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

[Elsaalltheway]

I should have called back and asked for someone else!!!

I've only ever stayed at a value. Well PoP really. Next year when I do a bounce back I'm going to stay at a mod. Will be my first one.

 

[lampshadehead]

Quite often the BB offer does not advertise value resorts but when you call x8844 and specifically ask if any value resorts are included, they are. But, you need to ask them if they're included, not ask them what is included as often they will only say moderate and deluxe.

I called the BB number last year and now have a value resort FD BB offer booked for September. The BB offer for value resorts included Free Quick Service Dining but I opted to pay the difference and we have the Disney Dining Plan with 1 Table, 1 Quick and 2 snacks.

It's always worth asking if a Disney offer includes Value resorts as often it does even though it's not advertised this way.

This will be our 6th FD BB reservation in a row, each booked the previous Aug/Sept and always staying at Pop which is a value resort.

Was looking for 2 rooms (had 2 last year at POP) I specifically said that I wanted a value, and was told that I had to choose from a moderate, either CB, CSR, or POR. So, when I chose CSR, the person kept quoting me the most expensive rooms like a business class room and then a junior suite. So when I said no that wanted a standard room, was told there were none available. I really should have hung up and called back later, but at that at that time, I was just like oh whatever we can deal with this another time. Now I am totally regretting it.

 

[scard192]

Does anyone have insight on how difficult it has been in the past to grab the FD offer at POP in the past?

I don't recall seeing posts in the past that people could not book FD at POP (or ASSp). maybe no standard rooms but POP is a big resort I would think getting it at POP should be pretty good odds.

 

[JenK0108]

I received an email with a working code yesterday. But we are planning on December so it did not do me any good.

Same here...got a working code, but going in Dec so no help!

 

[Sharongal74]

The U.K. Gets there deals a year before us. And I believe the U.K. Deal last year didn't include values either. I think their was a discussion on the boards wondering if it would affect how ours was run, but it didn't. Although you never know. I hear FD is ending this year, or was that year, or the year before haha!
Never got a code either. From what I have read, yesterday's code wasn't any better then the summer deal.

 

[Rusty2rules]

Well, today was the first day I could make ADRs. Of course, the one and only restaurant I wanted – BOG – is completely booked the day I need. Oh well. I'll just keep checking and hoping.

 

[Lesley Wake]

Does anyone know how the Canadian ticket discount works? I am a Canadian citizen (even though I live in LA), and I could use my uncle's billing address. But the Disney site says it's for a certificate that you have to exchange in person for tickets to prove you are Canadian. But will that mean I wouldn't be able to make FP+ reservations? Or is it just going to be more trouble than the discount would be worth?

 

[agassizsmile]

My husband is a money worrier too, and he is able to relax more if he doesn't have to count money the whole time. It's not about getting a savings, for us, it's a way to pre-pay and simplify the vacation.

We'll go whether there's free dining or not. Hopefully there's some sort of discount even if it's not free dining (I can't imagine they would have no promotions for fall) but free dining would sure be nice, wouldn't it! If we don't get free dining, we'll pay for free dining.

I often order more expensive things but that's just because my body doesn't like pasta or chicken. It's never about maximizing my dollar, sometimes I order the cheapest thing. For me, going on vacation is about relaxing and doing what you want when you want - that includes ordering whatever you want when you want it. Outside of trying to figure out what I'll feel like for dinner 6 months from now, we manage to do that well with the DDP.

I totally agree with all you said

 

[anorman]

I don't even get this but I don't get what a lot of people do. This is pure waste and I don't see what gratification they get from it. And I agree people ordering steak instead of chicken if they really want the chicken, silly! One of the reasons I love the DDP and have decided if I don't get it free I will purchase it (I've ran the numbers and think it is break even for me) is that my DH is a money worrier. He knows this trip cost a lot but with free dining I was able to watch him order whatever he wanted and not worry about the budget. It won't be quite as nice if we don't get it "free." But him knowing the package is paid for and behind us and he can order the lobster without feeling like it could go toward something more useful is a win. It really gets him in vacation mode. Also I might get steak but my 16 year old is going to get chicken or pasta so disney is winning on her. Bahahaha!!!

I feel the same way. Right now I have the DDP purchased for my upcoming Pop stay in August. While FD is nice and would be a perk, I am perfectly happy to have it purchased in the package. We have visited Disney many times off site and therefore if we wanted to dine at Disney, it has been out of pocket. More times than not, I would make a reservation but cancel it several days before because it is way too expensive for what you get. The last time we went to MK two years ago, we ate at BOG for lunch and for 4 of us it cost $120 USD.....for just sandwiches and desserts! When you factor in the CAD exchange rate it is enough to make anyone balk at the price. For us, Disney dining is a big part of the Disney experience and will happily pay in advance just so we don't have to think about it. Vacation is for no worries!

