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

[KimBean]

For me it would depend on my party. It's just my son and I this trip so we're doing Pop. We can each have a double bed, no problem. If the DW was going it'd be POR just because of the beds. Going from a king to a double is rough (I know, first world problems). I do think the bus system at Pop is better. I LOVE the setting of POR. I'm a fan of Boatwright's, too. But POR is so huge, it was a hike from our section (Magnolia I think) to the buses, the pool, everything. On top of that, $1,000 extra to spend ain't nothin' to sneeze at. But, for me, it really would come down to the beds, as sad as that may be.

I'm sort of worried about the beds at the value too.

 

[KimBean]

I've been watching this thread for a bit and decided to join in. I have got free dining in the past and am hoping to get it this year as well. I have a question that is off topic but maybe someone can answer it while we wait. I have never eaten at Ohana before and would really like to try it, but my daughter is allergic to pineapple. I called Disney and they said just to make sure I list the allergies when I make the reservation and someone will come to the table and let us know what is safe for her to eat. My worry is that after they tell us everything that she can't eat there will be nothing left. Does anyone know if all the food there contains pineapple? Also, is Ohana worth all the trouble or should we just skip it and eat somewhere else?

There is a disney dining review. It's called something like honeymoon and a third wheel that went ohanas with multiple allergies. I would read that thread for sure.

 

[JackieO]

I've been watching this thread for a bit and decided to join in. I have got free dining in the past and am hoping to get it this year as well. I have a question that is off topic but maybe someone can answer it while we wait. I have never eaten at Ohana before and would really like to try it, but my daughter is allergic to pineapple. I called Disney and they said just to make sure I list the allergies when I make the reservation and someone will come to the table and let us know what is safe for her to eat. My worry is that after they tell us everything that she can't eat there will be nothing left. Does anyone know if all the food there contains pineapple? Also, is Ohana worth all the trouble or should we just skip it and eat somewhere else?

I may not be the expert you're looking for because we don't have a pineapple allergy, but I can tell you that as a rule Disney takes food allergies very seriously! I would note it when making your reservation and mention it again to your server. A chef will come out to talk with you, and it looks to me like Ohana has plenty to offer without pineapple.

Edit: I wanted to add that I did a quick Google search "Ohana Disney pineapple allergy" and it brought up a lot of dis threads that may be worth reading through. They seemed older but maybe still worth a read.

 

[Jellybass]

do all the mods have queen size beds? I forgot about the doubles at PO where we are booked, tough for me to get comfortable on a double.

 

[DisKaren]

That's what I bet on in that thread.

Me too!

 

[KimBean]

I know it has been mentioned that a day before FD drops there is some solid info/alert on this thread - but does it include dates and hotels included or just a hey everyone tomorrow is the day, prepare and man battle stations?

Last year dates and resorts were known a little bit beforehand. Maybe I'll go find the thread and do some reading. I was on there stalking and going through the experience in prep for this year.

 

[Kudmani]

do all the mods have queen size beds? I forgot about the doubles at PO where we are booked, tough for me to get comfortable on a double.

Pirate rooms at CBR are double beds.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

PO has queen right?

 

[Jellybass]

do any values have queens?

 

[Kudmani]

PO has queen right?

Correct. Sorry, I missed that.

 

[dolewhipdreams]

We have done this several times. As long as you do not exceed the room's allowed occupancy, they just modify the reservation and charge you for the extra park tickets.

Yea this is very possible- I did this a month before my last trip in November!

Thanks!!

 

[KimBean]

Last year:

FD dropped 4/25.

On 4/22 someone name danny25 gave details on FD. Dates, resorts, requirements.

On 4/22 black posted standby.... also that South American chatter pointed to 4/25 as drop date. A little while later he posted details.

Going to read after it dropped and get the overall feeling rather people got what they wanted.

 

[FinnsMom7]

Last year:

FD dropped 4/25.

On 4/22 someone name danny25 gave details on FD. Dates, resorts, requirements.

On 4/22 black posted standby.... also that South American chatter pointed to 4/25 as drop date. A little while later he posted details.

Going to read after it dropped and get the overall feeling rather people got what they wanted.

