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

[KimBean]

Thinking...

If I can get free dining at a value I am thinking about adding on one more night. That would be 10 nights/11 days. Take one day in the middle of the trip as a non park day. Sleep in, Take some pictures around the all stars, disney springs dinner, la nouba. My dh has always wanted to see this and with it closing I thought it would be a nice surprise. Thinking.... would only cost the additional room night and of course the nouba tickets.

 

[JennJ84]

Two of the places I'm most excited about trying are morimoto and homecoming but I must be the only one never see anyone have either one those on their list.

I would love to try Morimoto as well. I am totally getting some sushi when I am there. Oh, nice Tom Servo pic!!! WoooHoo!

 

[disneydreamer1980]

I have seen the trams at AK, do all parks have them?
Are the trams worse than buses after park close (or after a party like MNSSHP)?

Does anyone have links with helpful info for parking at the various parks (maps/images are a huge help)?

I believe all parks do have trams. Also, parking is free for resort guests, but you can pay for premium parking if you wish. Like I already posted, it's much easier and quicker to take disney transpo to MK, because if you drive you have to park, than take the monorail or ferry to the front gate. And take a pic of the sign by where you parked so you don't forget.

 

[JackieO]

We're trying to figure out Dining plans, so this question DOES relate a smidge

We will be driving, thus having a car while vacationing. I've never had a car at WDW and depended on the free transportation. For anyone that has used both, what were the pros and cons for you?

I much prefer taking my car. I don't mind walking, so a lot of the time we don't even use the tram to get to our car. Just as a reference I will always take back country roads rather than take the faster route in traffic. I prefer to go at my own pace. I don't have any particular problem with Disney buses though.

 

[Janet McDonald]

Hoping for free dining for December and upgrading to the Deluxe plan. As far as two credit restaurants we are planning Morimoto, yachtmans, Le Cell, and CRT. Needing to choose one more and between narcoosees, boat house, and paddlefish anyone have an opinion on which? Never eaten at any of them and we love our food so want to make a good choice.

 

[Susan Doeberl]

Also have to add in there had been some talk before about tips and many ppl do not pay tips at buffets or if they do it is not as much as if you went to a sit-down and order, food delivered to table meal.

Why would anyone not tip at a buffet? Do they believe the dishes clear them selves? I think the staff works harder sometimes when it is a buffet.

 

[Susan Doeberl]

I completely agree with you about BOG for lunch. The food was just ok, but it is beautiful inside. I made a lunch reservation for this year's trip and plan to send my DS and DIL because she loves Beauty and the Beast, and my DH and I will go try out Columbia Harbour House. I want a lobster roll!!

I love the lobster roll. Had it last September.

 

[Susan Doeberl]

For the "worth" of a restaurant and whether or not is extremely subjective. There is just the straight up numbers of something being less or more money but what defines "expensive" is what the individual or family places on it.
Someone said they don't understand 2 credits for BOG dinner. To me, because characters are a big deal in our family, it is worth it just so we can see Beast. That being said, I think that and the fact that it's in the park are the only reasons to upcharge because I can't really eat much from the menu.
I prefer dinner with food I enjoy lol



That's good to know! I'm not impressed with BOG food either and I agree that the ambiance is magical ^_^

It was only one credit in September. Did it go up?

 

[DiaryofaDisneyKid]

We always drive down, and usually drive to the parks. We always take disney trasportation to MK because it's just much easier that way. You can also visit Universal if you want much easier, and sometimes before we head home we'll visit an outlet for cheap disney souvenirs. Also, you can go grocery shopping if need be ( we always stay somewhere with a kitchen). Easier to do all of this with a car. Plus you can pack as much as you want, and don't have to worry about how to fit souvenirs in your bags.

Last time we stopped at the Disney character outlet before we checked in at our resort. The kids found lots of cheap souvenirs, some of the things were still in the parks at full price! This worked great the kids didn't ask for much at WDW. I love my Chip from BOG that I got for only 6.99 at the outlet and it was over $20 at WDW!

 

[elle325]

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!!

Love BOG for lunch! Have eaten there for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and lunch is our favorite.
Flame tree BBQ
Wolfgang puck express
Rosie's in Hollywood studios
Sunshine seasons in Epcot

 

[elle325]

Has anyone gone after the dining plan change? I am wondering if I can swap my drink for a side or dessert?

We were just there in February and you cannot swap out your drink. We actually LOVED not having a dessert and getting double the snacks because it gave us way more flexibility for dessert options. We ate at Columbia harbour house then later when we were hungry again we got ice cream at the plaza ice cream parlor! Way better!

