BLOG: Rumors on discounts for 2011

[AlbertZeroK]

I doubt they would raise room prices in anticipation of more people traveling at that time and then offer a discount.

I tend to disagree. Ever see the grocery story raise prices on an item a week before they run a buy-one-get-one-free promotion?

Disney may be raising the December Rates by 10%, then offer free dining during that time. They may be seeing such a great response to free dining in December that they think even at 10% more, the deal will still be sweet enough to fill the rooms.

Of course, it's all just academic...

 

[WaltD4Me]

Why doesn't Disney just be done with it have Free Dining year round?

I know people love free dining, but you can only give stuff away for free for so long before you have to make up for those costs somewhere. Quality and choices are already suffering, what is dining at Disney going to be like by this time next year?

 

[fakereadhed]

Am I the only one that is underwhemed by the rumored discounts? The dining plan is no longer a draw for me. Our last trip was the first time on the "new" version and it was not a savings even though it was "free". We had to pay rack rate and ended up buying a few extra CS meals(TS was not as good as in the past) and had to pay tips OOP. With increased weekend rates, cuts in entertainment, increased ticket prices- these discounts make it a break even and equal not much justification for my yearly or more often trips. They aren't weaning me from discounts, they are weaning me from WDW. If the savings don't keep me within my usual budget(allowing for normal price increase) I'm going to cancel for Dec. and wait til next year.

 

[dalt01]

Why doesn't Disney just be done with it have Free Dining year round?

i know you meant that sarcastically..........but...........there is an answer to the question.........incentives must be both spontaneous and sporadic rather than continuous or they will become just "part of the deal" which then would beg the question........"what have you done for me lately" in other words......hey, the disney package includes a room, tickets, dining, transportation...........lets wait and see what type of incentive they come out with this year.......

 

[AlbertZeroK]

lets wait and see what type of incentive they come out with this year.......

We are to some extent already there.

 

[WaltD4Me]

i know you meant that sarcastically..........but...........there is an answer to the question.........incentives must be both spontaneous and sporadic rather than continuous or they will become just "part of the deal" which then would beg the question........"what have you done for me lately" in other words......hey, the disney package includes a room, tickets, dining, transportation...........lets wait and see what type of incentive they come out with this year.......

Glad you caught the sarcasm. You know me so well.

I absolutely agree that incentives need to be both spontaneous and sporadic, but IMHO, free dining has already become not much of either and maybe Disney needs to think of something new.

Like Fake Red I am underwhelmed so far, but maybe Disney will surprise me on Monday.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I agree with Lisa.

The free dining promo has become neither spontaneous or sporadic. Just read the boards and you will see that many people are now planning their vacations in order to take advantage of it.

I also agree with the fact that it's not really free. By paying rack rate for your room, you are in effect paying for your dining. The old expression "borrowing from Peter to pay Paul" comes to mind.

I think what Disney is seeing is that the idea that your food will be "free" is an advertising ploy that seems to be bringing folks into the parks.

 

[dalt01]

Glad you caught the sarcasm. You know me so well.

I absolutely agree that incentives need to be both spontaneous and sporadic, but IMHO, free dining has already become not much of either

I agree with Lisa.

The free dining promo has become neither spontaneous or sporadic.

i was not disagreeing with her......i was actually saying the same thing........i just take detours to get there

become just "part of the deal" ........"what have you done for me lately" includes a room, tickets, dining, transportation...........l

 

[dalt01]

I also agree with the fact that it's not really free. By paying rack rate for your room, you are in effect paying for your dining.

.........we do it all the time..........one month you get 0% financing for 60 months.......the next month you get a $2500. rebate.....guess what....at the end of the day they cost the manufacturer the same amount of money......but they appeal to a different demographic...some vacationers will respond to deep cuts in lodging others will respond to incentives geared to children...some will respond to BOGO type deals, others will respond to free dining...i think..they think, the dining has the most universal appeal.

 

[alaskanmommy]

I agree with Lisa.

The free dining promo has become neither spontaneous or sporadic. Just read the boards and you will see that many people are now planning their vacations in order to take advantage of it.

I also agree with the fact that it's not really free. By paying rack rate for your room, you are in effect paying for your dining. The old expression "borrowing from Peter to pay Paul" comes to mind.

I think what Disney is seeing is that the idea that your food will be "free" is an advertising ploy that seems to be bringing folks into the parks.

