Free dining 2015 - no return?....

[DLPDreams]

Just spoken to a Florida tour operator (online one) as I am trying to get fly drive prices, and they tell me categorically that free dining will NOT be offered for 2015.

She wanted to give me a quote for whole package and I said I didn't need one as was waiting to see if free dining offer will come out. She said they'd been told there will be no free dining offered for 2015. I said that it doesn't normally release until end April and until then surely no-one knows. She said that they would know by now (not sure how ), but Disney have told them there will be no dining offers for 2015.

So, I said OK, but I still don't want an accom quote as I'm not paying full price - I am sure something, whether it be room discount, will be offered .

Do we believe them?

 

[DLPDreams]

OK, so now I've googled this, it seems an ongoing thing every year with some TAs - they say 'no free dining' and then it's released....

She also tried to tell me that I'd have to wait until 11 months out to book a charter flight .

 

[wayneg]

Might be correct info, one year they might stop it but I believe the prices they charge now more than cover the dining costs. They are getting over the going rate for rooms plus paying OTT tips & overpriced alcoholic drinks and any extra food you order OOP.
5 years ago we paid £80/nt at OKW with free dining, now more than double that, they are not losing.
My personal opinion is its not worth it anymore.

 

[wilma-bride]

Free dining is not free. Here endeth the lesson

Seriously, as Wayne says, when 'free' dining was first introduced it was well worth it - it included an appetiser, main and dessert at TS meals and also included the tip. Now, as more has been taken away and room/package prices have increased, it is no longer the great value it once was. I don't dispute that it is convenient and I don't dispute that, for many families, it is a way of being able to afford to eat 2 meals a day (or more) onsite that they wouldn't normally be able to afford to do, however I would urge everybody to price up with and without dining and figure out just exactly how much you are (or aren't) saving by taking the 'free' dining route.

Personally, with all of the wonderful offsite choices, we don't like to limit ourselves to eating onsite all the time anyway so, even though as DVC members, we have the advantage of being able to book the dining plan without having to buy tickets, we still don't. DD and I are staying onsite in March and won't have a car so will be limited to eating at WDW the majority of the time (unless we want to use public transport/taxis) but I still won't be purchasing the dining plan as I know we won't get our money's worth from it.

It just worries me that people who don't know any different will blindly book a package with 'free' dining and think they are getting a great deal when, in reality, a bit of shopping around and number-crunching could yield better results that are more suitable for individual circumstances.

Sorry, I'm stepping down from my soap box now

 

[wayneg]

Just priced up a 2 bed villa at OKW for our dates(7 nights) in Sept, supposed to include upto 40% discount, cost £1,939.00

No wonder they can give free dining, booked same size here for £490 http://www.extraholidays.com/orlando-florida/wyndham-bonnet-creek-resort.aspx

 

[DLPDreams]

Oh, I am totally willing to price up both - but right now, with no room discount, we are looking at full rack rate and I am not going to pay that anywhere.

I think for 6 of us, for our first trip where we plan plenty of character meals, and a few signature restaurants, we may actually see the benefit. Especially if we were to get a discounted OKW villa as well. Although clearly it would be a better plan if tips were included like they used to be many years back. For a family with a few children, or a larger group, the benefit of having those meals paid for before you go is a bonus sometimes!

In addition, while some people prefer offsite, we really want to stay onsite for our first trip, so Bonham Creek doesn't appeal (and I know it's really close). If we were to go again, possibly yes, offsite. We still may end up staying offsite for a week of our stay 2015, but plan the majority onsite. While I haven't been before, I've been to DLRP many times and the magic just isn't there as much for us if we stay offsite. I know everyone is different though . I also am happy to eat onsite for majority of my meals this trip. We won't have a car for a good portion - and this doesn't bother us.

Like I say, if we've done more than one trip, that would no doubt change, but for this trip, while our children are still younger, the majority of our stay is about WDW .

If they don't offer a dining package though, I wouldn't think about staying at OKW and paying for dining. I would stay at somewhere like Art of Animation (a value with Disney theming which appeals to the children much more), and pay OOP for dining.

What I was getting at in my thread is how can they categorically state free dining won't be back at this early stage! Did she really think I was going to book a full price package now? I only wanted a fly drive price and some info, which she told me incorrectly anyway .

