DVC and Dinning Plan

[BeesKnees]

I llike DDP but find that it's value to me has shrunk in recent years.

The value and food quality are shrinking probably as a result of the DDP. The limited selection of entrees is annoying. I like trying out new places but at disney if you eat on property (with a few exceptions) you feel like you have to restaurant hop or you will be eating the same food over and over again. It might be easier for people who like eating at buffets.

 

[derricksonb]

My family uses the DDP and we've been more than happy with the service provided verses paying for individual meals. It probably helps too that we're generally light eaters and my wife and kids generally split 2 CS meals (some of them are huge) which gives us a decent breakfast and lunch and then schedule a nice TS for the evening.

 

[JohnPerk10]

This might be a little off the topic, and I am sorry to kinda turn this thread in a different direction, but why don't we as DVC members who come to the parks multiple times a year, buy annual passes and pump more money into the parks not get offered the free dining plan. I tried asking my guide and he had no answer for me. Is it because they already know that we are going to come because we spent so much money on the points? Do they feel that they don't have to give us incentives or deals because we are locked into a vacation already anyway. I just don't think this is fair and was just wondering if there was anyone else out there that felt the same way. Sorry again for changing the topic of your post.

P.S. We have done the regular dining plan the last 4 times we have gone down there. This year between this friday actually and next August we have 4 trips planned so we are doing the dining plan this time as well as getting TIW. Supposedly you could use TIW for any extras you order on top of the dining plan. When we go in November for Thanksgiving we are not going to do the dining plan because for one I have to have my mom's thanksgiving dinner and 2 we wanna see how far our TIW gets us. I actually like the idea of a gift card and might just use that idea on that trip. Get one in the amount of what the dining plan would have cost us and hopefully we wont eat as much food, cuz even the regular dining plan is a lot of food, and in the meantime be able to come home with some of the money we woulda spent on food. Or spend it in one of the shops in Down Town Disney.

 

[Deb & Bill]

This might be a little off the topic, and I am sorry to kinda turn this thread in a different direction, but why don't we as DVC members who come to the parks multiple times a year, buy annual passes and pump more money into the parks not get offered the free dining plan. I tried asking my guide and he had no answer for me. Is it because they already know that we are going to come because we spent so much money on the points? Do they feel that they don't have to give us incentives or deals because we are locked into a vacation already anyway. I just don't think this is fair and was just wondering if there was anyone else out there that felt the same way. Sorry again for changing the topic of your post.

P.S. We have done the regular dining plan the last 4 times we have gone down there. This year between this friday actually and next August we have 4 trips planned so we are doing the dining plan this time as well as getting TIW. Supposedly you could use TIW for any extras you order on top of the dining plan. When we go in November for Thanksgiving we are not going to do the dining plan because for one I have to have my mom's thanksgiving dinner and 2 we wanna see how far our TIW gets us. I actually like the idea of a gift card and might just use that idea on that trip. Get one in the amount of what the dining plan would have cost us and hopefully we wont eat as much food, cuz even the regular dining plan is a lot of food, and in the meantime be able to come home with some of the money we woulda spent on food. Or spend it in one of the shops in Down Town Disney.

Everyone all together ---- FREE DINING IS JUST A WAY TO FILL THE ROOMS. DVC rooms are already filled. They don't need us to fill our villas.

By the way, TIW has blackout times over the holidays. Usually just the day of the holiday.

 

[JohnPerk10]

I understand that, and even stated it above as one of the reasons I thought they did it, but was just looking to see what other people thought. Also find it hard to believe that if you asked someone from Disney that this would be their answer. Was just wondering if someone got an actual answer from someone at Disney. Like that we save money in other places, or get discounts on other things that these people don't get. I just think it is unfair to exclude us from promotions.

 

[vicki_c]

I understand that, and even stated it above as one of the reasons I thought they did it, but was just looking to see what other people thought. Also find it hard to believe that if you asked someone from Disney that this would be their answer. Was just wondering if someone got an actual answer from someone at Disney. Like that we save money in other places, or get discounts on other things that these people don't get. I just think it is unfair to exclude us from promotions.

Respectfully, if that's the way you feel - you shouldn't be a DVC member. Promotions are to fill empty hotel rooms. There is NO other reason for Disney to offer discounts and when the rooms are filled out without them, they won't be offering them. You are actually not excluded. You have the same opportunity to book a room through Disney and take any discount deal they are offering.

