2016 Free Dining Question - Please dont hate :)

[choover2576]

Looking at MouseSavers, free dining eligibility for 2015 expired on 12/21:
http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/

I realize that we don't know for sure, but what would you say the likelihood of it being offered at that time again would be this year?

We went to WDW in October and I can't wait to go back! Hubby said that we might be able to swing it if we get free dining again, and go during our kids Winter break since we have to take that time off of work anyway. I know it will be SUPER crowded, but I think with a good touring plan and attitude it will be just as magical as our last trip.

Crossing my fingers!!

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

Im crossing my fingers the historical dates hold as well!! I'm planning check in for Friday 10/28 which historically one of the FD sets ends that Saturday the 29th. All the fingers crossed and pixie dust to you getting your dates included

 

[MissKIA]

I'm hoping they offer Canadian dates starting in mid August again!

 

[btk2333]

pretty good chance it will be offered again- please make sure to do the math and make sure you are actually saving money over the room discount available at the same time.

 

[choover2576]

Thanks everyone, wishing pixie dust and magic for us! Also, thank you btk2333 for the reminder to do the math. It worked out better for us in October, but don't want to get caught up in the frenzy and end up paying more.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Iger is severely limiting ALL discounts for/at Disney.
2) We have already seen a drop in the resorts offering Free Dining, as well as the number of rooms available at those resorts.
3) I guess we just have to sit back and see.
4) The reduction in discounts was even discussed at the 2nd Quarter performance briefing.
5) The phrase is "weaning guests from discounts".

 

[SugarRush]

The U.K. Got it again for 2016 and Disney don't have the nuts to pull it, it'll happen but it'll be limited again I think.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Disney don't have the nuts to pull it,

1) Publically, maybe they don't COMPLETELY eradicate it, even though they want to do so.
2) Maybe they just limit it to a very few resorts and only a few rooms at each resort.
3) So, those who can't get it are simply told they did not react in time.

NOTE: Why penalize every guest at every WDW resort so a few can get Free Dining? The resorts pay for FD, not "corporate". So, room rates are raised all year long and everyone subsidizes the very few. Doesn't seem fair, does it?

 

[AngiTN]

1) Iger is severely limiting ALL discounts for/at Disney.
2) We have already seen a drop in the resorts offering Free Dining, as well as the number of rooms available at those resorts.
3) I guess we just have to sit back and see.
4) The reduction in discounts was even discussed at the 2nd Quarter performance briefing.
5) The phrase is "weaning guests from discounts".

The odd part about #5, the latest promo discount is higher than the past few have been

 

[SugarRush]

1) Publically, maybe they don't COMPLETELY eradicate it, even though they want to do so.
2) Maybe they just limit it to a very few resorts and only a few rooms at each resort.
3) So, those who can't get it are simply told they did not react in time.

NOTE: Why penalize every guest at every WDW resort so a few can get Free Dining? The resorts pay for FD, not "corporate". So, room rates are raised all year long and everyone subsidizes the very few. Doesn't seem fair, does it?

Exactly playing games rather than biting the bullet and saying, this doesn't fit anymore we are pulling it

 

[Dug720]

1) Publically, maybe they don't COMPLETELY eradicate it, even though they want to do so.
2) Maybe they just limit it to a very few resorts and only a few rooms at each resort.
3) So, those who can't get it are simply told they did not react in time.

NOTE: Why penalize every guest at every WDW resort so a few can get Free Dining? The resorts pay for FD, not "corporate". So, room rates are raised all year long and everyone subsidizes the very few. Doesn't seem fair, does it?

It makes me think of how General Mills (and maybe others) gradually cut the sugar in cereals to adjust people before saying in ads that they were cutting it. Take it away a little at a time and we don't notice it as much.

 

[carmelhp]

1) Publically, maybe they don't COMPLETELY eradicate it, even though they want to do so.
2) Maybe they just limit it to a very few resorts and only a few rooms at each resort.
3) So, those who can't get it are simply told they did not react in time.

NOTE: Why penalize every guest at every WDW resort so a few can get Free Dining? The resorts pay for FD, not "corporate". So, room rates are raised all year long and everyone subsidizes the very few. Doesn't seem fair, does it?

How does so called free dining reduce profits at these resorts, and if it doesn't, why would they have to raise rates at any other time of the year? It's always better to have full rooms than empty rooms. That's why it's offered in the first place, to increase revenue and profit.

 

[WIcruizer]

NOTE: Why penalize every guest at every WDW resort so a few can get Free Dining? The resorts pay for FD, not "corporate". So, room rates are raised all year long and everyone subsidizes the very few. Doesn't seem fair, does it?

"Free" dining isn't free. It's just another way to discount the room, a very creative way. But it's no different than just discounting the room itself. Which is exactly what Disney has done one way or another forever, and always will. As does every other hotel in the world. If WDW has a resort with a higher level of occupancy than they planned, a discount will be given somehow. They rather have rooms filled at a 30% discount than not filled at all.

 

[SGMCO]

I looked over the Historical dates from last year for FD and was wondering if they did not offer FD to Disney Visa Holders earlier than public?
It didn't list it.

They used to offer FD for DV holders about a week earlier than it came out to the public.

We last took advantage of FD for the fall of 2014 and we got notice through Disney Visa offer which was ahead of the public being able to book.

We love FD!!!

 

[AngiTN]

I looked over the Historical dates from last year for FD and was wondering if they did not offer FD to Disney Visa Holders earlier than public?
It didn't list it.

They used to offer FD for DV holders about a week earlier than it came out to the public.

We last took advantage of FD for the fall of 2014 and we got notice through Disney Visa offer which was ahead of the public being able to book.

We love FD!!!

No they did not

 

[kschafer]

"Free" dining isn't free. It's just another way to discount the room, a very creative way. But it's no different than just discounting the room itself. Which is exactly what Disney has done one way or another forever, and always will. As does every other hotel in the world. If WDW has a resort with a higher level of occupancy than they planned, a discount will be given somehow. They rather have rooms filled at a 30% discount than not filled at all.

I get that each family is a different size and age and people have different preferences for where they stay but for my family, a room only discount can't even come close to FD. I have a FD package in June booked through bounceback. Our room at Caribbean Beach is $200, the current room discount is a whooping $20. For my family of 4, both kids being Disney "adults", the dining plan is a value of $240. Even if we could eat for half that paying OOP (a big stretch!), we are still way ahead compared to room only!

 

[Dancerwife]

Good luck to you! We have a trip planned this year for 8. FD would come in handy!

 

[Disneylover99]

I'm hoping they offer Canadian dates starting in mid August again!

Me too. We have a bb booked for free dining beginning Aug. 26th for a week, but if I could move it to the 19th and get two weeks of FD, that would be awesome!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Me too. We have a bb booked for free dining beginning Aug. 26th for a week, but if I could move it to the 19th and get two weeks of FD, that would be awesome!

They won't give you the BB room offer AND free dining. So you'd be swapping the BB % off for the FD, were that the case.

 

[Disneylover99]

They won't give you the BB room offer AND free dining. So you'd be swapping the BB % off for the FD, were that the case.

The bb offer I have is free dining, not a room offer. I would just switch the bb offer to the Canadian free dining offer if it is offered and of course it would depend on room/resort availability.