I know life isn't "fair," but....

[buzzrelly]

wouldn't it be more fair to everyone if Disney did away with free dining for one month and instead went back to putting the appetizer, tax and tip with the DDP all year long. This way everyone would feel like they are getting a deal. Everyone says that they did away with the app, tax and tip because of the money factor but then they are giving free food away to God only knows how many people for 4 weeks or so! It would have to balance out somehow. Just my humble opinion.

[magik]

My understanding was that they only offer free dining during hurricane season (essentially September - which after Labor Day is traditionally one of the lowest attendance times of the year). They're offering incentive for people to pay for rooms in the resorts and admission tickets to the parks during the time that people might avoid going because they don't want to risk being there during a hurricane.

So the balance isn't coming from the food - removing appetizers and adding tip, it comes from more people staying on property and buying park admissions during a slow time of year.

[goofy4tink]

Believe me..they aren't giving away free food! They make up for it in resort bookings as well as more people spending money in the parks!
But, I do wish they made it possible to have a choice between an appetizer and a dessert. I loved the appetizers...desserts not so much.

[Allison]

The point of offering free dining is to increase attendance at the parks and fill up the resorts during a slow time of year.

[Belle5]

In December I got a tremendous rate on our resort rooms and because I had park passes put on the plan when I booked the rooms (thus making it a "package") --later I was able to go back in and add the DDP (still keeping my great rate). With the "free" dining in Sept. there are no price breaks on the resort rooms. We are paying rack rate to get our "free dining". It is a deal--but not a total give-away the way some may think. WDW is not telling all their employees to stay home for the month of September and go without a paycheck. By free diners going, WDW is making enough to keep the restaurant servers happy and the resorts full. We used to always vacation in September for the low crowds. It was like a ghost town. WDW was very smart to think of this...

[tarheelmjfan]

Believe me..they aren't giving away free food! They make up for it in resort bookings as well as more people spending money in the parks!


It can essentially be free for some. If my family chose to go during that time & stayed at a Value resort, we'd be getting free food. We'd have at least 3 adults, possibly 4 on the DDP. The food would have cost us more than the room. We've been so many times we no longer buy souveniers either. Of course, everyone doesn't have our same demographics or stay in a Value resort, but some people do indeed get free food.

ETA: To the OP, free dining is just a marketing tool like resort codes. Ending free dining wouldn't necessarily mean they'd add back options to the current DDP. Actually, it's extremely unlikely that would impact it in any way. I'd say the chances are slim to none (more like none). Sorry :(

[DISNEYDEVOTEE]

Disney always has an ulterior motive. Whether you call it a Loss Leader that has led to a Bait and Switch, they just wanted to fill the parks. There was no way they were saving money on the old DDP. Except for unused snacks or the occasional sick kid/adult, most points for the big ticket items where used up.

Now everyone who enjoyed the DDP is being lured into believing that there will still be savings. They reduced it $1.00, but took away an average app priced at $7-8 and took away the 18% gratuity. Factor those back in and your family of 4 staying for 6 days just went from 911.76 + 180 in appetizers (7.5 x4 x 6) + tax + tip = 1300+ if you have drinks etc - I can monitor my own meal costs and be below that figure.

[TDC Nala]

You're thinking like someone who wants to go to Disney World and not someone who runs Disney World.

If they do away with free dining, they'll be going back to nearly empty resorts and restaurants in September. They don't want that.

They have no reason to put the tip and appetizer back in. The dining plan is selling like hotcakes despite the changes.

[2BusyPlanning]

wouldn't it be more fair to everyone if Disney did away with free dining for one month and instead went back to putting the appetizer, tax and tip with the DDP all year long.
And what happens if you or I have made our vacation reservations for that month? I'd be pretty ticked. What would be the point of taking it away for the one month?

[buzzrelly]

And what happens if you or I have made our vacation reservations for that month? I'd be pretty ticked. What would be the point of taking it away for the one month?

Then I would pay for it just as I am doing now going in December. I am not ticked about paying for it either...I just think Disney needs to spread the wealth.

[Luv2Roam]

needs to spread the wealth
I think the same thing about the lottery -- but the lottery powers that be do not agree with me. :laughing:
It really has nothing to do with spreading out the cost evenly throughout the year. The reasons have already been mentioned here.

[buzzrelly]

I think the same thing about the lottery -- but the lottery powers that be do not agree with me. :laughing:
It really has nothing to do with spreading out the cost evenly throughout the year. The reasons have already been mentioned here.

Well, it's like I stated in the title, "life isn't fair..." Believe me, I am way excited about this trip in spite of this. It was just a thought....

[TDC Nala]

The tax has not been excluded from the price of the dining plan.

[septbaby]

wouldn't it be more fair to everyone if Disney did away with free dining for one month and instead went back to putting the appetizer, tax and tip with the DDP all year long.

Actually, this would be a loss for us. We're eating at character meals and buffets, so no appetizer. Tip in the plan is a union issue so I'll assume that Disney can't just DO that. We would be paying $2 per day less (1A, 1C) for the exact same food we would have gotten last year.