The dining plan works for my family and saves us money as well as being able to go on a vacation and have most of our food expenses pre-paid. I plan so that we use all of our credits and in our case we save more $$ staying value or moderate, even if it is rack rate, and eating "free." We also will eat at some signature restaurants that we probably wouldn't pay for OOP. I think that the $ saved on discounts whether it's a % off room or FD really depends on the family and what kind of WDW visitor you are.

 

[WaltD4Me]

i was not disagreeing with her......i was actually saying the same thing........i just take detours to get there

My Aunt Lorraine used to always ask my long winded Uncle Joe ........"Why do you always have to go around McGinty's barn to get where you are going?" ..... I think of her often when I read your posts Dalt.

 

[G66]

I wonder what % of FD rooms actually have 4 dinning plan adults in them? I'm guessing it's pretty low.

 

[woodleygrrl]

We have a trip planned for march where we planned on staying at the Poly, however the new rates and the new seasons have changed everything. We are now booked at the WL instead where the rack rate savings are over $1500 for an 8 night stay.

Free dining is of no interest to my husband and I. We too have see the offerings and quality of the food decrease in the past 3 years. When you have to appeal to the "average consumer" and you are having to cut costs because you are giving the food away, you are going to have to see some give somewhere. Moer poor quality steaks and less variety seems to be everywhere.

Gone are the days of the "grand plan" where all three meals plus tips were incuded. We used to FEAST back in the 80's.

So here is to a room discount. We need that 40% off.

Jennifer

 

[AlbertZeroK]

The Deals were just posted!

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/

FREE Disney Dining Plan when you buy a non-discounted 4-night/5-day room and ticket package at select Disney Resorts for arrivals most nights during select dates from 10/2010 to 9/2011.

Get up to a $500 Disney Gift Card FREE when you buy a 5-night/5-day non-discounted Magic Your Way package at select Disney Resort Hotels for arrivals most nights 10/3-11/23/10, 11/27-12/25/10 and 1/1-2/16/11

Save at least 25% at Select Disney Resort Hotels
With special fall and winter room rates, your family can save at least 25% on rooms at select Disney Resort Hotels for stays on most nights 10/3-11/23/10, 11/27-12/25/10 and 1/1/11-2/16/11.

 

[MAGGIED]

here is the new discount... some free dining also...

Save 25% to 40% at select Disney Resort hotels and treat your family to a fun-filled getaway for stays on limited and select nights October, 2010 through February, 2011.

Get up to a $500 Disney Gift Card FREE when you buy a 5-night/5-day non-discounted Magic Your Way package at select Disney Resort Hotels for stays most nights 10/3-11/23/10, 11/27-12/25/10 and 1/1-2/16/11.

For example, save $599 for a family of 4. Pay just $87 per person per day for a total package price of $1,728 at select Disney Moderate Resorts for most arrival dates from 1/2-1/5/11, 1/9-1/13/11, 1/21-2/3/11 and 2/11-2/16/11.

 

[My2BabiesLexis&Dill]

I saw the free dining posted on the website but when you click on it, it won't take you anywhere.

 

[DisneyLilly]

http://bookwdw.reservations.disney....int_CMP=ILP-WDW_ChoicePage_FY11DineGetDetails

Free dinging until Sept. 2011 (if you fall between specific dates).

 

[LMCmom25kids]

I saw the advertised FREE DINING .... tried to book our pkg, but in the end.... the cost of the dining is NOT come off of our total pkg price. UUUuuuggghh!!! I know our dates are NOT block out dates.... what is going on???? At least I didn't think they were.... 2/5/11 - 2/11/11 (Does anyone know if they are?) It's not prsidents day week or anything.

 

[DisneyLilly]

These are the dates for Free Dining (arrival dates) - the advertisement says it goes until Sept. 2011.

2010: Oct 1 - 7 • Oct 22 - 28 • Nov 12 - 18 • Nov 27 - Dec 2 • Dec 10 - 21
2011: Jan 1 - 5 • Jan 9 - 13 • Jan 21 - Feb 3 • Feb 11 - 17 • Feb 25 - Mar 3 • May 27 - Jun 2 • Aug 19 - Sept 29

 

[LMCmom25kids]

These are the dates for Free Dining (arrival dates) - the advertisement says it goes until Sept. 2011.

2010: Oct 1 - 7 • Oct 22 - 28 • Nov 12 - 18 • Nov 27 - Dec 2 • Dec 10 - 21
2011: Jan 1 - 5 • Jan 9 - 13 • Jan 21 - Feb 3 • Feb 11 - 17 • Feb 25 - Mar 3 • May 27 - Jun 2 • Aug 19 - Sept 29

Thanks Lilly..... How did you find this out? Just curious?