 

[wayneg]

Travel agent, car sales agent, car rental agents........ all the same, don't believe a word they say

 

[DLPDreams]

Travel agent, car sales agent, car rental agents........ all the same, don't believe a word they say

Estate agents - the list goes on - basically anything with 'agent' in the title really

I know my children will be happy if we end up at AoA without dining - they love the look of the place. So, that might be two people who are happy if it doesn't return .

 

[wayneg]

Estate agents - the list goes on - basically anything with 'agent' in the title really

I know my children will be happy if we end up at AoA without dining - they love the look of the place. So, that might be two people who are happy if it doesn't return .

Everyone has to find where they prefer to stay, personally I would rather stay at home than stay in a value resort again, for Sept we can stay in a value under £40/nt, don't care if its free we won't go back (OK maybe a freebie would tempt me)

Never stayed at the Wyndham BC before but know a few who have and thinks its great, 5 pools, lazy river, right next to Hollywood studios, list is endless for under £70/nt for 2 bed villa, I will be doing a review in Sept, might not like it but willing to try for that price.

 

[Minniesgal]

Free dining is not free. Here endeth the lesson Seriously, as Wayne says, when 'free' dining was first introduced it was well worth it - it included an appetiser, main and dessert at TS meals and also included the tip. Now, as more has been taken away and room/package prices have increased, it is no longer the great value it once was. I don't dispute that it is convenient and I don't dispute that, for many families, it is a way of being able to afford to eat 2 meals a day (or more) onsite that they wouldn't normally be able to afford to do, however I would urge everybody to price up with and without dining and figure out just exactly how much you are (or aren't) saving by taking the 'free' dining route. Personally, with all of the wonderful offsite choices, we don't like to limit ourselves to eating onsite all the time anyway so, even though as DVC members, we have the advantage of being able to book the dining plan without having to buy tickets, we still don't. DD and I are staying onsite in March and won't have a car so will be limited to eating at WDW the majority of the time (unless we want to use public transport/taxis) but I still won't be purchasing the dining plan as I know we won't get our money's worth from it. It just worries me that people who don't know any different will blindly book a package with 'free' dining and think they are getting a great deal when, in reality, a bit of shopping around and number-crunching could yield better results that are more suitable for individual circumstances. Sorry, I'm stepping down from my soap box now

Totally agree with everything you said

 

[DLPDreams]

Everyone has to find where they prefer to stay, personally I would rather stay at home than stay in a value resort again, for Sept we can stay in a value under £40/nt, don't care if its free we won't go back (OK maybe a freebie would tempt me)

Never stayed at the Wyndham BC before but know a few who have and thinks its great, 5 pools, lazy river, right next to Hollywood studios, list is endless for under £70/nt for 2 bed villa, I will be doing a review in Sept, might not like it but willing to try for that price.

Are the Disney values really that bad? I had liked the look of POR too (know it's moderate rather than value) but if we were staying at AoA we could get a suite and so have a bedroom and lounge 'bedroom' too iyswim. Staying in the same bedroom for 2 weeks + with our kids doesn't appeal to Mummy & Daddy at all .

I must admit I haven't looked at reviews of AoA - maybe I need to! Was just going on the kid factor which my DDs loved .

 

[Portugal1000]

As others have said, no such thing as free dining! We have stayed at SSR 3 times, twice on the free dining which was indeed a great deal then, but just way too expensive now.
This year will be going for 23/25 nights depending on flights. A week at St Petes and probably 15 nights at Wyndham Bonnet Creek. (which in my opinion is a fantastic resort, right next door to Caribbean Beach, 5 pools, 2 lazy rivers, lots going on and great rooms)

SSR 2 bed = £4952
BC 2 Bed = £1312

No free dining but assume price was similar when free dining was on offer. So we'd have to eat our way through £3600 of food in 15 days just break even. Assume just half of that is in a sit down, that would cost us another £324 in tips! I love Disney but really do think the prices in their restaurants are crazy for what you get which then pushes up the price of the tip. We were getting magnificent steak dinners at Longhornes last year for $20 and that included the biggest steak I have ever eaten and twice as tasty as California Grill who charge about $47. There are only a few Disney restaurants we will pay out of pocket for now as we have had too many disappointing meals.

 

[wayneg]

Are the Disney values really that bad? I had liked the look of POR too (know it's moderate rather than value) but if we were staying at AoA we could get a suite and so have a bedroom and lounge 'bedroom' too iyswim. Staying in the same bedroom for 2 weeks + with our kids doesn't appeal to Mummy & Daddy at all .

