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

[Icicles]

Yes! If you know you hate being hot, which doesn't bother me TOO much to cancel a Disney vacation over, then it truly sucks and cuts into the magic. I jumped in all the splash pads and took those magic cloth things that cool down when you get wet and that helped a lot. My husband was just miserable though and my daughter complained about the heat the whole time. Everyone whining kind of puts a damper on the whole thing...but you know how you handle the heat and humidity so you can judge from my experiences in September. Definitely get those cooling towels though.

Can you tell me more about these cooling towels??? Brand? Where to get? Sounds like we might need them in September when we go!

 

[kels420]

Is September weather horrible? I usually go in October! I'm scared that the weather will dry me. I truly dislike heat and humidity, but I could deal with it for Disney and free dining...

September is friggin hot, ngl. But we've also been last week in October too and I thought that was hot also. Not quite as hot as September but still hot. The good thing about going in the hot months is not having to worry about what to pack and bringing jackets and such.

 

[luvallprincesses]

welcome to Disney world. I remember a few years back we stayed at a value resort and got free dining with included the regular dining plan, appetizers AND tips.

That first year of the dining plan was amazing. They sure sucked us in that way!

 

[amytaylor2]

I posted this pic this morning. IT popped up for me when I clicked to change my reservation in My Disney Experience. I changed tabs and it started the counter over again. I did have to wait the entire time, although it was only a little over 2 minutes.

 

[brownierose]

If you make a new reservation & cancel the old one you get deposit back correct?

Since I can't really modify mine online (it says to call to change dates) thinking to make new one then call later to cancel original?

 

[Disneylover99]

As a web developer, I agree. It makes perfect sense -- once it's been tested and all the bugs have been worked out. I've worked for large companies who rolled things out even though they weren't ready yet (and were advised of that) and the results were often not good. Like Tom said, I'd like to think they wouldn't do that right now. But they can.

I just don't want to wait in line, online tomorrow. I've got to get to work. That's why I avoid the phone. In the past it's always just taken a few minutes to book my trip online the first day of FD. Easy Peasy. I'm spoiled.

 

[Meeko5]

If you make a new reservation & cancel the old one you get deposit back correct?

Since I can't really modify mine online (it says to call to change dates) thinking to make new one then call later to cancel original?

Yes, deposit is fully refundable but can take a few weeks.

 

[Disneylover99]

I posted this pic this morning. IT popped up for me when I clicked to change my reservation in My Disney Experience. I changed tabs and it started the counter over again. I did have to wait the entire time, although it was only a little over 2 minutes.

Ugh. A two minute wait, is two minutes too long! I'm not patient.

 

[Christine43]

OMG he is just too cute.

oh, thank you!!

 

[Kris10karma]

Poly for sure!

WHY?? I have been researching like a psycho to set up my plan B,C,D etc and I keep seeing people complain about Poly even though I understood it to be amazing? People say it is dated and dirty etc etc...I am struggling. We are booked at BC and I have BW as my 1st back up but was looking at Poly as my plan C because if I can't get FD or an amazing RO discount at my first 2 choices, I'd rather get more for my money...But i was also looking at WL or AKL savannah room...except I have a 2 year old and a whiny 8 year old and convenience is definitely a big factor.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

I have seen both ways. Is it $21 per a night or per a day to upgrade the dining plan?

The dining plans are based on the number of nights you stay.

 

[Im_her_Mickey]

I'm getting kinda nervous...seeing everyone talking about discussing with their ta and I really didn't know the madness that went into all this. I just told my ta that we are interested in the possibility of upgrading to deluxe if it's not too much more

 

[Dsny4fun]

welcome to Disney world. I remember a few years back we stayed at a value resort and got free dining with included the regular dining plan, appetizers AND tips.

I remember that too..went in 2006, stayed in a value, movies I think, had reg dining plan w/appetizer & tip included.

 

[heath92681]

WHY?? I have been researching like a psycho to set up my plan B,C,D etc and I keep seeing people complain about Poly even though I understood it to be amazing? People say it is dated and dirty etc etc...I am struggling. We are booked at BC and I have BW as my 1st back up but was looking at Poly as my plan C because if I can't get FD or an amazing RO discount at my first 2 choices, I'd rather get more for my money...But i was also looking at WL or AKL savannah room...except I have a 2 year old and a whiny 8 year old and convenience is definitely a big factor.

I haven't stayed at Poly yet, so I'm interested to hear reasons why as well. Looking to splurge on a one night RO before our FD reservation. We stayed BC and CR last year. I fell in love with BC. While the decor was not my style at CR, you can't beat the convenience that resort offers.

 

[smitty0705]

No, last year you could book at the same time as GP but we had more available dates. They sent me an email 4pm EST. Ugh little late Disney

Thank you!

 

[jayfo]

So are all these restaurants a total zoo during FD? That may be a line item in my deciding scribbles/notes I have in anticipation for tomorrow.

I have a trip already booked for Halloween, but FD may make me move it up a month...but not if every restaurant is packed to the gills affecting service/fun/temper LOL

 

[Kris10karma]

My TA says she is going to stay up tonight and wait for the free dining. This is the first time I have used a TA. It's hard to give up the control. I have given her alternate dates and resorts. She has my Disney visa info incase my dates are for DV only. I'm not sure if I should go to bed and just my faith in her, or I should stay up and book a second reservation...just in case! Have any of you have good or bad luck using a TA with free dining??

OMG this is so me!! I have trust issues. Plus...I just worry about the back up plan etc. That said...she came highly recommended and i am nearly certain that if they stay up all night or get up really early..they have a better chance than we do because they understand the intimate workings of the system

 

[1withForce]

Are there only a certain number of free dining offers available, or is it based on resort/room type? Are these typically gone by 5 am? I'm just curious how competitive these deals really are!

Hard to say. The point is to fill empty rooms, and it therefore probably fills up quickly. Word around the boards are that some things open up a few days later as TAs and other people release previously held reservations (double bookings). Keep checking!

 

[DisneyMom199]

Any official word on if the general Public can book beginnings August 13 or just Disney Visa holders? I read an article today mentioning something that was different from the current predictions!

 

[yamkins]

September is friggin hot, ngl. But we've also been last week in October too and I thought that was hot also. Not quite as hot as September but still hot. The good thing about going in the hot months is not having to worry about what to pack and bringing jackets and such.

How about storms or rain on September?