 

[sharonabe]

Yes, this. My TA holds the 2 individual rooms so I couldn't modify those, so when a 2 bedroom was available for almost my dates I booked it for myself. But it would only let me book 6 days, not 5. So I did, hoping I could modify it. I don't think the villas have a minimum night, or if they do it's not a 6 night minimum.

I could be wrong, but it could be if you drop that 12th, it leaves the room only open for one night and the system doesn't like that. Calling will probably get you what you want.

Yeah I don't want to use 4 snack credits on everyone getting fries. But thanks for the suggestion.

Unless I've lost the "thread" of this conversation, I believe you're talking about DLuxe Burger. You wouldn't need to use 4 snack credits there; one order of fries will feed you all. While I agree with you that using a QS credit here is not a good value, using one snack credit for fries that feed the whole family probably is.

 

[Disneylover99]

I have seen the trams at AK, do all parks have them?
Are the trams worse than buses after park close (or after a party like MNSSHP)?

We've actually never had a problem leaving the park on a Tram, even near park closing. It just took so long waiting for the tram to depart from where we were parked to the front entrance on the 3 or 4 times we drove to Ak and HS. We were parked pretty far away, so I didn't want to attempt to walk, especially in August.

 

[sharonabe]

We were just there the end of February and with the quick service plan we were still able to sub any side/snack item for the soda, both at the resort and in the parks.

We were just there in February and you cannot swap out your drink. We actually LOVED not having a dessert and getting double the snacks because it gave us way more flexibility for dessert options. We ate at Columbia harbour house then later when we were hungry again we got ice cream at the plaza ice cream parlor! Way better!

And these two posts are a prime example of you cannot count on doing any swap...drink for snack/side or QS to snacks. The wording allowing the drink swap is no longer on the brochure and the QS to snack swap has NEVER been in writing. Both are still being done, but there is no consistency to either one. My rule of thumb is to expect NOT to be able to, ask nicely if I can, and consider it pixie dust if allowed, but not feel slighted if not.

 

[KimBean]

I believe all parks do have trams. Also, parking is free for resort guests, but you can pay for premium parking if you wish. Like I already posted, it's much easier and quicker to take disney transpo to MK, because if you drive you have to park, than take the monorail or ferry to the front gate. And take a pic of the sign by where you parked so you don't forget.

So true but we can't get our heads around not riding the monorail. Hehe.

 

[elle325]

Thanks for the tips!!! That is a good idea to do Boma for dinner and Tuskar for breakfast. Then we'd get the best of both worlds.

What makes tusker house breakfast so good? I've only done one breakfast buffet at Dinsey but just assumed they were all similar based on the food offerings.

The jungle juice is delicious! And you can't go wrong with Mickey waffles. There's also a carving station for the meat lovers. There are a few dishes that are only at tusker house that are really yummy. Plus the characters come right to you in their safari gear and it's the perfect way to start the day

 

[KimBean]

I could be wrong, but it could be if you drop that 12th, it leaves the room only open for one night and the system doesn't like that. Calling will probably get you what you want.



Unless I've lost the "thread" of this conversation, I believe you're talking about DLuxe Burger. You wouldn't need to use 4 snack credits there; one order of fries will feed you all. While I agree with you that using a QS credit here is not a good value, using one snack credit for fries that feed the whole family probably is.

According to all ears the small (4.99) is a snack credit not the large family size (7.99). I plan on paying OOP and just buying the $8 large.

 

[KimBean]

Hoping for free dining for December and upgrading to the Deluxe plan. As far as two credit restaurants we are planning Morimoto, yachtmans, Le Cell, and CRT. Needing to choose one more and between narcoosees, boat house, and paddlefish anyone have an opinion on which? Never eaten at any of them and we love our food so want to make a good choice.

NARCOOSEES!!!!

 

[KimBean]

It was only one credit in September. Did it go up?

I didn't think so... still one credit right?

 

[elle325]

And these two posts are a prime example of you cannot count on doing any swap...drink for snack/side or QS to snacks. The wording allowing the drink swap is no longer on the brochure and the QS to snack swap has NEVER been in writing. Both are still being done, but there is no consistency to either one. My rule of thumb is to expect NOT to be able to, ask nicely if I can, and consider it pixie dust if allowed, but not feel slighted if not.

Truth be told we only asked at the first QS we went to on our trip and assumed the rest wouldn't let us swap either. Sounds like it is an option.