DDP summer promotion

[dwelty]

Hi everyone,

I would like to take advantage of the promotion that Disney is now offering for the free summer DDP if you book during a December WDW stay. I know I will have to pay the rack rate to take advantage of this, but here is my question; we are staying at SSR on points in 2 weeks, will I still be able to book this summer promotion, and if so where?

 

[cobbler]

Here is some info I copied from Allearsnet.com

Walt Disney World to offer a Future Stay Special Package
to Disney Resort Guests During Pilot Progam

Discount Future Stay Pilot Program: On November 8, Walt Disney World will begin a Pilot Program at certain Walt Disney World resorts to see if guests would be interested in booking their next vacation at a special discounted rate. The Pilot program will run through December 31. The special offered is a 5 night/5 day vacation package that includes a standard room at a Value Resort, a base Magic Your Way Ticket and the Disney Dining Plan. Rates start at $453 per adult ($194 savings). Any guest staying at a WDW resort during this time will be able to book the special package. You must travel from August 5, 2007 and September 29, 2007 with a minimum stay of three nights.

There are two test areas. The first is Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts and Port Orleans. You will see a special "Your Next Disney Vacation" desk located in the lobby of the Beach Club and Port Orleans Riverside. A Disney Reservation Center Sales Agent will be at these locations to book the future trip special package right then.

The second test area is Disney's Pop Century and Contemporary Resort. These resorts will not have the special podium in the lobby. Interested guests will be given a phone number to call to book the special package with the Disney Reservation Center

Various methods will be used to inform guests at the test resorts including: in-room messaging, lobby signage, messages on receipts at that resort's food and merchandise locations when you use your Key to the World Card.

You must be staying at a Walt Disney World owned and operated resort to qualify for this special. You must book and place your deposit prior to check-out. You can request your travel agency gets credit for the booking when you make your deposit.



Here is the direct link, scroll down a bit to see it
http://www.allearsnet.com/news/hnews.htm

 

[dwelty]

Thanks Cobbler, This is what I needed.

 

[DVC Grammy]

Is the $453/pp for 5 nights or 3? Does anyone know?
It's not clear on the announcement.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'm not saying no, but most other rate promotions the WDW offers don't automatically transfer over to DVC points reservations. They had to negotiate to get the Dining Plan for DVC members on points. They never have given the ticket discounts to DVC members on points. Your points' stay might not count for a WDW stay for this promotion. You'll need to ask ahead of time.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I think it would quality. Give it a try and be sure and let us know how it turns out. I believe all they do is verify that you are staying onsite and have not checked out prior to requesting the promo.

I believe the $453 would be for five nights.

It's easy to figure out how much it would be because you just need to see what the rack rates would be for your resort during the qualifying dates, then add whatever kind of ticket you want. Need to purchase at least a 1-day base ticket. This is what many AP holders do and then either use the 1-day ticket after their AP's expire or use it as credit towards the next year's renewal.

 

[dumbo71]

GREAT.

First it is the discounted food with the DDP, now they are giving it away.

Imagine the cuts necessary to pay for this boondoggle of an idea. Looks like PBJ and Burgers on all of the menus, even fine dining.

I will not support this DDP out of principle. I'd rather pay more and get better than get this free garbage they serve everywhere.

Enjoy your "free food." If that is what it is call it now after the cutbacks.

Also, DDP has led to another problem. Years ago we could go to WDW and make reservations when we arrived and formulated a plan. Now with the DDP, the restaurants are packed and without ADR's made 90 days or more in adavnce good luck. I'm on vacation. I don't want to be that scheduled that I must call about my dinner plans 90 days in advance. Once again, thank you DDP.

 

[Cruelladeville]

Actually, you can go to most restaurants and still get in, thanks to the large number of people who make their plans 180 days in advance, and then abandon their plans once they arrive. Thanks to the DDP, I predict that they will go to a credit card guarantee in the future.

