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

[Neeky78]

I do. It allows me to see the Canadian ticket offer, so didn't think that was the issue. Thanks! Wanting to make sure I'll be able to see the FD when it becomes available!

Ahh. I can't see the Canadian offer. I'm in Australia so I only see the general public USA ones.

We don't get our own special deals.

 

[Marthasor]

i think most do. But there are a few not so good ones. Mine spends the release date the whole day on the phone!!

One question for you as TA. If FD comes in the sytem st 4am. Do you have access to their MDE to modify. Or do TA phone lines open that esrly. Doesnt disney reservations open later?

IF the TA website is working, yes, TA's can modify online at any time of day. A TA does not need access to an MDE account to modify a reservation, just the reservation number. The phone lines open at 7 am.

 

[mamamelody2]

Dang, I was so hoping they were going to surprise us this morning!

 

[Neeky78]

Dang, I was so hoping they were going to surprise us this morning!

Me too!
Wishful thinking as I'm on holidays this week so it's easy for me to do. But next Monday I will be working if it drops between midnight and 3am EST. I should be home in front of the computer from 3am, but I'm concerned it may happen before then and it will be up to hubby to sort it. I'll have to let go of control.

 

[kels420]

Dang, I was so hoping they were going to surprise us this morning!

Me too! Off this week for spring break so would have been easy for me to do it today. Next week back to work - gonna be rough

 

[tink1957]

I guess I'll be up next week waiting on a room only discount instead of free dining if the rumors are true about the 4 night required stay. We already added a night to our plans in hopes of getting the usual offer but 4 nights after a 7 night Universal stay is pushing the boundaries of my vacation time, not to mention the budget.

Oh well, at least we will get to enjoy more Food & Wine booths and special dinners instead.

 

[sharonabe]

But is there anything about upgrading once you're there? Have the QS dining plan on your reservation ahead of time, but just upgrade on arrival?

You CANNOT upgrade upon arrival. And the 48 hrs people have been quoting is for DVC. All "regular" folks have to add/upgrade/downgrade dining 72 hrs before check-in.

Is that taking into account the seasonal change in prices? It has a range for buffets/set price because it's cheaper at some times of the year than others.

Seasonal pricing no longer exists. There are one or two places that have an upcharge for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, but they will be listed on rustyscupper's list. You can trust the prices on the sticky as it is a CM who is keeping them up-to-date.

First-timer here.. how exactly do we book free dining? If the offer is open do I have to click on park hopper and also add dining before checking out or will it add the dining plan automatically at checkout?

You have to go through the special offers page from the beginning of your reservation. From WDW's home page, scroll down to the bottom and click on special offers. Once FD is announced, there will be a link to follow and then all of it will load for you and add in automatically. If you don't go through special offers, you do NOT have free dining.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Only if they are ok POP and no dining. But if backup is POP with FD. Dont book now!!! in fact no one should be booking now to hold their room choice for FD. That is not how it works. Having a non discounted room or package doesn't guarentee FD. !!! In fact hurts everyone as you are taking inventory away. FD is a deal Disney does to get rid of empty rooms. If you have a reservation and modify to FD. That only goes thru if an emtpy FD room is available. TA always say if you can only afford a FD package dont book until it comes out. Book only what you want / afford and think as FD as a bonus.

Yep, I am aware of all that. And I'm not the OP, but I'm pretty sure they meant they wanted Pop as a backup in case they can't get FD at all. In which case it absolutely makes sense to book now and secure a room.

 

[wdw4rfam]

The reason they are phasing out FD, which is what I believe they are doing, is because they don't need it anymore. They have no problems filling resorts, parks or restaurants, therefore, they don't need to offer such deep promotions. Some will start taking their trips elsewhere or taking shorter trips, but there will be new visitors to make up for that. Disney is not losing anything. Just my thoughts.


4 AM ET = 1 AM PT

I agree completely. With them extending the MNSSHP and F&W through the entire month of September- it's not slow anymore. I don't think they will loose business at all by getting rid of it. I can't tell you how many people I come across alone that go for the first time that have never even heard of free dining. So yes, they will loose people that booked every year because of it, but there's a whole bunch more to replace them. Sad, but true.

 

[Disney Ron]

I know someone who's aunt works as a CM in reservations and they were told there will be mandatory overtime the last week in April(which starts next Monday), and the first week of May. They weren't told "why" but are all guessing Free Dining is coming out.

