Dining free truth or rumor????

[Mouse Mom]

We are DVC members and hear that the word on the street is free dining. We're traveling in late August - would this apply to DVC'ers or only those paying to stay....well, we're paying but stretched out over time via a loan and annual dues!!! Anybody think it could apply to us loyal DVC members as well?

 

[bonzarella]

no, free dining is not avail when using points. You would have to book a package thru CRO in order to qualify for FDP.

 

[Mouse Mom]

I think that's grossly unfair. For those of us who go all the time and are dedicated, we should get cut some slack. It's just like the cruise line, even if you cruise over and over, you do not get any discounts unless you book on the ship. It's a shame Disney doesn't see it that way...... very disappointing.

 

[aubriee]

Hey, it the same thing for us Annual Pass holders. We can't get it either. We have to pay rack rate for the room and buy at least a one day ticket for everyone in the room just like the DVCers.

I'm currently traveling solo down there during that time. I have free dining already, thanks to the bounceback offer from last Sept. However, I also have a 40% off pin code good for that time. I am trying to decide if the 40% off pin code might beat the free dining offer (I'm staying in a Value for my Sept/Oct trip, so don't think so, even traveling solo) or if maybe an AP discount just might beat both of those. As a nurse, I can also take advantage of the nursing discounts at the Swan/Dolphin. My point is that at least we have choices and are not dependent on just one code. We just have to figure out what deal is best for our individual situations. I know last Sept we met several DISers down there, who were also DVC owners, that chose to stay at a cheaper resort and took advantage of the free dining, rather than use their points.

 

[DebbieB]

It's not available just for people paying. You have to buy a full rate room through CRO to get free dining. DVC points stays are not a full rate room. You can still get a DVC room for full price and get the free dining. For example, a DVC studio is $269 - $335 plus tax per night, depending on the resort. You can pay that and get "free" dining.

 

[Mulan2]

We've DVCers and already have a trip planned for the end of August. Figuring all the meal costs, we would still save OOP. It's very tempting though to book a room and save our points!!!
Just remember that we do have a few dining discounts if that helps.

 

[vicki_c]

I think that's grossly unfair. For those of us who go all the time and are dedicated, we should get cut some slack. It's just like the cruise line, even if you cruise over and over, you do not get any discounts unless you book on the ship. It's a shame Disney doesn't see it that way...... very disappointing.

Offers like free dining are not customer loyalty programs.

They are enticements to get people to book full price rooms, especially people who might not have come at all - DVC members do not fit into that category. If you want to book a full price room, you too can qualify for all the deals.

It is not grossly unfair; it's a business.

We're choosing to take advantage of the 4/3 instead of traveling on points this year, because it was such a super deal (staying at the Poly CL, it's an amazing savings).

 

[smiths02]

I think that's grossly unfair. For those of us who go all the time and are dedicated, we should get cut some slack. It's just like the cruise line, even if you cruise over and over, you do not get any discounts unless you book on the ship. It's a shame Disney doesn't see it that way...... very disappointing.

I can see how you are upset...but there is no fairness or not about it...why would Disney give you free dining when you are already planning to go (and I would hope you are going at a great discount otherwise you overpaid for your DVC!)??? It makes no sense...promos and discounts are about getting people to go or stay longer not about being fair. Face it, for DVC or people who go year after year, Disney already has you hooked...they need to bring in new people.

 

[Lynne M]

I think that's grossly unfair. For those of us who go all the time and are dedicated, we should get cut some slack. It's just like the cruise line, even if you cruise over and over, you do not get any discounts unless you book on the ship. It's a shame Disney doesn't see it that way...... very disappointing.

I'm honestly surprised at how many people think businesses give large discounts like this out of charity or to be 'nice' or as a reward for spending money. Someone on the DVC board thought we should get free dining because "we're supposed to be special."

This is not what discounts are for, and it's not how business works.

The entire point of free dining is make more profit. To lure people who wouldn't otherwise come to WDW during a slow season. It's a huge gamble on Disney's part....that if they give away the food for free, enough people will come and pay full price for the resort and tickets and buy enough souvenirs that they'll make back the cost of the dining, and still make a profit.

How is Disney going to come out ahead by giving DVC members free dining? We're not paying for our resort stays (and no, the purchase price of your DVC doesn't count - that goes into another pot). They'd never make back their money with us.

And besides, businesses don't spend money luring customers who are going to visit anyway. By being one of those people who "go all the time and are dedicated", you're telling Disney loud and clear that you don't need a discount - you'll come without one. DVC members are the last people they should give free dining to, we've committed to visit for the next several decades.

If you want to feel better about this, sit down and calculate the cost of your vacation on DVC points, including paying for the dining plan, and compare to staying at a comparable resort with free dining. You'll see that free dining is a lousy deal when compared with a DVC stay. Here's a thread from the DVC board that does the calculations:

Help me feel better about free dining