Anti-Free Dining Rant....Sort Of

[goofy4tink]

I have been in the group hoping and praying for FD in the past. You tend to get caught up in the 'waiting game'....we all tend to overplan and obsess about our future trips. I remember, back in the day, when Disney put out their promos in the Sunday paper first. We all sat there, waiting for Sunday to get here and then fell into abject misery because there were no promos that week!!! It was really kind of funny.
I have taken advantage of many promos...FD, buy 4 get 3 free, AP rates. The only thing about FD that gets my goat is when they offer it after I have already booked my trip. I base my trips on previous crowd history. We always went to WDW in August, the week before FD was offered. Last year they moved that date up a week, which really negatively impacted us. And, the ADR booking window was only 90 days then. It was nasty getting anything you needed. And the parks were ridiculously crowded for that first week. But there was nothing we could do since our trip was already booked...airfare, DVC. Would have cost us a ton to make changes.

But, people love the excitement of the 'hunt'. So, knock yourselves out, have a ball. If that's the only way you can go to WDW, so be it. If it saves you money to use FD, terrific. If we don't want to read/hear about it, we don't need to open the thread.

 

[CanadianGuy]

If you are tired of it...then please feel free not to read those threads.

Can I participate in this 'protection program' you've outlined?

Seriously tho -- there were a few feet stompers in a thread I created.. I forget what page.. but a whole bunch of folks started talking very seriously about going to Universal instead.

But it really didn't sound like they wanted to .. it sounded like they were trying to teach Disney a lesson or something. Corporations don't get veiled messages very well.

Everyone can tell Disney exactly how they feel about any aspect of their business by writing a note to :

Walt Disney World Guest Communications
PO Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

And anyone considering an off-site stay in Orlando, remember to add the true costs of staying elsewhere (Airport transportation, potentially a car rental etc) ..

 

[LilMommyBug]

Personally, I don't care for FD. It makes the ressies too hard to get and more crowds. I'm going in June and got every single ADR I wanted and then some! I always check when FD is and try to avoid it if I can.

Anna

Yep, we are going regardless, but I'm starting to hope that it's NOT offered so that there wont be as many people. Selfish, I know..

 

[Huff]

I do kind of get where the OP is coming from here. I've read more than one post where someone has said they were going for two weeks and couldn't afford to w/o FD. . . all the while, I'm thinking, "Why not go for one week instead?"

Because they'd rather have a two week family vacation to some other more affordable destination if Disneyworld is too expensive for such. Thats what our situation is. We'd love to go to Disneyworld if theres an affordable package. Otherwise we'll have to enjoy another vacation spot thats in our budget.

 

[Huff]

And anyone considering an off-site stay in Orlando, remember to add the true costs of staying elsewhere (Airport transportation, potentially a car rental etc) ..

Last time I stayed off-site I was able to get a 3 star hotel in DTD area for $40/night. They had a free shuttle to DTD which worked out well. Even with transportation costs etc. it was far cheaper than staying at any WDW moderate. We've also stayed onsite when there have been discounted package deals and have loved that as well.

 

[asmit4]

If there is no FD, we won't book and we won't go. Those are the facts. No stomping of feet and crying here. It's not worth it to us to pay for food at DW.

We've already done a huge trip this year skiing in Colorado and we are planning a trip to Las Vegas also. It's not about not having the $$, it's about what we are willing to pay to go to DW. It's about deciding where to spend the $$$ we do have.

Saying we aren't going to DW if there is no FD is not a selfish or a rude thing to say. I don't feel 'owed' by DW...I just won't be going if they don't offer it. I think it will be interesting if they don't offer it. I wonder how it will affect their bottom line. They may or they may not regret it.

 

[Swmhc]

I agree. I have been to Disney many times and every time have gone with a great discount. Every one of them has been different. They always offer something. I am looking forward to what it will be! And I am so happy to be going.

First, let me say what a BEAUTIFUL cat you have !! My daughter is right...I am becoming a crazy cat lady !

Second, I have never been able to take advantage of free dining, but wouldn't mind trying it sometime. However, we don't bank on any freebies. Any pixie dust we get is an added perk. Personally, I kind of dread the free dining time as it is near impossible to get an ADR during that time frame.

Good luck to those who are holding out for FD !

 

[tami82]

Sorry, just have to get this off my chest.

Let me first say this. There are 7 of us going to WDW, Me, DW, DM, DS, DD3 and DD 14 mo and DS 14 mos. We going every couples years now because we do not have a lot of money to spend on vacations. We stay at Value Resorts and often bring most of our own snacks to try and save money. Going to Disney is a big chuck of change for us....That said.

I am soooooo tired of the "I want FD or I'm not going" posts my head is about to explode. It reminds me of being a child, "if I don't get my way I'm taking my ball and going home". I have to admit, I invision most of these posters writing that then laying on the floor kicking and screaming

I am booked for this Sept. and I am going whether or not there is free dining. Will it be nice if they offer it, YES. Do I check the boards everyday for the lasted rumor and speculation, YES. Do I want them to offer it, YES. But if they don't I'm still going.

I know everybody is frustrated because the promos haven't come out yet for fall, I just don't understand why? It will come out when it comes out and we just seem to be driving ourselves crazy waiting and waiting and waiting. I booked my ADR's anticipating free dining. If they don't offer it I guess I will cancel most. Remember Disney has been around far longer than FD has, I'm sure if they don't offer it we'll all be fine.

Now I know I'll get about 100 of you saying, yah but this or yah but that, you don't understand this and you don't understand that. Flame me if you want but I think we need to remember this is a vacation it's supposed to be fun, planning is supposed to be part of the fun. Just relax and enjoy the Disney Magic the promos will come.

I agree they will come when they do but people cant help but to get upset after waiting such a long time and then not getting it on the dates they expected it to come out. Its only a way of venting. I know i would be the same way if i didnt have the bounceback. I would be going absolutely nuts!! Especially after my husband agreed to go again this year before we got the offer.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

I always book with some sort of discount...even if it is only a AAA, AP or Disney Visa discount. That is what I am willing to pay. If at a later date I can apply a better discount, I consider that gravy. I don't book a trip I don't plan to take just because a better discount doesn't come along.