>> FREE DINING 2011 WATCH - Read Post # 1 BEFORE Posting

[mom2rtk]

A thought occurred to me though - maybe part of the reason they added the photobook is that back in the fall when the Free Dining came out, part of the marketing was "You won't get this good a deal again all next year." When, you think about it, if they had come out with free dining again in the fall, they would have probably pissed off some people that had booked the "best deal of the year". By adding this photobook, they're not doing that.

Also, if they had had the standard free dining right now, then in December 2011 they offer it for next year as "your only chance!" people might say...oh that's what you said last year.

In other words, it's not just a way to make extra money off free diners (which it clearly is) but also a way to keep their marketing promise. 2-for-1 as it were.

You make a very good point. Let's hope that's it!

 

[KELLY]

A thought occurred to me though - maybe part of the reason they added the photobook is that back in the fall when the Free Dining came out, part of the marketing was "You won't get this good a deal again all next year." When, you think about it, if they had come out with free dining again in the fall, they would have probably pissed off some people that had booked the "best deal of the year". By adding this photobook, they're not doing that.

Also, if they had had the standard free dining right now, then in December 2011 they offer it for next year as "your only chance!" people might say...oh that's what you said last year.

In other words, it's not just a way to make extra money off free diners (which it clearly is) but also a way to keep their marketing promise. 2-for-1 as it were.

Great point!!

 

[KEPE]

Great point and of course it will still make those that booked at the end of last year feel as if they did get a better deal. Plus if they choose to do it again this year, book by the end of the year for FD many more people may jump on it thinking they will save another $100 by not having to have the memories package if FD is offered later. So holding true to their word is a wise choce. However, I do wonder if they still get high bookings out of this deal if it is something they will continue to use going forward knowing they can get another $100 out of people. Like maybe only offer FD at the end of the year (book by 12/20 again) and all other FD deals that will come out later will be memories package FD.

I can totally understand how AP holders and others who have had FD in the past when the offer was much better are upset by the contant changes to the offer and the decrease in what you get, but for someone like me who is new to this whole disney thing, I'm THRILLED to be saving over $600 and yes, I'll have to get the photobook that I normally wouldn't have but again, had I not known what I do from the DIS about previous offers I would think WOW I get a book too!!

I just hope they offer it for later in the year.

 

[thunderbird1]

I'd rather have the CD. Boo!!

Me too, which is probably why Disney included the book. I bet they'll make even more $$ off people making the book who decide they also want the cd and end up ordering it as well.

A thought occurred to me though - maybe part of the reason they added the photobook is that back in the fall when the Free Dining came out, part of the marketing was "You won't get this good a deal again all next year." When, you think about it, if they had come out with free dining again in the fall, they would have probably pissed off some people that had booked the "best deal of the year". By adding this photobook, they're not doing that.

Also, if they had had the standard free dining right now, then in December 2011 they offer it for next year as "your only chance!" people might say...oh that's what you said last year.

In other words, it's not just a way to make extra money off free diners (which it clearly is) but also a way to keep their marketing promise. 2-for-1 as it were.

This is exactly what I was thinking, but you put it into words so much better than I could. Before this offer was released, I was guessing they'd change the September free dining offer to match the summer pin--QSDDP at values and moderates; regular DDP only at the deluxes. But including the photobook works, too.

I'm still baffled as to why they've essentially excluded an entire week (8/14-8/19) during their slowest season from any free dining offer. It just doesn't make any sense to me, but then, Disney hasn't asked my opinion on marketing strategies lately.

 

[TDC Nala]

When free dining first started, it was generally offered at the end of August, not the middle. My birthday is at the end of August and one of the few times I did free dining it was offered starting then. Of course back then it was appetizer, entree, dessert plus tip included.

 

[KELLY]

Me too, which is probably why Disney included the book. I bet they'll make even more $$ off people making the book who decide they also want the cd and end up ordering it as well.



This is exactly what I was thinking, but you put it into words so much better than I could. Before this offer was released, I was guessing they'd change the September free dining offer to match the summer pin--QSDDP at values and moderates; regular DDP only at the deluxes. But including the photobook works, too.

I'm still baffled as to why they've essentially excluded an entire week (8/14-8/19) during their slowest season from any free dining offer. It just doesn't make any sense to me, but then, Disney hasn't asked my opinion on marketing strategies lately.

Beacuse that week is still summer vacation for some of us. I'm sure they didn't incude it this time around beacuse they are happy with bookings that week.