Oh can't wait to see what you find! Work is busy today so I can't research myself - silly job getting in the way of my planning and disney dreaming

 

[piglet1979]

its DH me and my son. The bed's have been a flip back and forth for us. We have had double beds before for a week at dl once. So we know we can (make due). The long walk and the bus mess are the reason I keep going back and forth. Of course if royal room opens up my dh may just make the choice and say screw the bus and walk stay in comfort LOL. (seeing it's a dream trip will be my bday (possibly honeymoon) Lol

We stayed at POR last year. We really liked it. It is a resort but we were in the mansion section (the building right next to the Royal Rooms). It was close for us to a bus stop, the pool, the main building and the first/mail bus stop. We didn't an issue with the buses while we were their except the day we needed to be at AK for a PPO at tusker house. We were told the bus would come at a certain time so we decided to take the bus instead of getting a taxi. Well the bus never came. We talked to the front desk and they gave us a complementary taxi and we made in in just enough time.

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

I'm getting excited for all of you! We booked the FD bounceback again this year, like last year, so I don't have to get in the craziness, but I'll be here for support! I have booked it on the morning of both via phone one year and doing it online. Online is much better fyi, if you can. The phones are crazy.

Every year a little before it drops there is a very good rumor of what dates, what hotels, etc for the FD deal, so don't worry. There will be a really good rumor so you can have a good idea going into it. Where you get into problems it seems is availability, such as standards/preferred and the resorts. It seems like most early birds get their choices, but may have to book a preferred instead of a standard. So my advice is to know that going into it, and have a list of resorts you are ok with. Like for us, mine would be Pop Century first, then All Star Music. So just be ready to be flexible. If something opens up later, you can always change. And watching last year, it seemed like many got exactly what they wanted by doing that, being persistent and kept trying and modifying.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

Is there a bridge near the royal room and mansion section that leads to the main building?

 

[mommajo143]

Is there a bridge near the royal room and mansion section that leads to the main building?

As I recall yes. I recall this because when we stayed our flight was delayed and after a lot of hassle we arrived at PO well after midnight & exhausted... we had to walk to our room, carrying both our children along with luggage for 2 adults & 2 little kids for 12 days. We were a bit put out no one offered to help & missed the bridge and got lost. LESSON LEARNED - ask for help if they don't offer & be sure you turn at the bridge.

 

[KimBean]

Last year:

People started checking for it at midnight EST and did not assume a 4am drop.

First poster after FD posted and DIS came back online said website showed nothing available (glitch?)

FD dropped right after DIS went down for maintenance as we have heard.

A lot of people got all kinds of error messages.

Nothing was available at POP at 4am (don't know dates) AS sports was available.

No standard rooms available for mods. Again do not know dates.

CSR water view was available in sept but not standard.

Lots of glitches of the offer just disappearing before they can get through the ressie process. Lesson here don't give up it is happening to everyone. Just keep trying.

People getting it but not dates or resorts wanted. The more flexible you are the better.

 

[JackieO]

I'm getting excited for all of you! We booked the FD bounceback again this year, like last year, so I don't have to get in the craziness, but I'll be here for support! I have booked it on the morning of both via phone one year and doing it online. Online is much better fyi, if you can. The phones are crazy.

Every year a little before it drops there is a very good rumor of what dates, what hotels, etc for the FD deal, so don't worry. There will be a really good rumor so you can have a good idea going into it. Where you get into problems it seems is availability, such as standards/preferred and the resorts. It seems like most early birds get their choices, but may have to book a preferred instead of a standard. So my advice is to know that going into it, and have a list of resorts you are ok with. Like for us, mine would be Pop Century first, then All Star Music. So just be ready to be flexible. If something opens up later, you can always change. And watching last year, it seemed like many got exactly what they wanted by doing that, being persistent and kept trying and modifying.

Thanks for being here for support. It's nice to have veterans of the FD madness here to calm our nerves. Congrats in getting a great BB. Hope you have a GREAT trip!

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Last year:

People started checking for it at midnight EST and did not assume a 4am drop.

First poster after FD posted and DIS came back online said website showed nothing available (glitch?)

FD dropped right after DIS went down for maintenance as we have heard.

A lot of people got all kinds of error messages.

Nothing was available at POP at 4am (don't know dates) AS sports was available.

No standard rooms available for mods. Again do not know dates.

CSR water view was available in sept but not standard.

Lots of glitches of the offer just disappearing before they can get through the ressie process. Lesson here don't give up it is happening to everyone. Just keep trying.

People getting it but not dates or resorts wanted. The more flexible you are the better.

We booked a standard room at CBR with FD last year on the day that it opened. Our travel dates were the 2 weeks after Labor Day. We ended up canceling our trip for other reasons, but standard rooms, though limited, were available at some Mods for some dates. So there is a chance, however unlikely.