Anti-Free Dining Rant....Sort Of

[Port Orleans fan]

There is a difference between wanting something vs. feeling that it is owed.

While I'm hoping for FD (or some other discount), we're going to Disney no matter what. However, I don't let it bother me if others decide to go to WDW only if FD is offered. That's up to them and has nothing to do with me. I couldn't care less.

Live and let live.

 

[Jenny Wren]

While I'm hoping for FD (or some other discount), we're going to Disney no matter what. However, I don't let it bother me if others decide to go to WDW only if FD is offered. That's up to them and has nothing to do with me. I couldn't care less.

Live and let live.

 

[tukogirl]

Maybe I'm in the minority here but I've read everything posted about Free Dining/Fall promos within last two weeks, and I'm just not seeing many people having a hissy and stomping and going the route of "I"ll show you, Disney, I won't go..."

Let me start by saying that I DO have a good chunk of change in my savings account and would have no problem paying for the crazy things in life that always pop that need a couple grand to be fixed AND go on a vacation. However, I am planning on spending $X for vacation this year, Disney or not. Free Dining or another good promo in the fall would allow me to go on the kind of Disney vacation I want to go on without going over $X. But I could also go to Chicago, to Southern Mexico, to NYC, and a few other places we are interested in seeing for $X. A good fall promo would most likely swing my decision towards Disney.

If there isn't a decent fall promo released, we won't be going to WDW. I can afford to pay for my own food. I don't expect Disney to give me any sort of discount. I will not be mad or crazed or hysterical if there is no discount. If there is no discount and we don't go to WDW I in NO way, shape, or form think that I am sticking it to them, or that they give a rats patootie if I go or not, or would even notice if I didn't. It won't be because I am under the impression that I am teaching them a lesson. It will be because I am choosing to spend $X on the type of vacation I want, even though I can "afford" more.

If you want to go without a promo, fantastic! But I think the impression that some seem to be getting - that people who are waiting for a promo are not able to "afford" a vacation, that they are neglecting other areas in their life, that they are 'cheap,' that they are trying to spite disney, or that they are crazed, hysterical, whiney, foot stomping fools, is absolutely inaccurate.

 

[my3squeals]

Maybe I'm in the minority here but I've read everything posted about Free Dining/Fall promos within last two weeks, and I'm just not seeing many people having a hissy and stomping and going the route of "I"ll show you, Disney, I won't go..."

Let me start by saying that I DO have a good chunk of change in my savings account and would have no problem paying for the crazy things in life that always pop that need a couple grand to be fixed AND go on a vacation. However, I am planning on spending $X for vacation this year, Disney or not. Free Dining or another good promo in the fall would allow me to go on the kind of Disney vacation I want to go on without going over $X. But I could also go to Chicago, to Southern Mexico, to NYC, and a few other places we are interested in seeing for $X. A good fall promo would most likely swing my decision towards Disney.

If there isn't a decent fall promo released, we won't be going to WDW. I can afford to pay for my own food. I don't expect Disney to give me any sort of discount. I will not be mad or crazed or hysterical if there is no discount. If there is no discount and we don't go to WDW I in NO way, shape, or form think that I am sticking it to them, or that they give a rats patootie if I go or not, or would even notice if I didn't. It won't be because I am under the impression that I am teaching them a lesson. It will be because I am choosing to spend $X on the type of vacation I want, even though I can "afford" more.

If you want to go without a promo, fantastic! But I think the impression that some seem to be getting - that people who are waiting for a promo are not able to "afford" a vacation, that they are neglecting other areas in their life, that they are 'cheap,' that they are trying to spite disney, or that they are crazed, hysterical, whiney, foot stomping fools, is absolutely inaccurate.

Well said! I feel the same way. A deal would be good way to "sway me" in their direction if I was on the fence about Disney this year. I thougt I had read most threads on here too and I never took it that anyone was stomping away like a spoiled child if they didn't get their discount. I took it that they thought they could get more bang for their buck somewhere else.

 

[Melanie230]

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.

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

 

[beansmom]

But I think the impression that some seem to be getting - that people who are waiting for a promo are not able to "afford" a vacation, that they are neglecting other areas in their life, that they are 'cheap,' that they are trying to spite disney, or that they are crazed, hysterical, whiney, foot stomping fools, is absolutely inaccurate.

I GET that impression because I have read posts where people blatantly state 'we can't afford to go if we don't get free dining'.

And I stand by my remarks...if I had no income, I would NOT be planning any sort of vacation until I at least had a paycheck coming in. So...when someone posts they can't afford a vacation and say they are sick and tired of waiting for Disney to offer them free food, lots of people are going to wonder why then are they planning one.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I have been to Disney many times and have gone every conceivable way that you can, including full price. That was in the days before the DIS taught me better.

