View Full Version : Free Dining ads everywhere :-(
No, this isn't a "Why don't DVC members get free dining" thread. I just need to vent--it's so annoying that the first day of our August trip is the first day of free dining, and it looks like every website I go to and every magazine or newspaper I pick up has an ad for free dining! Now it looks like the whole world is going to be there during what I hoped would be a relatively quiet time :headache:
It's our first trip as DVC members too. I just have to keep telling myself that our membership lasts for years and our stay at BCV and AKV on points is a much better deal compared to free dining...and that we'll still manage to enjoy some of our favorite park and resort restaurants in spite of free dining...
Any words of wisdom and encouragement would be greatly appreciated!
disneydawn6
05-08-2009, 02:02 AM
No, this isn't a "Why don't DVC members get free dining" thread. I just need to vent--it's so annoying that the first day of our August trip is the first day of free dining, and it looks like every website I go to and every magazine or newspaper I pick up has an ad for free dining! Now it looks like the whole world is going to be there during what I hoped would be a relatively quiet time :headache:
It's our first trip as DVC members too. I just have to keep telling myself that our membership lasts for years and our stay at BCV and AKV on points is a much better deal compared to free dining...and that we'll still manage to enjoy some of our favorite park and resort restaurants in spite of free dining...
Any words of wisdom and encouragement would be greatly appreciated!
You can still buy the dining plan as a DVC member if you want it so badly.....
eliza61
05-08-2009, 05:54 AM
Not sure if this is encouraging or not but remember the reasoning behind all the ads and free dining.
Disney reported its' 2 quarter earnings and its not good. Park revenue was down 12% from the first quarter. Operating income was down a whopping 50%. While they have managed to bring people into the parks, folks are not spending. Free dining is not helping because now they are losing revenue from the restuarants.
Almost every other sector of their company has also had double digit losses.
I worry for the parks.
DVC Mike
05-08-2009, 06:05 AM
Not sure if this is encouraging or not but remember the reasoning behind all the ads and free dining.
Disney reported its' 2 quarter earnings and its not good. Park revenue was down 12% from the first quarter.
Exactly, Disney is doing what it can to pull people into it's parks during this period. DVC members can always bank their points and book one of the packages available to the general public if they want free dining.
Sandisw
05-08-2009, 06:10 AM
I was there are few years ago during free dining and we didn't think it was that bad. Of course, we had always been there in July so maybe that is why.
Just remember, all these people who are taking advantage of free dining are doing so they can afford to visit the world! For some, it could be the one and only trip!!
You may find that you will have to adjust your dining plans a bit because of the business of the restaurants--but also remember, all those people have to be in the restaurants at some point so the crowds during peak dining times may not be as bad as you think!!!
As DVC members, we get to know we will be able to attend for years to come! If the parks are really crowded, then head back to your resort. You may find that spending less time in the parks and more time at the resort is still a wonderful experience!!!
Good luck!!!
IggyLans
05-08-2009, 06:33 AM
We have been during free dining before, and it really was not crowded, with the exception of the restaurants of course. Just make sure you have your ADR's and you'll be fine.
Maybe they're running so many ads because they're not selling as many vacation packages as in previous years?
Crystal_27
05-08-2009, 06:57 AM
When you consider that you have to pay rack rate for your hotel room in order to get free dining, it should make you feel absolutely *fabulous* that you have DVC. For a family of 4, the DDP would cost about $100/day, or about $700 for a 7-night trip. With DVC, you are "saving" the entire cost of your accommodations, at a minimum of $2,000. Even if you factor in $1,000 for maintenance fees, you are still coming ahead $300 with DVC (and that's if your accommodations only cost $2,000 -- think how much you are saving if your resort would cost $3,000).
We will continue to add the DDP when we travel to Disney because we like the convenience of the DDP, but I'm certainly not losing any sleep about having to pay for the DDP versus having to pay $350/night to stay at the Poly.
