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

[Jellybass]

It's funny, I wore a Mickey shirt under my shoulder pads for football and under my tank in basketball and track (discus) in high school and college but didn't go for the first time until I was 33 when my wife decided it was time for me to go. This was after I had a Mickey vest at our wedding. Since then we have been there 9 times, and it's far too little in my opinion.

 

[teedee]

The first time I went to Disneyworld was in 1980, when my daughter was very young. We couldn't afford to stay onsite, but I had family in Orlando so it was fine. My daughter loved it, but I didn't feel the magic then. But in 1989 I heard about Caribbean Beach Resort, a resort that was a much better financial fit for us. We went for a week and had a truely magical time. That was when the pixie dust hit me, and we have been back many times since then. I love going with my grandson now, he loves it like I do.


Terri

 

[sharonabe]

I think I have everyone beat, so far. My first trip to DisneyLAND was in 1966!! We had to buy the ticket books and choose which rides we would do based on the letter on the ticket. Dad would never buy us more than one book each, so we never got to ride everything until the company he worked for starting doing company night once a year. The park would close at either 6 or 7 pm to everyone except the employees of McDonnell Douglas, and then we could ride anything with NO TICKETS needed. What a blast! Needless to say, I've been a Disney fanatic forever.

My first trip to WDW was in 1985.. We went the first week in January since we didn't have any school-aged kids and the park was empty. So much fun. I think there was only MK and EP then. The biggest memory from that trip is we stayed in Kissimee (there weren't many resorts back then), and our van got broken into during the night.

 

[Aurora2017]

So anyone here, going the middle part of December?

Were going the 16th through the 23rd!

 

[brooke789]

So by elimination it must be the 24th?! Between waiting to hear if I got a jo b offer and FD im so depressed

Literally the same situation here. And also hoping that possible new job wouldn't hurt our vacation!

 

[MandLBee]

I think I have everyone beat, so far. My first trip to DisneyLAND was in 1966!! We had to buy the ticket books and choose which rides we would do based on the letter on the ticket. Dad would never buy us more than one book each, so we never got to ride everything until the company he worked for starting doing company night once a year. The park would close at either 6 or 7 pm to everyone except the employees of McDonnell Douglas, and then we could ride anything with NO TICKETS needed. What a blast! Needless to say, I've been a Disney fanatic forever.

My first trip to WDW was in 1985.. We went the first week in January since we didn't have any school-aged kids and the park was empty. So much fun. I think there was only MK and EP then. The biggest memory from that trip is we stayed in Kissimee (there weren't many resorts back then), and our van got broken into during the night.

I love this! I'm wondering if you have a memory of a Carnation frozen orange juice bar? I swear, I always got one when at DL, and have a strong sense taste memory of it! My first trip to Disneyland was 1970. We went frequently just to walk and enjoy (admission was like $1.50 if that?) and often people would give my single mother their leftover ticket books. It was a cheap day out. I have great memories of those times as a small child. Then we went to Disneyworld the first time in 1985. A friend had a job managing character CMs and took us on a tour and we spent the day in MK and Epcot. Such great memories!

 

[anitsa123]

My first time was in 2010 with husband and 3 of children. We have been hook from the first day their. We have been ever since except one year and we said never again. We scrimp and save to go on the trips now each year so free dining is a must for us. We could do a value and add the dining if need to be but we like staying in the moderate resort if we can it comes out about the same if we upgraded the dining plan from the value.

 

[SLPCheryl]

Were going the 16th through the 23rd!

That's when we are going as well!

 

[sharonabe]

I'm wondering if you have a memory of a Carnation frozen orange juice bar?

I'm sorry, I don't. Mom always packed our lunches and we ate out in the parking picnic area. Disneyland was the treat, so we usually didn't get any other treat in the parks. I remember McDonald's orange soda from when I was a kid, though. We could get a cheeseburger, fries, and a drink for right at $1.00!

 

[Lesley Wake]

So I don't know if anyone saw that Universal is doing a super awesome new Harry Potter Christmas thing. New decorations, food, entertainment, and a castle projection show. (Of course, not coming to Hollywood-boo!)

Now my sister and I will need to seriously consider if we should book a BB when we visit in September for the following Christmas (2018). I know we love love Disneyland at Christmas, so WDW would be so cool! With all the resorts and everything!

 

[ThistleMae]

I thought you didn't need Free Dining this year?

There's nothing to be discouraged about. We had hoped for earlier but it was never a guarantee. I can understand being impatient, but really it doesn't make it come any faster. It could still be a few weeks away. I'm just checking in less, and focusing on a ton of other stuff.. this is the fun part. When it stops being fun.. I don't do it.

LOL....this cracked me up because you are correct...I don't need it this year! But....I am with all of you because I'm going to need it next year and want to experience all the chaos first-hand. Thanks for paying attention!