I have a budget for vacation each year and if I want to go to Disney World I take into consideration what the prices are for the different components. Sometimes there is a great room discount, sometimes Free Dining, discount tickets even one year. It would be fantastic to get all three but that is not likely to happen.

I know what I can afford and I pick my resort, food options and tickets accordingly.

I will stay at a cheaper place, eat off property, stay fewer days and do what I need to get there. The cheaper I have to go the fewer of my dollars Disney will get but I am sure they will not be too heartbroken over me alone. If many feel likewise it will make a difference. Not a threat, just an observation.

I plan to go this year and what direction my trips takes all depends on the price. I will have fun any old way, just maybe a bit different than some other trips but then they are all different in one way or another.

Coming home to bills I cannot pay would take all the fun away.

Slightly Goofy

 

[bgohre]

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

Wish I could. I seem to keep running across them.

 

[Mommytobree]

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 understand where you are coming from but also you have 2 children that are 14 mos old that you do not have to pay for (as far as park tickets and dining plan are concerned) and one that is 3 (not sure if you pay for a 3 yr old I can't remember if it is 3-11 or 4-11). So free dining is not as big of a savings for you as it is for a family of 7 like mine who has to pay for all 7 of us. Disney was much more affordable when my children were under 3 as well, and I could afford to go and stay at a value resort discount or not, but now that they are older, free dining or other good promotions really make it or break it for us. Luckily, my husband is military so I was able to go with the 40% discount, so we are still going, but if he wasn't, I would not be going without Free Dining or another good promotion. Again, you make valid points and while I am not one who has been saying I am not going without free dining, I am just saying that for some of us, with large families as well, free dining or good promotions sometimes are the deal breaker on going or not, so it is understandable why some would get upset and frustrated. Disney has done FD for many years, even though we *shouldn't* expect it, it is hard not to when they have done it for so many years in a row.

 

[Melanie230]

There is a difference between wanting something vs. feeling that it is owed.

I am not saying that it hasn't happened...but I have yet to see someone say that FD is owed to them. I am one of those..No FD...we go to Universal Studios. It is just that simple. For the money...Universal wins hands down over Disney. The front of the line passes are such a great deal. If Disney can't top what Universal is offering...then so be it.

 

[Mommytobree]

I GET that impression because I have read posts where people blatantly state 'we can't afford to go if we don't get free dining'.

And I stand by my remarks...if I had no income, I would NOT be planning any sort of vacation until I at least had a paycheck coming in. So...when someone posts they can't afford a vacation and say they are sick and tired of waiting for Disney to offer them free food, lots of people are going to wonder why then are they planning one.

I didn't read through all the posts before this, so excuse me if I am misunderstanding you, but someone who says they cannot go to Disney without Free Dining does not mean they have no income. I know myself, I budget a certain ammount on vacations. If Disney offers a good promotion, and falls within that budget, then we go. So for me, saying I am not going without Free Dining (though I have not said that as we are still going) but if I HAD, that would not mean I do not have income or can't afford to be taking vacations, it would just mean that without free dining it would be more than I wanted to spend, and I would vacation elsewhere. We take a few vacations a year, and I love to cruise, so Disney does not get all of my vacation dollars. If they choose not to offer deals, then I don't go. Not because I can't afford it, but because there are other things I'd rather do than spend most of my budgeted vacation money in one place. I was able to get the 40% rate on a value, so we are going, but if I didn't, I would absolutely be saying that without Free Dining or another good discount for late August I wouldn't be going.

 

[Mommytobree]

Maybe I'm in the minority here but I've read everything posted about Free Dining/Fall promos within last two weeks, and I'm just not seeing many people having a hissy and stomping and going the route of "I"ll show you, Disney, I won't go..."

Let me start by saying that I DO have a good chunk of change in my savings account and would have no problem paying for the crazy things in life that always pop that need a couple grand to be fixed AND go on a vacation. However, I am planning on spending $X for vacation this year, Disney or not. Free Dining or another good promo in the fall would allow me to go on the kind of Disney vacation I want to go on without going over $X. But I could also go to Chicago, to Southern Mexico, to NYC, and a few other places we are interested in seeing for $X. A good fall promo would most likely swing my decision towards Disney.

If there isn't a decent fall promo released, we won't be going to WDW. I can afford to pay for my own food. I don't expect Disney to give me any sort of discount. I will not be mad or crazed or hysterical if there is no discount. If there is no discount and we don't go to WDW I in NO way, shape, or form think that I am sticking it to them, or that they give a rats patootie if I go or not, or would even notice if I didn't. It won't be because I am under the impression that I am teaching them a lesson. It will be because I am choosing to spend $X on the type of vacation I want, even though I can "afford" more.

