just eat cereal!!

 

[Disneylover99]

I was thinking this too... but its so hard to start planning a trip and not book something! Must learn self-control...

I know. Easier said then done.

 

[JP267]

My TA says she hasn't heard any FD rumors...I'm still going with 4/17.Our trip dates are 8/24 to 9/1.So if FD is for 8/28-9/1 hypothetically we qualify right? Or no?Confused.....Would we have to pay out of pocket for the 24th-27th? Can someone break it down please?

Unfortunately FD has to be available on the day you check in to apply it to your entire stay. The only other way is to split the reservation in two and get the FD the 2nd half of your stay.

 

[jdubbsx10]

It might be worth it. How long are you staying? And are you comparing a standard room at CSR to a standard room at Pop? We stayed at CSR last year instead of Pop because we were doing TS restaurants but that's because we managed to snag a standard room at CSR. If we had to get a water view or preferred room, we would have stuck with Pop.

We are staying 5 day/4 nights. Yes, I'm comparing standard and standard. If I needed to switch to water or preferred at CSR I would definitely stay at pop. We do have a few TS ADR's already that we plan on keeping because either way we plan on upgrading the DP if we end up getting POP. So I guess I will snag CSR if I can get a standard and FD if not we're at POP regardless.

 

[DisneyDreamers3]

We are staying at Pop with FD for two weeks this summer. We will not be upgrading to TS. We like the flexibility of all quick service meals. It makes our vacation really relaxing and enjoyable.

I'm with you on this! We are going on a 14 day FD BB this September at Pop and we LOVE the flexibility and freedom that the QS plan offers

 

[Disneylover99]

We are staying 5 day/4 nights. Yes, I'm comparing standard and standard. If I needed to switch to water or preferred at CSR I would definitely stay at pop. We do have a few TS ADR's already that we plan on keeping because either way we plan on upgrading the DP if we end up getting POP. So I guess I will snag CSR if I can get a standard and FD if not we're at POP regardless.

That sounds like a good plan to me.

 

[goldnvalli]

Oh boy!! I was so busy at work today with State Testing for the kiddies that I didn't get a chance to read any posts. Now I have 10 pages to catch up on. Can't wait!!

 

[Shelbizzles]

Sooo slightly but I was randomly checking the flights for my trip and they went down and are perfect times for what I want. But I really want to wait for FD because if it does come out then I'm more then willing to adjust my dates. Ahhhhhh I just want free dining to come out.