Disgusted with the Fall 2012 free dining offer

[Port Orleans fan]

I think it would be best if Disney could released the FD dates sooner so vacationers can secure cheap airfare months in advance. I don't understand why Disney feels they have to "surprise" the general public with a free dining discount, when the general public is already expecting it.

Disney opened a can of worms when they introduced FD. There is no way they can afford to take it away and go back to the way it was because a large amount of the "general public" will stop visiting WDW during those times if FD isn't offered. The "slow periods" will truly become the "slow periods" again. And I doubt Disney would ever want that to happen.

"The power that be" isn't fooling anyone, FD is here to stay and we all know it! Just let us plan our "trip to the world" a little sooner, that's all.

 

[staceycrouton]

I think that Disney holds off on the Oct-Dec free dining in order to get as many people to book the free dining offers for the summer months as they possibly can. They do not want to offer the Fall free dining offer too early because it may dissuade people from going in the Summer. I also think that the Fall dates do tend to be similar to years past. We originally booked our trip (almost a year ago) for Nov.6-14. But upon reflection of years past, we realized that typically the days surrounding Veteran's Day were not included in the free dining offers and changed our dates to Oct.30-Nov.7. We then had to wait months and months to see if we were right and thankfully our new dates were included and we were able to get free dining with the Disney Visa offer, although we did have to upgrade from standard to garden view. It may be a wonderful vacation for all of us, but we have to remember that it is a business and Disney is trying to create and maintain as lucrative and successful a business as it possibly can. There is definitely a method to the madness of free dining.

 

[Phatoomch]

I think it's sneaky and annoying of Disney to pull this trick.

Errr how is it sneaky?

Disney are NOT obligated to offer a discount. More fool anyone who books completely on the basis that FD will be given out.

You sound "entitled" - you expect to be given stuff for free. Just be happy your dates fell on the FD and be done with it :

 

[saskdw]

Welcome to the Entitlement Generation!!!

 

[revroy]

I am disappointed at the exclusion of the AoA resort fro the free dining. I know it the new resort and it's getting a lot of business but I think with the extra cost of AoA the free dinning would be helpful. We have no kids and purchased the Deluxe plan already and are fine with it. But I think of others with kids and think it sure would help them.

 

[saskdw]

I am disappointed at the exclusion of the AoA resort fro the free dining. I know it the new resort and it's getting a lot of business but I think with the extra cost of AoA the free dinning would be helpful. We have no kids and purchased the Deluxe plan already and are fine with it. But I think of others with kids and think it sure would help them.

Running a business is about profit not helping people.

 

[minnie mum]

I am disappointed at the exclusion of the AoA resort fro the free dining. I know it the new resort and it's getting a lot of business but I think with the extra cost of AoA the free dinning would be helpful. We have no kids and purchased the Deluxe plan already and are fine with it. But I think of others with kids and think it sure would help them.

One more time, just in case you have missed the previous explanations: Disney offers free dining in order to fill vacant rooms. If a resort is already very heavily booked then Disney has no need to entice guests to book at that resort. Thus they have no need to offer any discount, FD or otherwise, at that resort. To expect a FD offer just because you have spent $xxx is the very definition of 'entitlement'. Disney is in the business to make money. They are not a charity.

 

[Port Orleans fan]

One more time, just in case you have missed the previous explanations: Disney offers free dining in order to fill vacant rooms. If a resort is already very heavily booked then Disney has no need to entice guests to book at that resort. Thus they have no need to offer any discount, FD or otherwise, at that resort. To expect a FD offer just because you have spent $xxx is the very definition of 'entitlement'. Disney is in the business to make money. They are not a charity.

^

Perhaps we can get this response to automatically pop up every time someone on these boards post that they just booked a room or package with WDW, and now they're waiting (or hoping) for a discount to come out.

 

[kddisney502]

^

Perhaps this response can automatically pop up every time someone on these boards post that they just booked a room or package with WDW, and now they're waiting (or hoping) for a discount to come out.

hoping for a discount is very different than expecting one.

 

[Port Orleans fan]

hoping for a discount is very different than expecting one.

This is true.

That's exactly how I handle it: I don't expect FD, but I do hope for it. However, I'm not afraid to say that if Disney ever got rid of FD, I would probably stop going. While we love taking a WDW vacation, it's not a necessity for my family. There are other options out there at a much cheaper price. FD is just a bonus that keeps us coming back for more.

 

[saluki2002]

It doesn't bother me. I planned for the week of our trip back in January and was lucky enough to be going when they offered the FD. To me it's an added bonus. We had a plan and a budget and planned accordingly.

 

[disneyjunkie]

What happened to booking a trip at the price you're able/willing to pay without a discount?


