Does food quality go down and/or prices go up during "free" dining?

[DVC_Dad_Canada]

We're planning on going to WDW through our DVC ownership at the end of August, which would be during the potential "free" dining window.

Although we've been to WDW nine times, we've never visited when "free" dining was available to some. We would be paying cash, using our annual pass and/or Tables in Wonderland discounts, and I am worried that dining quality would suffer during "free" dining. I assume ADRs would be harder to obtain, but does the food quality, selections, pricing, wait staffing change to make up for the people not paying for the food? Are the cheaper dining establishments, those that aren't "great deals" for free dining, easier to get ADRs for?

I'm not criticizing those that utilize the dining plan at all, I'm just wondering if Disney changes anything because of the dining offer.

 

[wilkeliza]

Nope. Some say prices have gone up and quality down as a whole due to free dinning but it doesn't happen just because free dinning is being offered and only for those couple of months. If it is happening it would be across the entire year.

 

[Disneylover99]

I have eaten at restaurants during FD and non FD times. I have not noticed a difference in quality.

 

[maxiesmom]

Nope. The food stays the same.

 

[Micca]

Some say prices have gone up and quality down as a whole due to free dinning

As a matter of fact Wilkeliza I would say that, unfortunately. In the interest of answering DVC Dad Canada's question you're correct that the food quality is generally consistent year-round.

 

[JZCubed]

We're planning on going to WDW through our DVC ownership at the end of August, which would be during the potential "free" dining window.

Although we've been to WDW nine times, we've never visited when "free" dining was available to some. We would be paying cash, using our annual pass and/or Tables in Wonderland discounts, and I am worried that dining quality would suffer during "free" dining. I assume ADRs would be harder to obtain, but does the food quality, selections, pricing, wait staffing change to make up for the people not paying for the food? Are the cheaper dining establishments, those that aren't "great deals" for free dining, easier to get ADRs for?

I'm not criticizing those that utilize the dining plan at all, I'm just wondering if Disney changes anything because of the dining offer.

ADR's at popular restaurants are always difficult.

ADR's during 'free' dining are no more possible/impossible than at other times with similar hotel occupancy rates.

As someone who has worked at some of Americas largest restaurants - what you are asking about quality & service is just not possible.

Consistency is not a spigot to be turned up or down at-will.

Free Dining coincides with what would otherwise be lower hotel occupancy rates - to fill otherwise vacant rooms that would have been discounted if not for 'free' dining.

If Disney discounts their hotel rooms, you may arrive, but not buy their food.

If instead of discounting the room rate to get you to stay, Disney combines the effective room discount with 'free' dining - you have bought both hotel room and your food from Disney. In other words, you got nothing for 'free' and Disney received 100% of your vacation budget during 'free' dining.

 

[wilkeliza]

As a matter of fact Wilkeliza I would say that, unfortunately. In the interest of answering DVC Dad Canada's question you're correct that the food quality is generally consistent year-round.

Oh prices have gone up and some locations definitely have worse quality but I don't know if I blame DDP for it was why I put it that way. I think it is a multitude of reasons with DDP being on the bottom of it. If the dinning plan was no longer of value to Disney they would just get rid of it not adjust the costs of oop guests to adjust it. As it is right now Disney almost wins every time on the Dinning Plan free or not.

 

[nco91590]

I don't think it's a free dining thing, but a crowd level thing. When it's busy I've noticed that food is just slapped on a plate or rushed out of the kitchen regardless of whether it's "free" or not.

When it's a slower time of year, the food seems to be better quality, less messy, more care in preparation, etc.

 

[Skylarr29]

Restaurants don't pay for free dining.

The resort department pays for it, just like any other promotion they offer. So no, it doesn't have a direct impact on food quality.