Dining free with DVC

[ChillyWilleys]

I know sometimes Disney does special promos where you can get free dining if you book for certain times. Are DVC members eligible to get the free dining when they use their points to stay at a resort during those times?

 

[CarolA]

No. To get "free dining" and other promos you have to make a normal reservation via CRO and pay. The whole "hook" on most of those deals is paying rack rate for the room.

 

[ChillyWilleys]

thats terrible. A punishment for being a member.

 

[PADISFAM]

thats terrible. A punishment for being a member.

well, not really...............

 

[CarolA]

thats terrible. A punishment for being a member.

No, you aren't PAYING cash for the room. That's the "price" for the freebie. So you are still staying for less money. I don't think that's "punishment"

 

[ChillyWilleys]

Well I just think it stinks that other people are entitled to free dining that I am not. When I pay about what they can pay in my yearly fees, never mind what I paid for the membership. I know its not a punishment but the point of my membership was for an affordable yearly vacation I might as well have just booked in that case. Especially when I see that they are booking the dvc resorts for about the same rate as a moderate resort during those times. Certainly not a punishment, but doesn't help to make me feel that I made a good deal.

 

[Nicolepa]

The only time free dining is a deal is if you are staying in a value room. Any other class of room you end up paying the same or more as you would if you got a discount on the room and paid for dining.

I'd much rather stay in a deluxe and pay for food than to have to stay at Pop and get free food.

 

[HayGan]

Well I just think it stinks that other people are entitled to free dining that I am not. When I pay about what they can pay in my yearly fees, never mind what I paid for the membership. I know its not a punishment but the point of my membership was for an affordable yearly vacation I might as well have just booked in that case. Especially when I see that they are booking the dvc resorts for about the same rate as a moderate resort during those times. Certainly not a punishment, but doesn't help to make me feel that I made a good deal.

But after your stay you still have a tangible asset that you could sell at anytime and recoup most if not all of you purchase price. All a person who books a room during free dining at a regular Disney resort has left at the end of their trip is a few extra pounds on their hips and thighs

 

[CarolA]

Well I just think it stinks that other people are entitled to free dining that I am not. When I pay about what they can pay in my yearly fees, never mind what I paid for the membership. I know its not a punishment but the point of my membership was for an affordable yearly vacation I might as well have just booked in that case. Especially when I see that they are booking the dvc resorts for about the same rate as a moderate resort during those times. Certainly not a punishment, but doesn't help to make me feel that I made a good deal.

No one is stopping you form doing free dining. Others on here rent their points so they can use that money to "buy" a room.

However, I am not sure that you fully researched what you were getting.

 

[rangermom]

Plus, from what I have read that next year free DDP will only be Deluxe resorts, and Moderates will get the quick service plan and values will get nothing.

So not that great of a deal for most people anymore.

 

[ChillyWilleys]

Believe it or not I didn't actually join for the free dining. I actually usually go in May when it is not available, but since I will be about 2 months post partum at that time I was hoping to move our yearly vacation back a few months next year. I was excited when I thought of how they offer free dining. I automatically thought of how DVC members probably weren't offered that, but thought I should at least ask. Yes I am a little disappointed I would hardly call my self misinformed however. Have you never made a comment of something you felt a little let down by. My apologies. But I thank you for your oh so friendly advice. All I wanted was an answer and I got some bonus mocking. Thanks.

 

[ChillyWilleys]

Plus, from what I have read that next year free DDP will only be Deluxe resorts, and Moderates will get the quick service plan and values will get nothing.

So not that great of a deal for most people anymore.

Yeah I know it hasn't been a great deal with the changes they've made. Wouldn't have booked just for that, but had some wishful thinking.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Everyone is eligible for free dining. Just book that value resort for cash at rack rate. And buy the tickets, too.

If you figure it out, you can get the dining plan for nearly less than you would pay for purchasing a reservation at a value resort at rack rate- unless your family is huge.

Free dining is just a way to fill rooms that would normally be vacant because all the kids have gone back to school and hurricane season is at it's prime. We should never look at Disney as gifting guests with freebies. Disney and free just don't go together.

 

[mgilmer]

Plus, from what I have read that next year free DDP will only be Deluxe resorts, and Moderates will get the quick service plan and values will get nothing.

