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

[LongLiveRafiki]

I am so shocked that for CBR $230 a night they are giving you a free upgrade to a 2 bedroom villa. When I'm going that shows as $730 a night. Am I missing something? I need this kind of luck in my life.

We had 2 rooms reserved for a total of $400/ night + tax. 2 bedroom at SSR is $670/ night. Yes, it was a very nice free upgrade and only offered because we booked at CBR prior to the construction announcement. They were offering $75/ night gift card or free resort switch. For the resort switch, they were mostly pushing the Port Orleans resorts, but several of us lucked out with SSR. Since we had 2 rooms at CBR, they agreed to a 2 bedroom since 2 studios would have been $690, the 2 bedroom had a lesser value than the 2 studios.

 

[cshell624]

But food and wine festival have quite a few food items that can count as snacks credits right?

Yes, most items at the Food & Wine Festival are snack credits (alcohol is not included). You can keep an eye out on the Disney Food Blog or here on the DIS for updated info on the festival food booths. Here is a look at the menus from last year...
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-world/epcot/food-wine-festival.htm#market

 

[trucker den]

We had 2 rooms reserved for a total of $400/ night + tax. 2 bedroom at SSR is $670/ night. Yes, it was a very nice free upgrade and only offered because we booked at CBR prior to the construction announcement. They were offering $75/ night gift card or free resort switch. For the resort switch, they were mostly pushing the Port Orleans resorts, but several of us lucked out with SSR. Since we had 2 rooms at CBR, they agreed to a 2 bedroom since 2 studios would have been $690, the 2 bedroom had a lesser value than the 2 studios.

When we changed they were pushing a AOA suite. I told them I didn't want to downgrade to a value. Then they pushed POR. I held out and threatened to cancel my reservation and they then offered SSR. I was stunned but took it. I guess that they feel it frees up 2 mod rooms for other reservations. And the price difference isn't that much. Now my parents can possibly watch the kids in our 1 shared room while my and the wife enjoy food and wine in the evening.

 

[SouthernSoprano]

We had 2 rooms reserved for a total of $400/ night + tax. 2 bedroom at SSR is $670/ night. Yes, it was a very nice free upgrade and only offered because we booked at CBR prior to the construction announcement. They were offering $75/ night gift card or free resort switch. For the resort switch, they were mostly pushing the Port Orleans resorts, but several of us lucked out with SSR. Since we had 2 rooms at CBR, they agreed to a 2 bedroom since 2 studios would have been $690, the 2 bedroom had a lesser value than the 2 studios.

This is what happened with us. We had two rooms at CBR in Sept before any news of construction hit. After calling, I found out we had the option of the $75 gift cards per night or a resort change. We have 7 people in our group going and I really wanted to simplify things by us all being in one room instead of two. Since I'd read on here about the possibility of upgrading to an SSR 2 bedroom, I asked right away for that instead of waiting for their suggestion. At first, they waffled on the idea and they actually wanted me to pay a difference of $335 to upgrade. I brought up that they would be saving that much money because they wouldn't have to pay me the gift cards. Lo and behold, I got my upgrade to a 2 bedroom villa at SSR for the same price as we were paying for 2 rooms at CBR!

Oh and we've never stayed ANYwhere other than CBR, so this will be quite the step up for us.

Now I'm just holding out for that Free Dining offer. I asked about it and was told that I would be able to add that promotion to my reservation without having to pay rack rate. That would drop the price for us quite a bit. But I will say, we're planning on going whether we get it or not. It would just be really nice, kwim?

 

[KNovacovschi]

I am so shocked that for CBR $230 a night they are giving you a free upgrade to a 2 bedroom villa. When I'm going that shows as $730 a night. Am I missing something? I need this kind of luck in my life.

I'm not to shocked. Last year we were booked at CBR standard and because they overbooked they upgarded us to AKL Savannah View. CBR is $207/night for standard and AKL Savannah View is $531/night, rack rate because we had FD. I think sometimes they just don't have any other choice.

 

[Amunet]

Those all look very good!
My $.02:

1. Narcoossees brunch will be worth the 2 credits. I'm told (never been there for brunch) it is almost a carbon copy of California Grill brunch. We did California Grill brunch and it was our favorite meal of the trip. The lobster eggs benedict......mmmmm!

2. I noticed Maya Grill at the bottom of your list. Had dinner there (we stayed at Coronado Springs) and it was very good also. I would recommend the: "whatever dish looks good" and Sangria! Lots of Sangria! The more the better!

3. Are you staying at Coronado? I thought maybe you are because of Maya Grill on your list. If so, check out Las Ventanas for your resort breakfast on "HS day" or "Party day". It does count as a table service credit but the meals are inexpensive (maybe pay out of pocket for this one?) and very good. It's a small restaurant, maybe 15 tables or so. The prices are literally just a few dollars more than the QS meals at Pepper Market across the hallway and sooo much better. We really enjoyed the poached eggs dish (can't remember the exact name) for breakfast.

Thank you!