 

[nkereina]

Can someone recap what the current FD rumor seems to be? This thread moves at a fast pace, and I have been out of the loop for a few days and am having a hard time catching up! lol! So far, I gather that there may be a 4 night min requirement, a park hopper requirement on tickets, and POR/POFQ may be excluded. Anything else? Any rumors regarding when this will be released?

 

[Avalon_toon]

Can someone recap what the current FD rumor seems to be? This thread moves at a fast pace, and I have been out of the loop for a few days and am having a hard time catching up! lol! So far, I gather that there may be a 4 night min requirement, a park hopper requirement on tickets, and POR/POFQ may be excluded. Anything else? Any rumors regarding when this will be released?

Monday April 24th

 

[Disney Ron]

Can someone recap what the current FD rumor seems to be? This thread moves at a fast pace, and I have been out of the loop for a few days and am having a hard time catching up! lol! So far, I gather that there may be a 4 night min requirement, a park hopper requirement on tickets, and POR/POFQ may be excluded. Anything else? Any rumors regarding when this will be released?

Next Monday the 24th.

 

[agassizsmile]

Join the conversation on Hangouts: https://hangouts.google.com/group/fWQv45A9rYaPpzUi1

Try this one. Hopefully it works

link takes me to chat. But its empty no conversation or group in there.Do I have to be add ed?

 

[nkereina]

Monday April 24th

Next Monday the 24th.

Thank you both! Did I miss any other pertinent free dining details based on the current rumors? 4 night min and a total POR exclusion seems to be new/different from previous years.

 

[Causin_a_commotion]

had FD dreams all night.... can't wait for the suspense to end!!!

 

[Disneylover99]

Ok, so I have a few options for when/if free dining drops.

My ideal is Pop standard room, but obviously those go fast.

My next option is Music Standard, which is a lot cheaper than Pop.

Then I could go for Pop preferred, but it's a bit above my ideal price range. Only a bit ($112 over 8 nights), but still over.

So my question is, would you go for Music Standard or pay extra for Pop preferred? Is Pop preferred a lot better than Music standard, or should I pocket the $112 and go for Music?

Incidentally, Music standard is by far the cheapest option ($122 under my ideal budget) with Pop standard next ($6 under ideal budget). BUT Music preferred is more expensive than Pop preferred ($127 over budget compared to $112 at Pop).
Bizarre.

Btw all my number are based on rack rates averaged out for weekday and weekend rates during my time (Sept/Oct).

I've stayed at both resorts.

I would choose in order of preference......Pop standard, Pop preferred, Music preferred, Music standard.

The preferred buildings at Music are in The Calypso and Jazz buildings. The standard rooms are much further from the main building then the standard rooms at Pop. Check out the map at Music and you'll see what I mean.

 

[Lety S]

If you're referring to my post, inventories do open later as people cancel their bookings

That's true. I remember last year, it took me a few days after FD offer was released to decide where and when to book with FD, but I still managed to get an excellent reservation at POR (garden view).

 

[Confederate Scott]

You CANNOT upgrade upon arrival. And the 48 hrs people have been quoting is for DVC. All "regular" folks have to add/upgrade/downgrade dining 72 hrs before check-in.



Seasonal pricing no longer exists. There are one or two places that have an upcharge for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, but they will be listed on rustyscupper's list. You can trust the prices on the sticky as it is a CM who is keeping them up-to-date.



You have to go through the special offers page from the beginning of your reservation. From WDW's home page, scroll down to the bottom and click on special offers. Once FD is announced, there will be a link to follow and then all of it will load for you and add in automatically. If you don't go through special offers, you do NOT have free dining.

I would add that if they have an existing reservation they may be able to update this through MDE under existing reservations IF and WHEN free dining is available and their dates are eligible along with availability.

On a separate note - not necessarily looking for free dining but it is fun to follow this thread.

 

[Disney Ron]

Thank you both! Did I miss any other pertinent free dining details based on the current rumors? 4 night min and a total POR exclusion seems to be new/different from previous years.

I don't believe POR has been excluded yet. Many think it could be like last year when Riverside was included for August and September FD, but excluded for November and December.

Also it's being unofficially reported that the Mods will only be getting the Quick Service Plan like the values.