 

[skier_pete]

I'm still baffled as to why they've essentially excluded an entire week (8/14-8/19) during their slowest season from any free dining offer. It just doesn't make any sense to me, but then, Disney hasn't asked my opinion on marketing strategies lately.

I don't get it either, considering the previous offers ended 8/13. It is possible, as it did happen in years past, that the general public offer has a broader date than the Visa offer. Not that I am saying that's what will happen, but we will have to wait and see until Monday. I can't believe there won't be any deal coming out that will cover those dates...as you pointed out, late august is a very slow time for them.

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

Everybody hates being forced to buy something they normally wouldn't. I certainly wouldn't normally pay almost $100 for a photo book. However, at least I will enjoy it when I have it (assuming it's decently done).

Luckily for me, I'm still saving money on this offer. I had a split stay with kids stay and play and then a switch to room only offer. I priced out how much we would spend eating each day at just counter service restaurants, sometimes sharing, but enjoying snacks liberally. I figured a conservative, but not too stingy, amount of $115 a day. I also added in a mug. Free dining would only cost about $231 more than this (including the cost of tips) and extra snacks/drinks.

I also did a scenario where we paid OOP and ate mostly CS, but ate at Ohana for dinner and CM for breakfast. I added a CS meal and snacks to the TS days. Then for the rest of the days I went back to $115 a day. I also added in the cost of a mug again. The price difference this time was only $49.

Last time we were on free dining, we promised ourselves to take more down time, not to overeat too much, and to spend more time at the pool with the kids. We wasted one TS credit and a couple CS credits, but it was probably still a good value for us. I think it will work the same way again.

Truth is, in the future, as our family of 6 gets bumped out of the only moderate we fit at, and our trips cost even more, without discounts like this, we probably will be lucky to go every couple of years.

So, I guess I'm over the photo book thing and happy I'm going to Disney! I hope everyone is saving some money too! Good luck!

 

[ataylorrdh]

Not to start a mass attack on myself, but...the memories package is a special that Disney did not have to offer. I don't understand how you could be upset at getting a deal where you are not paying full price. So what if the package includes you buying a photobook...IT'S STILL A DEAL!

For the last two years I have been lucky to get free dining or the stay 4 get 3 free. Unfortunately, right now I am booked at full price and PAYING for my dining plan for October. I am sending out pixie dust that Disney offers me a heck of a deal like they are for late August and September.

You are still saving $$....Just saying!

 

[hannah_03]

Not to start a mass attack on myself, but...the memories package is a special that Disney did not have to offer. I don't understand how you could be upset at getting a deal where you are not paying full price. So what if the package includes you buying a photobook...IT'S STILL A DEAL!

For the last two years I have been lucky to get free dining or the stay 4 get 3 free. Unfortunately, right now I am booked at full price and PAYING for my dining plan for October. I am sending out pixie dust that Disney offers me a heck of a deal like they are for late August and September.

You are still saving $$....Just saying!

Word

 

[TDC Nala]

Not to start a mass attack on myself, but...the memories package is a special that Disney did not have to offer. I don't understand how you could be upset at getting a deal where you are not paying full price. So what if the package includes you buying a photobook...IT'S STILL A DEAL!

For the last two years I have been lucky to get free dining or the stay 4 get 3 free. Unfortunately, right now I am booked at full price and PAYING for my dining plan for October. I am sending out pixie dust that Disney offers me a heck of a deal like they are for late August and September.

You are still saving $$....Just saying!

It will not still be a deal for everyone. In fact, it doesnt' help those who want a deluxe resort and don't have "dining adult" children, who were already on the verge of being better off with a room discount than free dining. Or for the annual passholders who were still willing to buy a 2 day ticket to get free dining - another $100 on top of that will likely tip their scale to AP room discount plus paid dining. In fact I just read a post from an AP holder who is so ticked off that free dining is no longer a good deal for them that they stated they would let their APs expire and vacation elsewhere. Personally I would have just gone for the room discount (Disney is likely to release some AP discounts for August soon) and paid dining, gone to WDW and had fun.

 

[thunderbird1]

Not to start a mass attack on myself, but...the memories package is a special that Disney did not have to offer. I don't understand how you could be upset at getting a deal where you are not paying full price. So what if the package includes you buying a photobook...IT'S STILL A DEAL!

For the last two years I have been lucky to get free dining or the stay 4 get 3 free. Unfortunately, right now I am booked at full price and PAYING for my dining plan for October. I am sending out pixie dust that Disney offers me a heck of a deal like they are for late August and September.

