FREE DDP Hits UK

[ShellyLynn3630]

I agree, if the resorts and parks start to show low attendance again next year during September, Disney will have to sweeten the pot a little more to get people in during this month.

 

[Crystal_27]

I agree, if the resorts and parks start to show low attendance again next year during September, Disney will have to sweeten the pot a little more to get people in during this month.

Yes, but I'm quite sure that we won't be seeing that effect for a couple of years. Oh well, here's to good discount codes!

 

[DISNEYNY]

We have gone to WDW on the FDP in August for the last three years. Looks like this may be our last. We have been thinking we should check out other options like Universal, Sea World & Kennedy Spacecenter. These FDP changes will probably be enough to send us offsite also.

 

[beroh2253]

I will just saver this Sept. (our third in a row) and see what happens, maybe look for room discounts or stay offsite. Now and then to a TS meal in EPCOT and do more meals in Orlando. This would get us out of the 7 day rut of just staying at DW to make sure you didn't miss a TS.

 

[Disneyhappy]

We have gone to WDW on the FDP in August for the last three years. Looks like this may be our last. We have been thinking we should check out other options like Universal, Sea World & Kennedy Spacecenter. These FDP changes will probably be enough to send us offsite also.

Nothing wrong with checking other options in the Orlando area. Let me preface this by saying we are avid WDW visitors and own DVC. I don't want to start a comparison thread of which is better. I only want to share that there are other wonderful alternatives. That said, we find ourselves attracted more and more to Universal Resorts and visit there at least 2-3 times/year (same as WDW). Their hotels are equivalent to WDW deluxes and you can usually find a rate equivalent to WDW moderates. Five day admission for both parks are under $100. Food is slightly less expensive and we now enjoy Universal Resorts and Citiwalk restaurants more than WDW since the decline in WDW TS quality over the last few years. Plus front of the line for resort guests will spoil anyone. However, Universal does not have the Disney magic that we also crave which is why we split many stays. Also, Universal is not as enjoyable for young princesses and princes. (Side note, when DS was 9 or 10, he did not understand that WDW and Universal were separate resorts. When asked his favorite attractions at WDW, he would list 6-7 in which only 2 were at WDW and the others at Universal. We started to question why we were spending so much money at WDW?) Seaworld is also a definite must see. There is nothing like healthy competition for WDW to add extra incentives to keep guests on site and spending all of their money at WDW!

 

[RMulieri]

I agree, if the resorts and parks start to show low attendance again next year during September, Disney will have to sweeten the pot a little more to get people in during this month.

Guess what? even with the counter service as the free dining plan, people will still take advantage of the free dining so disney really won't be hurting too bad.if you think about it , it really isn't that awful a thing...at least it is FREE.They could do away with free dining all together.

 

[Tink3Bell]

I am so sad - This will be our 3rd year with free dining it is only only reason we go.

 

[tim allen]

I am so sad - This will be our 3rd year with free dining it is only only reason we go. [/QUOT

dont be sad the uk free dining is not up yet it was a glitch with virgin holidays website not charging for the ddp so free dining is still up in the air so it could be anything we will just have to wait and see

 

[asmit4]

Looking at what we are going to pay...we are 2 adults and are staying at AS Sports....
Our room with tax is 93.00 this year. Our DDP value is worth 75.98. So our room cost is 'technically' 17.02.

NOW...let's do the math with the new CS ddp. Our room at a value this year is most likely going to increase like everything else- let's say 100 bucks this year. Our DDP value is worth 59.98. S our room cost is 'technically' 40.02...BUT...we gotta compare apples to apples so let's increase that by $20 bucks per day (2p x $10) to get to the basic DDP.

Now our room costs 60.02. Not even close to the value of this year or last year. That's 43 more dollars per night vs. this year- A HUGE jump in our budget.

Hence why we won't be going to DW next Fall

 

[Married_Him_@_Disney]

CS Dining Plan being free for 2009 does not surprise me at all. . . look on the bright side - it will be SO much easier to get those hard-to-get TS ADRs now.

 

[mom2my3kids]

Well if it is free, then hopefully they will let you upgrade for the extra 10 bucks a person. It is still a very good deal even if you want to upgrade to the DDP with the TS.

 

[Mrs Grumpy]

Well if it is free, then hopefully they will let you upgrade for the extra 10 bucks a person. It is still a very good deal even if you want to upgrade to the DDP with the TS.

That is what I am hoping they do. We are booked with the basic dining plan for next year in hopes of free dining.

 

[ElizabethB]

Glad we're doing free dining this year -- even though it's not the bargain it was last year.

This will be the last for us, however, if values aren't included and the quick service free dining is what's offered.

We'll go on a cruise instead. The food is included on a cruise. And it's usually quite good. And, we all love a cruise!

'Nuff said.

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

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.

I've never been during free dining however it is still free food so no complaints from me! I would still book during that time if it fit my schedule.

 

[mickey2000]

Booking a moderate at rack rate for counter service free or $10 upgrade is a JOKE ! I agree that a Bermuda cruise is looking great !

 

[ShellyLynn3630]

Booking a moderate at rack rate for counter service free or $10 upgrade is a JOKE ! I agree that a Bermuda cruise is looking great !

I agree!!!

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Booking a moderate at rack rate for counter service free or $10 upgrade is a JOKE ![/IMG]

Really? If you have 2 adults and 2 children your discount is:

$30 + $30 + $9 + $9 = $78 off of rack rate

I can't remember the last time the general public discount was that high on moderates. The discount that was offered after free dining expired was $40 off the rack rate - if it's the same kind of discount next year, that means that as long as you have 1 adult and 1 child in the room, you are at the same discount - if you have 2 adults and 0 children, you are ahead $20.

Oh, and no additional costs (i.e. tips) since it's all counter service.

 

[mickey2000]

Really? If you have 2 adults and 2 children your discount is:

$30 + $30 + $9 + $9 = $78 off of rack rate

I can't remember the last time the general public discount was that high on moderates. The discount that was offered after free dining expired was $40 off the rack rate - if it's the same kind of discount next year, that means that as long as you have 1 adult and 1 child in the room, you are at the same discount - if you have 2 adults and 0 children, you are ahead $20.

Oh, and no additional costs (i.e. tips) since it's all counter service.

That would have almost been a free room at a Value resort!
Bottom line, compared to the last few years (3) it is IMO a JOKE!

 

[asmit4]

That would have almost been a free room at a Value resort!
Bottom line, compared to the last few years (3) it is IMO a JOKE!

Yup! A joke- I did the math and the cost of our free DDP room this yr. is roughly 17 bucks when you take out food. The cost of the 'free ddp' room next year is about 60 bucks (when you make it the basic DDP)...a HUGE difference in cost- this is for a value room too. On a moderate- I would never book a moderate with the CS plan free. It's no where near the value of this year and last year. Such a shame!

 

[asmit4]

Really? If you have 2 adults and 2 children your discount is:

$30 + $30 + $9 + $9 = $78 off of rack rate

I can't remember the last time the general public discount was that high on moderates. The discount that was offered after free dining expired was $40 off the rack rate - if it's the same kind of discount next year, that means that as long as you have 1 adult and 1 child in the room, you are at the same discount - if you have 2 adults and 0 children, you are ahead $20.

Oh, and no additional costs (i.e. tips) since it's all counter service.

Right- but most people want the basic DDP not the CS meal plan. So you 'save' 78, but you will need to then PAY another 20 for the adults and then some more for the kids to get the regular plan.