I'm not sure what kind of answer you think you would get from Disney - their answer is just going to be that promotions are not offered to DVC members staying on points and that you can book the promotions as I described above. They don't owe any explanations at all or any justification about what DVC members DO get. But we DO get discounted deluxe accommodations for the life of our contracts, which is an excellent long-term deal -- better than all the free dining promotions in the world, added together.

 

[Brian Noble]

I just think it is unfair to exclude us from promotions.

You're not excluded. You're welcome to book a "free" dining package, on the same terms as anyone else.

 

[TisBit]

I understand that, and even stated it above as one of the reasons I thought they did it, but was just looking to see what other people thought. Also find it hard to believe that if you asked someone from Disney that this would be their answer. Was just wondering if someone got an actual answer from someone at Disney. Like that we save money in other places, or get discounts on other things that these people don't get. I just think it is unfair to exclude us from promotions.

Again, it is a way to fill rooms and if you notice the restrictions prohibit AP holders from using discounts and getting Free Dining. Just like you have to buy park tickets to get free dining, etc etc. It is all just a way to get you to spend the money, but convince you that you are saving. If you look at the discounts offered at about anytime of the year, the actual savings by the time rooms/ticket/dining is purchased is very minimal.

DVC members do get discounts others don't get and have perks....

 

[JohnPerk10]

Maybe I am not explaining myself correctly. I totally understand that I am able to book a package deal and get the free dining plan, that is kind of obvious.
But what privileges do we get for being members of this club. We can book rooms for cash at a discounted rate, I dont know about anyone else, but I feel like I gave disney enough money up front and I refuse to pay for a room when I paid all this money for points. Dont get me wrong I love Disney and DVC, I know that I got a great value for years to come and I am glad that I did it. Just feel a little jipped by not getting the meal plan.
So vicki you are telling me that because I feel that we as DVC members should be allowed to get the free Dining Plan that I shouldn't be a DVC member. I just feel that if I am booking a one bedroom with points and someone else is booking the same room with cash, why do they get the meal plan and not us. The only reason i see is that Disney knows they have our money and doesn't care if we come or not and that someone that pays for a room is more important than someone who uses points.
I didn't mean to upset anyone with my post and I was not trying in any way to talk bad about DVC. I honestly thought more people would agree with me and want to get the most out of our membership.

 

[cseca]

...
I just feel that if I am booking a one bedroom with points and someone else is booking the same room with cash, why do they get the meal plan and not us. ...

Because you are already paying a discounted rate for the life of your membership. That's basically what you signed on for x # of years. They didn't write in the perks as a lifetime benefit. As much as all of us would like them to be. Plus as many threads have covered previously, perks costs somebody $. Let it be Disney, DVC, members, suppliers... someone has to pay for those perks. And if nobody wants to pay for it, the perks will generally disappear.

...
The only reason i see is that Disney knows they have our money and doesn't care if we come or not and that someone that pays for a room is more important than someone who uses points.
...

From the business standpoint, you are correct.

...
I didn't mean to upset anyone with my post and I was not trying in any way to talk bad about DVC. I honestly thought more people would agree with me and want to get the most out of our membership.

I don't think people are upset and I don't think people disagree that everybody wants perks. The point that some members don't seem to understand:

1. You pay for membership = room for x years at disney. Not perks. All perks can be taken away tomorrow and you still have to pay your dues/mf. Doesn't mean members will be happy about it but they can surely do so.

2. Perks cost $. You might not feel it but someone pays for it.

 

[Sandisw]

I understand that, and even stated it above as one of the reasons I thought they did it, but was just looking to see what other people thought. Also find it hard to believe that if you asked someone from Disney that this would be their answer. Was just wondering if someone got an actual answer from someone at Disney. Like that we save money in other places, or get discounts on other things that these people don't get. I just think it is unfair to exclude us from promotions.

Remember, we are not paying rack rate for our rooms and that is a condition of getting the dining plan free. In addition, there is a two day ticket requirement as well to qualify for the dining plan for free.

I would think that if you figure out what you would have to pay to up the cost of your room to rack rate and then add the cost of the new two day ticket, I bet you will find that we still make out as DVC members.