 

[keys2kingdom]

GREAT.

First it is the discounted food with the DDP, now they are giving it away.

Dude, where have you been? They've been giving "package" people the dining add-on for free the last 2 summers in a row for the period of mid August through the end of September. People pay rack on the package and get the DDP added on scot free. It looks to me like this promotion is running around the same dates as free dining did the 2 years prior. I guess they just want to get people locked in for the next year before they even leave the property.

 

[dumbo71]

Thanks Keys.

I guess I did know about free dining. It just blows my mind evry time. I will say at least you must pay full rack rate to recieve it. Obviously it helps subsidize the food. So much for those stating that each department reports seperately. It is all one big pot.

Do you think this is a good thing for DVC and WDW?

 

[CarolMN]

You also have to buy at least a 1 day ticket to get the free dining. Free dining has never been available for points stays. I do not think it ever will.

The purpose of the promotion is to fill rooms during the height of hurricane season - a very slow time for Disney. DVC is not having trouble filling rooms.

Frankly, I see little difference between offering room discounts or free dining (except that the "free" food seems to be attractive to more people). If you do the math, some families come out better with room discounts.

 

[dwelty]

You also have to buy at least a 1 day ticket to get the free dining. Free dining has never been available for points stays. I do not think it ever will.

The purpose of the promotion is to fill rooms during the height of hurricane season - a very slow time for Disney. DVC is not having trouble filling rooms.

Frankly, I see little difference between offering room discounts or free dining (except that the "free" food seems to be attractive to more people). If you do the math, some families come out better with room discounts.

I agree with you carolMN. But if this program is successful (especially this new one where they recrute current guests), The vacancy rates during that time may be low enough that Disney will not have to offer AP room discounts anymore.

 

[dumbo71]

I agree with you carolMN. But if this program is successful (especially this new one where they recrute current guests), The vacancy rates during that time may be low enough that Disney will not have to offer AP room discounts anymore.

No AP discounts??? They have already drastically reduced those anyway.

I would rather see room discounts offered than to see food at WDW become standardized garbage to feed these free loaders. We've seen reduction in menus, standardization, to go orders eliminated, outsourcing of help, decline of cleanliness in the parks, etc.

I will go out on a limb and say ALL of these are directly or indirectly related to this free dining and the DDP.

Many enjoyed visiting WDW in the off season for a break from lines and the craziness. Thanks to free dining and DDP we may never see a down time at WDW in the near future. Over time as they lose guests with this terrible plan the occupancy will drop off. Then and only then will WDW be forced into bringing back the standards they set to begin with.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Over time as they lose guests with this terrible plan the occupancy will drop off. Then and only then will WDW be forced into bringing back the standards they set to begin with.

Occupancy drops...so does the profit. People lose their jobs. Who's going to raise those standards? I doubt you'll see any upper management scrubbing toilets. Although many people are upset about the free DDP promo, I think it was a very innovative way to keep the parks operating at higher capacity and keep staffing levels up during that lull between summer vacation and holiday breaks. Am I happy about the crowds...not especially, but I'm sure the stockholders are!

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Looks like we have a fellow DVC member that was able to secure ressies for the free DDP promo while staying on points. Here's a link to the thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1297037

 

[CapeCodFam]

Looks like we have a fellow DVC member that was able to secure ressies for the free DDP promo while staying on points. Here's a link to the thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1297037

I suspect that poster was able to secure a cash ressie via CRO and the point stay was considered as on property for the purposes of the come-back offer. I don't think they will get free dining during a points stay. Having said that, I'd love to be wrong.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Maybe I worded it wrong...their current stay using DVC points allowed them to qualify for the opportunity to book a future stay through CRO paying cold, hard, cash.

 

[dumbo71]

Maybe I worded it wrong...their current stay using DVC points allowed them to qualify for the opportunity to book a future stay through CRO paying cold, hard, cash.

You are correct Sir.