FDP NOT available to DVC?

[Crystal_27]

Call it what you like, put the costs where you like, but I guarantee you, as a package, in this case, you are not coming out ahead with DVC.

Now, before you reply quickly with how wrong I am, note, that we are DVC members and did have DVC reservations for our upcoming trip. However, in this case, the free dining promotion makes it less expensive (subject to lesser accommodations), in our situation, to take the package.

I guess it's just all about perspective, and I don't think that you're comparing apples to apples when you are comparing "lesser accommodations." In a comparision of a week's trip, if you opted for free dining and I stayed on points, with BLT renting out at $400/night, you will be paying $3,800 for accommodations and park tickets (assuming $1,000 for tickets) and getting the DDP for free, whereas I will be paying $1,700 for park tickets and the DDP (assuming $1,000 for park tickets and $700 for DDP). I'm still saving $2,100 with DVC and we are on the same trip. And, frankly, even if you stay at the Pop at $125/night and are still paying $1,000 for your park tickets, I'm still coming out ahead by staying on points (Pop hotel and park tickets =$1,875). Granted, when you factor MFs into the equation, the Pop stay obviously becomes cheaper, but you would be staying at the Pop versus BLT! AND, as years go on and the Pop starts renting out at $200/300/400 per night, I'll still only be paying for only park tickets and the DDP. Again, I do see where you are coming from, but I don't agree that the numbers come close to breaking even. And, either way, enjoy your upcoming trip!!

 

[Crystal_27]

If you are using $1000 a week for park tickets for the family as your gauge, then we are way, way, way ahead of breaking even. Park tickets are part of the package. You're paying gate ("over-inflated") prices for your park tickets in addition to DDP.

For this trip, for our family, the package beats what we would have going on our DVC points. If the same package/price is available next year during this slow season, we'll do it again banking the points.

The $1,000 figure for the tickets was just meant to be a constant, for illustration purposes, and was the same in both scenarios. If you take out the park tickets, you're still paying more for your room at the Pop with free dining than I'm paying for the DDP for my family of 3 staying on points, *and* I get the added bonus of staying on the monorail. And, if you compare apples to apples and we both stay at the same resort, my cash output is a third less than yours. BUT, that's the great thing about DVC - - that you have the option to bank your points if you see that another option works better for you in a given year. Either way, you're still going to be at Disney, eating good food and vacationing very well.

 

[Sandy321]

BevS97 ITA with the sentiment you posted about being in a crowded room of "free diners" while paying - but keep in mind Disney Magic still happens!! We went to H&V (stayed at BWV) and dd refused to eat anything - and she had just turned Disney "adult" so it I felt that pain - I was paying how much... but like all the other DVC posters, I kept remember the great 1 bedroom villa we had...

then... The Waitress CM came over and said she wasnt charging us for dd meal (she ate maybe 1 ck nugget, and drank water!) she knew how I attempted to get her to eat something - to no avail, and her remark was "dont worry, all these other people are eating free"

so now I love that memory...

 

[crisi]

The thing about Disney discounts is that they have to happen when you are in a position to take advantage of them.

We don't go during "Free Dining" - not because we are avoiding free diners, but because that promotion isn't offered when we tend to travel. We tend to plan our vacations far in advance (a job requirement) and then don't move them around to take advantage of discounts.

I'm not a shopper - I won't drive across town because something is on sale. I don't wait for codes or watch codes. I'm someone who gets a bigger thrill out of saving money by NOT BUYING AT ALL than by getting a deal. I'm as likely to get annoyed at myself over falling for a deal as I am to congratulate myself on the value received - probably more likely to have the guilt.

So Disney's deals aren't good deals for us. Not that they aren't GREAT deals for other people.

 

[CarolMN]

Free Dining is just a clever way of packaging a discount. It works better for Disney's bottom line (captures more guests & revenue) than offering the 30% - 40% room only discounts. That's what they used to do to fill rooms in the slow periods before they thought of this way. End cost to the guest is about the same, but it works better for Disney. It's so good, that they only offer it in the very slowest times of the year! They still use other discount packages (like Buy4, get3 free) as well.

"Free" is a very good way to capture attention, LOL. It's so clever that it's even got DVC members re-thinking their purchase! Didn't we all do the spreadsheets using discounted room rates as a benchmark? Didn't DVC win?

One of the big advantages of DVC for us was locking in the discount over time WITHOUT having to do the "dialing derby" or the "waiting for a better deal" game. When the economy improves, the discounts will significantly decrease or even disappear completely. My DVC membership will still be here and it gets to be an even better deal the longer we have it.

So I don't mind at all if Disney uses "Free Dining" as a marketing tool.

 

[robinb]

Free Dining is just a clever way of packaging a discount. It works better for Disney's bottom line (captures more guests & revenue) than offering the 30% - 40% room only discounts. That's what they used to do to fill rooms in the slow periods before they thought of this way. End cost to the guest is about the same, but it works better for Disney. It's so good, that they only offer it in the very slowest times of the year! They still use other discount packages (like Buy4, get3 free) as well.