Does that help put your mind at ease a bit? Either way, you are still going to have a wonderful time!! :goodvibes :yay:
christa112
05-08-2009, 07:01 AM
We have been during Free Dining three times and it was great. We pretty much walked on or waited less than 10 min on most rides. Some we used FP's like Everest, TSM, Soarin the typical rides, but we have always enjoyed going during that time.
I would say the restaurants are busy, but I wouldn't expect them not to be. People have to eat on vacation and where else are they going to eat besides the restaurants in the parks.
One observation I do have to make is that from 2005 to 2008 the crowds have definately grown, but again, not huge crowds.
Don't stress. Have a great trip!!!
stopher1
05-08-2009, 07:05 AM
remember the reasoning behind all the ads and free dining. Disney reported its' 2 quarter earnings and its not good. Park revenue was down 12% from the first quarter. Operating income was down a whopping 50%.
Exactly. They still beat Wall Street's estimates, but they are still down. The company has such artificially high expectations to meet each quarter thanks to all those Eisner years of working to exceed expectations every quarter and keep the stockholders happy.
Maybe they're running so many ads because they're not selling as many vacation packages as in previous years?
Not being on the inside I cannot say for certain, but I think this could be the reason for more ads this year. I've noticed a lot more myself. However we went during free dining 2x in 06 & 07 and really didn't have any problems with waits or crowds other than on the buses, and we couldn't change an ADR that we decided while there we'd like to do differently (it was hard deciding where you wanted to eat 180 days prior for those trips! At least now it's a bit more sensible at 90 days, though I wish they would reserve a portion for walk-ups or resort guests, but I digress).
I think you can still have wonderful time - even if the restaurants are crowded. Just be sure your ADR's are in place and be flexible enough with the rest of your plans and you'll be ok. And like sandisw said, perhaps you spend some additional time at your resorts if you feel the parks are crowded or unbearable. Just remember there's lots to do at the world!
wulfekamp
05-08-2009, 07:13 AM
I still get a little bent about it. My bank does the same stuff. I hate going in there. There always giving stuff to new customers luggage, airline tickets, grills and so on. All I ever get is a card wanting me to get my friends to start banking there. Some places are so busy trying to get new customers they forget about the ones they already have. It wouldn't hurt if they would throw us a bone once in a while. How about a DVC discount on dinning plan or off regular park tickets. I guess I should not forget the great little party they have for us at christmas. A glass of punch a cooky and a tree ornament so they can sell us pins and try to get us to add on. Last year they made a bunch of people mad. Would someone get a ladder and help me off this soap box. Sorry about the rant. I'm kind of a witch in the morning.
mjlass11
05-08-2009, 07:27 AM
Several years ago, we took advantage of this special. But back then, you also received a deal on room rate and the hopper pass. This is not the case now. I just priced the same trip that we we did back then, and it's now over $200 more per person for a 4 night stay than what it used to be, and this is not including airfare (which I know has gone up). This is at a "Value" resort!!!! After having recently stayed at BWV without the dining plan, I would NEVER go back to a cramped small hotel room with the dining plan for that price. This is one of the beauties of DVC that you can make something good and quick to eat in your room, and still eat a a signature restaurant and it will be cheaper than getting the Dining Plan. Also, remember the DDP doesn't include everything that it used to as well, so I really don't think there's any reason to have dining plan envy.
Several years ago, we took advantage of this special. But back then, you also received a deal on room rate and the hopper pass. This is not the case now. I just priced the same trip that we we did back then, and it's now over $200 more per person for a 4 night stay than what it used to be, and this is not including airfare (which I know has gone up). This is at a "Value" resort!!!! After having recently stayed at BWV without the dining plan, I would NEVER go back to a cramped small hotel room with the dining plan for that price. This is one of the beauties of DVC that you can make something good and quick to eat in your room, and still eat a a signature restaurant and it will be cheaper than getting the Dining Plan. Also, remember the DDP doesn't include everything that it used to as well, so I really don't think there's any reason to have dining plan envy.