So not that great of a deal for most people anymore.

While that certainly would not surprise me, I have not heard that. Where did you hear it?

 

[mgilmer]

Everyone is eligible for free dining. Just book that value resort for cash at rack rate. And buy the tickets, too.

If you figure it out, you can get the dining plan for nearly less than you would pay for purchasing a reservation at a value resort at rack rate- unless your family is huge.

Free dining is just a way to fill rooms that would normally be vacant because all the kids have gone back to school and hurricane season is at it's prime. We should never look at Disney as gifting guests with freebies. Disney and free just don't go together.

That is so true!

 

[HayGan]

While that certainly would not surprise me, I have not heard that. Where did you hear it?

It what was offered to the UK residents. It was the same way last year but when they opened it up to US residents the value resorts were included. Since last year, there was only the DDP and the D-DDP the DDP was offered during free dining (with the ability to upgrade to the D-DDP.) In 2009, with the addition of the Quick Service dining plan, it is very likely that it will be the one offered to US residents (as it has been to UK residents). You will likely be able to upgrade for the difference - but I would not count on it.

 

[CraftyMouse]

"Free" dining is not really free. You must purchase a package that includes a room at rack rate and park tickets for the length of your stay. By doing this they are making more per night than usual on the room and that pays for the "free" dining.

There are many guests that are not eligible for "free" dining. They include guests staying on an AP room rate, guests staying on a AAA room rate and DVC members. Don't get caught up in the marketing lingo. Just because it is called "free" doesn't mean there is no cost involved. Disney is still making their money, believe me.

Even by paying for the dining plan with DVC you'll still pay less, over the course of your membership, than those that take advantage of the "free" dining. Try to see it for what it really is, instead of looking at it as something you're losing out on. In the long run you're actually ahead.

 

[bangzoom6877]

"Free" dining is not really free. You must purchase a package that includes a room at rack rate and park tickets for the length of your stay. By doing this they are making more per night than usual on the room and that pays for the "free" dining.

There are many guests that are not eligible for "free" dining. They include guests staying on an AP room rate, guests staying on a AAA room rate and DVC members. Don't get caught up in the marketing lingo. Just because it is called "free" doesn't mean there is no cost involved. Disney is still making their money, believe me.

Even by paying for the dining plan with DVC you'll still pay less, over the course of your membership, than those that take advantage of the "free" dining. Try to see it for what it really is, instead of looking at it as something you're losing out on. In the long run you're actually ahead.

So true! We are buying DVC for the long-term benefits of the membership, since our kids are only 3 and 1 right now and we know we want to go to WDW every other year at least until they are in college, then if they don't want to go with us anymore DH and I still get to enjoy it ourselves and still stay at BWV (what we are buying as our home resort). We know that as of now we have the option of the DDP, and that we get to stay at a deluxe resort every time we go, in a larger accommodation as well.

DVC memberships must be looked at for their long-term value, not for the value of what it could have been, had the member paid cash for a value resort and gotten free dining along with it. DVC members also currently get lots of perks on shopping and dining, many 20% off if it is breakfast or lunch. Also, $100 off an AP if you go more than once per year is an excellent deal. Of course these perks can go away at any time, but for any DVC member going to WDW right now while free dining is in effect, they can do much better this way, by using the DVC member perks. Who knows what next year will bring, but I do know that even when I was paying cash to go, even if I could go at free dining time, I don't think I would want to contend with all the people making ADRs at that time! It must be harder to get into certain places during free dining.

 

[Steamboat Girlie]

The only time free dining is a deal is if you are staying in a value room. Any other class of room you end up paying the same or more as you would if you got a discount on the room and paid for dining.

I'd much rather stay in a deluxe and pay for food than to have to stay at Pop and get free food.

I'm with ya on that one babe!!!!! We stayed at Pop Century once, never again!!! Our 2 year old would not sleep in the pack n play, and was staring at DH and I all night. Granted, he is now 5, but he still will not sleep if we are in a hotel with him. How glad we are that we have DVC and he can be safely tucked in, in his own room, while DH and I are relaxing with a glass of wine in the family room!

 

[CarolA]

I do think that next year Disney will be giving just the Counter Service option for "Free" I really can't see any other good reason to offer it!