Category — p. News and Changes

Update: the 2017 deal is out, see this for details.

Free Dining is the favorite deal of many Disney World fans, and I get questions about it all the time.

In an unusual attempt to actually provide good answers, a while ago I put heads together with DISboards.com legends Smitch425 (Sarah) and Black562 (Joe Black–Joe’s also on Facebook here; Sarah’s shy).

We–well, mostly they–came up with the following FAQ. I’ve updated it for 2017, including the February price increase.

WHAT IS FREE DINING AND WHY SHOULD I CARE?

Q: What is free dining?
A: Free dining is a Disney World deal where, if you buy other stuff, you can get one of the Disney World dining plans for free. Most recently, eligible folk staying at an eligible value resort have gotten the quick service dining plan for free, and those staying at eligible moderate or deluxe resorts have gotten the regular dining plan for free. In 2017, moderates will get the quick service plan.

Q: Is this a big deal?
A: For many families, it really is. The regular Disney Dining Plan costs $69.35 for people ten or over, and $24.95 for kids 3 to 9.

So a typical family of four with one younger kid and one older who would have otherwise paid cash for the dining plan will save more than $230 per night.

In the 2016 deal, you had to buy a Park Hopper or Water Park and More add on to your tickets to be eligible for free dining.  For 2017, I expect the requirement to be to buy the Park Hopper or even Park Hopper Plus. If you hadn’t planned on buying one of these, you have to deduct the extra costs from your free dining savings to see if it’s a good deal still. The hopper cost is $64 to $80 per person (not per night) extra, depending on the length of the ticket.

Savings are less but still substantial for the quick service plan that’s free for value resort stays (and, perhaps, moderates in 2017)—at $48.19/20.88, the same family would save $165/night.

Q:  Blah blah blah on that typical family–how much would my family save?
A: See the tables below (as always on this site, click them to enlarge them):

Q: Is it the best deal?
A: Not always.

The value of any deal is the difference between it and your next best option. Room rate deals are usually out for the same dates as free dining, and for some families—especially smaller families with younger kids staying at more expensive deluxe resorts—the room rate discount saves more money than free dining.

The least expensive Grand Floridian rooms during September 2017 at 30% off generate savings of about $190-215 a night. From Regular Plan part of the chart above, you can see many family types will do better here at 30% off than they would from free dining, especially if they had not been already planning to buy a hopper.

Q: What’s the Disney Dining Plan, anyway?
A: See this!

HOW TO GET FREE DINING

Q: OK, I’m sold. Now what?
A: In 2016, the deal came out in late April, and a lot of resorts sold out almost immediately.

You have to be willing to stay at an eligible resort, with an arrival date within the announced deal’s eligible dates, for likely a minimum of three (or four) nights, and you likely will have to buy a minimum of two days of tickets for all in the room 3 and older.

Q: I already have a reservation just like that! Will Disney automatically convert it to the deal?
A: Disney don’t do nothin’ automatically.

If you already have a reservation, to get the deal if/when it is offered you have to try to change your reservation online, or call and change your current reservation, or make a new free dining reservation online and then call when that’s set to cancel your old reservation.

Q: Tickets? But I already bought tickets!
A: That’s a whine, not a question.

But yes, to be eligible for free dining, a new minimum 2 day Magic Your Way hopper or hopper-plus likely will be required for each person on the reservation age 3 and up.

However, you can save your tickets for a future trip–multi-day Magic Your Way tickets bought in 2017 which have not been activated by first use will remain valid until 12/31/2018, and even after that can have their value credited to new tickets.  Annual Pass holders can use the un-activated extra 2 day ticket toward renewal costs when it is time to renew. Or you can just use both tickets to get 6 FastPass+ per day.

Q: Are all resorts and rooms in the deal?
A: All recent Disney World deals have excluded some resorts and room types—mostly those for which demand is high enough that no deal is needed to get heads in beds at full prices.

Recently, most commonly excluded have been Little Mermaid standard rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, All-Star Movies, the Villas at the Grand Floridian, and one or the other of the Port Orleans resorts, most commonly French Quarter. This year, because of construction at both Caribbean Beach and Coronado Springs, I would not be surprised [Read more →]

More details will come later, but so that you can hold the date and start yearning in your diary, here’s the scoop:

The easy Guide to Your First Walt Disney World Visit co-authors Josh and me, plus the contributor of the “Jim’s Gem’s” vignettes in The easy Guide, Jim Korkis, will meet our fans–if there are any–and sign our books in April.

That’s me and Josh on the left from December, and on the right Jim as Merlin at the Magic Kingdom from a while ago.

We’ll be in Epcot outside the Liberty Inn in the American Pavilion Monday, April 20 from 7p until the line for Soarin goes down a bit.

