Anyone ever do this or is it a hairbrained scheme I am thinking about?

[DisFlan]

I've always figured if Disney cared about their stockholders, they'd maximize profits and not hand out discounts unless they were going to increase overall profitability - because that is what they have an obligation to do.

Bingo! And DVCers aren't paying on a per stay basis. So we won't get it. DVC's bottom line wouldn't gain a thing. Personally, I'd rather see the bottom line stay healthy so DVC is around in good shape for a long time.

DisFlan

 

[hansel1]

What you've written is not accurate. Last year they upgraded people WEEKS before check-in via telephone. All people had to do was call in and voila, upgraded to 1 BR at SSR and OKW. That was because the values were full, and by giving the upgrades, Disney opened up those value rooms for more people to book WITH FREE DINING.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1478319&page=0&highlight=upgrade

I recall that happening a little differently. There was debate as to why disney upgraded folks, and not all value reservations were given an option to upgrade even if they called.

Some said the values were just simply overbooked and others said that it was a promotion by DVC to allow overflow to use their accomodations as a marketing tool.

They offered this "upgrade" with 2 weeks remaining in the free dining promotion because of the lack of availability at the value resorts, but some folks still couldn't reserve a room at value resorts at the end of the promotion.

Plus their is no guarantee that disney will overbook or upgrade again.

 

[CarolA]

I don't think its unethical either. I do think its a lot of bother - I wasn't all that impressed with the Dining Plan back when it was a GOOD deal. And I suspect that it will be a loophole Disney closes - probably by making Values ineligible for free dining sometime in the future.

My bet's on this year.....

The UK TAs have already offered Free Dining to their clients. No values were included. You had to book at least a Moderate!

And I continue to be amazed that DVC gives us any perks considering the general reaction when they do. I think the fact that you can buy the DDP for the prices we do to be a steal. I don't think it's worth it since I don't NEED that much food, but if you can consume that much it's a deal.

 

[starbox]

It does not look like anyone has pointed out yet that you only get dining as part of a MYW package - which means you have to pay rack rate for room AND park tickets for each person that gets dining.

Sure - the room may be 80-some dollars - but rack rate MYW tickets (minimum of one day) are still going to add hundreds of dollars to that unused hotel room for the DVC owner with APs.

DVC members pay for DDP a la carte - CRO guests only get it with a MYW package including rack rate room and tickets.

 

[nunzia]

I don't see how it's unethical. You are paying Disney for the room at the price they asked. However, I don't see as this could really be a big savings. You have the resort tax, etc., so I don't see that you could really save much if anything.

 

[marynvince]

Just my personal opinion and I do find it unprofessional but to each their own. Even if it is not unethical to do as described, many people do see it as "cheating" the system. Of course it is fine for her to book the rooms but that was not the point. The point was the discussion by a travel professional that coaches people how to work a loophole or cheat the system. Of course, I did not hear the words that were spoken so I dont know exactly how it was represented.

The example of the hotel in Birmingham is totatlly different and companies do that all the time. Often easier, and cheaper, to keep one long reservation. Occupancy of the room was not my point.

Again, it is OK if it does not bother you, but it does bother me. Just my opinion and not an attack on anyone else's opinion.

It cracks me up that people are concerned about a "system" like it has feelings. The original poster is simply taking advantage of an offer that Disney has made available to "EVERYONE"

 

[Dean]

It's certainly not unethical to rent a room, check in to it and use the perks associated. Disney sets the rules, it's their game. I also know people who own DVC and stay off property. They will often get a studio for a night here and there so they can get on property perks for 2 days at a time. They often use the room as a rest stop during the day and to get in some pool time including PH for Disney resorts that allow it or a nap at times. I don't know that they've gotten the DDP combined in this situation but they certainly could if they wanted. It's no different than getting a day room to use Atlantis while on the DCL cruise or paying for a day pass for an All Inclusive resort. I also know some who bought a timeshare in their home town that allows day use so they could use it much as they would a country club pool. They only question is whether Disney will now allow one person to be registered in two rooms, in the past they would but I know they've gotten tighter on this.

 

[BroganMc]

It cracks me up that people are concerned about a "system" like it has feelings. The original poster is simply taking advantage of an offer that Disney has made available to "EVERYONE"

It saddens me that people assume they can cheat a corporation because it's not really made up of people.

Perhaps it's because I'm a business owner and the daughter of a business owner that I see the ramifications of client abuse of services. As someone pointed out on this thread, bookings translate into increased allottment of resources and staff. If you find out you're overspending in resources for what you need, then you have to start cutting back to salvage your budget.

