Big changes to WCC menus on Wednesday

[Sammie]

That is a misinterpretation. You are not paying more than a guest without the free dining would be paying if they were paying rack rate at the same time. What was meant was that the cost of all rooms at all times has been raised over time to cover various discounts. I'm not sure that I entirely agree with that, but you interpretation was not correct.

Ok, I am totally confused now. So if the room rate is not raised, how is it not free? Now I understand that many do not consider it the best value, that is not my question.

I guess the changes to the menu will mean it will be easier to get an ADR now.

 

[kaytieeldr]

"Dining Plan Free" is a promotion. The Dining Plan is free to the guest, cost being covered by hotel accounting.
"30%* off" resort rates is a promotion. Thirty percent of the standard room price is free to the guest, covered by hotel accounting.

*or whatever percent

 

[momtotwoteens]

Can my 19 year old order from the kid's menu at dinner? I think she would eat the cheeseburger.

 

[herewego1]

So those that are on the regular dining plan get the "all you care to enjoy platter", and a drink (milkshake if they want) included. If we are paying OOP, you pay for the platter, pay for the drink and both scenarios would pay OOP for an appetizer?

Thanks!

 

[Quin]

So those that are on the regular dining plan get the "all you care to enjoy platter", and a drink (milkshake if they want) included. If we are paying OOP, you pay for the platter, pay for the drink and both scenarios would pay OOP for an appetizer?

Thanks!

Yes, while those on the DxDP also get the appetizer included with their meal credit.

 

[herewego1]

Yes, while those on the DxDP also get the appetizer included with their meal credit.

Thank you!

 

[Quin]

Ok, I am totally confused now. So if the room rate is not raised, how is it not free? Now I understand that many do not consider it the best value, that is not my question.

The theory is that if there were no promos such as "free dining" or "some% off room rates", WDW could probably charge $XX per night for the room. WDW knows that people like promos, so they have set the rack room rate at $(XX + YYextra = ZZ) per night. We don't know what the extra amount is. Then if you and I each book a room at that resort but you get "free dining" with it and I don't, we are both paying the $ZZ rate per night. The rate for both of us is subsidizing the "free dining". It's a better deal for you than for me because you're actually getting to use the promo while I'm not, but at least in theory we're both paying more than we "should" have if there were never any promos offered. "Free dining" isn't "free" because nothing is ever truely free, and the customer always pays for it some way or another.

 

[AlohaAnnie]

I have been following Free Dining isn't free discussion. Could they also make up some of the money by charging more for meals at Holidays & the resort rooms at Holiday pricing or the time of year seasonal pricing?

So someone is always paying for the free dining or discounted rooms at some point.

 

[JimmyV]

Ok, I am totally confused now. So if the room rate is not raised, how is it not free? Now I understand that many do not consider it the best value, that is not my question.

Because "rack rate" is not a static number. It is dynamic. The rate is most certainly raised for free dining, as very, very few (if any) people pay the promotional rack rate during non-promotion times. There is always a percentage discount or lower rate to be found somewhere.

During free dining, the rack rate that one needs to pay to take advantage of the promotion might be $550 per night. At all other times, the room might rent for $400 per night, undiscounted and maybe $330 after some discount. So your "free" dining is costing you $150-$220 per day. A good deal if you have a family of 5. Not such a good deal if you are a solo traveler or traveling as a couple. Free dining really starts to show its true colors at the Value and Moderate end of the scale, as the delta between the promotion versus non-promotion rack rates does not vary as greatly. If the promotion rack rate is $225 and the non-promotion rate is $160, you start to see greater savings. Of course, you still have to figure in the cost of upgrading to a higher level of DP if that is the way you choose to go.

All you have to do to see this in effect is go through a mock booking of identical accomodations during a time of free dining versus a time without free dining. You will quickly learn that your room charge will be less during the latter unless you select a particularly busy week where no room discounts are offered. Free dining isn't so much "free" as it is "pre-paid".