When was this? We took advantage of free dining the first year they offered it (2005) and there was absolutely no deal on rooms or admission - it was rack rate or nothing.
smep013
05-08-2009, 08:21 AM
I understand WHY we are not eligible and do not really mind.
But - we are going with family and had planned the trip before Free Dining was announced (arriving on the very first day of Free Dining) so now my family keeps saying "I thought I saw on TV that the Dining Plan is free while we are there?" So I have to keep explaining it!!! :-)
Brian Noble
05-08-2009, 08:39 AM
Now it looks like the whole world is going to be there during what I hoped would be a relatively quiet time
Even in better economic times, the FD period has full restaurants, but relatively empty parks. It's like everyone's there just to eat!
Don't worry about it, you're going to have a great time.
lugnut33
05-08-2009, 08:46 AM
Also, think about the real capacity of free dining. It's not like they can offer everyone free dining who is coming down to stay. If they did that there would be a lot of people who couldn't get ressies.
We'll be down there the same week as you and will be eating all our meals off-site in order to save lots of money as well as avoid the packed restaurants.
MinnieVanMom
05-08-2009, 08:54 AM
I like free dining and going back for our 3rd year. Being DVC owners just gives us the best of both worlds.
We get to have 5 days of dining for free for the cost of the room so it is like going for free. We did have to buy a 1 day base ticket for each of us but them we use it to upgrade our AP's.
After our 5 days we move over to our DVC and really get to feel spoiled and relax. Room to breath and always something wonderful.
Just because we have a DVC doesn't mean we are not allowed to take advantage of offers. This year I am banking points!!!
Deb & Bill
05-08-2009, 12:23 PM
Maybe you'll be lucky and have a hurricane pass through during that week. It should keep the parks a bit quieter.
I understand WHY we are not eligible and do not really mind.
But - we are going with family and had planned the trip before Free Dining was announced (arriving on the very first day of Free Dining) so now my family keeps saying "I thought I saw on TV that the Dining Plan is free while we are there?" So I have to keep explaining it!!! :-)
This is exactly where I'm coming from--having planned the trip before Free Dining was announced, not able to change dates, knowing that it's not a big deal that we DVCers don't get Free Dining--BUT having to explain to others in our party why it is that we don't get it.
Maybe I'll run the rack rate numbers for them...and to reassure myself as well. There are 9 of us so we'd have to book 2 rooms at Port Orleans Riverside or a Deluxe, or a 2BR villa. And of course 2 of the party are kids who have just turned 10 and aren't big eaters but qualify as "adults" on the DDP. We're actually getting the DDP for half of our split stay and I'm thinking of taking a couple of these kids' TS credits, having the kids order a small menu item instead (or even a kids' meal if they let them) and letting 2 of the adults have an extra TS meal. But of course that makes for complicated ADRs.
I'm also feeling pressured about having to make ADRs soon, knowing that I'll be competing with people who have Free Dining and people who don't but know that they have to make early ADRs.
Thanks to all for the ideas and reassurances. I hadn't thought of all the ads as meaning that Disney is in trouble :sad2:--thanks for pointing that out. The pictures of Kidani have me thinking of spending more time at the resorts and staying away from crowded parks.
Which reminds me, I was wondering--has anyone who has been during free dining noticed whether there's a difference in crowd levels between resort table service restaurants and the parks table service restaurants?
Maybe you'll be lucky and have a hurricane pass through during that week. It should keep the parks a bit quieter.
:rotfl: Well, this is one reason they do Free dining and Value season, to get people to come during hurricane season, right? For what it's worth--NOAA originally predicted above-average hurricane activity for 2009 but now is predicting near-average hurricane activity: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_Atlantic_hurricane_season
thelionqueen
05-08-2009, 02:47 PM
When was this? We took advantage of free dining the first year they offered it (2005) and there was absolutely no deal on rooms or admission - it was rack rate or nothing.