 

[msmayor]

What a great group of replies on this topic!! Let's keep the discussion going.



For my family which would be 3 adults and one 11yo, the DDP @ DVC would be $37.99 x 4 = $151.96 (anyone know if there is tax on top of this?).

A Value room for the same 4 poeple would run $82 + $10 (extra adult) = $92 + 12.5% = $103.50

The difference would be $151.96 - $103.50 = $48.46 savings *per day* !!

In my book, ~$50/day would not be "a few (very few) bucks".

Even if you factor in the gratuities for the one TS meal a day, the savings add up, especially on longer stays. I.E., 7 days = $350 savings!!

You'd need to purchase at least a 1-day park ticket for each member of your party to get the free DDP. So 4 one-day tickets for age 11 and older will cost you almost $300, knocking that savings down over 7 days down quite a bit.

 

[PEANUT1]

You'd need to purchase at least a 1-day park ticket for each member of your party to get the free DDP. So 4 one-day tickets for age 11 and older will cost you almost $300, knocking that savings down over 7 days down quite a bit.

I think she said she needed to buy tickets anyway.

Seems like too much work for me and it does seem a little sneaky or creative. Depends on how you look at it.

 

[Miz Diz]

You'd need to purchase at least a 1-day park ticket for each member of your party to get the free DDP. So 4 one-day tickets for age 11 and older will cost you almost $300, knocking that savings down over 7 days down quite a bit.

Even if tickets are not needed due to having an AP, you can buy a 1 day ticket and upgrade that ticket the next time you visit. The 1 day ticket never expires.

 

[Inkmahm]

Even if tickets are not needed due to having an AP, you can buy a 1 day ticket and upgrade that ticket the next time you visit. The 1 day ticket never expires.

Do you actually get one day tickets though or are the admissions included for the days that you have the room on your room key and then expire at the end of the trip?

 

[Inkmahm]

It saddens me that people assume they can cheat a corporation because it's not really made up of people.

Perhaps it's because I'm a business owner and the daughter of a business owner that I see the ramifications of client abuse of services. As someone pointed out on this thread, bookings translate into increased allottment of resources and staff. If you find out you're overspending in resources for what you need, then you have to start cutting back to salvage your budget.

Hogwash. I'm a VP Finance for a multi billion dollar company and I think you're seeing things that just aren't there.

Business is business. Disney sets the rules and we just play by them. Disney isn't getting hurt here at all in the case of people paying for services (a hotel room) that they don't intend to use. There is NO cheating going on at all, no stealing, nothing of the sort.

 

[global_mom]

It cracks me up that people are concerned about a "system" like it has feelings. The original poster is simply taking advantage of an offer that Disney has made available to "EVERYONE"

I made no mention of a system having feelings. I just expressed my opinion that I find it unprofessional for a TA to promote a method of circumventing the promotions intention. If it can be done, and someone chooses to do it, then that is their decision. I have no idea why that would "crack you up" but to each their own.

The OPs original topic asked if others had booked a room in order to receive the free dining or was it a "hairbrained scheme". My answer to that question would simply be that I have not done it nor would I do it, no moral highground, just an honest answer.

 

[dgaston]

We took advantage of a trip with Free Dining back in 2005. We had APs at the time, and saved the KTTW card with the unused 1 day admission until this December when I was purchasing APs. Was able to get 2 APs for only $299 each. Certainly makes those big purchases easier.

 

[crisi]

Hogwash. I'm a VP Finance for a multi billion dollar company and I think you're seeing things that just aren't there.

Business is business. Disney sets the rules and we just play by them. Disney isn't getting hurt here at all in the case of people paying for services (a hotel room) that they don't intend to use. There is NO cheating going on at all, no stealing, nothing of the sort.

Best Buy's CEO would disagree with you. Much of Best Buy's management has been involved in a multi year effort to make sure the "rules" have enough flexibility for customer satisfaction to translate into profitability, and yet cannot be taken advantage of by people who take advantage of such things. Several other retailers have been making similar efforts, Best Buy has gotten the most press.

Disney is getting hurt here if their goal is to have bodies in the park spending money. (I'm not sure if that is their goal or their goal in selling hotel rooms - I suspect its primarily the second - I also suspect that they have a rather complicated financial model of how much one body in the park means in dollars to Disney). If you book a DVC room and a hotel room for four people, and Disney's goal is to get eight people into the park - you aren't helping Disney meet its objective of more people in the park.

