DVC- Free Dining

[mommyceratops]

Does DVC Members get the free dining? Any advice? We are thinking of going in September and was wondering about it?

Any advice welcome!!

TIA

 

[Lynne M]

No, DVC members don't get free dining. That's an offer by WDW to get people to pay full rack rate for a resort room. Think of it as alternative to a discount on a room.

They have no reason to give it to DVC members.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Sure DVC members can get free dining, but they also have to make a package reservation, pay rack rate on the room and purchase tickets for everyone on the reservation just like everyone else.

But you can't stay on points and get free dining. Not gonna happen.

 

[dumbo71]

But you can't stay on points and get free dining. Not gonna happen.

And I shudder to think what they would have to do to the food if they did offer it.

We've seen enough cuts with this free dining and DDP. Please no free food for DVC members.

 

[keishashadow]

Perchance OT but, indulge me:

When free DP 1st came out, there were many self-congratulatory posts by DVC members who were booking rooms @ the Values, purchasing 1 day MYW tix, & never returning to the resort after initial checkin to get their resort cards. Indicated they wold save the unused tix to trade in on next year's tix purchase.

Assume the key element in the plan was using child credits for adult meals (don't flame me, not my M.O.); therefore inflating the value of the DP vs the room cost/min. tix purchase ...disturbing IMO.

While I'm sure WDW doesn't care who purchases the packages, other DISers were disappointed as to the pkgs selling out early. In a perfect universe, I'd like to see 1st timers, on a shoe-string budget, being able to visit our World.

 

[ADP]

Although I don't see Disney ever offering free dining while staying on points; I do see them possibly offering us a choice.
1. Pay cash for the Dining Plan (Today's System)
2. Use points to purchase the Dining Plan (not sure what the points would equate to for DDP)

 

[keishashadow]

Although I don't see Disney ever offering free dining while staying on point; I do see them possibly offering us a choice.
1. Pay cash for the Dining Plan (Today's System)
2. Use points to purchase the Dining Plan (not sure what the points would equate to for DDP)

and who has left-over points to burn on the DP

seriously, an interesting option, which I hadn't thought of before.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Points cannot be used to purchase items like tickets or dining plan. By law they can only be used for lodging or some other timeshare type accomodation.

 

[ADP]

Points cannot be used to purchase items like tickets or dining plan. By law they can only be used for lodging or some other timeshare type accomodation.

Initially, I thought the same thing, but then I was thinking: what about a Cruise!? I know we can use our points to pay for a cruise. Of course, the big draw of a cruise is the food which is included in the cost of the points.

Is there really a difference being on land versus water?

 

[Granny]

Initially, I thought the same thing, but then I was thinking: what about a Cruise!? I know we can use our points to pay for a cruise. Of course, the big draw of a cruise is the food which is included in the cost of the points.

Is there really a difference being on land versus water?

I think the difference there is that the food is not able to be separated from the cost of the accommodations. If an accommodation includes some perks, or freebies, then I think it's legit. But the points can't buy food or admissions as a stand alone "purchase".

I'm sure if you trade out to a resort that includes a free breakfast for all guests, that would be included with what the points bought. Same with a cruise.

 

[DebbieB]

The other consideration with that plan is DVC would have to rent those points to pay for the dining plan. I don't think members would be happy with the reduced room availability. You would see more posts "why does CRO have DVC rooms available for cash and member services does not for points?"