 

[Brian Noble]

So if the room rate is not raised, how is it not free?

Here's another way to think about it.

Disney is going to get $X out of you for your vacation, provided you don't leave property for much of anything. The only question is *how* are they going to get that $X? One way is to charge you rack rate for the room, but include food. Another way is to give you a discount on the room, but charge you for food---either pay-as-you-go, or as part of a dining plan. Usually, both promotions are in effect at the same time. So, you can figure out how much you are paying for food; it's the rack rate minus the discount you are giving up to get "free" dining. Oh, and add in any supplement you pay if you are upgrading your plan from the "free" QSDDP to DDP/DxDP, or the "free" DDP to DxDP.

Throw in that *most* people likely spend less OOP just buying what they want when they want it vs. what the appropriate dining plan would have cost---the various plans are generally up-sells disguised as discounts---and "free" dining is more expensive than most people think.

 

[momtwoboys]

what type of sausage is it? Pork? The main food sounds ok, but the desserts don't sound too good. Hoping to see some pics of the new "platter"

 

[stitch34]

The ketchup call is coming back for lunch time.



Really! YAY!

 

[Hoosier37]

Having compared the new and old menus, I have to say I favor the new one. And I was trying to decide between lunch and dinner, and the new menu has me leaning towards dinner. My family all like similar things, and we like to eat family style meals anyway.

Oh, and I think the jalapeno lime cheesecake sounds good, myself.

 

[ChrisAlli]

I don't see an option to have kids get the platter (skillet)....my kids loved it but I'm not paying $32.00 for them to eat it!

 

[LunaCup]

I don't see an option to have kids get the platter (skillet)....my kids loved it but I'm not paying $32.00 for them to eat it!

There is a kid's platter it is just not listed on the menu. The price is 15.99.

 

[Kronk N Tink]

Dang it, we were looking forward to eating here for the first time in Feb but the new platter doesn't have the same appeal without the pulled pork (and Tink will be very unhappy that they got rid of the cheddar cheese soup her eyes literally lit up when she saw it). The lack of salad with the platter is dissapointing as well.

It'll still be under discussion but likely we'll head elsewhere.

 

[ChrisAlli]

There is a kid's platter it is just not listed on the menu. The price is 15.99.

thanks for the info....that helps

 

[StrwLady]

Raised is the wrong word. Determined would be more accurate. Thinking the hotel rack rate is raised to cover the cost of the Dining Plan Free Promotion is the same as claiming the rack rates are raised to cover the cost of room discounts.

Agree. I wouldn't say they raised rack rate for free dining. It just simply you are paying are getting your discount in the area of dining instead on the room.

There are people out there what the "free dining" will truly be free. Because there are many people who don't know that there are discounts out and end up paying rack rate anyway. So then the "free dining" is in fact free.

But for those of us who always get discounts it just works out to a different $$ saved. Whether it comes off the room or off the dining part.

 

[StrwLady]

The ketchup call is coming back for lunch time.

That is good!

The one time we went for lunch the waiter had a little fuzzy animal, Squeeky, that he did things with. My son was around 7 so he did enjoy Squeeky. And it was cute. But I enjoy the antics that are normally at dinner. It was a nice lunch regardless, seeing the joy on my kid's face.

Even though I would likely go to dinner because of the platter knowing they are bringing back the kecthup fun at lunch would have me consider it.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Raised is the wrong word. Determined would be more accurate. Thinking the hotel rack rate is raised to cover the cost of the Dining Plan Free Promotion is the same as claiming the rack rates are raised to cover the cost of room discounts.

Sorry but that's true IMHO.

Disney is the Oriental Rug Dealer of hotels.

They take a hotel room that's worth say $180 a night and mark it up to $350 and then let you think it's a "deal" when you get a 30% discount!

Disney pricing is not based on all those cool things that the earlier poster claimed, sure they go into it, but it's really based on "how high can we get away with"