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As expected, Disney World has announced a deal for room rate discounts for nights June 16 through August 27, 2015.

At the moderate and value resorts, the deal has two levels of discounts, one for June 16-August 9, and another higher discount for August 10-27.

This deal can be booked through June 12, 2015, but rooms are limited, so the sooner the better!

Contact Kelly to book it at 980-429-4499 or kellyb@destinationsinflorida.com.

Deluxe Resorts

• 30% off: Animal Kingdom Lodge (Standard/Pool View), BoardWalk Inn, Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian, Polynesian Village, Wilderness Lodge, Yacht and Beach Club
• 20% off: Animal Kingdom Lodge (Savanna View/Club Level),

Disney Vacation Club Resorts

• 30% off: Boardwalk Villas, Old Key West, Saratoga Springs
• 20% off: Animal Kingdom Villas (Jambo and Kidani), Beach Club Villas, Villas at the Wilderness Lodge
• Excluded: Polynesian Villas and Bungalows, Bay Lake Tower, Villas at the Grand Floridian

Moderate Resorts

• 20% off (25% off 8/10 to 8/27): Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Port Orleans Riverside, Cabins at Ft. Wilderness
• Excluded: Port Orleans French Quarter

Value Resorts:

• 15% off (20% off 8/10 to 8/27): All-Star Music, All-Star Sports, Pop Century, Art of Animation Family Suites
• Excluded: All-Star Movies, Little Mermaid Rooms at Art of Animation

(Note—on the excluded resorts, go ahead and ask for a discount on these—sometimes a 5% off offer is available…)

Contact Kelly to book it at 980-429-4499 or kellyb@destinationsinflorida.com.

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DISNEY VISA DEAL LIKELY PREFIGURES GENERAL PUBLIC DEAL TO COME  SOON

A Disney World deal for Disney Visa cardholders for stays between June 16 and August 27 came out this morning.

Typically, a similar deal for the general public comes out shortly after the Visa deal is announced.

Speculation is that the general public deal for these dates at Disney World could be released as soon as early next week. However, Disney’s current deal is bookable until March 28, so it may be after that.

The deal has two levels of discounts, one for June 16-August 9, another for August 10-27.

Details as I have them are below. Thanks to Joe Black for the heads up on this!!

Deluxe Resorts

• 30% off: Animal Kingdom Lodge (Standard/Pool View), BoardWalk Inn, Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian, Polynesian Village, Wilderness Lodge, Yacht and Beach Club
• 20% off: Animal Kingdom Lodge (Savanna View/Club Level),

Disney Vacation Club Resorts

• 30% off: Boardwalk Villas, Old Key West, Saratoga Springs
• 20% off: Animal Kingdom Villas (Jambo and Kidani), Beach Club Villas, Villas at the Wilderness Lodge
• Excluded: Polynesian Villas and Bungalows, Bay Lake Tower, Villas at the Grand Floridian

Moderate Resorts

• 20% off (25% off 8/10 to 8/27): Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Port Orleans Riverside, Cabins at Ft. Wilderness
• Excluded: Port Orleans French Quarter

Value Resorts:

• 15% off (20% off 8/10 to 8/27): All-Star Music, All-Star Sports, Pop Century, Art of Animation Family Suites
• Excluded: All-Star Movies, Little Mermaid Rooms at Art of Animation

(Note—on the excluded resorts, go ahead and ask for a discount on these—sometimes a 5% off offer is available…)

Only holders of Disney Visa cards are eligible for this deal. Contact Kelly to book it at 980-429-4499 or kellyb@destinationsinflorida.com.

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Those of you who pay attention to the comments on this site or on my Facebook page will recognize the name of frequent commenter “Kelly B.”

Kelly is a travel agent with Destinations in Florida, and was hand-picked to specialize in helping readers of yourfirstvisit.net several years ago.

She can help at 980-429-4499 or kellyb@destinationsinflorida.com, or fill in the form below.

I asked Kelly to introduce herself—and here she is!

INTRODUCING KELLY B.

By Kelly B.

Hi I’m Kelly B, the official Destinations in Florida Travel Agent for yourfirstvisit.net.

Travel has always been a part of my life. Family vacations during my childhood created snapshots in my memory.

One of my first memories is being perched on my daddy’s shoulders to see the fireworks in the Magic Kingdom. It’s the moment my love for all things Disney began.

As an adult my travels take me all across North America. I’ve lived in 9 states and visited over 25 others.

But a permanent tag with “Destination: Walt Disney World” hangs from my luggage. No matter what, my heart always returns there. And now as a mother of 3, I’ve not only watched my children enjoy the magic of Disney from infants through their teenage years, but I’ve been able to continue to experience Disney and all of its magic.

It was a dream come true when I was asked to become an agent with Destinations In Florida. As a travel agent I’m able to combine my love of travel, my fondness of planning and organizing, and my heart towards helping others, all into one.

