Do you have to buy a package to get free dining?

[DevilDog78]

We're in the market for staying a Disney via a time share in Sept/Oct 2012. I am waiting anxiously to see when the free dining dates will be posted so I can start booking..

however..

By gathering data from other threads, do I need to buy a Disney package or be staying at a resort (non-timeshare) to get the free dining?

How does this work? Thanks in advance!

 

[Faldred]

You must have a resort package (room, tickets, and dining) in order to get a dining plan. There are two exceptions:

1) Annual pass (AP) holders can get a "ticketless package" (room and dining) as long as an adult AP holder books the room and is present at check-in.

2) Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members staying on points (or their guests/renters) may add a dining plan to any portion of their stay without a ticket purchase requirement. My understanding is that RCI exchanges work the same, except that the dining plan must be purchased for length of stay or not at all.

 

[DevilDog78]

2) Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members staying on points (or their guests/renters) may add a dining plan to any portion of their stay without a ticket purchase requirement. My understanding is that RCI exchanges work the same, except that the dining plan must be purchased for length of stay or not at all.

Ok.. let's see if I understand this correctly.

I will be using my Dad's timeshare. Or, rather, he will be using his points to get my room. (Through RCI).. so.. I could get the free dining?

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Ok.. let's see if I understand this correctly.

I will be using my Dad's timeshare. Or, rather, he will be using his points to get my room. (Through RCI).. so.. I could get the free dining?

No you can buy the dining plan, but you have to buy a resort package with rack rate room and at least 2 day tickets to get FREE dining.

 

[Faldred]

My bad... I read this as a question about DDP in general, not free dining. The previous poster is correct, you must have a full rack-rate resort + ticket (2 day minimum) + dining plan to get the free dining discount. Neither the AP ticketless package nor DVC points stays are eligible for free dining.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

We're in the market for staying a Disney via a time share in Sept/Oct 2012. I am waiting anxiously to see when the free dining dates will be posted so I can start booking..

however..

By gathering data from other threads, do I need to buy a Disney package or be staying at a resort (non-timeshare) to get the free dining?

How does this work? Thanks in advance!

To receive a free dining discount you must stay on-site in a Disney-owned property and you must purchase a Magic Your Way Package which includes room, tickets and dining. The free dining promo has a 3 night minimum and a 14 day maximum and a 2 day per person ticket purchase requirement.

None of the private DVC points rentals qualify for free dining either. The only way the DVC villas qualify for free dining is if you are renting directly through Disney and paying full price.

 

[TDC Nala]

If you're staying at a DVC resort on an RCI trade, you can BUY the dining plan of your choice. You cannot, however, get it free. Only very specific package reservations get it free. You also cannot segment your reservation so you get DDP on some nights but not others (DVC members can do this).

If the timeshare you are staying at is off Disney property, you are not eligible for the dining plan at all.

 

[DevilDog78]

Well poop. lol

 

[havoc315]

Disney has absolutely no reason to give free dining to people who are staying off property. No more than any restaurant anyplace would regularly just open their door and offer free food.

I suspect that some day, Disney may allow off-property guests to purchase the dining plan --- As it gets to the point where Disney is truly making a profit from the plan as a stand-alone purchase.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Disney has absolutely no reason to give free dining to people who are staying off property. No more than any restaurant anyplace would regularly just open their door and offer free food.

I suspect that some day, Disney may allow off-property guests to purchase the dining plan --- As it gets to the point where Disney is truly making a profit from the plan as a stand-alone purchase.

Disney is making a fortune off the Dining Plan and off the free dining promo. I can't see Disney ever offering the Dining Plan to off-site guests - they like to keep everyone on-property, hence Magical Express and Disney Dining. Offering it to off-site guests would be totally counter-productive.

 

[Reddy]

Free dining is to fill the rooms during slow times - it is limited - just because All Star Movies has X number of rooms they don't book out all with free dining - they know there will be a certain number of people that will book anyways

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Disney has absolutely no reason to give free dining to people who are staying off property. No more than any restaurant anyplace would regularly just open their door and offer free food.

I suspect that some day, Disney may allow off-property guests to purchase the dining plan --- As it gets to the point where Disney is truly making a profit from the plan as a stand-alone purchase.

I'm assuming the timeshare OP is staying at is onsite not off.

 

[Missytara]

I'm assuming the timeshare OP is staying at is onsite not off.

No, she is staying off-site.

Go back a few responses. She was told she cannot get free dining unless she is staying on-site and she provided her "disappointed" response; I won't use the exact wording. You can read it for yourself.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I'm assuming the timeshare OP is staying at is onsite not off.

The OP could not get FREE DINING even if they were staying at an on-site DVC/timeshare property. There is no FREE DINING of any kind available when you are renting points - on site or off.

 

[Faldred]

The OP could not get FREE DINING even if they were staying at an on-site DVC/timeshare property. There is no FREE DINING of any kind available when you are renting points - on site or off.

Right. "Free dining" is a package discount offered in non-peak times. There's no need to offer it to DVC members, since they've already sold those units. DVC members get a "discount" of sorts for off-peak times via lower points costs for the same units.