We are hoping for POR (maybe even POFQ if we're all really lucky), but CSR isn't off the table either
Either way, that's a good snippet of advice right there

 

[Mollymovacca]

Hey everyone!!! Been following for quite some time, but finally decided to join! Y'all are a fun bunch! We are so excited about our upcoming trip in September! Can not wait for the Halloween party! I would love to snag free dining! Crossing my fingers and toes!!

 

[TomServo27]

Back in 2002 I got moved from cbr to the poly when they shut down the whole resort for a refurb. I got the poly for $129 night.

 

[agassizsmile]

So tired of waiting,it's depressing.Waiting to hear on FD and also on a new job before mine gets downsized!Lifes full of lemons for me tired of making lemonade

 

[Disneylover99]

So tired of waiting,it's depressing.Waiting to hear on FD and also on a new job before mine gets downsized!Lifes full of lemons for me tired of making lemonade

It's Friday night. Add some vodka.

 

[agassizsmile]

 

[cshell624]

Hey everyone!!! Been following for quite some time, but finally decided to join! Y'all are a fun bunch! We are so excited about our upcoming trip in September! Can not wait for the Halloween party! I would love to snag free dining! Crossing my fingers and toes!!

I've been listening to my Halloween Party cd this week . Hopefully we'll hear news about the Halloween Party and Free Dining SOON!!!

 

[Greg36]

We just received that e-mail from Disney Destinations that people were talking about several pages back with the pin code. It is up to 30% off deluxe and up to 20% off select values and moderates. They are calling it return to the magic summer room offer. It is good for up to end of August. Sadly we are not going to use it as we are going in the fall, but I was playing around with some dates and I have to say there are some good discounts on rooms in June and August. There seems to be a fair amount of availability... Hoping this is a good sign for fall offers...

 

[McFlea]

Sitting here listening to the freezing rain on March 31st, looking forward to (NOT) April Fool's Day snow here in New England. At least it's not the 2 feet we got on the same date in 1997 - anyone remember that?! So grateful I have a trip to plan, dream about and look forward to!

 

[fishfam]

That sounds nice!

Slightly off topic -
How did you like SSR? We were originally booked 2 rooms at CBR but due to construction, they kindly moved us to a 2 Bdr Villa at SSR. However, I'm still not sure how I feel about the resort. We've never stayed there. We're taking my parents and brothers, one of which is 11 and doesn't remember Disney. I had wanted to stay at a more immersive themed resort, though a 2 Bdr Villa is super enticing.

If/when free dining is announced, we're considering splurging and moving to another resort - maybe WL or AKL (though these would be a bit of a stretch even with FD). Can't decide if it is worth it to move or just stay at SSR? Thoughts?

Just wanted to add some reassurance about SSR. We stayed in a 1BR at SSR in Aug 2015 with 2 boys ages 5 & 8, and we loved it! My parents and 2 nephews 15 and 12 stayed in a 1BR in the same building. We all agreed that we would definitely not hesitate to stay there again. We stayed in Paddock Building 10 Room 5725 which is the building we requested (looking at Touring Plans Room Views, it looks like the 2BRs right next to our room were 5721 & 5727). Our room had a great fireworks view each night. We're pretty sure they were the Frozen Fireworks that Hollywood Studios had that summer. Our room was very close to 1 of their 2 feature pools, the paddock pool, which the kids LOVED. It had a slide and a pool bar with light meals & snacks. We were also just a few steps from the bus stop. Building 10 has great access to the bridge that you crossed over to get to the Front Desk, Dining options and other feature pool, the high rock springs pool. It also had a slide and pool bar and the kids had fun there too. The rooms were great (looked recently updated), and we loved having the full kitchen because we stayed for 2 weeks and ate many breakfasts in our room before leaving the park, and ate a few lunches & dinners there too. Having laundry in the unit was a plus, we got to go home with clean laundry (we'd never do laundry if we had to take it to the shared laundry). Also, we loved being able to walk to Disney Springs. We walked over one afternoon and took the boat on another evening. The only section I'd be hesitant about would be Grandstand. Ideally I think Paddock, The Springs & Congress Park would be my first picks for location. Let me know if you have any other questions. With that being said, AKL & WL are beautiful too!

 

[keishashadow]

I didn't get the Kenny email which I don't know why I'm a paid member. Please share.

Sorry, deleted already

 

[dwalterpsu]

Sitting here listening to the freezing rain on March 31st, looking forward to (NOT) April Fool's Day snow here in New England. At least it's not the 2 feet we got on the same date in 1997 - anyone remember that?! So grateful I have a trip to plan, dream about and look forward to!

Don't remember that one, but I remember the 32 inches I got 2 1/2 weeks ago!!

 

[Im_her_Mickey]

We are booked for our honeymoon 9/24 - 10/1 and staying at Coronado with the table service dining plan. Hoping for free dining eligibility and availability but going either way!

 

[trucker den]

Don't remember that one, but I remember the 32 inches I got 2 1/2 weeks ago!!

You must be in the northeast. I live in northeast PA and got 31 inches at my house

 

[scard192]

Sitting here listening to the freezing rain on March 31st, looking forward to (NOT) April Fool's Day snow here in New England. At least it's not the 2 feet we got on the same date in 1997 - anyone remember that?! So grateful I have a trip to plan, dream about and look forward to!

I do, I live west of Boston