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

[donp]

So I'm 99% sure I know the answer to this, but if I just checked my dates/ resort online to crunch some numbers, and the resort I currently have booked is showing zero availability for our dates, I'm assuming that means that my chances of getting free dining are zero? Dates are set in stone, so that can't be changed, and the resort is a done deal too for this particular trip, so I can't make any changes just to get the dining unfortunately. Anyone ever have luck scoring FD when their resort was showing no room availability in the days leading up to the deal release date?????

I have seen people be able to do it after the fact. There can be many folks canceling, and likely Disney opening up more spots. Have you thought about doing a room only reservation for one or two of those days in order to get free dining on the rest? That is also possible.

 

[marcelldrake]

Hey guys, I have a question and it probably sounds really stupid, but I'm going to ask anyways. So a "room only" discount applies ONLY to the room rates for the entire stay, correct? Not the total including park tickets, dining plan, etc, correct? I'm trying to figure out how a room only discount would save me more, since I've been reading that sometimes it's the better deal, but I can't seem to make it work out that way. We have two adults booked at Wilderness Lodge for 7 nights. Even factoring in a 30% discount (hypothetical), the free dining deal would still provide approximately 150$ more in savings for us. Or am I doing this completely wrong? Thanks for your help!

 

[bjcaed]

we have a reservation with a TA. He has our three plans for tomorrow, but I will also be up at 4:00 trying to get a standard Deluxe at AKL or WL. If I manage to snag one I will book it and transfer it to him. My question is, I have paid %90 of our balance already. Will he be able to just transfer that payment to the new reservation????

 

[donp]

Hey guys, I have a question and it probably sounds really stupid, but I'm going to ask anyways. So a "room only" discount applies ONLY to the room rates for the entire stay, correct? Not the total including park tickets, dining plan, etc, correct? I'm trying to figure out how a room only discount would save me more, since I've been reading that sometimes it's the better deal, but I can't seem to make it work out that way. We have two adults booked at Wilderness Lodge for 7 nights. Even factoring in a 30% discount (hypothetical), the free dining deal would still provide approximately 150$ more in savings for us. Or am I doing this completely wrong? Thanks for your help!

I am not surprised at that. Wilderness Lodge is on the less expensive side of the deluxe resorts. As the deluxe rooms in different resorts gets higher in price, the scales tilt the other way.

 

[Rusty2rules]

I just want to post something before all heck (hopefully) breaks loose in the next few hours.

I've been watching and occasionally posting in this thread since almost day one. The name of the thread is Free Dining Watch, Wait, and Dream. This thread has covered that and more. Sometimes I think y'all talk more about other things than that. LOL Everyone on here has so much knowledge and not only are willing to share it but anxious to share it. You're so helpful and patient with all the "newbies" (including myself) and answer the same question 1,000 times without hardly a complaint.

I just want to send out a big thank you to all the pros and ones with the experience. You've given great advice over the last several weeks. It may not always be the same advice, but it's good to get different opinions and perspectives. And when somebody does have a different point of view, there's almost never a cross word. That's amazing considering there are over 13,500 posts in this thing.

So, thank you. Your knowledge, willingness to share, and patience have been greatly appreciate. Now, let's hope everybody gets what they're hoping for!

 

[SG131]

Still stressing about TA. I love my TA but not sure what her plan is tomorrow. So tempted to try myself too....

Side note, I wanted to thank all the regulars in the thread who have been so helpful with on and off topic questions/discussions. As a Disney nut who is finally getting to go back after 8 years, all the information I got from following this thread has been great!

 

[wdw4rfam]

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.

Complain about poly?? I was there in a standard room in September and a DVC villa in march and we LOVED it. No way could I say it was dated or dirty.

 

[AnnetteS]

I'm always so jealous when those of you from UK or AUS post about taking three week long vacations! I can't imagine how awesome that is.
I believe you can wait to upgrade your dining but it must be done several days before check in. I always recommend reservations for any TS restaurants no matter when you are going.
I prefer RCL. It's nothing against Carnival, it just seemed like something was missing with them vs our RCL cruises. But, you are still on a cruise so it can't be that bad no matter who you choose!

Most of the people have 5 week or more leave. And officially we work 38 hours a week.but you can choose to work 40, than you have some extra weeks ..I am from The Netherlands.
I like what i see from RCL, but i don't see much waterslides for teens and the young of heart....

 

[DisneyMom199]

There is a Canadian and Disney Visa early extension to the offer from the rumors. Canadians/Disney Visa can get it from August 13, everyone else August 21

Darn.... blacks original prediction had everyone getting it starting the 13th!

 

[mommajo143]

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

There are no brand ones available but we like the Frog Tog brand - we live in Louisiana and use them a lot ... ball season yard work etc. IMO Frog Tog is more durable but the off brand ones work just as well and would hold up fine for a single trip to WDW.

