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

[ean]

First of all, I do believe they want to phase out FD in the worst way. However, they're trending down as far as filling up resorts and parks. In their quarterly call (back in January?) they said attendance was down 7% as were advance reservations. I think they were hoping once the PR machine ramped up for Pandora that would change. I'm getting the feeling it didn't. A Florida resident posted earlier that she had gotten an email offer from Disney for 50% off tickets and $49/night at the All Star resorts...for Memorial Day weekend! South American travel to WDW is way down. The American dollar is strong. Look back at the Canadian posts through this thread and see what they're saying about the exchange rate. They keep increasing prices while cutting services. I think they might have plateaued as far as what the consumer is willing spend to go to WDW. And look at Universal. They've got Disney in their sights and they're coming after them hard. Unless something drastic happens with the economy, I honestly don't see those trends reversing. My guess would be FD sticks around in some form for at least a couple more years, until SWL opens. SWL is going to be a game changer. At that point all bets are off. I think Disney will be able to pretty much name their price once that opens, at least for a couple of years, until the newness has worn off.

I disagree to the part in bold. The USD dollar against South American currencies is weaker than a year ago (YoY), actually BRL (Brazilian Real was 3.80 per USD one year ago, and now is 3.14 per USD, the same situation for Argentine Peso, both countries yield the most travellers to Disney World from the SA region, so the trend of purchasing travel to WDW is increasing. I do live in a SA country and I know the trend is going real up when many people start asking for my "advice" to prepare or quote a travel there (I am not a TA, just a guy that travels a lot In the last two months, 25 people asked me about going to WDW, compared to 10 last year. The same for Brazilian colleagues I work with.

I fully agree that Disney will try to eventually phase out the FD offer (in a couple of years) because they will not need it anymore, just my HO.

 

[jessiegirl1982]

So I think I have a plan. My first choice will be to keep our POR booking and add free QSDP with upgrade to DDP. I have a feeling that it will be a similar exclusion situation as last year, with POR available in Aug/Sept, and not available Nov/Dec. At least, that's what I hope. People keep throwing out the RO discount may be better for moderates, but I guess that depends on your eating habits. For one person, the FD comes out that same as RO; once you start adding in other people I don't see how the discount would be better...

Now, IF POR is excluded entirely, I am leaning towards getting the Premier AP and going with AKL! I just think it would turn into an awesome experience!

I will probably still get a Premier AP no matter what. It looks like my sister and her bf are going to get APs for DL, so that gives me an excuse to get one too. He says he may wait until closer to her birthday in September but I know them well enough that they are feeling the Disney withdrawal, so will probably end up getting them sooner rather than later. So if I do get FD, I will end up getting the signature DL AP now and use the WDW tickets to upgrade to Premier when I arrive, that way we can use the discount on any food OOP, merchandise, and memory maker.

Do it! We have Signature passes now that we will renew at the end of Aug... 3 days later we leave for Florida! ...and we will get another "free" trip in the Spring!

 

[trucker den]

I think Disney will get rid of free dining in the form of ddp and start going with QS. I think this year the mod go and next year the deluxe goes. I think they know that the people that will come anyway and will take the QS discount and then some will upgrade to DDP. They know that a FD deal fills rooms and that is why they are now offering the one QS meal as a summer promotion. Eventually I think that it will be just one QS meal like the summer discount. They don't need to offer big discounts in the fall anymore with the popularity of food and wine and MNSSHP.

 

[scard192]

Pandona and SWL doesn't interest my family (2 daughters) at all. If they have their way, our next trip to FL will be spent at Universal.

 

[Lesley Wake]

Especially once Star Wars land is done that will bring people who would have never considered going to a Disney park gonna be a game changer.

And now there are rumors about a Star Wars resort (http://www.wdwthemeparks.com/rumors/2017/02/18/star-wars-themed-resort-coming-to-disney-world)! I would honestly pay a lot to spend a couple nights there!

 

[KimBean]

And now there are rumors about a Star Wars resort (http://www.wdwthemeparks.com/rumors/2017/02/18/star-wars-themed-resort-coming-to-disney-world)! I would honestly pay a lot to spend a couple nights there!

Well of course as soon as I got excited about staying offsite next time.