ITA! We were also one of the first on the "free dining train" and there were no deals on anything period.
lugnut33
05-08-2009, 03:23 PM
Which reminds me, I was wondering--has anyone who has been during free dining noticed whether there's a difference in crowd levels between resort table service restaurants and the parks table service restaurants?
Eat off-site if you think there will be problems. It's really not a big deal and there are tons of good places to eat within 10 minutes of WDW.
As for the crowds don't worry about it. I've been down there 2 times for free dining and the crowds were no different than any other time.
ITA! We were also one of the first on the "free dining train" and there were no deals on anything period.
I understand that recently some people have gotten PIN codes or mailings that offered a room discount AND free dining, but that isn't open to the public and it's a recent phenomenon, AFAIK.
Cyndibear
05-08-2009, 04:10 PM
Don't worry about the crowds during free dining. We go every September during free dining. We enjoy that time of year because the crowds have been low. The dining places are full, and IMO, food quality is down, but the parks are great. Just relax and enjoy it. Just make sure if you are eating at WDW restaurants to make ADR's at your 90 day mark.
Cyndi
disneynutz
05-08-2009, 05:28 PM
Not sure if this is encouraging or not but remember the reasoning behind all the ads and free dining.
Disney reported its' 2 quarter earnings and its not good. Park revenue was down 12% from the first quarter. Operating income was down a whopping 50%. While they have managed to bring people into the parks, folks are not spending. Free dining is not helping because now they are losing revenue from the restuarants.
Almost every other sector of their company has also had double digit losses.
I worry for the parks.
They still netted 1.5 billion dollars so far this year. As far as plans during "free" dining, don't dine. Eat QS or off-site, that's what we do.
WolfpackFan
05-08-2009, 07:29 PM
Frankly, I've never understood the interest in Free Dining or for the Dining Plans for that matter. Do folks eat that much food while at home? Maybe it's just us, but we're perfectly happy eating the bulk of our meals at counter service restaurants or even eating in our room. In addition, quite often DW and myself share meals (us old people do that :)). I would much rather have our great DVC accommodations rather than staying in an All Star and getting some free food that we don't need anyway.
PS - I found it humorous that on the first page of this thread the ad at the bottom was for Weight Watchers (which DW is on) :).
Corinne
05-09-2009, 08:38 AM
Maybe you'll be lucky and have a hurricane pass through during that week. It should keep the parks a bit quieter.
That's nice. :(
Anyway, I think the OP was just trying to say she was hoping it would be a quiet time to visit WDW, and now with the "Free" dining it may not be. We visit WDW every summer and yes,the offer has certainly changed the attendance for that time period. Before they offered the plan for "free" it was a very slow time. That said, it should still be a relatively quiet time, but if you are planning to eat at any TS establishments, it is imperative to make your ressies!!!!!! Good luck and Welcome Home!
CarolMN
05-09-2009, 09:27 AM
It's going to be HOT and VERY HUMID when you visit. Most people (and especially kids) do not feel like eating big meals every day during that type of weather.
The 2 credit restaurants (signature) are alwasy easier to get than the 1 credit places. I think they have better food, too. Anyway, schedule a few TS meals at the signatures and either eat off site, in your villa or use QS for the rest.
FWIW, I think the free dining does not add much (if anything) to the crowds in the parks. It mostly entices people who were going to stay off site to stay on site. I bet the non-Disney area resorts really hate the free dining promotions, LOL.
Enjoy the trip.
Eventer98
05-09-2009, 10:40 AM
I also have been during Free Dining twice before and never had a problem making ADRs in advance or having it be over crowded..if anything it's still less then when we travel in June/July. You will be fine :)
goofy4tink
05-09-2009, 04:06 PM
Maybe you'll be lucky and have a hurricane pass through during that week. It should keep the parks a bit quieter.