 

[smallworldnh]

Well, today was the first day I could make ADRs. Of course, the one and only restaurant I wanted – BOG – is completely booked the day I need. Oh well. I'll just keep checking and hoping.

It was mine as well and I got online right at 6am EST and luckily got BOG! There were a lot of lunch times open but I guess they really go fast! I was lucky enough to get all the ones I wanted except for the ROL package, it wasn't even available to book for Sept. yet. I hope you get your reservation!

 

[Katmat75]

Well, today was the first day I could make ADRs. Of course, the one and only restaurant I wanted – BOG – is completely booked the day I need. Oh well. I'll just keep checking and hoping.

Mine opens Thursday. BOG is the only one I want too! Here's hoping! Good luck on your grabbing that one, too!

 

[monkeybug]

I apologize if this question has already been asked, I did search but there are so many free dining posts it was difficult to browse through them all.
For the ticket requirement, do you need to purchase a ticket for every person in the room who will be participating in the free dining? We are thinking of going the week after Thanksgiving and staying at the Poly. My husband is military, and the military tickets end up being cheaper than free dining, unless I can purchase a ticket for my 6 year-old to satisfy the ticket requirement and then purchase the rest of our tickets using the salute discount. Thanks!

 

[scrappinginontario]

Well, today was the first day I could make ADRs. Of course, the one and only restaurant I wanted – BOG – is completely booked the day I need. Oh well. I'll just keep checking and hoping.

I cannot guarantee this will work but you may wish to try booking a BoG reservation for a number of people different from your dining party. IF you snag one, attempt to modify it to the number of people in your party.

We are a family of 2 and I created a post mentioning how difficult it was to book reservations for just 2 people and this method was recommended to me. I went in and played with the numbers and sure enough was able to book a couple of reservations that were not showing when we were a group of 2 and then successfully modified them to a party of 2.

Just a suggestion.

 

[vikkil70]

You must live near us! We are in Caroline but I grew up in Stafford operating on the after labor day schedule!

We are in Hanover. I grew up in NY where we were always started after Labor Day, but moved to VA 5 years ago.

 

[pooh'smate]

I apologize if this question has already been asked, I did search but there are so many free dining posts it was difficult to browse through them all.
For the ticket requirement, do you need to purchase a ticket for every person in the room who will be participating in the free dining? We are thinking of going the week after Thanksgiving and staying at the Poly. My husband is military, and the military tickets end up being cheaper than free dining, unless I can purchase a ticket for my 6 year-old to satisfy the ticket requirement and then purchase the rest of our tickets using the salute discount. Thanks!

All the people on the reservation need to have the same ticket.

 

[JackieO]

Well, today was the first day I could make ADRs. Of course, the one and only restaurant I wanted – BOG – is completely booked the day I need. Oh well. I'll just keep checking and hoping.

Yes, keep checking. I made all our necessary ADRs at 6am on our 180 days but then one day while I was just messing around I found a lunch at BOG and booked it just because it was available. We're always up for eating there. You never know what will come up.

 

[Rusty2rules]

I cannot guarantee this will work but you may wish to try booking a BoG reservation for a number of people different from your dining party. IF you snag one, attempt to modify it to the number of people in your party.

We are a family of 2 and I created a post mentioning how difficult it was to book reservations for just 2 people and this method was recommended to me. I went in and played with the numbers and sure enough was able to book a couple of reservations that were not showing when we were a group of 2 and then successfully modified them to a party of 2.

I just tried this and nada. Thanks for the suggestion though.

It was mine as well and I got online right at 6am EST and luckily got BOG! There were a lot of lunch times open but I guess they really go fast!

Problem is I want dinner. There's nothing on the lunch menu my son will eat. I was kind of afraid of this. The day I need is the only day scheduled for the fireworks at night. Oh well. This isn't going to make or break our vacation, I just thought it'd be nice. I'll just keep checking.

Thanks for all the positive thoughts and advice!

 

[itsjustryan]

Just curious, what kind of offer was it?

30 % off rooms through 8-31 l. The same as the other ones. At least I know I am on the list. That is if there is a list to be on....

 

[Rusty2rules]

At least I know I am on the list.

Oh, you're on the list alright! I think we're talking about 2 different lists though.

 

[Michelle512]

It's always worth asking if a Disney offer includes Value resorts as often it does even though it's not advertised this way.

This will be our 6th FD BB reservation in a row, each booked the previous Aug/Sept and always staying at Pop which is a value resort.[/QUOTE]


We usually travel to Disney with the FD promo, but it's never been offered as a BB while we were there...it's always room discounts. We're checking in Aug 16th. this year and it looks like the current BB is offered to Aug 15. From your experience of Aug/Sept BB's do you think there's a chance it might change to the FD BB on the 16th? I know it's all a guess, but just wondering what your thoughts are? Thanks!