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

[Aurora2017]

This is a link that will be super helpful to you @JackieO !!

Thank you so much for that link, it is awesome!!

 

[dwalterpsu]

I apologize for likely repeating questions, but this newb has just a few more.

I've read every blog I can find and watched the podcast posted but I'm still confused about the logistics of FD and what it looks like.

If you haven't booked, do you go online at 4am? Is there an actual promo code? Do they crash?

If you have booked, can you modify online (if so, how?) or do you have to wait and call at 7? If you work with an agent, doesn't it take too long for the back and forth if you need to change dates?

4:00 am was the time that the free dining offer was released last year. There is no guarantee that it will be released at the same time this year. If I remember correctly, thanks to those on this board, we were pretty sure of the day, but the time was a surprise. When you log on to the Disney website, you will find the promotions under "special offers". You will click on the free dining offer...when it is available...and book that way. The website has been known to be an issue on the day that popular promotions have been offered.

If you have a reservation already booked, log in to the Disney website and pull up your reservation. If it has a "modify" button, that is how you change your reservation to add free dining.

If you works with an agent, you should let them know what your preferences before any promotions are offered. They must make any changes to your reservation if they booked it for you. It will certainly be difficult if not impossible to go over things with your agent when a promotion is offered. Hope this helps.

 

[ParryOttertheChosenBoy]

4:00 am was the time that the free dining offer was released last year. There is no guarantee that it will be released at the same time this year. If I remember correctly, thanks to those on this board, we were pretty sure of the day, but the time was a surprise. When you log on to the Disney website, you will find the promotions under "special offers". You will click on the free dining offer...when it is available...and book that way. The website has been known to be an issue on the day that popular promotions have been offered.

If you have a reservation already booked, log in to the Disney website and pull up your reservation. If it has a "modify" button, that is how you change your reservation to add free dining.

If you works with an agent, you should let them know what your preferences before any promotions are offered. They must make any changes to your reservation if they booked it for you. It will certainly be difficult if not impossible to go over things with your agent when a promotion is offered. Hope this helps.

Perfect, thank you so much!

 

[tinkpower]

It's so sad guys....but I'm still recovering from Monday's "trial run". Not going to lie....that 3:50 wake up was rough. Though I'm excited that we have another prospective date....



Here's to hoping that the next early wake up is better than the last...

That's 1:50 here! I may just as well stay awake rather than sleep at all! Lol

 

[rebsie]

Another quick question. I'm hoping for the DV early dates that they offered last year (we want aug 17-25). IF that is the case, can I book online for the disney visa early date offer when it comes out? or do I need to call? Inquiring minds want to know

 

[tinkpower]

There's a free dining update on Disneytouristblog. He seems to be betting on a double wave release with late summer dates first and then fall and winter released later. But he said it's mildly informed speculation.

That interesting. I'm guessing if that's true I'll have to wait another round for the end of September. I wonder what would Disney be thinking is the benefit?

 

[vever]

I am booked from the 11th of November through the 22nd; if the FD comes out and happens to be say on the 14th is it simple to modify the dates to the FD? I know I will be doing a split stay, but I do have a modify button; will it let me shorten my dates to get the FD?

 

[ratodino]

It's so sad guys....but I'm still recovering from Monday's "trial run". Not going to lie....that 3:50 wake up was rough. Though I'm excited that we have another prospective date....

Here's to hoping that the next early wake up is better than the last...

I'm so glad we had that trial run. Got up here at 2:45 central time, but gave up too soon. I fell back to sleep a half hour later and didn't wake back up til 6am- I would have missed it!!! The summer discounts downloaded at what...about 5:15? So now I have the plan-take a VERY long nap after Easter dinner, be up and ready at midnight (just in case) with plenty of coffee and ready to do an all-nighter. I hope you all have lots of fun chatter to keep me awake!

 

[FinnsMom7]

Just a wonderment - were the FD dates confirmed prior to being released last year? Or was it only until 4 am that April morning that the dates were known?