ETA: Rack rate for a 1 bedroom at BLT in September, with tax is $4095. Points on a 1 bedroom for that same time frame is 222 points. Even if you assign the cost of $10/ppt, the cost of the DVC room is only $2220. That is a savings of almost $1900. The dining plan for 5 people for 7 days would be $1610. So, staying at BLT on points and paying for the dining plan is still $300 cheaper than paying rack rate and getting the dining plan for free.

 

[Brian Noble]

But what privileges do we get for being members of this club.

You are getting a substantial discount on your DVC resort lodging, in exchange for a commitment to return on a regular basis for the next many decades.

I honestly thought more people would agree with me and want to get the most out of our membership.

Who wouldn't? Everyone would prefer to get more, rather than less. Heck, I think every DVC Member should get a pony with each stay. How cool would that be! But, that's probably not going to happen either.

 

[BeesKnees]

The only reason i see is that Disney knows they have our money and doesn't care if we come or not and that someone that pays for a room is more important than someone who uses points.

They care if we come. That is why they give us discounts and other member perks. But the only reason they want us there is to spend money and there are only 3 major sources of income. Rooms, food, and park tickets. They are willing to give up one for the two but you can't honestly expect them to give up 2 of the 3. You might think that buy purchasing a DVC that is their room income but I am at the place now after 10 years where my November trip is buy 1 night get 4 for free if you go by rack rate.

Of course, there is a huge profit margin on souvenirs but I am willing to bet that most regulars to disney probably spend less than $100 per trip. Especially after they start realizing that the $25 tshirt will start fading after 10 washes.

It is my hope that as more dvcers grow in the system and become tighter with the money they spend that Disney will be forced to deepen our discounts to get our money. I know we give them significantly less than we used to. We go to the parks less and eat on property less.

The other thing is for us we wouldn't change our habits even if the food was free. Sure it would save us some money but we would certainly not take advantage of all of those meals.

 

[Chuck S]

They care if we come. That is why they give us discounts and other member perks. But the only reason they want us there is to spend money and there are only 3 major sources of income. Rooms, food, and park tickets. They are willing to give up one for the two but you can't honestly expect them to give up 2 of the 3. You might think that buy purchasing a DVC that is their room income but I am at the place now after 10 years where my November trip is buy 1 night get 4 for free if you go by rack rate.

Of course, there is a huge profit margin on souvenirs but I am willing to bet that most regulars to disney probably spend less than $100 per trip. Especially after they start realizing that the $25 tshirt will start fading after 10 washes.

It is my hope that as more dvcers grow in the system and become tighter with the money they spend that Disney will be forced to deepen our discounts to get our money. I know we give them significantly less than we used to. We go to the parks less and eat on property less.

The other thing is for us we wouldn't change our habits even if the food was free. Sure it would save us some money but we would certainly not take advantage of all of those meals.

I generally agree with this, our dining habits rarely change, we dine at a few of our favorite locations, but eat offsite or in the room more than at Disney over the length of the trip. Now, if they gave us free food, we might eat in the restaurants more, but where is the advantage to Disney, as they could not increase the price of the room to compensate for the cost of the free food. The AP gets us into the parks more, but we have become more selective in tour choices of souvenirs over the years. I wear a lot of Disney t-shirts, but there are trips I don't buy any, because the style they have at the time doesn't appeal to me. And there are some trips I buy quite a few shirts. Free dining or even free park admission wouldn't change that.

 

[Tara]

I understand that, and even stated it above as one of the reasons I thought they did it, but was just looking to see what other people thought. Also find it hard to believe that if you asked someone from Disney that this would be their answer. Was just wondering if someone got an actual answer from someone at Disney. Like that we save money in other places, or get discounts on other things that these people don't get. I just think it is unfair to exclude us from promotions.

There's nothing "unfair" about it. You aren't excluded from anything. You have the same ability to call up and book a room at rack rates so that you can get free dining. When you use your points, you are getting lodging at a reduced rate. There is no incentive for Disney to offer free dining on top of that. It's a promotion to fill hotel rooms. Occupancy rates for villas need no such propping up.

This topic is FREQUENTLY discussed on these boards. In general, my response is that people should only buy into DVC for the lodging aspect. Perks are temporary and can go away or be added at any time.