Out next trip is for 9 nights in an AOA suite with deluxe dining and 10 day hopper water park passes. We're willing to pay the rack rate for the trip we want. Discounts (AAA, pin code, free dining YES tickets)are an added bonus.

I can't imagine spending the next a year planning around things I can't control.

I am disappointed at the exclusion of the AoA resort fro the free dining. I know it the new resort and it's getting a lot of business but I think with the extra cost of AoA the free dinning would be helpful. We have no kids and purchased the Deluxe plan already and are fine with it. But I think of others with kids and think it sure would help them.

AOA was included with the summer free dining.

 

[Port Orleans fan]

I don't get the negativity the OP is getting from some on this thread.

I don't think there's anything wrong with people wanting to stretch their vacation dollar. While it's true that Disney doesn't owe people anything, and Disney is a business, and Disney is not a charity.....blah blah blah.

The same can be said in reverse. What do consumers owe Disney? or what is Disney going to do to earn your business?

I find the problem here is there are way too many people on these boards that treat Disney like it's some kind of a religion or necessity in life. My loyalty lies with my family and with my own personal gains, which includes getting the best bang for my buck. The way I see it, Disney has to earn my business by enticing me to come back each and every time. They have to earn my business just like any other company. If not, then I have no problem taking my business somewhere else.

 

[saskdw]

I don't get the negativity the OP is getting from some on this thread.

I don't think there's anything wrong with people wanting to stretch their vacation dollar. While it's true that Disney doesn't owe people anything, and Disney is a business, and Disney is not a charity.....blah blah blah.

The same can be said in reverse. What do consumers owe Disney? or what is Disney going to do to earn your business?

I find the problem here is there are way too many people on these boards that treat Disney like it's some kind of a religion or necessity in life. My loyalty lies with my family and with my own personal gains, which includes getting the best bang for my buck. The way I see it, Disney has to earn my business by enticing me to come back each and every time. They have to earn my business just like any other company. If not, then I have no problem taking my business somewhere else.

The negativity comes from the fact that the OP booked the trip some time ago and bought plane tickets. Now is angry that Disney didn't give him the discounts he is entitled to.

I agree with you. IMO WDW is over priced. I won't pay rack rate out of principle. The fact that we can afford it is irrelevant to me. I won't be price gouged. When WDW offers FD or discounts in the 35%-40% then it brings their pricing to fair market value. This isn't a smokin deal it's just fair at that point.

The difference with me is that I won't book a trip until the price is fair, if FD doesn't come out I spend my vacation dollars somewhere else. If all the rooms book up "oh well" we go somewhere else.

This common practice where people book a room a year in advance knowing they can't afford to go if FD doesn't come out is hilarious and pointless. When FD comes out certain rooms are allotted and having a prior reservation doesn't give you any better chance of getting one of those rooms over the fresh caller. Also the more people that make these false reservations makes it look like the rooms are filling at rack rate and it takes longer for Disney to release promos because they think the rooms are full. I personally wish they would charge a penalty for changing or canceling a reservation.

The bottom line is no one should make a reservation unless they intend to pay the price they are booking at.

 

[bdoyledimou]

I don't get the negativity the OP is getting from some on this thread.

I don't think there's anything wrong with people wanting to stretch their vacation dollar. While it's true that Disney doesn't owe people anything, and Disney is a business, and Disney is not a charity.....blah blah blah.

The same can be said in reverse. What do consumers owe Disney? or what is Disney going to do to earn your business?

I find the problem here is there are way too many people on these boards that treat Disney like it's some kind of a religion or necessity in life. My loyalty lies with my family and with my own personal gains, which includes getting the best bang for my buck. The way I see it, Disney has to earn my business by enticing me to come back each and every time. They have to earn my business just like any other company. If not, then I have no problem taking my business somewhere else.

I think the issue is that some folks feel like Disney OWES THEM free dining, or room discounts, like it is their obligation to provide these amenities, and then complain "I booked this vacation e or ting a non announced non guaranteed discount and Disney didn't give it to me, or changed the requirement that I expected and now I have to cancel or change my plans because Disney doesn't care"

Seriously?Two Simple rules too solve most if the complaints on Disboards

1) don't book what you cannot afford
2) expect nothing other than what you paid for.

 

[minnie mum]

I don't get the negativity the OP is getting from some on this thread.

I don't think there's anything wrong with people wanting to stretch their vacation dollar. While it's true that Disney doesn't owe people anything, and Disney is a business, and Disney is not a charity.....blah blah blah.

The same can be said in reverse. What do consumers owe Disney? or what is Disney going to do to earn your business?

