2016 Free Dining Watch

[goldnvalli]

Last year we went the 30th to the 8th. Crowds were not too bad, except at some points in Epcot due to the F&W. We enjoyed it enough that we are going 28-5th this year.

We are going August 28- September 2. Can't wait!!

 

[hammie59]

There are still many other great points to having the Disney Visa. I think the no interest for 6 months is a great perk and definitely makes having a Disney Visa worth it. I also use my card all the time to get the reward dollars. I was able to use over $200 in rewards on my trip this past September.

Well yeah, the other perks are ok. We all have our reasons for getting the card. Mine was for the priority booking which can be a huge advantage depending on the discount being offered or time of year.

 

[shap39]

This is what I received in my email today. It is from Disney Tourist Blog by Tom Bricker. The highlighted and underlined part towards the bottom is why I posted it, but figured those who do not get the newsletters would like to read what other rumors and news goes about.





News & Rumors

In a flurry of updates yesterday, Walt Disney World released new tidbits of information about its slate of Summer 2016 offerings.

First, the bad news. We reported previously that Rivers of Light had been delayed, but the delay appears longer than previously expected, as Disney didn't provide any updates on the show's status. At this point, it seems as if the show may slip late into the summer season, or beyond.

Now, the good. An interim show based on The Jungle Book was announced in the place of Rivers of Light. There were concerns that without Rivers of Light, all of Animal Kingdom's planned nighttime entertainment would be nixed, and the park would stick with earlier closing hours. Fortunately, that is not the case--guests will most definitely be able to enjoy late nights at Animal Kingdom.

There's more good news. Soarin' Around the World and Frozen Ever After are both debuting at Epcot in June, along with new Star Wars fireworks, and a stage show at Magic Kingdom. You can find all of the details about these new offerings (and other additions) in our What's New for Summer 2016 at Walt Disney World post.

Beyond the summer, things are mostly rumor. We know that Toy Story Land construction has started, but aside from that, there's a lot of speculation. Some of the rumors currently floating around are being discussed on the Disney Tourist Blog Forums.

*****For you bargain hunters out there, info has started to leak that Free Dining will be announced on Monday for Fall 2016 travel dates. The list of rumored and blockout dates are in our Dates for Free Dining at Walt Disney World post.

At this point, the info is still rumor. Should we receive confirmation of the Free Dining offer for Monday, we'll shoot you a quick email on Sunday night! ******

Oh great another Disney blog I didn't know about and now I'm going to read constantly lol

 

[kevin75]

I, like many others, am going no matter free dining or not. But the free dining would allow us the budget freedom to attend mvmcp and maybe buy a set of ears I don't need! So, I was at The World last September, 14-22 and it was so busy! How will Nov. 14 through 21 compare? Anyone that's been in Nov. Please chime in. Just husband and I.

I haven't caught up with this thread yet, but I'll chime in. We have normally gone during that week. As a matter of fact, we are booked at Pop for Nov. 15-22 this year. Normally, those dates would be great, but this year, because of Thanksgiving, the latter part will be hectic.

 

[lancgirl]

Oh great another Disney blog I didn't know about and now I'm going to read constantly lol

It's a great one. Tom will suck you in for HOURS AND HOURS. He is an amazing photographer and trip reporter. Anytime I need a Disney jolt, I spend time on his blog. Enjoy!

 

[scard192]

MVMCP-pretty expensive, is it worth the $$? saw a lot of posts last year about how crowded it was

 

[beck00]

It's a great one. Tom will suck you in for HOURS AND HOURS. He is an amazing photographer and trip reporter. Anytime I need a Disney jolt, I spend time on his blog. Enjoy!

Agreed! Tom is one of my favorites!

 

[deakam]

When did you do this? Was it recent? Could you please give dates? Thanks.

October 2015 I booked the trip with room and tickets and on my first day I went to the Guest Services at the Magic Kingdom---it took a total of 10 minutes and I was an annual pass holder complete with card. The ticket on my package was not a park hopper. But it was a Florida resident package which from what I understand only discounts the room not the ticket---It may have been a 4 day ticket---not really sure at this point. I know that you do have to use at least one day to enter a park before you can convert it. I am not sure if they use the price I paid or the current price for the amount of tickets on your account.

 

[jannalynn_11]

I haven't caught up with this thread yet, but I'll chime in. We have normally gone during that week. As a matter of fact, we are booked at Pop for Nov. 15-22 this year. Normally, those dates would be great, but this year, because of Thanksgiving, the latter part will be hectic.

See you there! We are also likely at Pop, and those exact dates!

 

[deakam]

MVMCP-pretty expensive, is it worth the $$? saw a lot of posts last year about how crowded it was

I didn't care for the Christmas party. There really is nothing special except the parade and I believe in December it is the same parade every night. We were there the week before Christmas and it was really busy. The kids liked it but I prefer the Halloween party. The Christmas party just seemed like another day at the park. The Halloween party the entire atmosphere changes. The lighting, the music---that doesn't happen with the Christmas party.

 

[Elsaalltheway]

Actually several people have said that people shouldn't book rooms before the promo comes out. And I get why they are saying that. But I've been reading since page 80 or so and I haven't seen anybody saying they are booking rooms they don't intend to use. What people have said is that they are booking the room they want, and worst case scenario they will switch if they have to. i.e., they intend to use the room.