 

[BeesKnees]

I generally agree with this, our dining habits rarely change, we dine at a few of our favorite locations, but eat offsite or in the room more than at Disney over the length of the trip. Now, if they gave us free food, we might eat in the restaurants more, but where is the advantage to Disney, as they could not increase the price of the room to compensate for the cost of the free food. The AP gets us into the parks more, but we have become more selective in tour choices of souvenirs over the years. I wear a lot of Disney t-shirts, but there are trips I don't buy any, because the style they have at the time doesn't appeal to me. And there are some trips I buy quite a few shirts. Free dining or even free park admission wouldn't change that.

If they were free we would probably have 5 TS meals during our next trip instead of 3. Free doesn't make them any better or convenient. I refuse to have ADRs for breakfast or lunch on most days because it is not convenient. I especially do not want to eat in a crowd for 3 meals a day. Having a true place to escape the crowd is one of the perks of ownership.

 

[Dean]

Maybe I am not explaining myself correctly. I totally understand that I am able to book a package deal and get the free dining plan, that is kind of obvious.
But what privileges do we get for being members of this club. We can book rooms for cash at a discounted rate, I dont know about anyone else, but I feel like I gave disney enough money up front and I refuse to pay for a room when I paid all this money for points. Dont get me wrong I love Disney and DVC, I know that I got a great value for years to come and I am glad that I did it. Just feel a little jipped by not getting the meal plan.
So vicki you are telling me that because I feel that we as DVC members should be allowed to get the free Dining Plan that I shouldn't be a DVC member. I just feel that if I am booking a one bedroom with points and someone else is booking the same room with cash, why do they get the meal plan and not us. The only reason i see is that Disney knows they have our money and doesn't care if we come or not and that someone that pays for a room is more important than someone who uses points.
I didn't mean to upset anyone with my post and I was not trying in any way to talk bad about DVC. I honestly thought more people would agree with me and want to get the most out of our membership.

I think everyone wants to get the most they can, however, most understand that Disney is a business and that the DVC perks are limited, and really should be. I'm sure no one would turn down free dining or anything else that would benefit them, it's expecting it (or being upset in any way if you don't get it) that's the issue. Perks that are included are going to be those that don't cost DVC anything and those that are reasonable to charge to the entire membership if they do have costs associated like free internet. It's just like the free valet issue, when DVC members would have had to pay substantial dollars for the benefit of the few, it became instantly unreasonable.

The DDP was out for some time (maybe over a year) before DVC members could even book it for a price.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Remember, we are not paying rack rate for our rooms and that is a condition of getting the dining plan free. In addition, there is a two day ticket requirement as well to qualify for the dining plan for free. ....

Actually, I think it's a minimum of four night and a five day ticket. So you have to pay for all the expensive days of that ticket. Disney has gotten wise to the "buy a one day ticket" idea.

 

[vicki_c]

Actually, I think it's a minimum of four night and a five day ticket. So you have to pay for all the expensive days of that ticket. Disney has gotten wise to the "buy a one day ticket" idea.

No it's still 2 days for the new offers. 3 nights stay, 2 days of tickets for free dining (the 4/5 day stuff is just the example used in the marketing info).

 

[otterpop]

To get back on topic...

The Dining Plans do save you some money and I feel are still worth it if that's how you would "normally" eat while at Disney. But keep in mind, they provide a lot of food that probably the average person doesn't normally eat on a daily basis. It's kind of like a double-edged sword; it saves you some money, but if you didn't get the dining plan, you probably wouldn't eat as much food and thus you wouldn't end up spending the same amount of money the plans cost you.

With that being said though, my approach is that we're on vacation, let's splurge a little (and the 100 lbs we gain from all of the food we eat is easily walked off at the parks!).

Last year we tried to save some money by making our lunches and bringing them to the parks with us (we didn't want to waste the time taking the buses back and forth to the hotel). It was such a pain in the you know what that I will never do it again to save a few bucks. This year, we did one of the dining plans and it was great. We will probably do it again next year.

On a side note though, I do feel breakfast is the biggest waste of money at Disney. It is the quickest, cheapest and easiest meal to make that we bring/make our own (milk and cereal, oatmeal, toast, yogurt...) and either pay or use the dining plan for lunches and dinners.

With that being said, I have to admit that an early breakfast at the Crystal Palace is awesome; you get to get into the park before everybody else does (you can get some great pics) and the kids love Pooh and the Gang. But still, $90-100 for a family of four for breakfast...OUCH!

I say go with your regular dining habits and figure it out from there...