Can I get the dining package?

[disneyrick]

I am going to rent points from a DVC member and will be staying at Saratoga Springs in December. Will I qualify for the meal plan? How will I do this with the other person being the DVC member? Thanks

 

[quirty30]

You need to let the person you are renting from know that you want it; they will have to add it to the ressie for you at least 48 hours prior to check in. You will then pay for it at check in.

 

[Deb & Bill]

But you can't get free dining when you stay on points if that is what you were thinking. You'll have to pay the regular price to get the dining plan.

Plus if you don't already have that reservation, you may be too late.

 

[Suzy Mouse]

That is what I was coming on here to ask....Has any DVC member gotten the Free Dining package?

 

[erionm]

That is what I was coming on here to ask....Has any DVC member gotten the Free Dining package?

Free Dining is only available when paying cash for a package from CRO. DVC point reservations don't qualify for free dining.

 

[Suzy Mouse]

Free Dining is only available when paying cash for a package from CRO. DVC point reservations don't qualify for free dining.

Thank you! I just wish they offered DVC members a deal since we are consistant vacationers!!! Like I said...a wish....

 

[TDC Nala]

It's a deal already for DVC members to be able to buy the dining plan, as we get a massive discount on our rooms in the long run.

If we want the dining plan free, we can do what everyone else has to do - give up the room discount and trade it for the dining discount by booking a regular resort package instead of using our points. No one can get free dining without paying regular rack rate for a Disney resort room.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

It's a deal already for DVC members to be able to buy the dining plan, as we get a massive discount on our rooms in the long run.

Why is it a deal for Disney to let us purchase the dining plan at full price?

I'm not disputing the room savings, but the purchasing dining plan is actually more expensive for some families.
I don't see where Disney is doing us a favor by giving us permission to purchase the plan at full price.

MG

 

[Deb & Bill]

Why is it a deal for Disney to let us purchase the dining plan at full price?

I'm not disputing the room savings, but the purchasing dining plan is actually more expensive for some families.
I don't see where Disney is doing us a favor by giving us permission to purchase the plan at full price.

MG

Because they don't require us to purchase tickets for everyone in our group as well.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Because they don't require us to purchase tickets for everyone in our group as well.

That's quite a stretch in my opinion. I believe the reason they don't require us to purchase tickets is because many of us are AP holders.

I never have, and never will buy the DP. I'm a diehard TIW guy.
That said, to say Disney is giving deals on the DP because AP holders don't have to buy a ticket, IMO, is laughable.

MG

 

[CarolAnnC]

We traveled a couple of weeks ago to AKV on the trip I won at Doorway To Dreams. Disney would not let us purchase the DDP for this trip, as it was complimentary, and we were not staying on points.

So, they do apparently feel that the DDP is a discounted program that is not just available to everyone..DVC members included.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

We traveled a couple of weeks ago to AKV on the trip I won at Doorway To Dreams. Disney would not let us purchase the DDP for this trip, as it was complimentary, and we were not staying on points.

So, they do apparently feel that the DDP is a discounted program that is not just available to everyone..DVC members included.

Do you think the DP is money making, or money losing for Disney?

MG

 

[Dean]

Do you think the DP is money making, or money losing for Disney?

MG

I suspect it's making money for Disney but I'm certain it's losing money for the guests that pay for it.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Our rooms are considered discounted and Disney does not usually stack room discounts. You get Free Dining, but you pay full price for your room and full price for your tickets. Everyone in the party must purchase at least a 1 day base ticket. Imagine demanding full price in this economy by throwing in some free food!

Friends booked Pop today and although 1 qualifies for the free military salute ticket they still were required to buy tix for each to receive the free dining offer, so thats $75 more dollars that they did not need to spend.

They are spending almost $1k to stay at Pop for 4 days with the Dlxddp. My comparable cost is $1500 (if I rented the points) and we are staying at MK view studio with Dlxddp.

So DVC is still very discounted compared to what my neighbors will be paying for the same stay at BLT even with free dining.

We usually would not do the DDP, but we are doing all Signature Meals with friends and room service at BLT so it is cost effective for this trip.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I suspect it's making money for Disney but I'm certain it's losing money for the guests that pay for it.

Exactly.. That's why I don't think Disney is doing us a favor by letting us purchase the plan at full price.

Now, would they make more money if we paid OOP? Maybe, but than there's always the risk of the guest going off site, and Disney making zero.

MG

 

[Dean]

Exactly.. That's why I don't think Disney is doing us a favor by letting us purchase the plan at full price.

Now, would they make more money if we paid OOP? Maybe, but than there's always the risk of the guest going off site, and Disney making zero.

MG

That was part of my point. My suspicion is that people order more so if they paid OOP they'd spend less overall. Obviously it will vary from one person to another and this BBS is not representative because the members here are more informed and tend to be much better planners to get a better value than the members as a whole.

 

[RobDoc]

I am going to rent points from a DVC member and will be staying at Saratoga Springs in December. Will I qualify for the meal plan? How will I do this with the other person being the DVC member? Thanks

If you want the free dining program when renting points you will need to negotiate that with the member from whom you are renting. Free Dining is NOT available with DVC point reservations, but is available with cash reservations for some resorts directly thru Disney when you include park admission. If you can find a member willing to provide the DDP you may be able to add it for a DVC stay too.

For a DVC rental, it would be up to the member you rent from whether they are willing to provide free dining so be sure to request that when you contact them and have it noted in your rental contract.

You may find it less costly to just reserve the free dining thru Disney directly. Free dining is now available from 9/29 thru 12/17 (except for Thanksgiving dates) at Value resorts. Quotes for those stays are available thru Dreams Unlimited.

Enjoy!

 

[TDC Nala]

They're doing us a favor (well, some of us - I for one don't want the dining plan) by letting us purchase the dining plan at all. DVC members couldn't for at least a year. I don't see any good reason for DVC to offer us the dining plan for free. Our rooms are already discounted.

 

[LIFERBABE]

If you want the free dining program when renting points you will need to negotiate that with the member from whom you are renting. Free Dining is NOT available with DVC point reservations, but is available with cash reservations for some resorts directly thru Disney when you include park admission. If you can find a member willing to provide the DDP you may be able to add it for a DVC stay too.

For a DVC rental, it would be up to the member you rent from whether they are willing to provide free dining so be sure to request that when you contact them and have it noted in your rental contract.

You may find it less costly to just reserve the free dining thru Disney directly. Free dining is now available from 9/29 thru 12/17 (except for Thanksgiving dates) at Value resorts. Quotes for those stays are available thru Dreams Unlimited.

Enjoy!

 

[Sandisw]

I certainly don't think DVC members should get free dining since we are getting our rooms at a discount.

However, it would be nice to see a small discount, even if it was offered occasionally as a "limited" time, maybe during the times when free dining is not being offered to the general public.

Of course, I am someone who uses the dining plan so this is just a pure selfish wish!!