I get what you are saying, but I don't think anybody would come out and admit that. The overbooking is common in the Meals and the rooms and that's why they now have you go through so many steps to reserve dining and if you don't cancel in 24 hours you get penalized. I think soon we may see the same thing come down with the rooms, and I thought I did see a person say they had rooms booked at two different hotels. But I don't remember who it is.

 

[crazymomof4]

On the first screen on the Disney site, click on Special Offers (towards the bottom of the page). When it drops it will show up there.

Found it! Thanks!

 

[crazymomof4]

It's on the WDW website. Scroll to the bottom and click on 'Special Offers' in the left-hand column. Try to find it now while you are awake

My thoughts exactly! ....and I did! Thanks!

 

[marissa1230]

I believe you said your tickets had already come in the mail? What kind of tickets did you purchase as most do not come in the mail anymore. Anyway, I'm doubtful that you could exchange these, but it never hurts to ask. It will definitely take a phone call when/if free dining opens up.[/QUOTE]

If you qualify for the military room discount, is there a reason you bought tickets from Disney instead of the military tickets? Just wondering because I'm using military discounts myself.



We used to just buy the military tickets, but that was when we would only go for a week. We have been goibg for 10 days at a time so we buy 8 day tickets. With the military we only get 4 day theme park tickets.

 

[damskipi13]

I get what you are saying, but I don't think anybody would come out and admit that. The overbooking is common in the Meals and the rooms and that's why they now have you go through so many steps to reserve dining and if you don't cancel in 24 hours you get penalized. I think soon we may see the same thing come down with the rooms, and I thought I did see a person say they had rooms booked at two different hotels. But I don't remember who it is.

BAS1 said "a lot of people" were booking rooms they don't intend to use. My point is there is no evidence of that. You might have seen one, but you can't remember. This doesn't smack of a conspiracy of people hoarding rooms.

Side note: What do you mean by "if you don't cancel in 24 hours you get penalized?" I have to cancel within 24 hours of making the reservation? Or do you mean I have to cancel at least 24 hours before the reservation? The latter makes perfect sense, but the former would be ridiculous. I can't guarantee where I will be eating lunch 180 days out!

 

[Disneylover99]

BAS1 said "a lot of people" were booking rooms they don't intend to use. My point is there is no evidence of that. You might have seen one, but you can't remember. This doesn't smack of a conspiracy of people hoarding rooms.

Side note: What do you mean by "if you don't cancel in 24 hours you get penalized?" I have to cancel within 24 hours of making the reservation? Or do you mean I have to cancel at least 24 hours before the reservation? The latter makes perfect sense, but the former would be ridiculous. I can't guarantee where I will be eating lunch 180 days out!

You can cancel 24 hours before the reservation to avoid the fee. Or I've also heard if you cancel by midnight the night before your reservation, you won't be penalized.

 

[KT0191]

You can cancel 24 hours before the reservation to avoid the fee. Or I've also heard if you cancel by midnight the night before your reservation, you won't be penalized.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's midnight. We were down there last September and I canceled a reservation for the next day and never got penalized or anything.

 

[Elsaalltheway]

BAS1 said "a lot of people" were booking rooms they don't intend to use. My point is there is no evidence of that. You might have seen one, but you can't remember. This doesn't smack of a conspiracy of people hoarding rooms.

Side note: What do you mean by "if you don't cancel in 24 hours you get penalized?" I have to cancel within 24 hours of making the reservation? Or do you mean I have to cancel at least 24 hours before the reservation? The latter makes perfect sense, but the former would be ridiculous. I can't guarantee where I will be eating lunch 180 days out!

You have to cancel within 24 hours of the reservation. Not when you made it. They did this because a lot of people were booking and not showing. So now they will charge you if you are a no show and don't cancel.

 

[damskipi13]

We used to just buy the military tickets, but that was when we would only go for a week. We have been goibg for 10 days at a time so we buy 8 day tickets. With the military we only get 4 day theme park tickets.

[/QUOTE]

I'm not sure whether you are buying PH or not, or how many tickets you need, but you can still save a little by purchasing military tickets. The 4-day tickets you are referring to is the Armed Forces Salute. These are a phenomenal deal, but not the only military tickets. You can also save a tiny amount by purchasing regular tickets through a military ticket office. For instance, 8 day park hoppers are $449 from Disney but $441 from the base. Not huge savings, but enough to buy an extra snack or two

The other option, if you only have a few people in your party, is to use consecutive Armed Forces Salute tickets. Two AFS tickets would be $392 per person for 8 days of PH. Note that I have never personally tried using more than one AFS in a year, but I've heard other people say you can do this. Just a thought.

 

[BrookieM2001]

BAS1 said "a lot of people" were booking rooms they don't intend to use. My point is there is no evidence of that. You might have seen one, but you can't remember. This doesn't smack of a conspiracy of people hoarding rooms.

Side note: What do you mean by "if you don't cancel in 24 hours you get penalized?" I have to cancel within 24 hours of making the reservation? Or do you mean I have to cancel at least 24 hours before the reservation? The latter makes perfect sense, but the former would be ridiculous. I can't guarantee where I will be eating lunch 180 days out!

I think they're talking about how if you don't cancel certain reservations 24-48 hours before the res, you pay a penalty. I know they do that at Cinderella's Royal Table and BOG, but I'm not sure of other ones. It's definitely not 24 hours after making the res, like you said that would be crazy! I only know because when I made the ADRs for this trip, when I confirmed those 2, they made me click an extra box saying I acknowledged the penalty if I didn't cancel within the window of 24-48 before.