I find the problem here is there are way too many people on these boards that treat Disney like it's some kind of a religion or necessity in life. My loyalty lies with my family and with my own personal gains, which includes getting the best bang for my buck. The way I see it, Disney has to earn my business by enticing me to come back each and every time. They have to earn my business just like any other company. If not, then I have no problem taking my business somewhere else.

I have not been able to locate any posts on this thread so far that indicate that the posters find Disney Vacations to be a religion or necessity in life. And of course you can choose to spend your vacation dollars wherever you see fit. If you find Disney vacations to be too expensive, then it would only be prudent that you look elsewhere.

But in all honesty, I doubt very much that Disney will miss your $$. Lots of others are perfectly willing to spend the money (discounted or not). Until Disney sees a significant fall in revenue from slumping room occupancy, you aren't going to see any big changes.

 

[saskdw]

I think it would be best if Disney could released the FD dates sooner so vacationers can secure cheap airfare months in advance. I don't understand why Disney feels they have to "surprise" the general public with a free dining discount, when the general public is already expecting it.

Disney opened a can of worms when they introduced FD. There is no way they can afford to take it away and go back to the way it was because a large amount of the "general public" will stop visiting WDW during those times if FD isn't offered. The "slow periods" will truly become the "slow periods" again. And I doubt Disney would ever want that to happen.

"The power that be" isn't fooling anyone, FD is here to stay and we all know it! Just let us plan our "trip to the world" a little sooner, that's all.

The only way out of this loop is for WDW to drop their prices by 40% which would put them where they should be and people would book at rack rate. They won't do this. It's probably better for them the way it is. People get FD and think they got some great deal when all it really does is make it a fair value.

 

[saskdw]

I have not been able to locate any posts on this thread so far that indicate that the posters find Disney Vacations to be a religion or necessity in life. And of course you can choose to spend your vacation dollars wherever you see fit. If you find Disney vacations to be too expensive, then it would only be prudent that you look elsewhere.

But in all honesty, I doubt very much that Disney will miss your $$. Lots of others are perfectly willing to spend the money (discounted or not). Until Disney sees a significant fall in revenue from slumping room occupancy, you aren't going to see any big changes.

I agree with you for the most part. However the reason WDW offers FD is because they will experience significant decrease in room occupancy and revenue loss if they don't offer it. If they could fill enough rooms at rack rate you wouldn't see discounts.

 

[Port Orleans fan]

I have not been able to locate any posts on this thread so far that indicate that the posters find Disney Vacations to be a religion or necessity in life. And of course you can choose to spend your vacation dollars wherever you see fit. If you find Disney vacations to be too expensive, then it would only be prudent that you look elsewhere.

But in all honesty, I doubt very much that Disney will miss your $$. Lots of others are perfectly willing to spend the money (discounted or not). Until Disney sees a significant fall in revenue from slumping room occupancy, you aren't going to see any big changes.

You've never noticed the posters on here who bleed Disney red? All you have to do is look at the free dining threads to see some of them. Who stays up all night to make sure they're on the phones at 7am? Who books time off work so they can be on the phone as soon as reservations open? Who allows their children to be late for school so they can book their vacation?

Seriously, you've never noticed?



It doesn't matter to me that Disney won't miss my $$$. My money matters to me, and what I do with it. If other people wish to spend $4,000 to $ 6,000 (without discounts) plus airfare on their vacation, then all the power to them. I'd rather spend that kind of money on other more important things. Vacations are great, but it should never cost you almost half of a down payment on a home or a car.

 

[kerplop]

You've never noticed the posters on here who bleed Disney red? All you have to do is look at the free dining threads to see some of them. Who stays up all night to make sure they're on the phones at 7am? Who books time off work so they can be on the phone as soon as reservations open? Who allows their children to be late for school so they can book their vacation?

Seriously, you've never noticed?



It doesn't matter to me that Disney won't miss my $$$. My money matters to me, and what I do with it. If other people wish to spend $4,000 to $ 6,000 (without discounts) plus airfare on their vacation, then all the power to them. I'd rather spend that kind of money on other more important things. Vacations are great, but it should never cost you almost half of a down payment on a home or a car.

By the same token, what business is it of yours if someone wants to spend $5,000 on a vacation? You don't know these people, don't know their lives or their finances or their families, so it seems rather presumptuous to try to tell them how to conduct their lives. I'm not saying that if that much money is a financial burden, go anyway. But people who are seriously into Disney come here to plan their trips and talk about their obsession with WDW in general (or other parks/aspects!). That's like going to a comic book convention and being surprised that people there are into comics and then telling them they're wasting their money. Sorry, but I think that's pretty rude.