2010 Fall Dining for DVISA Is Out (See FIRST page)'

[zales127]

I would imagine it might look something like this.

Again..this is private property. If you trespass, you could get arrested, hurt or worse! DO NOT DO IT!

Thank you for posting that. We stayed at POP last year in the jukebox hotel..my son seen one of the abandon hotels and asked what that was all about..Im glad I can finally explain it to him and show him some of these awesome pictures. THANKS!!!

 

[Luvmepluto]

Did everybody see this? (Posted by wdwkook on another thread):

Here is a link to a news article I just posted to the News and Rumors forum which includes some speculation about WDW's future discounts:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2453312

Here is part of the article by Jason Garcia of the Orlando Sentinel:

Braun and other analysts attributed Disney World’s market-share gains to the resort’s targeted use of discounts, which helped lure tourists despite a steep drop in travel overall. All of Disney’s most significant promotions during the year — including seven nights for the price of four and free dining — required travelers to stay in the resort’s hotels.

The promotions effectively worked in tandem with other strategic moves Disney has made over the years — such as the launch of a complimentary airport shuttle and luggage service that eliminates the need to rent a car — to help Disney keep an even greater share of its guests on its property and away from its rivals.

Abe Pizam, dean of the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management, noted that Disney has historically avoided discounts for fear of undermining the premium prices it typically commands. But he said the resort clearly now sees promotions as a way to further its strategy of capturing the entirety of its guests’ vacation spending.

“They have done it very smartly,” Pizam said.

Still, the approach came at a cost for Disney: In large part because of those discounts, operating profit for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts shrank 25 percent during the company’s 2009 fiscal year, which ended in October.

Analysts also said that Disney could have trouble returning to full prices without triggering an attendance drop. The company has said it is trying to wean consumers off of promotions gradually; Disney World, for instance, is currently reducing hotel rates by as much as 30 percent, which, while significant, is a significantly smaller discount than last year’s seven-days-for-the-price-of-four offer.

Discounts “don’t necessarily make for a sustainable market-share shift,” Braun said.

I read where Disney has yet to comment on the attendance. Someone (not sure if it was on this thread) said that the CM told them that they really don't need to have that many promos because the parks are doing well??? (or at least, that is how I took it)..........my friend went over Easter(they go every year at that time) and said that the parks were bare compared to previous years. That doesn't seem to go with what that CM said. Hmmmmm....

I am still not giving up.

I know that Disney doesn't have to give us a discount, but they have already spoiled us. The economy is still not great....at least , not on the western side of NC. It seems like to get people going to Disney, they need to pull out all the stops.

Is it possible that they are going to do 4/3?

 

[katieam1]

This is a little off subject but wondering if anyone has any personal experience..providing that the free dining does come out and my sisters family gets in on it of course....they're daughter will be turning 1 in Disney. She is an eater!! So Im wondering if anyone has an experience with taking a child who doesnt fit the dining plan (I think you have to be 3 or older) do you just buy an additional dinner?

At buffets they can have their own plates and you do not have to pay. We went with both our kids when they were under three. Infact this will be our first trip paying for one of them. Non-Buffets they just share off your plate or if you feel they need a plate you can always buy them their own off the childrens menu. We never needed to do that. We had DXDDP so we scheduled three meals a day and the kids ate off our plates. It worked out excellent. At CRT they gave my kids their own plate of pasta and butter which was nice. I would recommend buffets though because you can go up right away and get the food you want. My kids ended up being happier at those because they did not have to wait when they were hungry, also the characters were great and I will never forget their faces when they saw the characters for the first time.
Hope that helps a little!

 

[zales127]

At buffets they can have their own plates and you do not have to pay. We went with both our kids when they were under three. Infact this will be our first trip paying for one of them. Non-Buffets they just share off your plate or if you feel they need a plate you can always buy them their own off the childrens menu. We never needed to do that. We had DXDDP so we scheduled three meals a day and the kids ate off our plates. It worked out excellent. At CRT they gave my kids their own plate of pasta and butter which was nice. I would recommend buffets though because you can go up right away and get the food you want. My kids ended up being happier at those because they did not have to wait when they were hungry, also the characters were great and I will never forget their faces when they saw the characters for the first time.
Hope that helps a little!

It helps alot! We have our ADR's already and most of them are buffets but my sister was worried that they would still have her pay for an additional childrens buffet..this is really good to know

 

[katieam1]

Is it possible that they are going to do 4/3?

That would be a great offer! We did that offer twice last year. We had tossed around going during free dining and still the buy 4 get 3 was better even with us adding the DXDDP. So we went the week before free dining the last week of 4/3 offer. We left the day free dining started and the resorts seemed to be getting busy.

 

[katieam1]

It helps alot! We have our ADR's already and most of them are buffets but my sister was worried that they would still have her pay for an additional childrens buffet..this is really good to know

Glad I could help!
Have a GREAT trip!

 

[anorman]

Has Disney in the past ever started a discount promotion on a Sunday? I have seen two separate sources say that the fd promotion will be issued to the gp on Sunday May 2nd; touringplans.com and mouseplanet.com.