Bite your tongue!!! :lmao: That's when I'm going too...and I was there for Charley. It wasn't great. The parks filled up about 2 days after Charley came through. All the Orlando schools closed so as soon as the roads got cleared, the kids swarmed to the parks!!
It's really not all that bad during free dining. I was at POP last Sept for free dining. The parks weren't all that busy. The nicer restaurants were though. They seemed to be much more crowded than usual. I think that those who are planning on going to WDW get the free dining plan and then eat at the more expensive places. Those that weren't planning on going at that time of year, usually don't make a huge change to their plans in order to get free dining..yes, some do, but not all that many.
Disney offers it in order to fill up empty rooms. It's not a reward..it's a bait. They don't need to bait the hook in order to get DVCers there. We're already going. They already have our money!! Anything in a way of a perk they give us is going to be a reward. I have used the dining plan in the past, while staying on points. I don't do it anymore if I'm traveling with the family. If I'm on my own, then I may get the dining plan added to my reservation, but if it's more than me traveling, we don't use the dining plan..it's just too expensive. My dd pays the adult price but eats about $12 worth of food a day.
So...I have the TiW card, which I use most of the time...that works really well for me.
rutgers1
05-09-2009, 04:56 PM
The only thing that upsets me is that I was really hoping for some empty parks in August due to the economy. Now this free dining thing is going to throw a wrench into that if they keep advertising so widely. This is the most they have ever advertised it.
However, thanks to DVC, we will be there 12 days, so we'll see what we need to see.
mjlass11
05-10-2009, 07:04 PM
When was this? We took advantage of free dining the first year they offered it (2005) and there was absolutely no deal on rooms or admission - it was rack rate or nothing.
It was in 2006 I think. We had 4 nights in Pop, hopper pass and dining plan for $300 per person (2 a room) in September. I was offered at the end of July or beginning of August. I have not seen this since then.
dr&momto2boys
05-10-2009, 07:22 PM
I'm sure others have said it too...
I think they're running sooo many ads because they're NOT booked up! It may not be as busy as you think. And remember, it's a good thing for them to be busy so the that they aren't in jeodardy of closing attractions or worse. And being busy means they will have the financial resources to keep creating attractions and improving the parks.
lugnut33
05-10-2009, 07:31 PM
On WDWToday podcast they mentioned that the Free Dining is NOT really a big draw and Disney will probably have to add a different promotion to entice people to come. Said they have only sold 30% of the free dining rooms in the value and moderate category, 12% in deluxe, and only something like 4% of the DVC cash ressie rooms.
I think a lot of people blew their trip money during Spring.
That being said, DO NOT expect empty parks!! Empty parks will mean Disney will have to make even bigger cuts, which might mean parks closing at 7 or 8.
jco_direwolf
05-10-2009, 07:34 PM
it's so annoying that the first day of our August trip is the first day of free dining, and it looks like every website I go to and every magazine or newspaper I pick up has an ad for free dining! Now it looks like the whole world is going to be there during what I hoped would be a relatively quiet time
Well if you listen to Len on WDWToday (I think it was last Weds, episode.) He said that EVEN with free dinning they have booked (and I'm doing this from memory) something like 50% of the value level, 30% of the Moderate, <10% of the Deluxe and ~3% of the DVC that they have available.
I was listening going into work on my iPod, and I was just floored. I even ran the podcast back to listen to it again. Remember this is a promotion, they aren't trying to book every room at every resort with this, they are trying to sell, what they believe is, excess inventory.
As others have pointed out, free dinning isn't really "free" since you have to book a package, with park tickets, and pay the rack rate for the room. The free dinning isn't cheap.
johno
jco_direwolf
05-10-2009, 07:36 PM
On WDWToday podcast they mentioned that the Free Dining is NOT really a big draw and Disney will probably have to add a different promotion to entice people to come.
