FREE DDP Hits UK

[grahampb]

Virgin are now offering free DDP for Holidays next AUG/SEPT, and wait for it.............it is the Counter service DDP Free

 

[World Bouncer]

Well thanks for that info....

That is probably a great indication that the US plan will be the same....

But that is what most of us expected I think.

 

[Katiebell]

Are they allowing you to upgrade to the standard or deluxe DDP if you pay the price difference?

 

[wezee]

Arggghhhh.....we saw that coming a mile away. Hopefully DH will hate the DxDDP and settle for an upgrade to reg. DDP next year.

 

[imthatgirl]

well theres a shocker . it was nice while it lasted.

 

[n2mm]

Thanks for the confirmation. That was easy to figure out! BTW--OP, what are your dates for the free DDP. I know your date is window is generally larger, just curious.

 

[chipndalefan]

Looking on the booking section of the Virgin website, it's offering QSDDP free in moderates, and DDP in Deluxe resorts (I looked using Corronado Springs and AKL using 19/09/09 departure as an example)

No free dining showing for value though.

 

[imthatgirl]

Looking on the booking section of the Virgin website, it's offering QSDDP free in moderates, and DDP in Deluxe resorts (I looked using Corronado Springs and AKL using 19/09/09 departure as an example)

No free dining showing for value though.

now that really is a shocker. someone said they would be teiring it this year, but i didnt believe it. hmm...so that would leave one to believe if you want to upgrade, you have to upgrade your resort as well?

 

[inkedupmomma]

wow.. how sad for all of us that can only afford disney at a value when free dining is involved shame on them

 

[World Bouncer]

Was it the same this year for UK.... no free dining for the value resorts? I thought that I heard it was.

 

[imthatgirl]

wow.. how sad for all of us that can only afford disney at a value when free dining is involved shame on them

there are other deals out there. sometimes free dining isnt even the best one. there are room and package discounts sometimes up to 40% off.

 

[wezee]

We have never been lucky enough to get one of the coveted 40% codes, or any other code for that matter.....so free dining "was" the best money saver for us.

 

[christophfam]

Well, that just stinks! I guess this is our last September.

 

[ShellyLynn3630]

This is our first and last September!!!!!!!

 

[Momto3Girls&Max]

Interesting that it is not being offered for the Values but that was the case for the Brits last year too. They were only offered FD for MODS on up.

I think this signals the end of our trips for FD too. The QSDDP really does nothing more than pre-pay our meals if we're willing to pay an inflated room price (compared to a 3/bedroom condo I can get on Skyauction for about $40/night). When the TS was included, I was able to convince myself that there was still some value to the plan (although the removal of the appetizer and gratuity this year were almost dealbreakers).

It was nice while it lasted!

 

[momto2inKC]

Was it the same this year for UK.... no free dining for the value resorts? I thought that I heard it was.

Yes, they had to book at least a moderate hotel.

 

[tim allen]

still doesent say anything on the home page about free dining but going through the booking process its the normal dining plan at the y&b club still wonder if its a virgin site mess up hope not

 

[Shooby doo]

As said the UK deal last time was Mods & "selected" Deluxe,although I never managed to find which Deluxe/s it was,so we never had it at Values so the US may still have this option but at the new basic plan.Counter Service for 3 weeks really is a no go for us & short of winning the Lottery a Deluxe will always be out of reach-the price of one stay could pay for enough DVC points to go every second year! So as I have stated on other posts,Free DDP was the difference this year but next time we will be Off-site again.
SD

 

[Momto3Girls&Max]

As said the UK deal last time was Mods & "selected" Deluxe,although I never managed to find which Deluxe/s it was,so we never had it at Values so the US may still have this option but at the new basic plan.Counter Service for 3 weeks really is a no go for us & short of winning the Lottery a Deluxe will always be out of reach-the price of one stay could pay for enough DVC points to go every second year! So as I have stated on other posts,Free DDP was the difference this year but next time we will be Off-site again.
SD

That's exactly how I feel and we only go for one week. We've been visiting WDW for 15 years and it took FD in 2006 to get us to stay onsite for the first time. We had a FD trip booked last year that we had to cancel so, while I'm greatful that we'll be able to take one last trip before FD drastically changes, I think it's back to offsite for us too.

 

[Katiebell]

Well, we really liked the DDP last May, with appetizers and tip included, it was a very good deal -- even though we paid OOP for it. We stayed at a value, the Pop.

This year, we are going in September. DDP not as good a deal with no tip or appetizer, but still a decent deal. We are staying at a moderate, paying rack rate, but the DDP is free. But we are a bit concerned about going during hurricane season, the heat, the humidity...

I wouldn't plan this again just for the CS plan for free. We like CS ok, but really do like to have one TS meal a day. I might go during February or some other time when the prices are lower, and try for a discount code on the room. I do like the convenience of staying on site, but would consider staying off site if the place was nice and the price was right, and just renting a car. And next time, the Harry Potter attractions will be open at Universal, so that would be worth seeing. I've also heard that Universal's rooms are a much better deal -- we might consider staying there, renting a car, going a couple of days to US, and just paying for admission for the other days at WDW.

Bottom line -- we all knew that Disney would continue to shave more and more off of the "free dining" (IF they even continued offering it), until that break-even point, when guests no longer consider it that much of an incentive. As long it's still a money-maker for Disney, and people still keep coming in droves even for the CS plan, then that's what Disney will offer. If Disney sees a big change and their resorts and parks are empty again during hurricane season (and considering that most families' entertainment/vacation budgets are shrinking drastically), then next time around maybe Disney will sweeten the pot again.