 

[dcamdad]

Hogwash. I'm a VP Finance for a multi billion dollar company and I think you're seeing things that just aren't there.

Business is business. Disney sets the rules and we just play by them. Disney isn't getting hurt here at all in the case of people paying for services (a hotel room) that they don't intend to use. There is NO cheating going on at all, no stealing, nothing of the sort.

How do you figure its not hurting Disney. Lets look at it this way, to the extreme but a possibility.

Ther are about 2500 DVC villas on WDW property at the present. If all are filled with DVC members at an average of 4 per villa thats 10,000 guests. Now say 25% rent a value room for the purpose of eating for free only eliminating 2500 guest from WDW. With the park tickets, extra food or drinks and the big money maker for Disney, soveniers , thats potentially at a minimum $250,000.00 per day income lost. Not to many "multi billion dollar" businesses will let that amount of loss to continue for long.

I'm not saying its right or wrong, I personally would not do it or recommend it be done. All I'm saying is that it does affect the bottom line at some point, maybe not greatly at present but if it becomes a habit or trend it will be stopped somehow by Disney.

 

[TisBit]

Best Buy's CEO would disagree with you. Much of Best Buy's management has been involved in a multi year effort to make sure the "rules" have enough flexibility for customer satisfaction to translate into profitability, and yet cannot be taken advantage of by people who take advantage of such things. Several other retailers have been making similar efforts, Best Buy has gotten the most press.

Disney is getting hurt here if their goal is to have bodies in the park spending money. (I'm not sure if that is their goal or their goal in selling hotel rooms - I suspect its primarily the second - I also suspect that they have a rather complicated financial model of how much one body in the park means in dollars to Disney). If you book a DVC room and a hotel room for four people, and Disney's goal is to get eight people into the park - you aren't helping Disney meet its objective of more people in the park.

First, I like to disagree with Best Buy's CEO, I have since stopped shopping there after so many changes that are not in the customers best interest. They are attempting to become a high end retailer, instead of a discount electronics store (their original calling). I was a loyal customer since the early 90's and even a former employee. I have good friends that have been in and out of their senior management, these are not customer related changes, but changes to attempt to attract high end customers and pretty much disregard the regular guy....JMO and a little off topic. But, I think this does relate to Disney, not being that way.

As for the bodies in the park theory, you are correct this could offset some things, but it also depends on how widespread this is. If it is becoming widespread, Disney could easily put an end to it, with several suggestions already mentioned.

 

[LakeAriel]

You'd need to purchase at least a 1-day park ticket for each member of your party to get the free DDP. So 4 one-day tickets for age 11 and older will cost you almost $300, knocking that savings down over 7 days down quite a bit.

Then you take those one day tickets to guest services and upgrade to multi day or annual passes.

 

[Inkmahm]

How do you figure its not hurting Disney. Lets look at it this way, to the extreme but a possibility.

Ther are about 2500 DVC villas on WDW property at the present. If all are filled with DVC members at an average of 4 per villa thats 10,000 guests. Now say 25% rent a value room for the purpose of eating for free only eliminating 2500 guest from WDW. With the park tickets, extra food or drinks and the big money maker for Disney, soveniers , thats potentially at a minimum $250,000.00 per day income lost. Not to many "multi billion dollar" businesses will let that amount of loss to continue for long.

I'm not saying its right or wrong, I personally would not do it or recommend it be done. All I'm saying is that it does affect the bottom line at some point, maybe not greatly at present but if it becomes a habit or trend it will be stopped somehow by Disney.

Using that logic, then none of the DVC members should ever do "no park" vacations in their villas because you're hurting Disney by not buying park tickets, food or drinks in the parks, or soveniers. And you should never ever stay at Disney properties but actually go spend the day at Discovery Cove, Sea World, Universal Studios, Adventure whatever it is called, etc. Because, you know, you're staying at Disney and they are planning for you to spend 100% of your time spending money at Disney! Let's not even talk about those people who dare to stay at Disney but do their shopping at the OUTLET malls instead of buying the overpriced Disney trinkets in the parks.

I didn't sell my soul or promise my first born child to Disney when I became a DVC member, unlike some of you seem to have done. Disney is still a business, that's it. If they have something for sale (hotel rooms) and I buy it, Disney has no room to complain. What I do with it is none of their business (within reason, and NOT staying in a room I'm paying for is certainly within reason.)