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

[ThistleMae]

PoP has a murphy bed? So technically 5 would fit? really?

My understanding is that POP is for a family of 4, you can't put more people in that room, it isn't allowed. My daughter has to get two room there to accommodate her family of 5.

 

[scard192]

Just popping in to say good morning. I've been following this thread since the beginning, and it's been fun waiting on FD with you all!
I've also been thinking about this possible change to QS for the mods. While I do think it stinks - you're getting "less" for the same $$ (more, actually) as past trips - I'm beginning to warm to the idea. My family of 5 always stays at POR, and it's still the least expensive option. I need to re-do my spreadsheets for QS and see how FD shakes out, but my guess is, for us, it is still worth it. I'll pay for one or two TS OOP that we really want to do, but for the rest of the time, I'm starting to like the idea of QS dining freedom. Can you tell I'm talking myself into it? Darn you Disney, just keep increasing prices and giving less and I still love you

QS at the MODs is less of a value but we did the QS dining plan last year and really liked the freedom. All the kids in the family are older and we did tons of character meals in the past. The kids were very vocal that they wanted to spend as much time on attractions instead of "wasting time" at TS restaurants. Wiht FP+ locking you in with that schedule, it was nice not to be tied to an ADR every day. We ate where we wanted when we wanted instead of what I decided 6 months in advance. We had an ADR for BOG lunch and paid OOP (Disney Visa Rewards) for Tusker House breakfast and Minnie's Holiday Dine.

I know many people love TS on the DDP, just trying to make lemonade....

 

[bookgirl2632]

From everything I've read from last year, and this thread, the easiest thing to do is to book a new reservation online as soon as FD drops, which seems to be at 4 a.m. eastern time, when you can access the website.

So you think I should book another reservation and cancel the one I have now? If I do that, how quickly are my funds refunded? So far, we've only made two payments and they are on two different cards.

 

[karaintn]

I'm mostly a lurker, and have been following this thread pretty closely. The rumor about free dining dates matches up with the trip dates I had in mind, so that's a win. However, I just went to check some prices for my desired trip - a stay at the Poly, Nov 18-25, and there's absolutely no rooms showing available. I've never had this issue before, probably because I typically book farther out and not peak time like Thanksgiving. Anyway, my question is - is it typical for rooms to come available? Or should I give up hope for this particular week at this particular resort? Thanks in advance!

Does this make any sense to anyone??? -- I emailed my TA yesterday in a panic about not being able to book 7 nights at the Poly. She replied that Disney only allows her to book a limited number of nights at certain hotels during certain time periods. So she had to make one 5 night reservation, and then another 2 night reservation, and noted that we would like to stay in the same room for both reservations. This make no sense - what does Disney gain by limiting the number of nights booked per reservation?

 

[ThistleMae]

We are pulling our daughter out in Nov to go and she'll be in 6th grade. They can judge all they want- it's really not up to them- it's your kid!! Also she's a straight A student so that's a factor. If she struggled I probably wouldn't take her out.

Our schools developed a new policy that if you have more than five unexcused absences, you fail your classes, even if you are an A student....talk about a control issue!

 

[Atinsley22]

Thanks for all the info. We did not get in on the GC promo and are currently booked for CBR, I'm thinking of switching to POP since the rumor is CBR will only get QS dining. Also CBR's standard room dates are extremely limited around our trip to the point of staying offsite the first and last night.

Is this a decent switch? 2 adults, 2 kids (2 and 4).

 

[ThistleMae]

So you think I should book another reservation and cancel the one I have now? If I do that, how quickly are my funds refunded? So far, we've only made two payments and they are on two different cards.

Yes, after talking to many, many people this is the best way to do it once FD drops; however, I'm not sure how soon your credit card is refunded. I don't think it takes more than a few days, like most refunds, but best to ask someone else their experience. Can anyone answer her on this?

 

[ThistleMae]

OT but is anyone watching Dancing with the Stars? It's Disney night!

I have it recorded, but way looking forward to watching that episode, I love the Disney night!

 

[TropicalDIS]

Question folks, when booking FD will the Canadian ticket offer discount also work?