You are still saving $$....Just saying!

I hear you, it's just hard (as you know) to see the awesome deals of the last few years start to dry up. I guess they did their job on two fronts: got us in the parks when they were slow and got us hooked on going so we'll keep coming back even at full price.

What's crazy is that I'm still mourning my lack of free dining even though it's cheaper for us this next trip if we take the room discounts we have and use the tickets we've already paid for on previous free dining trips. I still want free dining, lol! Hope it comes through for all of you still waiting!

 

[I<3theMouse]

Just wondering- does this mean there won't be any free dining in November this year? (Since the new deal coming out on Monday is for Sept only)

Or would there be possibly another Free dining offer later in the year for the months of Oct, Nov, & Dec..

 

[Colleen27]

Just wondering- does this mean there won't be any free dining in November this year? (Since the new deal coming out on Monday is for Sept only)

Or would there be possibly another Free dining offer later in the year for the months of Oct, Nov, & Dec..

It doesn't mean anything for that late in the year yet. Look for those offers to come out in July at the earliest, and maybe as late as last week of August based on the expiration date of this offer.

 

[TDC Nala]

Just wondering- does this mean there won't be any free dining in November this year? (Since the new deal coming out on Monday is for Sept only)

Or would there be possibly another Free dining offer later in the year for the months of Oct, Nov, & Dec..

It is possible there could be another offer. There was last year. No guarantees though.

 

[Ladybugsy]

So do we know how much we are adding to the rack rate and 2 day ticket to get the correct package price yet? (We are AP holders) Also, is it one photobook per room? I need 3 rooms

And am I wrong? I thought the mods got QSDP last year too in the late summer and fall? I may be thinking of the UK offer.

 

[Ladybugsy]

Looks like CSR is booked for my dates 9.16-9.25. This doesn't make sense. POFQ was wide open. Would someone like to volunteer to check with the Disney Visa for me? Maybe they are holding rooms for FD.

I really hope it isn't full...I'm so hoping to stay there

 

[KELLY]

Looks like CSR is booked for my dates 9.16-9.25. This doesn't make sense. POFQ was wide open. Would someone like to volunteer to check with the Disney Visa for me? Maybe they are holding rooms for FD.

I really hope it isn't full...I'm so hoping to stay there

There could be a convention at CSR those dates. In the past for September for FD CSR is always a harder one to get.

 

[DoleWhipMom]

First of all, I am sorry for anyone who can’t benefit from the latest offer. It must be frustrating.

But, I am a happy camper, this offer will still save me $580.21 from my original deal of 35% off. (Booked 5 peeps, all Disney adults, in BC, Base Ticket w/ Park Hopper, Dining). I’ve been complaining that I don’t have any print outs of our vacation pictures so maybe the book is a blessing . I already booked the dining plan because with 3 teens, it’s a no brainer. My two boys, both over 6 ft, could easily cost me mega bucks and my youngest daughter loves her desserts. So, I’m thinking that with the savings, my DH and I will book the Epcot Segway tour and leave the kids behind one morning (they are teens and will welcome being able to sleep in one day).

We are going back to the Beach Club (used to do POR when kids were not so tall) so it’s not quit the discount as it used to be but we also love, love being so close to Epcot/DHS now that the kids are older and, once you’ve dipped your toes in the BC pool… still love POR though.

If it’s any comfort, I have never gotten a PIN although I have done everything you are supposed to including barking at the moon. AND I am lucky we can go this year. Each time we can swing it I am very grateful.

Life is good, we are going to Disney and free dining!

 

[clanmcculloch]

It will not still be a deal for everyone. In fact, it doesnt' help those who want a deluxe resort and don't have "dining adult" children, who were already on the verge of being better off with a room discount than free dining. Or for the annual passholders who were still willing to buy a 2 day ticket to get free dining - another $100 on top of that will likely tip their scale to AP room discount plus paid dining. In fact I just read a post from an AP holder who is so ticked off that free dining is no longer a good deal for them that they stated they would let their APs expire and vacation elsewhere. Personally I would have just gone for the room discount (Disney is likely to release some AP discounts for August soon) and paid dining, gone to WDW and had fun.

If you're talking about my post, I should clarify that this wasn't the catalyst for not renewing my AP but it is an example of the type of thing that has led me to my decision to not renew. There are so many reasons that have been building up. It no longer makes financial sense so I'm definitely not cutting off my nose despite my face with my choice to not renew. I'll still go to WDW but likely not as often.