 

[Snow White 77]

I hate to say it but I'm seriously thinking of cancelling and booking offsite. I love disney but the discounts help people go to Disney I think people will still go but not every year like they were doing. I'm sure disney makes a lot of money already so giving discounts was very smart. Maybe they should limit the sit downs but still offer it. Like 1 every 2 days or something. Just my opinion

 

[TomServo27]

And now there are rumors about a Star Wars resort (http://www.wdwthemeparks.com/rumors/2017/02/18/star-wars-themed-resort-coming-to-disney-world)! I would honestly pay a lot to spend a couple nights there!

It only makes sense they would eventually do this. If done right it would be amazing and I wouldn't be surprised if you would ever get a discount there of any kind at least for a while.

 

[lizaisabel]

Historically at what time have been released the offer? 12EST?

 

[ShinyRedGloss]

So I keep googling disney free dining and clicking on the walt disney world link hoping more info is available....right now the google description for the link just says most nights Aug 27 to Dec 23.....Come on confirmed details

 

[tinkarooni]

I have a question for the free dining experts .

This is my first year with an AP. When I go down with DH in September he will need a 4 day hopper, but I will be using my AP so I won't need a ticket.

I just read that you must have a minimum 4 day hopper to qualify for the free dining that is rumored to come out soon. Will I be OK with my annual pass? I'm assuming that qualifies, but it just occurred to me to ask. TIA!

 

[KimBean]

Historically at what time have been released the offer? 12EST?

Last year was 4am. I don't know before that. I'm going to make a night of it. Party here next Sunday!!! Coffee, candy, disney music, and touring plans to perfect. All while hitting the refresh button. Whose with me??

 

[KimBean]

I have a question for the free dining experts .

This is my first year with an AP. When I go down with DH in September he will need a 4 day hopper, but I will be using my AP so I won't need a ticket.

I just read that you must have a minimum 4 day hopper to qualify for the free dining that is rumored to come out soon. Will I be OK with my annual pass? I'm assuming that qualifies, but it just occurred to me to ask. TIA!

You can't use your AP. Everyone in the room has to buy the minimum. Right now rumors are 4 day with park hopper.

 

[Jeaniec]

Historically at what time have been released the offer? 12EST?

From what I have gathered from others on this forum, last year it was released around 4:30 EST. But, in the past, it has been released earlier online. If you are calling, you have to wait until around 7:00 am EST.

 

[KimBean]

So I keep googling disney free dining and clicking on the walt disney world link hoping more info is available....right now the google description for the link just says most nights Aug 27 to Dec 23.....Come on confirmed details

We have the rumors. I bet the dates black gave us are right. Won't be confirmed until it's dropped. By the time it's dropped hopefully within 20 minutes we all have our ressies.

 

[tinkarooni]

I

You can't use your AP. Everyone in the room has to buy the minimum. Right now rumors are 4 day with park hopper.

That really stinks. I've been doing free dining for years and it never even occurred to me that the AP would keep me from getting it. So my only deal is going to be AP room only discount? I'm pretty disillusioned right now.

 

[Disneylover99]

I


That really stinks. I've been doing free dining for years and it never even occurred to me that the AP would keep me from getting it. So my only deal is going to be AP room only discount? I'm pretty disillusioned right now.

You can still get fd. Just save your four day ticket for another time.

 

[KimBean]

I


That really stinks. I've been doing free dining for years and it never even occurred to me that the AP would keep me from getting it. So my only deal is going to be AP room only discount? I'm pretty disillusioned right now.

You would have to work the numbers I guess. How many days are you staying? Some people buy the tickets and then use their AP and save the tickets for a different trip. I'm assuming you go often since you bought an AP. However room discount and not having to buy your tickets might pay for your food. Without knowing where you are staying how many days etc no way to tell.

 

[Starwind]

I'm newark too. We booked jetblue in December for august. We are paying 1100 with 1 checked bag each and insurance! Love jetblue. My 12yo has anxiety and we can't fly any other airline because he NEEDS a tv. It's the only thing that keeps him calm on flights. He costs me more money but I love that kid!

Would a tablet loaded with some favourite movies work ? Might work out much cheaper

SW

 

[KimBean]

From what I have gathered from others on this forum, last year it was released around 4:30 EST. But, in the past, it has been released earlier online. If you are calling, you have to wait until around 7:00 am EST.

I did it last year it was right at 4am. It might have felt later or was 4:30 before people got to book. Lots of stitch that night.