If you want to go without a promo, fantastic! But I think the impression that some seem to be getting - that people who are waiting for a promo are not able to "afford" a vacation, that they are neglecting other areas in their life, that they are 'cheap,' that they are trying to spite disney, or that they are crazed, hysterical, whiney, foot stomping fools, is absolutely inaccurate.

I agree. That is myself as well.

 

[focusondisney]

I didn't read through all the posts before this, so excuse me if I am misunderstanding you, but someone who says they cannot go to Disney without Free Dining does not mean they have no income.

I think the person you quoted was referring to a previous poster, not you. There was someone who posted that her husband hadn't worked in 6 months & that she had also just been laid off. Because of those things, that poster said she needed free dining in order to go. Some others wondered how someone with no apparent means of income was planning a vacation.

 

[Janice B]

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.

No flames here, I totally agree with what your are saying. My Family is booked to go for two weeks in August and we are going no matter what.

 

[jomommy]

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?"

I've been following most of the FD and/or speculation threads because I have a discount for August already, but I'll change if something better comes out near my dates. And I can say there are some posters that are down right mad at Disney (or appear to be). I think that's where the frustration is born from. Before I read this thread today I've been thinking to myself, "It's almost as if WDW has full price only so that ppl can know how much of a discount they got." It IS a business.

 

[dclfun]

I also understand what the OP is saying. Disney has offered FD during late Aug/Sept/early Oct for so many years in a row that people have come to feel entitled to it. Just like the changes that were made in the DDP from the earliest years, no one can expect a promo to last forever. I can also understand needing a promo of some sort to afford a vacation or even just wanting the savings to maximize the value one gets from a vacation. IMO September isn't a preferred time to vacation- it's still darned hot, is often rainy, and school has started for families with school-age children. I'd think some kind of discount or offer will come out for the fall but who knows if it will be FD. I guess if it's something else, then we'll all have to crunch the numbers. Who knows- maybe it will end up being a better deal?---Kathy

 

[kaytieeldr]

Now I know I'll get about 100 of you saying, yah but this or yah but that

How about, "Yah, but nothing; you make excellent points"?

 

[Princess Amy]

I am one of those "people" who are waiting for FD or any discount to come after August 15. Could I afford to go without the discount.....absolutely. Am I going to go without a discount.....if I must. Though I sure hope that one does come out But with that said, I am not here to judge anyone based on their income or whether they can afford or cannot afford to go. I understand these threads are for opinions and such, but sometimes I think it gets a little ridiculous. I think opinions get off topic to what the thread or post is suppose to originally be about. How someone decides to spend their money is their choice. If so-and-so is laid off and still going to Disney, hey, wouldn't be what I would do, but it's their money.

Even if I was not waiting for a fall discount, I would be right here with all my Dis friends waiting for it in anticipation. It's exciting! As well as frustrating, I suppose.

And as for all the free dining threads taking up the board....
puh-lease........this forum is the one that has the most FD threads.....how many other forums are there??

Besides wait until after the Aug-Sept promo....then the board will be filled up with people wondering and ranting when the Oct-Dec discounts will be out....and then the Jan-March discounts and so on. C'mon, if you been on the boards long enough you know that the discount watching never ceases

 

[pigletto]

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 have to say I agree with you in that I too have a strict vacation budget and I will make the most of whatever I am offered.

But I kind of find your post a little self indulgent. You don't care either way? Great! Skip the threads that annoy you and move along. Why stir the pot?

 

[beansmom]

I think the person you quoted was referring to a previous poster, not you. There was someone who posted that her husband hadn't worked in 6 months & that she had also just been laid off. Because of those things, that poster said she needed free dining in order to go. Some others wondered how someone with no apparent means of income was planning a vacation.

That was exactly to what I was referring.

It is sooo totally ok to go to Disney whenever you want...however you want. But it's a bit...I dunno...SOMETHING to 'demand' a discount. Yes, we are also going this year on a bounceback...and, no, we wouldn't have gone anyway and I am so grateful to get a discount. And we, too, probably would have gone somewhere else if we hadn't gotten a discount. OR maybe not. I'm pretty addicted to Disney in October.

Regardless, if I had no income, then my mortgage, car payments, electricity, emergency savings...those would be my main concern now. I don't know the whole of that poster's situation (and, btw, she came back to say that her original post was somewhat misleading for several reasons) but I was merely suggesting perhaps, with no income, Disney might wait.

I will now return to minding my own business...oh, wait. I never did THAT!