DVC and Dining Disney Style

[j6010]

Several years ago, in our DVC handbook there was a program called Dining Disney Style -- basically you paid a set fee per day and then would choose to allocate the fee toward the bill at a WDW restaurant. This program was later cancelled (never knew why). Does anyone knows why? Who would you write to at WDW to encourage bringing back some sort of program for DVC members, where meals would be handled? Any suggestions? information?

 

[eva]

This is a pretty interesting topic to me because we were asked about this on our last trip. During our trip my husband and I were filmed for the new WDW video at the MK. After the interview they asked us about DVC adding some type of meal or grand plan that would be offered to members and what our thoughts on it were. I thought that it was quite interesting that they kept the cameras rolling as they were questioning us about it. The two men that interviewed us seemed extremely interested in this topic and I felt that they might know that something was in the works for such a plan. It was definitely just a feeling that I had. They didn't really impart any information. It was pretty cool to be interviewed for the video. They said that we would be in the new video, but I wouldn't doubt that we end up on the editing floor.

 

[Dean]

This is an old plan that has gone away. It was called the Food N Fun Card then DDS. With several evolutions, it was a good plan early on then it went to H$ll.

The earliest version I remember was about $35-38 per day per adult and $13.50 per child. Initially you could eat at basically any restaurant for breakfast and dinner. One appetizer, one desert, one drink (non alcoholic) and an entree. I think there may have been a few restrictions as to certain things you couldn't order but only things like Lobster if I recall correctly. I don't remember what restaurants were restricted but there weren't many. They did not restrict the kids to children's meals, big mistake with my crew. I think the cutoff for the children's portion was higher than for the parks, either 11 or 12. The fun part initially included the fishing excursions, trail rides, water sprites and the like. Later they changed it to any of of the 3 meals, your choice of which 2. They they started whittling away at the activities and raising the price. First they took away the fishing excusions and replaced it with the parasailing, don't remember much after that. The program had to be for the entire party and for the entire length of stay if memory serves.

We used the program when it was in the above form but could be used for lunch and dinner. We did the fishing excusions twice, trail ride and ate ourselves silly. By the end of th 3 or 4 days, even my kids were saying "don't even ask us about desert". Our costs for when we used it were slightly less than $400, I kept track and the full cost would have been almost $1000. Had we been paying out of pocket, we wouldn't have done all the things or eaten everything so our actual costs would have been much less. I came home saying, this program will not last as is. Personally, it was crazy not to restrict the kids to kids meals plus only one of each included activity.

Later versions included a similar but different plan with coupons which did limit somewhat the number of activities. Another version even later gave you a gift card for $55 which you paid $50 for. Initially that had some activities with it as well but the last version had only the food which worked out to be at a 10% discount and you couldn't combine with other discounts. I had the Disney Dining experience card which gave me 20% off, easy choice, especially since the other program was use it or lose it..

 

[CarolMN]

As nice as this program may have been, we would not have used it. Programs like this incent me to eat WAY more than is good for me (to make sure I get "my money's worth"). If I'm ever asked, I would request that DVC members be allowed to purchase the Disney Dining Experience Card instead. As most of you already know, it's currently a benefit for Florida residents only. Seems to me that this could be a benefit to Disney as well as to DVC members. If I had it, I know I'd eat out more at the Disney restaurants (instead of in my villa). And as long as I'm wishing, I think I'll wish for Florida resident rates on passes, too.

 

[Janet2k]

I would like to see some type of add-on packages available for my DVC vacations. Sometimes I like to have a very active vacation, and a selection of add-on packages to choose from would be wonderful.

 

[Muushka]

My only hope is that if DVD does decide to do something to encourage DVC members to eat more meals at WDW, they do something that is not insulting (like that really LAME ticket option for DVC members that they gave a little while back, or a gift card for $55 which you paid $50 ). I would rather have had nothing offered than the little bone they threw at us.

Yes, Florida resident-type perks would be very nice.

 

[eva]

The plan that the two men that interviewed us kept bringing up was some type of Grand Plan that would include meals and activities. Anyone interested? I said that it would be nice to have as an option, but I wasn't sure how often, if ever, that we would use it.

 

[FreshAir]

Since we are all DVC owners with a deed in Florida, why can't Disney consider us Florida residents?
That way we can get all the perks too!

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

Yes, Florida resident AP rate!

 

[DebbieB]

The documents say purchase of DVC does not grant Florida residency but they could come up with a separate DVC member AP rate which is similiar. But I don't think they want to. Instead they came up with the goofy 4 of 5 year 5 day hopper, which I think has been discontinued for lack of interest.

 

[KNWVIKING]

When we stayed at VB in May, we were talking with a young couple who happened to be CM's at WDW. They went on about the Disney Dining Card. That sounded so perfect for DW and I as we eat virtually all meals on property. Boy was I disappointed when I found out it was for FL residents only. Maybe if people like me stop eatting on property WDW will feel inclined to offer a real incentive to get me back.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by KNWVIKING
When we stayed at VB in May, we were talking with a young couple who happened to be CM's at WDW. They went on about the Disney Dining Card. That sounded so perfect for DW and I as we eat virtually all meals on property. Boy was I disappointed when I found out it was for FL residents only. Maybe if people like me stop eatting on property WDW will feel inclined to offer a real incentive to get me back.

I agree, and I'm trying to do my part by not using my DVC room key to charge back any WDW food or resaturant meals. My theory is that if I don't charge WDW restaurant meals back to my room, it will be much harder for Disney to know whether I've stopped eating on site (or decided to eat only in my villa). Maybe if some of the Disney bean counters notice that DVC members don't "eat out as much as they used to", DVC will be able to negotiate a discount for us. (I'm hoping for something very similar to the DDE). It's just a theory (and may not even be correct), but it works for me.

 

[j6010]

Thanx for all the input

I am not familiar with the Florida plan, what is it?

When you were interviewed for the video -- what was your understanding as to a new plan?

Do DVC supervisors, guest relations, etc. read these inputs? If so, is there any hope of a grass roots request to try to get something going?

My attitude about eating alot at WDW -- I am deployed down range, I will worry about the calories when I am not at WDW on vacation (besides, I lose weight just chasing kids and spouse around activities.

Again thanx for the input.

 

[DisneyKidds]

When we were checking out of the VWL on our last stay the CM gave me the bill to look over. While I was, he said he is waiting for DVC to offer some sort of dining/recreation plan for DVC members. I asked who we would submit such a suggestion to and he said DVC Member Services. Apparently others have been thinking of this. It could be really nice and get a lot of response, depending on what they offer.

I do remember the Food N Fun card in it's early days. One set price per person, per day included 2 meals and unlimited recreation. We sure made good use of that plan. I remember the days of character breakfasts and meals at the Brown Derby and other similar restaurants - all covered. One day we had lunch at the Brown Derby, dinner at the Cape May Cafe Clam Bake, and the Breathless Illuminations cruise - all in one day, all covered by the plan (which cost peanuts in comparison to what the out of pocket cost would have been). We stopped using it when they went to the $55 credit for $50 paid. Ahh, the good old days .

If they do offer something I hope it is not just a 'Grand Plan' option. We had that at the GF on our honeymoon. While it was wonderful, it included way too much food. A typical day included a big character breakfast, lunch at Chefs de France, dinner at Narcoossees (or other similar meals). We spent all our time running from restaurant to restaurant stuffing ourselves with food. Quite an experience, and one we will never forget - but quite unnecessary. A 2 meal a day plan is plenty, and would cost a lot less.