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

[MCaleodis]

Well, are you aware that Mr. Black stopped in and dropped a bombshell? That's back on page 380 but this is what he dropped.

Hi! This is my first time traveling to Disney World and I am still very new to this free dining plan. I been studying up alot but am no expert compared to so many in this forum...so don't judge me when I ask....but who is Mr. Black?

 

[Lesley Wake]

Darn, I just missed the deadline for the vacation account. I'm 148 days before the trip! So if I had just opened an account when I originally thought to do so (a couple weeks ago), and not procrastinated, I could have gotten the 2%.
Well, guess I'll be using the red card a lot!

 

[Lesley Wake]

Also off the top of my head the resorts Black mentioned being excluded on his FB page are as follows.

Where did he mention it? I saw the rumor on his facebook but there wasn't excluded resorts.

That is what is confusion to me two. I think it will be similar to last year only POR for August thru Sept then excluded for the November and December dates.

I'm REALLY crossing my fingers this is true!

 

[Lesley Wake]

So, I already have a booking at POR. It is no longer available for my dates (except for King bed or Royal Rooms). If I get an AP in a couple weeks, can I apply the AP discount offer to an existing reservation? I know dining and room-only you can, but am not sure for AP. I don't know if I would be able to make a whole new reservation. And if POR is excluded, the AP discounts could save me $480.

 

[ThistleMae]

So I just crunched ALL the numbers! Checking three resorts: POR, WL, and AKL. And 17 different permutations, including no offer, free DDP, free QSDP w/upgrade to DDP, different percentages of discounts. And considered the possibility of an AP with the room (assuming 5% more than GP), food and merchandise discount and free photo downloads. And compared them all to my existing booking of POR without any discounts.

So, looks like I would likely stay at POR (maybe it'll be less crowded if it's excluded from FD?); but maybe, if I decide to get a DL AP, it would not be too much more to go to WL or AKL.

Argh, still need to make decisions!

You just love working with numbers don't you? Some people just have this kinship with Math. I guess bottom line will be, making a quick decision once FD drop...so get ready with your backup's 1,2,3 and 4! I feel your pain.

 

[ThistleMae]

Can I pls. Borrow your spreadsheet? Im not good with excel formulas

I spent 2 days on excel modifying it for some work I'm doing. Never used it before...you practically have to be a genius to know how to put those formula's in to get it to do what you want it to do. Talk about frustration...geesh! Thank goodness for utube!

 

[Disneylover99]

Has anyone ever cancelled a Disney vacation package before? Was it easy to get your $200 back? DH just called and told me he'll find out about the job by he first week of May ...while I'm excited to have an end in site this doesn't help my situation with my BB! Now I am definitely going to have to make a second reservation if FD comes out 4/24. However, one will have to be cancelled-either the BB or the new booking. Is this easy to do?

Getting the refund is easy. No problem.
But I was thinking, if you do end up booking a GP offer, maybe see if you can apply the deposit from the bb to your new offer to avoid the Canadian exchange rate on your credit card.

 

[vanjust14]

Good to know. How about adding the dining plan? Can you use the DVA for that? Thanks!

Disney dining plans are only available as part of vacation packages- which include a Resort and theme park tickets.

 

[melissa bottorff]

What is everyone using to crunch numbers?

 

[Rusty2rules]

Hi! This is my first time traveling to Disney World and I am still very new to this free dining plan. I been studying up alot but am no expert compared to so many in this forum...so don't judge me when I ask....but who is Mr. Black?

to the thread of insanity...er, I mean, the free dining thread!

black562 apparently has some inside info and has been very reliable and accurate with his information in past years. When he speaks, people listen.

How exciting this will be your first time to WDW!! Have you booked already? Where are you staying? What are your dates? How fun!

 

[Attracted to Beasts]

Getting the refund is easy. No problem.
But I was thinking, if you do end up booking a GP offer, maybe see if you can apply the deposit from the bb to your new offer to avoid the Canadian exchange rate on your credit card.

Ok good to know! Thanks! I'm not Canadian-hehe but I was going to see if they can apply the $200 just towards payment. Probably easier than getting a refund especially what's $200 when I'm going to owe the mouse another $3,000+!?!?!?

 

[ThistleMae]

Have been away less than 24 hours and there are 30 new pages!! Anyone care to share the latest?

Rumor is: April 24th, purchase of 4 days required with PH and PH plus purchase. Several resorts excluded and I'd have to go looking for the dates again. See page 380.

 

[Disneylover99]

Ok good to know! Thanks! I'm not Canadian-hehe but I was going to see if they can apply the $200 just towards payment. Probably easier than getting a refund especially what's $200 when I'm going to owe the mouse another $3,000+!?!?!?

Oh shoot! Sorry! I don't know why I thought you were. I should have checked your profile.

 

[ThistleMae]

Well, are you aware that Mr. Black stopped in and dropped a bombshell? That's back on page 380 but this is what he dropped.

Thanks for posting this again for the late comers. The posts are increasing rapidly...yeah!

 

[ThistleMae]

Hi! This is my first time traveling to Disney World and I am still very new to this free dining plan. I been studying up alot but am no expert compared to so many in this forum...so don't judge me when I ask....but who is Mr. Black?

Apparently he is a well known informant of the best kept secrets of Disney. Everyone says he is very reliable and has a history of being accurate. He is just as mysterious to me as well. It's all so cat and mouse...LOL!

 

[KimBean]

I'll also point out you have to have it open for 120 days BEFORE your payoff date (IIRC 45 days in advance?). So you really need to have it open for 165 days if you want to claim the gift cards before your vacation. Also keep in mind any payments you make before the 120 days will not count towards the gift card.

Woo. Lots of hoops can't say I totally get it but don't have time to look at it right now. Maybe I'll just do the cards.

 

[ThistleMae]

What is everyone using to crunch numbers?

My garlic press...

 

[Ybeads]

So I know that most people have decided, and it makes sense, that it isn't the best financially to book a mod and only get QS FD. What are people's thoughts on booking a value and getting QS FD? Has anyone decided that it may be smarter to use RO discount and pay out of pocket assuming you use all of your snacks and QS credits? I tried using the dining calculator, but I think my brain is mush at this point

 

[ThistleMae]

It's finally beautiful out here in NH and I just fell off my stairs sideways onto the ground. The railing broke and down I went. I'm sure I"ll be bruised tomorrow. I'm going to take a Tylenol.

 

[MCaleodis]

to the thread of insanity...er, I mean, the free dining thread!

black562 apparently has some inside info and has been very reliable and accurate with his information in past years. When he speaks, people listen.

How exciting this will be your first time to WDW!! Have you booked already? Where are you staying? What are your dates? How fun!

Thanks for the welcome!! I love it

Oh yay! This is the first time joining this site looking for some details on the free dining plan and saw all of this and figured he was but wasn't entirely sure!

I been to Disneyland twice when I was younger (1990/1991) with my Mom and Grandma and can still can remember so many things incredible things about it....so I am beyond excited to finally be able to visit Disney World for the first time with my children. We actually have 18 of us going! 10 kids ....8 adults! Wish us luck! lol ..... We are staying from 9/1 - 9/9 at Caribbean Beach Resort. We have 6 park days that include the hopper and water park package ..... any helpful tips is always greatly appreciated!