If so, will that be added automatically when i do the FD reservation?

Thanks!

 

[Disneylover99]

Does this make any sense to anyone??? -- I emailed my TA yesterday in a panic about not being able to book 7 nights at the Poly. She replied that Disney only allows her to book a limited number of nights at certain hotels during certain time periods. So she had to make one 5 night reservation, and then another 2 night reservation, and noted that we would like to stay in the same room for both reservations. This make no sense - what does Disney gain by limiting the number of nights booked per reservation?

It's just the way it works now. It's some kind of system where Disney doesn't get stuck with random days here and there that they can't book. You may find zero availability for dates you want, but add a day and tons of availability opens up. You really have to play with your dates. It used to be easy to drop a day from your reservation as well. Now you may not be able too.

 

[ThistleMae]

We would be doing the same. Approximately how much is the difference to upgrade?

$ 20 adults $ 4 kids

 

[scard192]

Our schools developed a new policy that if you have more than five unexcused absences, you fail your classes, even if you are an A student....talk about a control issue!

our school system sent out a notice about "unexcused" absences of more than 5 days per year and the students would be considered truant.
Apparently a parent deciding to take their child out of school for a vacation is considered "unexcused". Stinks because we have no Fall break which leaves us with summer (no way) or April school vacation when airfare is sky high and no FD. We booked a TA exclusive last year, next trip will check to see what they have for Spring deals; hoping for something that will work with my budget.

 

[hdh23]

So you think I should book another reservation and cancel the one I have now? If I do that, how quickly are my funds refunded? So far, we've only made two payments and they are on two different cards.

We had to cancel our trip last year and when I canceled she said it could take up to a month to see the funds back in our account. It only ended up taking about a week on one card and almost two on another card. It must just depend on the bank. We had used three different payment methods so I learned my lesson there because one was a gift card and I no longer had the gift card. I think this year if I have to rebook for free dining for some reason I'm going to call and see if they can apply the funds to the new reservation.

 

[markpenske]

QS at Moderates would be very disappointing. Where did this rumor come from???
In the past we've spent the extra to stay at a moderate for the table service. I guess maybe we'll stay at a value and upgrade the dining.

 

[ThistleMae]

BLACK....PLEASE UPDATE US....ANY NEWS STARTING TO SEEP INTO THE PIPLINE?

 

[scard192]

QS at Moderates would be very disappointing. Where did this rumor come from???
In the past we've spent the extra to stay at a moderate for the table service. I guess maybe we'll stay at a value and upgrade the dining.

the South American TA site that has been pretty reliable with information in the past. And black562.No way to know for sure until FD drops

 

[scard192]

Latest rumor on the country I live (SA country), by this Sunday (April 23rd) a major newspaper will show lots of publicity pages about the Disney Free Dining promotion (paid by the major TAs down here). Fingers crossed.

I read most of you are going on November, no one is joining us on September ? We are going from Sep 4th to Sept 14th.

Please update everyone on Sunday with the details in those ads.

 

[squirrel]

Question folks, when booking FD will the Canadian ticket offer discount also work?

If so, will that be added automatically when i do the FD reservation?

Thanks!

No to get FD you need to pay rack rates and full price on tickets. No other discounts are allowed. Those with the Gift Cards are allowed to book FD without loosing the GC.

 

[missnikki411]

IF the rumors are correct and free dining starts 11/25 for us after Thanksgiving folks, and I want to arrive the evening of 11/24, do I not get free dining? How do I make this work?

 

[ThistleMae]

As a parent, I went to the school board office and asked for a waiver for my child's absence. They saw it as educational to travel and experience other parts of the country, even WDW. As a teacher, I would tell my students to go and have a good time. We'll catch up when you get back. Of course, some of my coworkers could be unnecessarily difficult.

I find it totally absurd, for the school to have an issue with a family vacation if your child is getting good grades. The mentality of punishing everyone because of the children that have attendance issues that are not excused, is ridiculous. It's the worst way to solve the ongoing issue of attendance for the smaller number of kids with this problem. So glad to hear some schools have a more reasonable approach.