Give me Free Dining anytime. :thumbsup2

[jlewisinsyr]

wouldn't it be more fair to everyone if Disney did away with free dining for one month and instead went back to putting the appetizer, tax and tip with the DDP all year long. This way everyone would feel like they are getting a deal. Everyone says that they did away with the app, tax and tip because of the money factor but then they are giving free food away to God only knows how many people for 4 weeks or so! It would have to balance out somehow. Just my humble opinion.

I think everyone covered this below, but lets be serious, before the DDP existed (current or previous), the restaurants were not packed, the resorts were busy, but not fully booked.

With the introduction of the DDP, the resorts became closer to or at capacity during most times of the year and restaurants are almost always packed. So whatever money Disney was losing on the DDP was being made up elsewhere in terms of room rates (which are definately not on the cheap side) and park spending.

Despite everyone's dream that Disney is all about Pixey Dust, it really comes down to profit.

[Girly_Qs]

Then I would pay for it just as I am doing now going in December. I am not ticked about paying for it either...I just think Disney needs to spread the wealth.

Then, while we're at it: let's make room rates the same year round.

The prices vary (including 'free' dining) for the sole reason of incenting people to go during slower times of the year. You want to go during a more peak time, then you pay for that.

Supply and Demand, one of the most basic priniciples of a free market.

[RMulieri]

how is it unfair to others because of free dining? Free dining is offered in August and Sept during prime Hurricaine season, which is hot and humid all day long and there is always the possibility that a nice hurricaine can roll thru and ruin my trip.Plus we had to pay rack rate for the priviledge of having the free dining.( which essentially isn't totally free because of tips but we will not go there)As far as other months, with the exception of major holidays ,there is usually a discount of some kind to be found( either pin code ,AP ,or AAA) seriously, How is this unfair?

[goofy4tink]

It can essentially be free for some. If my family chose to go during that time & stayed at a Value resort, we'd be getting free food. We'd have at least 3 adults, possibly 4 on the DDP. The food would have cost us more than the room. We've been so many times we no longer buy souveniers either. Of course, everyone doesn't have our same demographics or stay in a Value resort, but some people do indeed get free food.

ETA: To the OP, free dining is just a marketing tool like resort codes. Ending free dining wouldn't necessarily mean they'd add back options to the current DDP. Actually, it's extremely unlikely that would impact it in any way. I'd say the chances are slim to none (more like none). Sorry :(
I understand what you're saying...but by offering free dining, they are getting people in those resorts who ordinarily wouldn't be going. So....that food is being paid for, by someone, in some way. I had already booked my Sept stay...going for Night of Joy. Now, I was thrilled to be able to get free dining. Staying at POP too. I had a AAA discount on my room, have an AP, rest of the family didn't need passes so had to do the one day pass for each of us. Based on what I was spending on my room, and what I would have been paying for food (already had my ADRs made), I came out ahead...I saved about 90% on my food. I also have the DDE card so that was what I would have used for those TS meals. So, the room/pass combo cost more than my AAA room did but I made up for it in food costs.

Then I would pay for it just as I am doing now going in December. I am not ticked about paying for it either...I just think Disney needs to spread the wealth.
As soon as guests start showing up at the resorts all the time, throughout the year, then Disney will 'spread the wealth'. In over 15 trips to WDW, this is the first time I have been able to use free dining. I'm thrilled. I used to read all those posts over the past few years raving about the free dining. But, this year, I was already booked at POP for Sept. So, my TA got me the free dining!
I would love to be able to get discounts all year, no matter when I go. But, that's not the way the system works. Different times of the year have different discounts...plain and simple.

[aubriee]

As soon as guests start showing up at the resorts all the time, throughout the year, then Disney will 'spread the wealth'. In over 15 trips to WDW, this is the first time I have been able to use free dining. I'm thrilled. I used to read all those posts over the past few years raving about the free dining. But, this year, I was already booked at POP for Sept. So, my TA got me the free dining!
I would love to be able to get discounts all year, no matter when I go. But, that's not the way the system works. Different times of the year have different discounts...plain and simple.

You are right. Different times of the year have different discounts. I have an AP, as well as a Disney VISA and go to WDW several times a year. The only time I ever pay rack rate for a room is in September for the free dining period. This will be the fourth September we've had free dining, but to get it, we are paying rack rate for the room and having to buy everyone at least a one day base ticket. Last Dec I was able to buy the DDP using a Disney visa code, but again had to buy a one day ticket I didn't need. Do you know how many of those one day base tickets, I still have:rolleyes1 ? Maybe, I'll use them all someday upgrading to an AP every year. No way would we be going in Sept, if it wasn't for the free dining. It has to be one of the most unpleasant times of the year down there, with the heat, frequent rain, love bugs, possibility of hurricanes, etc. Then again it is also one of the best times to go because crowds are the lowest of the year and the food is free. We are willing to deal with the heat, showers, love bugs, and possiblity of hurricanes in order to get the low crowds and free dining. If WDW was to do away with the free dining, I think the crowds would probably be MUCH LOWER!!! and that they don't want.

[Praying Colonel]

The tax has not been excluded from the price of the dining plan.

Yet. ;)