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

[Disneylover99]

Which is why I'm even expecting a sh*tshow this year. Haha

Same.

 

[DisTXMom]

I have a question for those that use multiple devices- I will need to book 2 reservations- my preferred dates and a backup in case DH work does not cooperate with the those dates. Should I do this one at a time or can I do them at the same time on different devices logged into my same account without messing things up?

 

[Marianm]

used to be you always had to call, but last year there was a link in the e-mail to book online. I got the e-mail at 8:11AM, EDT.

So, for DV holders, there's no benefit to trying to secure FD early? Just wait and call at 7? I'm up early anyways bc I hit the gym everyday at 5:30, but 4 seems a little bit early to me

 

[erigby]

Hi Everyone! I'm planning a trip for myself & my 11 year old niece (first time for her & she's not going to know about it until the moment we are leaving!) for this August. I have gotten sucked into the world of Disney planning, this site is great! You all really seem to know your stuff, so I have question. We are staying at the CBR 8/21-8/26 (reservation is already booked) & I'm really hoping to qualify for free dining. I'm going to check the website at 4am & hope to modify then. But I'm a little nervous given everyone's comments on glitches. I know that the phone lines open at 7 and I anticipate them being jammed. I'm a teacher & won't be able to even attempt the call until lunch time. So here is my long winded question - do free dining rooms really book up that fast that you won't be able to get one unless you book first thing in the morning? Has anyone tried & been totally shutout from free dining before? I'm hoping between the construction & it now being a QS resort, that CBR won't fill up as fast as the values will, and it'll buy me some time to make the call. I swear, planning this trip has turned me into a crazy person, but I'm totally loving it.

 

[scard192]

for anyone hoping for a RO discount for the Fall, these are the details from last year (not that it means they will be the same this year), note the "save up to":

room discount offer is also is now available for stays between August 26 and November 5.

Save up to 25%: BoardWalk Villas, Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House, Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village, Beach Club Villas, Villas at Wilderness Lodge, Polynesian Villas & Bungalows – Studios Only.

Save up to 25%: Animal Kingdom Lodge – Standard Room/Pool View Rooms, BoardWalk Inn, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Wilderness Lodge, Yacht Club, Animal Kingdom Lodge – Savanna View/Club Level Rooms, Contemporary, Beach Club, Polynesian Village.

Save up to 20%: Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness, Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Port Orleans French Quarter, Port Orleans Riverside.

Save up to 15%: All-Star Movies, All-Star Music, All-Star Sports, Art of Animation Resort – Family Suites Only, Pop Century, Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness.

Excludes: Mermaid rooms at Art of Animation, Bay Lake Tower, and Grand Floridian Villas

 

[Disneylover99]

If we get FD, we are hoping to upgrade our tickets to AP's. Has anyone done this? If so, does it matter how many days we purchase (we will need 8 days) since you pay the difference? Or would it make more sense to buy fewer days? Thank you!

We do this all the time. Might as well buy as many as you need for this trip so you will be able to make your fp's. Upgrade as soon as you get there, for AP merchandise deals.

 

[scard192]

So, for DV holders, there's no benefit to trying to secure FD early? Just wait and call at 7? I'm up early anyways bc I hit the gym everyday at 5:30, but 4 seems a little bit early to me

last year there was an extra week in August that DVisa holders could book that was not part of the GP offer.
IMO, not much of a benefit unless you wanted to travel that week.

 

[brittanidp]

I didn't book this room with the AP discount. I got the room through *********** and rented someone's DVC points that were expiring so I was able to get the room for VERY cheap. I'm excited to use the AP discount at a few dining places as we try to not to get anything that isn't covered by the DDP but the kids really liked Crystal Palace so we are doing it and using the AP discount and paying out of pocket.

I'm a fan of renting points too! Have great trips!!

 

[pkr1209]

We do this all the time. Might as well buy as many as you need for this trip so you will be able to make your fp's. Upgrade as soon as you get there, for AP merchandise deals.

Thank you! Where do you go to upgrade?

 

[Marianm]

last year there was an extra week in August that DVisa holders could book that was not part of the GP offer.
IMO, not much of a benefit unless you wanted to travel that week.

We're arriving on 8/19. We're going regardless but FD would be nice

 

[brittanidp]

Good call, wilderness lodge is what i meant. AKL rates for my nights in september seem much higher, unless looking at the villas.

Make sure to click on the resort to see the room types, I've noticed that they show the savannah view as the example price on the page with all the others and usually the standard view is much less. Just a thought

 

[dcrippin15]

If you've already got a deal on your room, you definitely don't qualify for FD anyways since you can't stack your discounts.

So DVC members don't qualify for FD? The guys who rented out his points just offered a deal because they were expiring and he wasn't able to use them before they expired. I made a reservation with DVC points, I didn't get a discount point wise (if that makes sense)

 

[Disneylover99]

Thank you! Where do you go to upgrade?

Any Guest Services locations inside or outside of the parks or Disney Springs.

 

[finleyd]

for anyone hoping for a RO discount for the Fall, these are the details from last year (not that it means they will be the same this year), copied from @black562
FB page, note the "save up to":

"A room discount offer is also is now available for stays between August 26 and November 5.

Save up to 25%: BoardWalk Villas, Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House, Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village, Beach Club Villas, Villas at Wilderness Lodge, Polynesian Villas & Bungalows – Studios Only.

Save up to 25%: Animal Kingdom Lodge – Standard Room/Pool View Rooms, BoardWalk Inn, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Wilderness Lodge, Yacht Club, Animal Kingdom Lodge – Savanna View/Club Level Rooms, Contemporary, Beach Club, Polynesian Village.

Save up to 20%: Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness, Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Port Orleans French Quarter, Port Orleans Riverside.

Save up to 15%: All-Star Movies, All-Star Music, All-Star Sports, Art of Animation Resort – Family Suites Only, Pop Century, Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness.

Excludes: Mermaid rooms at Art of Animation, Bay Lake Tower, and Grand Floridian Villas"

Did he note any days for December, I missed the FD offer, checking in December 3rd?

 

[Disneylover99]

So DVC members don't qualify for FD? The guys who rented out his points just offered a deal because they were expiring and he wasn't able to use them before they expired. I made a reservation with DVC points, I didn't get a discount point wise (if that makes sense)

No. You must book a DW rack rate room.

 

[chinarider]

I saw this a few pages back and just looking for clarification..... If I book for myself have free deluxe- can I use credits at TS restaurants for those not on my plan or room? thank you

 

[DisneyFD]

I am sure this has been answered many times, but when can we expect RO discounts, if any, to drop? Thanks!

 

[Kudmani]

If we get FD, we are hoping to upgrade our tickets to AP's. Has anyone done this? If so, does it matter how many days we purchase (we will need 8 days) since you pay the difference? Or would it make more sense to buy fewer days? Thank you!

Purchase 8 day tickets so you can make your FPs.

 

[drock309]

Make sure to click on the resort to see the room types, I've noticed that they show the savannah view as the example price on the page with all the others and usually the standard view is much less. Just a thought

Good call again! So a standard AKL room assuming free TS dining would cost almost exactly the same as paying full price to add TS FD to my current AoA (at CBR prices) res. So which would you folks recommend, AoA suite or AKL standard?

 

[brittanidp]

Thank you! Where do you go to upgrade?

Epocot or MK guest services or Disney Springs guest services