WOW two of us posting about quoting the same podcast.
johno
Anyway, I think the OP was just trying to say she was hoping it would be a quiet time to visit WDW, and now with the "Free" dining it may not be. We visit WDW every summer and yes,the offer has certainly changed the attendance for that time period. Before they offered the plan for "free" it was a very slow time. That said, it should still be a relatively quiet time, but if you are planning to eat at any TS establishments, it is imperative to make your ressies!!!!!! Good luck and Welcome Home!
Thanks, this is exactly what I was trying to say!
On WDWToday podcast they mentioned that the Free Dining is NOT really a big draw and Disney will probably have to add a different promotion to entice people to come. Said they have only sold 30% of the free dining rooms in the value and moderate category, 12% in deluxe, and only something like 4% of the DVC cash ressie rooms.
That being said, DO NOT expect empty parks!! Empty parks will mean Disney will have to make even bigger cuts, which might mean parks closing at 7 or 8.
I didn't know about those podcasts--they're fun listening. I wonder how sales for free dining have moved in the past, comparatively--it sounds like they expected more of them to have sold by now?
PinkTink63
05-11-2009, 02:10 AM
I'm with you! We are in the same boat! We are checking in the day FD starts! One of the reasons we go at that time of year, because it is a little less crowded, but it probably won't be now! We've been there while FD is going on and it can be very crowded, especially the restaurants! We are definitely going to have to make some reservations 90 days in advance, as much as I hate to do that, because we don't really know what we want to eat 90 days out! I plan alot to get to WDW, but when we are there, we are more "go with the flow" kind of family!:laughing:
I could care less about having the DP, it's the crowds I'm worried about!:rotfl:
It is what it is and we will make the best of it!
mjlass11
05-12-2009, 07:04 AM
I understand that recently some people have gotten PIN codes or mailings that offered a room discount AND free dining, but that isn't open to the public and it's a recent phenomenon, AFAIK.
Whe I booked it, it was $39 or $49 a night at a discount resort, full price for the hopper pass and free dining. I'm sure I just booked it throught Disney's website and am almost positive that I didn't have a PIN. However, I do remember it being advertised in our newspaper, so maybe there was a code we needed. I also remember that we got a good deal on airfare (like $160 pp) so we basically had a 4 day all inclusive stay at Disney for <$500pp. I kept thinking what a great deal this was and wanted to do this again, but was never offered.
We're going Sept. 6-11 and staying at a THV so we will probably use the grill for most of our bigger meals. :thumbsup2
thelionqueen
05-12-2009, 10:02 AM
Whe I booked it, it was $39 or $49 a night at a discount resort, full price for the hopper pass and free dining. I'm sure I just booked it throught Disney's website and am almost positive that I didn't have a PIN. However, I do remember it being advertised in our newspaper, so maybe there was a code we needed. I also remember that we got a good deal on airfare (like $160 pp) so we basically had a 4 day all inclusive stay at Disney for <$500pp. I kept thinking what a great deal this was and wanted to do this again, but was never offered.
Since free dining was started, there have never been any room discounts included with the promotion. I was told from someone who works at CRO (then and now) it was not even possible to enter another code when the free dining code was entered. And you could not apply the free dining code to anything but rack rates (they automatically populated). The rates in 2006 for values (we stayed @ POP) was $79 per night for our trip, and the highest during the entire promotion was $89 per night (preferred room). They didn't have higher rates on weekends then, and we booked our trip while looking at many different dates (the rates were comparable for the entire promotion).
Not saying you didn't get a great deal, but I'm fairly certain the room rates were not lower than $79. The lowest rack rate I've ever seen @ POP was $59. Maybe with this promotion, since it's not as popular as previous years, they will add an additional discount, guess we'll just wait and see.
TDC Nala
05-12-2009, 12:15 PM
You can still buy the dining plan as a DVC member if you want it so badly.....
You can even get free dining if you want it - by banking your points and booking a free dining package.
On the bounceback free dining for 2009, there WAS a limited number of OKW and SSR rooms available for cash, with a room discount, plus free dining. So it's possible that kind of offer was made on a limited basis back in 2006.
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