How about storms or rain on September?

We have traveled alot in the fall -expect afternoon downpours - they come and go pretty quick but create a very steamy atmosphere for a few hours after. We find that it doesn't bother us because the downpours and sauna afterwards often run a few people off (crowds seem to be a little lighter after a rain shower).

FWIW i have crunched the our numbers as much as i can (thanks to those who shared their excel sheets - helped alot!) We booked at CBR awhile ago and ahve $75 GCs and we will be traveling with DS10 and DS6 - both will have just had BDays and DS10 will of course have to have adult meals but we are hoping if we are paying OOP that some places will let the boys share one adult meal. We have pretty much settled on taking the room we have and just taking the QS plan and then using our GCs to pay OOP for a few of our favorite sit downs. We will cancel the others and hope to just enjoy a more relaxed trip with a few less reservations to rush off to. That being said, i can sitll modify my reservation in the computer but am quite worried about doing this and messing up my reservation and LOSING the GC if we have to rebook - we have always just called. We didn't go to WDW last year (I was furloughed at work and not working Fridays which was alot o fun, except the pay cut part of it...) Anyhow i watched the boards and listened to the chaos a few friends dealt with...i am really thinking we will jsut get up and sit on hold on the phone. I welcome everyone's thoughts - the $75 GC is the only reason we are remaining at a moderate - we have always stayed moderate but if we lost the GC it would really punch a hole in our budget and we would go to POP or another value resort. I am thinking we will need no more than about $400 to cover OOP sit down meal costs over and above the gift cards. That is less OOP than the upgrade to DDP

For anyone interested, here is our "plan"
9/1 - late arrival (11pm)
9/2 - 635pm ADR GG (may cancel & just eat at F&W carts) - estimated OOP $175
9/3 - 835am ADR CP (may cancel but not sure bc DS6 Tigger) - estimated OOP $100
1:15PM ADR BOG (QS)
9/4 - 8:30 PM ADR OHana - estimated OOP $175
9/5 - 1:10 PM ARD Sci Fi (DS10 favorite place to eat)- estimated OOP $100
*hope to snag star wars dessert party tix for PM 9/5
9/6 - 8PM ADR BOG - estimated OOP $135
9/7 - 5PM ADR LTT - estimated OOP $120
*will attend MNSSHP
9/8 - 805AM ADR TH (may cancel) - estimated OOP $115
830PM ADR Boma (will almost certainly cancel)
9/9 - 8am ADR BOG (QS)
6PM ADR CRT - estimated OOP $275

***disclaimer - i start to talk alot (or type alot ) when i start to get nervous...

 

[Kindermouse]

Most of the people have 5 week or more leave. And officially we work 38 hours a week.but you can choose to work 40, than you have some extra weeks ..I am from The Netherlands.
I like what i see from RCL, but i don't see much waterslides for teens and the young of heart....

That sounds like heaven.

 

[Meeko5]

This thread has over a million views now LOL

 

[jods]

I stayed poly last august. It was amazing! So beautiful and serene. I felt like I was on a relaxing vacation when I was at the resort. I'm actually worried I won't br happy with BC this summer.

 

[Niki P]

Who else here is trying for POP in September?! We're going 14th-18th Second choice hotel is ASMu! Hope everyone gets what they want! I'm getting nervous jitters!!

We are there Sept 12-20 and planning on Sports... so excited!

 

[OlafSchmolaf]

Been gone all day and 30 new pages. What did I miss??? Page 647 here I come...

 

[samsteele]

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

I used both Frogg Toggs cooling towels and Ergodyne. Purchased both on amazon. The Frogg Toggs I cut in half lengthwise because they were too thick around the neck. Both worked wonderfully well at WDW last Sept.

 

[Frwinkley]

So...I'm trying to familiarize myself with the Disney site so that I'm prepared for tomorrow. Where will the Free Dining offer appear?

 

[samsteele]

How about storms or rain on September?

Last Sept I missed the Hurricane by a few days. Flew out early the week before it blew through Orlando. A short heavy rain downpour mid afternoon is usual in Sept and then it clears up again. I pack the dollar store fold up ponchos so I have something easy to stash in my park bag. Others prefer the Disney ponchos.

 

[Felicis]

Back crunching numbers again - 2 day tickets changes everything again, lol. Might be up for FD again. I swear this journey has been like a yo-yo, yes, no yes, no - at least tonight brings it to an end one way or another!

 

[samsteele]

So...I'm trying to familiarize myself with the Disney site so that I'm prepared for tomorrow. Where will the Free Dining offer appear?

Click on Special Offers icon on bottom left of page and it should bring you to all current special offers. FD should appear there. Also possible that it will headline the home page.