 

[ThistleMae]

My first trip to WDW was in 2014 at the age of 43 and I've been a fanatic since then. This December will be my 3rd trip.

I can relate, although I was over 50 for my first time ever...now ten years later, I'm still loving every minute of it!

 

[mowork48]

Well, my first Disney experience was Disneyland in 1960. I was 12 and remembered getting our 1st TV in 1955 and watching a show called "Disneyland" later renamed "The Wonderful World of Disney". So you can only imagine how excited my brother and I were to actually be in Disneyland. We were on vacation from a very small town in the panhandle of Texas. Of course we had ticket books. My Dad also took me to watch the "Brooklyn" newly moved LA Dodgers play in the LA Coliseum. They were my favorite team. It was also my first time to see the ocean...many great memories. Fast forward to 1988 and at age 40 my husband and I took our 6 and 8 year olds to WDW for my next Disney experience. My 6 year old daughter and I fell in love with everything Disney...opened and closed MK and Epcot for a week and came home and started a Disney collection...especially Christmas decorations. She and I have returned twice since then in 2000 and 2002. We have been patiently waiting for her own to children to reach the ages of 6 and 8 to take them on their 1st Disney trip. It is also my husband and my 50th wedding anniversary this year..so in September, our family of 7 is heading to WDW for a week. And, of course, we are hoping to snag free dining because we want to take granddaughters to several character dinings.

 

[ThistleMae]

I've been busy packing for my cruise in May...a definite here and there distraction. I practice pack for every trip...talk about being an over planner. It's several weeks away. I always want to make sure everything fits in my carry-on. I keep wanting to eliminate bringing too much. I'm almost an expert packer...my ultimate goal. I also want to be hands free at Disney...and that takes some thinking. Can you see the smoke coming off the top of my head?

 

[KimBean]

If it makes you feel better I have not had a dishwasher in the 8 years I have rented the house I live in now. If I know its gonna be a long week and I'm gonna be really tired I buy paper plates and bowls. It helps make it bearable when you just cant muster the energy to hand wash a sink full of dishes.

Thanks for the advice!! I'm dishwasher jinxed I guess. Something always goes wrong. I went years without one the last time and finally had one working for about 2 years. At last this time I've got more help. I'm like I'll wash, someone dry, and another put away and we will be done real quick!!

 

[SouthernSoprano]

A new topic to discuss: How old were you on your first Disney trip and at what age did you become a Disney fanatic! (And yes, I know most/all of you are considered Disney fanatics as we've been hanging out here together for a while now!)

My first trip was 1980...I was 3. My parents brought me, but they weren't huge theme park people. I remember nothing.
My second trip was 1995. I went with a family I babysat for. For agreeing to watch their children for 1 night so they could have a date night while there, they took me for FREE!! All I had to pay for was any souvenirs I wanted.
I have been many, many times since with husband and children...and every year my love for WDW grows a little more.

 

[Elsaalltheway]

LOL....this cracked me up because you are correct...I don't need it this year! But....I am with all of you because I'm going to need it next year and want to experience all the chaos first-hand. Thanks for paying attention!

I'm with you. I already have free dining on a bounce back, but I LOVE watching everybody's excitement and anxiety, then joy at getting what they want. If they do.

 

[Elsaalltheway]

I've been busy packing for my cruise in May...a definite here and there distraction. I practice pack for every trip...talk about being an over planner. It's several weeks away. I always want to make sure everything fits in my carry-on. I keep wanting to eliminate bringing too much. I'm almost an expert packer...my ultimate goal. I also want to be hands free at Disney...and that takes some thinking. Can you see the smoke coming off the top of my head?

I'm with you. I pack everything a month in advance. The only thing that gets packed last is all my electonics that go in my carry on. I have everything packed and ready to go way before. I make about five lists and check them off multiple times.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

My first trip was in 1992, when I was 24. My family couldn't afford to go when I was a kid. It just so happened that I had a good job as a designer and illustrator and so could pay for a trip for me and my Mom very easily. Then my Mom's best friend, who happened to be my sister's mother-in-law, came aboard with two of her daughters. The oldest daughter and I planned which resort. It was between the Contemporary and the Polynesian, and the Poly won. There was no such thing as FP then, so we stood in lots of lines. The first attraction I ever rode at WDW was 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea.

 

[TomServo27]

A new topic to discuss: How old were you on your first Disney trip and at what age did you become a Disney fanatic! (And yes, I know most/all of you are considered Disney fanatics as we've been hanging out here together for a while now!)

My first trip was 1973 stayed at the fort wilderness. This was always my parents go to place lots of good memories there. I was 4 at the time. My dad always was obsessed with gas prices he would always talk about that trip cause he only spent $30 on gas driving from northern Indiana.