In addition to the knowledge I’ve gained from my own travel experiences, I continue to do specialized training in the travel field. I’m a graduate of the Disney College of Knowledge. I’ve also earned certification as a Universal Specialist, SeaWorld Parks Specialist, Orlando Travel Expert and Royal Caribbean Cruise University of WOW – Expert Level.

If you need help planning your next vacation please contact me at 980-429-4499 or kellyb@destinationsinflorida.com.

As your personal Disney World expert, when you book with me, I am able to provide you with our agency’s many valuable service including:

• Free Itinerary Planning (valued at $149)
• Free Mouse Perks – Tips, Updates, and Fun Freebies (valued at $299)
• Free Dining Services – Dining suggestions and reservation planning (valued at $69)
• Free Future Discount Search – Ongoing searching for future discount to apply to your vacation
• Give Kids The World – Our agency is proud to support one of Orlando’s local organizations called Give Kids the World. This organization is a 70 acre storybook village in Kissimmee where children with life-threatening illnesses are treated to a cost-free fantasy vacation. For every package booked with our agency, a donation goes to Give Kids the World. Thank you for helping support this wonderful organization.

And if you tell me “Dave sent you,” then for qualifying vacations I’ll even send you a free copy of The easy Guide to Your Walt Disney World Visit!

I look forward to helping you create the magical vacation of your dreams.

* * * * *

Thanks Kelly!

I get great feedback about Kelly, and she’s been such a help to many readers of this site. If you book your Disney World trip through her, you get her great help, plus the benefits noted above.

Much more important, Destinations in Florida then shares a bit of the commission they get from Disney World back with me, which I then use to take trips to keep the site updated!

So use Kelly for your next trip, and we’ll all be better off!

She’s at 980-429-4499 or kellyb@destinationsinflorida.com.

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On March 10, an updated version of The easy Guide to Your First Walt Disney World Visit became available for sale.

Soon, we hope, older Kindle versions will be updated to the March 10 version via Amazon’s “Automatic Update” program.

SO WHAT’S THE EASY GUIDE?

For those new to The easy Guide to Your First Walt Disney World Visit, here’s the recap:

Co-authored by me and Josh Humphrey of easyWDW.com (that’s us below), the 2014 edition of came out a little more than 9 months ago, and the 2015 edition came out about 4 months ago.

Between them, the two editions have had almost 140 reviews on Amazon—of which 131 (95%) gave five-star ratings. With an average rating of 4.91, The easy Guide is the best-reviewed Disney World guidebook in history.

The easy Guide is short, has a big type size, and emphasizes very specific advice for those on their first—especially those on perhaps their only—visit to Walt Disney World.

But with its expert advice on how to use and optimize FastPass+, when to go, where to stay, what to do, and where to eat, it’s also tremendously helpful to returning visitors.

Anna and Elsa like it too…

The easy Guide is available in both paperback and Kindle editions.

Those who buy the paperback get the Kindle edition for free through Amazon’s “Matchbook” program.

This is important, as when we update the book, if Amazon decides the update is significant enough, it will also update the Kindle versions already downloaded. As a result, The easy Guide is the most up-to-date Disney World guidebook available.

KEY CHANGES TO THE 2015 EASY GUIDE

Our publisher Theme Park Press just updated The easy Guide with more than 20 pages of changes and updates from me and Josh.

Anyone who buys it for the first time will get the updated version—the most up-to-date Disney World guidebook available; those with an older Kindle version of the 2015 edition will have it updated if and when Amazon decides to issue an “Automatic Update.”

Here’s examples of some of what’s different:

• Multiple changes, especially in Chapter 4 (When to Go), to reflect recently released details for the 2015 offerings and dates of Star War Weekends, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
• Multiple changes to Chapter 5 (Where to Stay) including a better sense of when the Polynesian Village main pool might be re-opening and more details on its new DVC offerings, and updates on five-person spaces at Caribbean Beach and in the Studios at the Beach Club and BoardWalk Villas.
• Multiple updates to Chapter 6 (How to Spend Your Time), including new FastPass+ locations for Wishes and the parades in the Magic Kingdom (and resulting changes in FastPass+ priorities), changes in FastPass+ kiosk locations, and other updates.
• Multiple changes to Chapter 7 (Where to Eat), including the shift of Be Our Guest quick-service lunch from FastPass+ to advance reservations (a first for a quick/counter service offering), new pricing at Victoria and Albert’s, and the opening of Trattoria al Forno (which Josh and I have each reviewed—Josh here, me here).
• Multiple changes, especially in Chapter 8 (Which Tickets to Buy and What to Budget), to reflect the new Disney World ticket prices released in late February 2015.

Curious about The easy Guide? Learn more here, or buy it on Amazon here.

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