Does anyone have any info on this? I thought it was usually offered on weekdays and my travel agent doesn't work on Sundays!

 

[Luvmepluto]

That would be a great offer! We did that offer twice last year. We had tossed around going during free dining and still the buy 4 get 3 was better even with us adding the DXDDP. So we went the week before free dining the last week of 4/3 offer. We left the day free dining started and the resorts seemed to be getting busy.

We did that last Spring.....we LOVED it!!! We would happily take that over FD!!! 2 (A) and 2(C) stayed at CBR in a Preferred Pirate room, with the dining plan and park hopper tickets for 2700.00!!!! That is the best deal we have ever had there.

 

[Luvmepluto]

Has Disney in the past ever started a discount promotion on a Sunday? I have seen two separate sources say that the fd promotion will be issued to the gp on Sunday May 2nd; touringplans.com and mouseplanet.com.

Does anyone have any info on this? I thought it was usually offered on weekdays and my travel agent doesn't work on Sundays!

I am not sure......it doesn't semem impossibe, but probably not likely. I will be checking on Sunday the 2nd!!!!!

 

[klfosborne]

I spoke to a CM yesterday about whether Visa Kids Free would be better or my current free dining bounceback in September. Turns out bounceback is better by $100 BUT she said to keep my ears open because a better deal could be coming soon. What deal could be better than free dining for us -2A and 2C. Anyone know?

 

[kteesmumma]

I dunno...but has disney ever offered anything more than 40% off for room rates? Like 50% off?? I just dont see what is better than FD or the current Visa Offer. Oh well other than than FD AND % off room rates LOL

 

[Luvmepluto]

I spoke to a CM yesterday about whether Visa Kids Free would be better or my current free dining bounceback in September. Turns out bounceback is better by $100 BUT she said to keep my ears open because a better deal could be coming soon. What deal could be better than free dining for us -2A and 2C. Anyone know?

Hmmm....I don't know. I can't wait. Did she give you dates?

 

[doccoc2002]

We did that last Spring.....we LOVED it!!! We would happily take that over FD!!! 2 (A) and 2(C) stayed at CBR in a Preferred Pirate room, with the dining plan and park hopper tickets for 2700.00!!!! That is the best deal we have ever had there.

Does 7for4 include DP and the PH passes or is it just the room? We are going for 12days would I just check out and check back in? This is all "IF" FD is not offered and 7for4 is...again "IF"

 

[DisneyMomm]

I dunno...but has disney ever offered anything more than 40% off for room rates? Like 50% off?? I just dont see what is better than FD or the current Visa Offer. Oh well other than than FD AND % off room rates LOL

That's what I was just thinking. That's what they're giving to UK residents, %40 off certain resorts and FD. I think I would just jump out of my skin with excitement if they offered that.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Has Disney in the past ever started a discount promotion on a Sunday? I have seen two separate sources say that the fd promotion will be issued to the gp on Sunday May 2nd; touringplans.com and mouseplanet.com.

Does anyone have any info on this? I thought it was usually offered on weekdays and my travel agent doesn't work on Sundays!

While the name of the game in guessing how Disney will do things is "expect the unexpected" -- a bit like Big Brother (tm) that way.. LOL....

I either expect the Disney Visa folks to get the offer either this Thursday or ext Monday..

And the rest of the world either next Monday or next Thursday..

But that's JUST a guess at this point. Perhaps they read all the F/D threads and are just messin with us. Honestly, I wouldn't put ANYTHING outside the realm of reason.

I dunno...but has disney ever offered anything more than 40% off for room rates? Like 50% off?? I just dont see what is better than FD or the current Visa Offer. Oh well other than than FD AND % off room rates LOL

Best public offer I've ever seen is the 40% off at only 2 resorts (Saratoga and Old Key West) ... WITH Free Dining. And that was offered on a limited basis to European guests this spring.

The best room discount on a PIN or public offer I've ever seen is 45%.

I think the CM who said "an even better offer" was suggesting the speculated Free Dining is coming.

I don't think she was speculating an entirely different offer.

If that in fact WAS what she was suggesting, my guess would be the Buy 4 days get 3. That's a pretty awesome offer and amounts to a 42.8% discount off everything you get.

(Resort, Dining, Tickets)

So there ya go. Patience is a virtue - we'll all know soon.

 

[kteesmumma]

hmmmmm that would so work for us....LOL

 

[tiki23]

Hey Knox! Glad to see you back checking on us loonies!

LOL

 

[StacyMarie]

Hey Knox! Glad to see you back checking on us loonies!

LOL

Thanks for the laugh!

 

[tink&her2boys]

Yay!!!! Knox is back!! You may not tell us anymore than we already know but it's comforting knowing you're here!!

 

[beachgrl001]

Come on free dining gods!

I don't have a pin,
no kids to play free.
I have the darn visa,
still no deal for me.

We are already booked,
we have ADRs made.
No matter what happens,
9/24 we invade.

I don't feel entitled,
I have the right 'tude.
But $4k for my hubby and I, makes me feel a bit screwed.