DVC and Free Dining???

[katiemely]

I have what might be a dumb question but we are new DVC members . . . I know Disney does the free dining plan if you go on certain dates and stay at a resort. Does this apply towards DVC members using points for their resort?? We are going to WDW third week of December and I know they are not offering it then but we were plotting for next year already . . if we can get free dining using DVC that will affect when we go . .

 

[DebbieB]

I have what might be a dumb question but we are new DVC members . . . I know Disney does the free dining plan if you go on certain dates and stay at a resort. Does this apply towards DVC members using points for their resort?? We are going to WDW third week of December and I know they are not offering it then but we were plotting for next year already . . if we can get free dining using DVC that will affect when we go . .

It's more than just stay at a resort. You must book a full price room package through Walt Disney Travel to get free dining. No room discount. DVC points are not a full price room. Studios start at around $300 per night plus tax.

 

[Saratoga Springs Tom]

No free dining plan that I know of.....

 

[katiemely]

that's what i thought. thanks for the info . . i didn't think it was possible but I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask

 

[Deb & Bill]

In fact, you kissed all those Disney freebies away when you bought into DVC. Unless you plan to pay cash for additional trips instead of using DVC points. Kids stay free? Not with DVC points stays. 40% off? Not with DVC points stays. $500 gift card with reservation? Not with DVC points stays.

 

[katiemely]

we don't have kids yet so we are doing our trips semi cheap for just the two of us. . i figured we wouldn't get free dining with dvc but i just hate finding out later that we could have saved money and didn't. we are military so we get some good prices with that too. just looking for every dime and penny

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Well, we don't technically get "Free Dining," but the better way to look at it is that we're getting a heck of a better deal than those dining free, even if we do have to pay for our dining plans. It all in how you perceive it.

Here's the math...

For a 7-night vacation at Saratoga Springs Resort in a Studio, December 17 - 24 using DVC points:

• DVC Contract at Saratoga Springs Resort Purchased Direct from Disney
  • Purchase price of points is $99 per point
    • Points are good until January 2054 (42 use years of points from now)
    • Points are therefore $99 / 42 years = $2.36 per point per year
  • $200 closing costs / 42 years = $4.76 per year. Assuming a 160 point minimum contract, this is $0.03 per point per year.
  • Cost per point per year, therefore, is ($2.36 + $0.03) = $2.39
  • SSR maintenance fees are currently $4.51 per point per year
  • The true cost of a reservation to you in any given year is the purchase costs of the points + the maintenance fees of the points
    • In 2011, this is $6.90 per point ($2.39 + $4.51)
• These dates will require a total of 102 points for the reservation.
  • 102 points x $6.90 per point = $703.80
  • Cost to add Disney Dining plan for 7 nights for 2 adults = $643.86
  • Cost to purchase 8-day MYW tickets (Since you say you're military, I've priced it based on the Shades of Green discount price.) = $540.00
• Your total cost of the booking with DVC: $1,887.66

For a 7-night vacation at Saratoga Springs Resort in a Studio, December 17 - 24
booking with CRO:

• MYW Package with 8-day MYW tickets for 2 adults: $3,244.78 (this is the price without the dining plan, which would be the price if Free Dining were offered for these dates.)
• Your total cost for the same vacation if booking under the "Free Dining" promotion: $3,244.78

So there you have it. No, we technically don't get the "free dining" when it's offered as a resort perk to cash guests who pay the full rack rate. However, even after having to pay for the dining plan out of pocket, the DVC trip is still $1,357.12 cheaper than the "Free Dining" trip. No thanks to the "Free" perks those paying an outrageous rate for their rooms are given. I'll stick with DVC where the real savings are.

 

[sarahk0204]

Thanks for the breakdown!

 

[ajf1007]

Well, we don't technically get "Free Dining," but the better way to look at it is that we're getting a heck of a better deal than those dining free, even if we do have to pay for our dining plans. It all in how you perceive it.

Here's the math...

For a 7-night vacation at Saratoga Springs Resort in a Studio, December 17 - 24 using DVC points:

• DVC Contract at Saratoga Springs Resort Purchased Direct from Disney
  • Purchase price of points is $99 per point
    • Points are good until January 2054 (42 use years of points from now)
    • Points are therefore $99 / 42 years = $2.36 per point per year
  • $200 closing costs / 42 years = $4.76 per year. Assuming a 160 point minimum contract, this is $0.03 per point per year.
  • Cost per point per year, therefore, is ($2.36 + $0.03) = $2.39
  • SSR maintenance fees are currently $4.51 per point per year
  • The true cost of a reservation to you in any given year is the purchase costs of the points + the maintenance fees of the points
    • In 2011, this is $6.90 per point ($2.39 + $4.51)
• These dates will require a total of 102 points for the reservation.
  • 102 points x $6.90 per point = $703.80
  • Cost to add Disney Dining plan for 7 nights for 2 adults = $643.86
  • Cost to purchase 8-day MYW tickets (Since you say you're military, I've priced it based on the Shades of Green discount price.) = $540.00
• Your total cost of the booking with DVC: $1,887.66

For a 7-night vacation at Saratoga Springs Resort in a Studio, December 17 - 24
booking with CRO:

• MYW Package with 8-day MYW tickets for 2 adults: $3,244.78 (this is the price without the dining plan, which would be the price if Free Dining were offered for these dates.)
• Your total cost for the same vacation if booking under the "Free Dining" promotion: $3,244.78

So there you have it. No, we technically don't get the "free dining" when it's offered as a resort perk to cash guests who pay the full rack rate. However, even after having to pay for the dining plan out of pocket, the DVC trip is still $1,357.12 cheaper than the "Free Dining" trip. No thanks to the "Free" perks those paying an outrageous rate for their rooms are given. I'll stick with DVC where the real savings are.

This is probably the best break down I've seen! I've never seen it so black and white before! Thanks! When we bought in AKV, I "knew" it was a great deal and did some shady math, but never really taking into account the maintenance fee's ect. I just knew it in the end, that DVC was perfect for us! Thanks again!

 

[castleri]

Thanks BirdsOfPreyDave - this is exactly the way I have figured it over the years and every time one of the "free dining" posts comes up keep saying - "but Free Dining isn't really free". I think the problem is that people don't compare the cost to stay during free dining at say SSR through CRO with the cost for the same room with points and adding the DDP and tickets.
I think they look at the cost to stay at a value or moderate resort and that isn't a true figure in the end.

 

[Lewisc]

Another way of looking at it.

"Free dining" is offered by Disney as an alternative to deeply discounting rooms during times in which rooms would otherwise be empty.

You don't see posts asking if DVC members should expect a check if they book at a time where Disney is offering discounts of 30-40%. "Free Dining" is just an alternative to a room discount.

Another way of looking at it.

Construction of the rooms were paid for when members bought points. Ongoing expenses are paid via dues. Disney doesn't really care if the DVC rooms are booked. Actually those rooms will get booked. Members don't want to lose points. They may get rented. Exchanged (RCI or is it Internvel?)

 

[moredisneyplease]

Great financial breakdown!!!! make me feel great about my two DVC purchases years ago!