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

[Marianm]

That’s great! Silly question, did you had a Disney Resort reservation? I’d like to make some dining reservation but I don’t have a Resort reservation yet, so I would be trying on the 180 day mark but without the +10 rule thingy. Would I really be at a disadvantage? Or does Disney keeps a percentage of occupancy free up until the actual 180 days (which seems unlikely)?

I did have a resort reservation. I think being able to make 180+ out definitely helps. Especially when making reservations for later in your trip.

 

[Janet McDonald]

Schedule BOG for as late in your trip as you can. For example, if you arrive on a Monday, that day will be someone's Day 2, or 3 or more (up to 10 days) as they're checking in before you. It will be within more people's "window" to book than the Friday will be.

So booking BOG for Friday will mean only a few people will have had access to it before you and is more likely to have availability.

We are arriving on a Saturday in December and staying seven days. We want an 8:00 am CRT and a BOG dinner. Which one should I try for first?

 

[disneydreamer1980]

I know that the CL processional dinner package is 2 credits on the DDP, anyone know if ROL package will be the same? And how about the Fantasmic package? Anyone know? TIA

 

[TwoMisfits]

Wow, I too find it interesting.
I RD almost every day. I will bang out 3-5 rides and then will use my fp+ (Thinking of booking another fp+ in a different park then get lunch in that park)afternoon is lunch or snack till dinner. Head to relax for the hour or two somewhere or will switch parks with the express bus, Then evening entertainment. (getting more fp+'s whenever we can using the app on my phone)

What I don't get, is ppl saying dining isn't worth it?
QS meals are about 15 each
you get 2 of those- 30 right there
You get 2 snack credits (don't use them for popcorn or ice cream use them for bigger snacks (5-7bucks each)
10-14 right there
You get the mug (12-17 week?)
15 right there

30 (qs)
10 (snacks)
15 mug
--
55 right there.

I know its pricey 15 for a burger fries and drink is like omg a lot but most Qs are in that price range. I added it up it makes sense for my family. My son is now 14 and eating like he is starving all the time. (no more sharing)

BOG (B, L, D), (Flame Tree), ( Library Inn) ( (Polly dinner show (first night we arrive if can make it work)) (CL meal deal in Epcot with the German buffet (I was born in Germany, so this was a must do for me)) (Tusker House buffet for rol) (Crystal Palace brunch buffet) and (Hollywood Vine buffet for F)
As you see I am planning most meals to save me time at some night time shows too. Or have an extra show during the time we are eating. To maximize our time.

These are the meals we want to do. We do not like a lot of spice, and we stick to a simple pallet with some small extra flavors. I like the buffets because we can sit down and be ready to get food. It takes less to eat, and we do try different things each time. This helps us try and open our flavor pallets.

My Husband has even decided that the extra (100 or so we may have saved if paid out of pocket. Is not worth the stress. He would rather know were fed the whole time and not need to save money for the big meals and then as qs meals happen we would be pushing to share them and being stressed.

Now if we can get free dining I think It would be worth it. Right now I'm paying a little more then I wish for 10 nights 8day hopper and dining plan. If I could save more, I would be happy. However, even if it did not work, I would be ok. If we can upgrade to a bigger room and get fd for right about what I'm paying already or a tiny bit more. To me, it would be worth it.

I know everyone is different and has to go for what they and their families would agree with.
I have a 14-year-old who still enjoys hanging with mom and dad, getting autographs and pics with characters and just having fun. He is not like some teens out there, but we asked him. "We know you will be 15, do you want an autograph book at wdw?" he said "of course I do Mom, why wouldn't I?
Dad and I were so proud LOL

The Mug would only be $2/day if you are there all week, so your cost should really be $42/day by your Math - it's only $15 if you book a 1 day stay...

 

[Susan Doeberl]

We are arriving on a Saturday in December and staying seven days. We want an 8:00 am CRT and a BOG dinner. Which one should I try for first?

Do the BOG first. Dinner is the hard one to get.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

I know that the CL processional dinner package is 2 credits on the DDP, anyone know if ROL package will be the same? And how about the Fantasmic package? Anyone know? TIA

Fantasmic package is one credit (Mama Melrose or H&V). ROL package is one credit for TH but I believe 2 credits for Tiffins.

 

[Tink64]

Booked POFQ Sept 18th-23rd ( no room discount) ...4 adults women...usually POFQ not included in FD.......We are not big eaters so when/if FD becomes available we will just way our options really like ROFQ and no we will have to switch resorts so we will have to weight out the price difference. ADR already made and only big ADR is Crystal Palace and Chef Mickeys....

 

[flounder3]

We are going to do just QS this time for our 4 day trip. What are your favorites? These have been such interesting post! THank you so much for sharing your info. Helps us newbies out!!

 

[Jellybass]

We are going to do just QS this time for our 4 day trip. What are your favorites? These have been such interesting post! THank you so much for sharing your info. Helps us newbies out!!

Our favorites in each park;

Wolfgang Pucks Express - Disney Springs
Be Our Guest (lunch) - Magic Kingdom
Flame Tree BBQ - Animal Kingdom
Cantina San Angel - Epcot
Starring Rolls cafe - Hollywood studios

 

[Sarahboo]

We are going to do just QS this time for our 4 day trip. What are your favorites? These have been such interesting post! THank you so much for sharing your info. Helps us newbies out!!

I've had great QS experiences at:

Columbia Harbor House in MK (though I think BOG sounds worth a try I've just never eaten there myself)

Flame Tree BBQ in AK

Sunshine Seasons in Epcot


There are so many choices!

 

[dolewhipdreams]

We are going to do just QS this time for our 4 day trip. What are your favorites? These have been such interesting post! THank you so much for sharing your info. Helps us newbies out!!

