Any other DVC folks tired of Disney TS Dining??

[disneynutz]

In trying to appeal to the mass DP folks, it seems that Disney has alienated its most loyal group, that being us DVC members. Going off-site and eating in the villa, costs Disney money, yet they don't seem to care?

Tiger

Disney has said that there are over 150,000 DVC memberships or about 350,000 members.

Attendance for the MK at WDW was over 18 million last year.

Do you really think that they care about DVC Members?

Bill

 

[dianeschlicht]

Frankly, I don't think DVC has ever been on Disney's dining radar. With the villas having kitchens, I'm sure they expect many DVC members to be less frequent diners anway.

 

[Granny]

Frankly, I don't think DVC has ever been on Disney's dining radar. With the villas having kitchens, I'm sure they expect many DVC members to be less frequent diners anway.

I agree. I wonder what percent of DVC visitors utilize the DDP? That would give Disney some info as to DVC owner habits.

I also agree that dining at WDW has become a diminished experience with DDP and free dining plans. Not so much for the quality of the food but they've made it almost impossible to get into their restaurants without ADR's which we rarely make. We hate to have our daily plans revolve around dining reservation times.

 

[Tiger926]

Disney has said that there are over 150,000 DVC memberships or about 350,000 members.

Attendance for the MK at WDW was over 18 million last year.

Do you really think that they care about DVC Members?

Bill

Let me clarify - I don't mean care as in hugs and kisses. I mean in lost revenues. Clearly, there are more regular visitors than DVC members, but, DVC members also visit for frequent trips, and pay cash for a lot of meals. So, perhaps I should have clarified to mean cash paying dining guests.

Not everyone gets the DP, as many pay cash. For DVC members, some get the DP (that's why they offer it to DVC members), some eat in villa, some eat off-site and some pay cash on-site with TIW, AP, etc. So, by catering mostly to a DP audience, Disney is alienating those guests. I'm sure it still adds up to a good amount of lost revenues - that's why I'm pretty sure they offered the DP to DVC members in the first place. I would never assume on Disney's part that everyone is eating in their villa. Clearly if they were, they wouldn't offer any types of discounts or DPs to DVC members at all.

My point is that it wouldn't be hard to tweak things a bit for cash paying guests. When you go as often as DVC members, things will get stale, and since there are several options available, one of which is eating in the villa, it would seem to me that Disney wouldn't have to do much to secure this revenue, based on the responses in this thread.

The fact that Disney offers DP to DVC members, means we are on the radar, IMHO. Also, the fact that DVC members weren't subject to the peak dining surcharge/upcharge means there is a bit of a relationship there, don't you think?

Tiger

 

[ssawka]

Frankly, I don't think DVC has ever been on Disney's dining radar. With the villas having kitchens, I'm sure they expect many DVC members to be less frequent diners anway.

ITA, that is why when the DDP started it was not available to DVC members.

 

[tfc3rid]

Been visiting WDW every year since 1984 and agree completely that the innovation and quality has gone out the window with respect to food on property. Now, there are some places that are still good, California Grill and Citrico's but those aren't the best options financially for a larger group.

We now like to make a lot of frozen pizza in our villa, love places like Chik-Fil-A for great fast food, Seasons 52 is excellent, if you want a Ohana-like meal for a little highe price with a lot more food, try Texas de Brazil on International Drive.

There are so many places out there that will give you better quality for your dollar than the Disney restaurants right now. It's unlikely that will change anytime in the near future.

 

[Ms. WDW]

DH says Turf Club has the best steaks in the area! I have a tough time eating at chains because of food allergies, and at least Disney will work with you on that if you go to the signatures. Of course, the "central kitchen" dining that is at many of the locations negates getting anything taken care of for allergies other than telling you what you can't order.

The steaks at the Turf Club are delicious. We eat there at least once every trip regardless if we're staying there or not. But I do agree with most; I find it more and more difficult to choose where I want to eat. It's either "been there done that" or we just don't care for the food anymore. This next trip I'm going solo and I'll be trying the Cape May Clam Bake for the first time. So that's something to look forward too. But other than that I really don't have any exceiting meals planned.

 

[MaryJ]

We only go off site for Giordanos. I've been known to do some quick meals, like pre cooked ribs (Grandchildren had no idea what ribs were, they made a funny face)I'll make the fixins in the villa.

This reminds me of the first time my daughters had ribs. My daughter called them "barbeque on a stick."

Frankly, I don't think DVC has ever been on Disney's dining radar. With the villas having kitchens, I'm sure they expect many DVC members to be less frequent diners anway.

I don't know about anyone else, but we will often have leftovers from a meal at a Disney TS restaurant that we take back to our room and heat up later for a meal. In order to do that, we DO have to set foot into the restaurant first for a meal.

We typically eat every breakfast in our room, unless there is a special occasion where we might do a character breakfast (birthday, guests with us who have never experienced one, etc.) For a one week trip, we usually eat 2 or 3 TS meals. Artist Point and Fulton's are faves, but I do like to try a new one each trip. In November we went to Bistro de Paris and fell in love with it. I'm sure we'll be going there again.