While I agree with you about Free Dining just being another way to package a discount, it can be a MUCH better discount depending on (1) where you stay, (2) the make-up of your family and (3) if you would purchase the DDP anyway. You could save in excess of 50% at the value or moderate resorts.

 

[blame my sister]

Well here we go.

Family of 4 w/ a 7 and a 4 yr old normally stay at a studio where ever we go 160 points annually for SSR. (only stayed there once like other resorts better) Managed to go twice a year on those point so far. BUT.............

Disney has extended their Annual Passholder discount to Oct.The time we are going next.

I'm actually considering canceling my 10 day DVC vacation at BCV and pay another $1000 bucks more to stay at CBR for the same days and get "free dining" and bank my points for next year.

My intention was always try to keep at least a year banked and that has yet to happen, so I'm figuring this may be a good time to do it at cost of $1000 more than what I am paying for through the DVC trip.

In fact, going tomorrow, paying out of pocket and staying at CSR cause it was a great deal. Need to go to bed.

So I belive DVC has it's value in use and not in use. Cause one way or another we will use them. And with deals like the ones that are going on now, it's hard to pass them up, and then stay at a nicer resort or longer stay alltogether.

 

[KimRaye]

Well here we go.

Family of 4 w/ a 7 and a 4 yr old normally stay at a studio where ever we go 160 points annually for SSR. (only stayed there once like other resorts better) Managed to go twice a year on those point so far. BUT.............

Disney has extended their Annual Passholder discount to Oct.The time we are going next.

I'm actually considering canceling my 10 day DVC vacation at BCV and pay another $1000 bucks more to stay at CBR for the same days and get "free dining" and bank my points for next year.

My intention was always try to keep at least a year banked and that has yet to happen, so I'm figuring this may be a good time to do it at cost of $1000 more than what I am paying for through the DVC trip.

In fact, going tomorrow, paying out of pocket and staying at CSR cause it was a great deal. Need to go to bed.

So I belive DVC has it's value in use and not in use. Cause one way or another we will use them. And with deals like the ones that are going on now, it's hard to pass them up, and then stay at a nicer resort or longer stay alltogether.

I'm the "sister he's blames", btw, while HE leaves for WDW and I leave for Montana this morning. I think my baby bro has figured this all out or, he wouldn't be posting here. He just needs to help his much older sister figure it out!

Have a great time 'blame'!! See ya there in Oct!!

 

[BevS97]

Free Dining is just a clever way of packaging a discount. It works better for Disney's bottom line (captures more guests & revenue) than offering the 30% - 40% room only discounts. That's what they used to do to fill rooms in the slow periods before they thought of this way. End cost to the guest is about the same, but it works better for Disney. It's so good, that they only offer it in the very slowest times of the year! They still use other discount packages (like Buy4, get3 free) as well.
So I don't mind at all if Disney uses "Free Dining" as a marketing tool.

Check out this deal on the UK Website
1 week at OKW in August costs £1,493.00 to pay cash
This includes tickets and free dining.

Or with DVC
I could spend 98 points plus £856 for tickets and £561 for DDP (3 adults, 1 child = $910)

That's £1417 for the DVC option.

So, I am saving £80 by using my DVC, or around $130.


Since when were 98 points only worth $130? Or to look at it another way, the studio at OKW would cost $18 per night.

I've seen some great discounts over the years, but a studio for $18/night I have never seen before.

 

[CarolMN]

Yes, I've heard that there are some fabulous discounts out there for international visitors. Right now, not very many of them are coming and Disney wants them - they are good for Disney's bottom line.

But again, those deals will disappear as soon as the economy improves and more international travelers choose WDW for their vacations.

 

[jjohnson]

While I agree with you about Free Dining just being another way to package a discount, it can be a MUCH better discount depending on (1) where you stay, (2) the make-up of your family and (3) if you would purchase the DDP anyway. You could save in excess of 50% at the value or moderate resorts.

Exactly Robin. We planned on going end of 8/2010 anyway. I have 4 children over 9. The dining plan (which we would get either way) is $1860 for the week. 2 rooms at POR is approx. $2100. I'm renting 200 points to pay for the room and saving $1900 with the free dining + 100 DVC points that I would have needed for a 2brm for the week. For us its a no brainer.

 

[CarolAnnC]

DVC does not market itself as the "cheapest" way to visit WDW. It does prove itself to be, however, the best way to stay in onsite DVC resorts for those who plan on traveling to WDW over many years.

If I was satisfied staying in moderates, or value resorts I would be doing that instead of purchasing ownership and paying dues. Instead I enjoy my DVC resorts and DCL cruises with my family.

Free Dining is there for anyone who wants to book at those resorts at rack rate with tickets, whether they own DVC or not. It is not meant to replace DVC that is for sure!