Faves are:
Flame Tree BBQ (AK)
Tangierine Cafe (Epcot)
BOG lunch (MK)
Pecos Bills (MK)
Backlot Express (MK)
Yak & Yeti Local Foods (AK)

One of the best things about WDW is getting QS meals that are unique!!

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

We are going to do just QS this time for our 4 day trip. What are your favorites? These have been such interesting post! THank you so much for sharing your info. Helps us newbies out!!

Disney Springs - Wolfgang Pucks Express
MK - Pecos Bills
AK - Flame Tree BBQ
Epcot - Mexico booth
HS - not many good options here unfortunately

 

[ParryOttertheChosenBoy]

We booked a package. EEEEK. First time ever booking Disney and I haven't been since I was a kid! We're really hoping for FD-- it would help us out a LOT-- but we're still making it work without so we just wanted to make sure we had our room and favorite dates reserved. We do have 6 standby options worked out if we need to change it for a promo.

I have a few more questions about the process/strategy. I was reading through the 2016 dining watch thread and see some people saying they couldn't modify their reservation online (once they tried to check out) and they wished they hadn't already booked, and then others had no issue. Is there a particular reason people might not be able to modify? Right now my page has the change reservation option and I can look at offers, change dates and room type, etc. like a previous poster said I would, so I assume it's OK?

Presuming I'm able to modify, should I plan on going straight to the MDE page and either adding the offer (if our dates are eligible) or if not, change dates and room types and see if it's eligible? Or should I first go to see what's available by clicking on the main offer page, THEN go to MDE to alter my reservation? Or go to the main offer page, immediately try to book what works with our alternative dates with a new deposit, then cancel the old reservation?

My mind feels like it's about to blow up.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

IMHO, the best QS are Wolfgang Puck express, BOG, Sunshine seasons, Flame Tree, Columbia Harbor house, any world showcase QS...pretty much what everyone else said!

 

[scrappinginontario]

We have leveraged FD a few times. When we have done so with our entire family, we have still spent over $1k OOP on tips at TS meals. So, even when the meals are "paid for" in advance with the DDP, there are still considerable meal expenses if you eat at TS restaurants every day. Heck, one meal for 5 at Narcoossee's resulted in a $175 tip - a single meal.

ZOINKS!!! That's a lot! I've tracked every penny I've spent in tips for the past 2 trips and both times our tips have been between $90 and $100US. There are 2 of us (1A and 1C), I tip 20% and we stay for 9 nights. We tip on 7 meals as 2 of our credits are for Hoop-Dee-Doo and the tip is included there. One thing that will make a difference is that I don't drink alcohol so I'm guessing that could add a lot to tips but I'm no where's close to $1000!!!

 

[Elsaalltheway]

Like this strategy. Might have to give it some thought since we probably will have park hopper. We never have before and I haven't put much thought into utilizing it.

Park hopper is really nice. We didn't have it the first time and second time they required it for free dining. Now that we have had it, we don't think we can go back to doing one park a day.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

I used the link someone posted where you plug in where you're going to eat and it tells you the cost vs. DP...according to that, my tips should total around $400 for our whole trip. 10 nights, six people and and infant--automatic 18% gratuity will be applied. Of course that's an estimate, but I hope its not too much more than that.

 

[flounder3]

We booked a package. EEEEK. First time ever booking Disney and I haven't been since I was a kid! We're really hoping for FD-- it would help us out a LOT-- but we're still making it work without so we just wanted to make sure we had our room and favorite dates reserved. We do have 6 standby options worked out if we need to change it for a promo.

I have a few more questions about the process/strategy. I was reading through the 2016 dining watch thread and see some people saying they couldn't modify their reservation online (once they tried to check out) and they wished they hadn't already booked, and then others had no issue. Is there a particular reason people might not be able to modify? Right now my page has the change reservation option and I can look at offers, change dates and room type, etc. like a previous poster said I would, so I assume it's OK?

Presuming I'm able to modify, should I plan on going straight to the MDE page and either adding the offer (if our dates are eligible) or if not, change dates and room types and see if it's eligible? Or should I first go to see what's available by clicking on the main offer page, THEN go to MDE to alter my reservation? Or go to the main offer page, immediately try to book what works with our alternative dates with a new deposit, then cancel the old reservation?

My mind feels like it's about to blow up.

My thoughts exactly!!!!! There is so much to learn!!! I want FD so bad but am so scared!! Thanks for asking ! Excited for replies!!

 

[Elsaalltheway]

Our favorites in each park;

Wolfgang Pucks Express - Disney Springs
Be Our Guest (lunch) - Magic Kingdom
Flame Tree BBQ - Animal Kingdom
Cantina San Angel - Epcot
Starring Rolls cafe - Hollywood studios

Just wondering but wasn't Starring Rolls cafe just closed down?

The only place that I am actually going to eat at, that I have eaten in the past is BOG, In the past I've traveled with my brother and he has his favorites
Sunshine Cafe has lots to chose from, we enjoy Starlight Cafe because the entertainment, and food isn't that bad, but was better when they had the molten cheese, and still like Pecos Bills. Just with all the sides you can make a second meal.

This time I will be trying Columbia Harbor House, Hombre Market place, Tangerine marketplace and a few others. Not doing a lot of repeats.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Boy those are expensive. Almost $50 for the QS plan doesn't seem like a great deal if you actually pay for it.

You're quite right that it is a lot but if we cost out 2 quick service meals + 2 snacks a day it's comparable to paying OOP, especially if you choose higher priced meals or 'fancy' snacks. We like to use our snack credits for things at the bakeries or the largest drinks at Starbucks so for us we'd save money (not a lot though) by purchasing the QS meal plan.