 

[brittanidp]

Another quick question. I'm hoping for the DV early dates that they offered last year (we want aug 17-25). IF that is the case, can I book online for the disney visa early date offer when it comes out? or do I need to call? Inquiring minds want to know

You can book online if you have the link. Some people (me) rarely get the emailsnjust for card holders (probably because I have the debit) but someone posted the link here last year and I was able to use it and book that way. Another thing about DV is that I would go in and play around with bookings and different inventory showed up for DV and normal free dining so if you don't see a room you want on one, check the other (if the dates work for both)

 

[brittanidp]

Just a wonderment - were the FD dates confirmed prior to being released last year? Or was it only until 4 am that April morning that the dates were known?

We pretty much had the dates nailed down from a few sources the night before it dropped

 

[KimBean]

So we are booked for 11/12-11/17 in a standard room at WL. Should I be in hopes that a FDP will be offered during our stay? Is it better to book your trip in advance rather than waiting for the FDP to drop? I've always waited for the plan to drop before making our reservations but I'm always struggling to find rooms.

Is there any advice you can give me on what to plan/think about or caution for if there is a FDP offered?

If you were to prebook something I would book your alternative plans if you don't get FD. Booking doesn't help your chances in getting it and it just makes disney think they have booked a room without a promotion so one less room to include in the promotion.

I'm booked at the dates I want and a value that is the cheapest just in case I don't get FD or it isn't offered.

 

[tinkpower]

If you were to prebook something I would book your alternative plans if you don't get FD. Booking doesn't help your chances in getting it and it just makes disney think they have booked a room without a promotion so one less room to include in the promotion.

I'm booked at the dates I want and a value that is the cheapest just in case I don't get FD or it isn't offered.

This is the best I've seen it explained. Book where you will stay if there is no FD, instead of booking up rooms your hoping will have FD!

 

[Lesley Wake]

If they do it in waves do you think it will help avoid the site crashing? Will it be easier to get the earlier set of dates (going 9/9-18)

 

[squirrel]

I actually hope the 17th is the date. I won't bother going to bed. For me out west 1 am is when it should open. I can sleep in since no work for Easter Monday.

 

[Lesley Wake]

I actually hope the 17th is the date. I won't bother going to bed. For me out west 1 am is when it should open. I can sleep in since no work for Easter Monday.

I would just stay up too, but then this week the deal didn't come out until 2:15 PST! And I don't get work off that day, so I guess I will be extra tired. But we still haven't heard any confirmation about that date yet.

 

[DisKaren]

You can book online if you have the link. Some people (me) rarely get the emailsnjust for card holders (probably because I have the debit) but someone posted the link here last year and I was able to use it and book that way. Another thing about DV is that I would go in and play around with bookings and different inventory showed up for DV and normal free dining so if you don't see a room you want on one, check the other (if the dates work for both)

Were you able to book online using that link at 4 am when the FD promotion dropped last year? Did you know about the DV early dates before FD dropped? My husband and I have both had Disney Visas for years and have never received advance notice of promotions. I'm hoping someone on this thread or on Mousesavers or another site this year may have info as far as any DV early dates as our dates are Aug. 18-23.

 

[Shelbizzles]

It's so sad guys....but I'm still recovering from Monday's "trial run". Not going to lie....that 3:50 wake up was rough. Though I'm excited that we have another prospective date....

Here's to hoping that the next early wake up is better than the last...

I'm sorry but I must have missed it (I was a few pages behind) when is the next rumored date?

 

[DisKaren]

I'm sorry but I must have missed it (I was a few pages behind) when is the next rumored date?

April 17th.

 

[squirrel]

Were you able to book online using that link at 4 am when the FD promotion dropped last year? Did you know about the DV early dates before FD dropped? My husband and I have both had Disney Visas for years and have never received advance notice of promotions. I'm hoping someone on this thread or on Mousesavers or another site this year may have info as far as any DV early dates as our dates are Aug. 18-23.

Your dates should be included if they are following the same pattern as last year. I'm also hoping for the same dates. We would arrive on the 19th but it looks like DV and Canadians get that extra week that isn't part of the GP Free Dining offer.