I must admit I haven't looked at reviews of AoA - maybe I need to! Was just going on the kid factor which my DDs loved .

Many many people love the values, you really need to try for yourself. I think they are great to go look around, photograph, have a meal and leave after about 1-2 hours, that's my limit, they are just too loud and overcrowded for me, compared to OKW where we can go to the small pool next to the room and possibly not see anyone all afternoon. But there are some on here that will never go to OKW again, we all want different things in a resort.

 

[DLPDreams]

As others have said, no such thing as free dining! We have stayed at SSR 3 times, twice on the free dining which was indeed a great deal then, but just way too expensive now.
This year will be going for 23/25 nights depending on flights. A week at St Petes and probably 15 nights at Wyndham Bonnet Creek. (which in my opinion is a fantastic resort, right next door to Caribbean Beach, 5 pools, 2 lazy rivers, lots going on and great rooms)

SSR 2 bed = £4952
BC 2 Bed = £1312

No free dining but assume price was similar when free dining was on offer. So we'd have to eat our way through £3600 of food in 15 days just break even. Assume just half of that is in a sit down, that would cost us another £324 in tips! I love Disney but really do think the prices in their restaurants are crazy for what you get which then pushes up the price of the tip. We were getting magnificent steak dinners at Longhornes last year for $20 and that included the biggest steak I have ever eaten and twice as tasty as California Grill who charge about $47. There are only a few Disney restaurants we will pay out of pocket for now as we have had too many disappointing meals.

I hear you - I will look at options once the prices do come out (and offers of course!). Bonnet Creek looks lovely.... But I think it's got to be Disney this trip - that's a unanimous decision btw!

Many many people love the values, you really need to try for yourself. I think they are great to go look around, photograph, have a meal and leave after about 1-2 hours, that's my limit, they are just too loud and overcrowded for me, compared to OKW where we can go to the small pool next to the room and possibly not see anyone all afternoon. But there are some on here that will never go to OKW again, we all want different things in a resort.

I hear you on this also . Will check it out - all depends on offers I guess!

 

[wilma-bride]

OP, I have stayed at nearly all of the value resorts over the past few years (with the exception of AoA). I wouldn't not stay at a value again, although I prefer the moderate/deluxe resorts. For me, it is less to do with the noise and more to do with the fact that I, personally, actually don't really like the motel-style resorts. But even some of the deluxe resorts (OKW & SSR) are that style and some really like them. I just prefer the resorts where the rooms are enclosed inside (hotel style) rather than the door opening directly to the outside.

 

[Sam1]

Never stayed at the Wyndham BC before but know a few who have and thinks its great, 5 pools, lazy river, right next to Hollywood studios, list is endless for under £70/nt for 2 bed villa, I will be doing a review in Sept, might not like it but willing to try for that price.

That's a really good price, is that a discounted rate? We stayed at the Hilton across from it in October and it's no distance at all from the parks. I'll be waiting for your review because we were thinking of trying OKW in 2015 if the free dining comes out, but I think we could be swayed with a bargain like that.

 

[wayneg]

That's a really good price, is that a discounted rate? We stayed at the Hilton across from it in October and it's no distance at all from the parks. I'll be waiting for your review because we were thinking of trying OKW in 2015 if the free dining comes out, but I think we could be swayed with a bargain like that.

Direct on their site it was over £1,160 non refundable or £1365 with cancellations allowed.

Booked on Bookings.com for £495 (less 3% Quidco) allow cancellations at no charge.

Many people use this site to book it. http://www.vacationupgrades.com/

 

[Portugal1000]

I absolutely love Bonnet Creek and have stayed there 5 times. Won't stay anywhere else. I always book on the site Wayne mentioned. www.vacationupgrades. com

Happy to answer any question.

 

[Azza1987]

We're staying onsite this year again but booked with room discount rather then free dining and we've decided to swap our CL room down to a normal water view at BC ($400 difference for the week I think I can spend $400 better at F&W festival!).

So I've made a mental note to track what we eat whilst we're there so I can do a comparison to last year when we had free DDP we'll be eating on site the entire time so hopefully I'll know for future visits as to whether DDP or room discount is better

 

[Sam1]

Direct on their site it was over £1,160 non refundable or £1365 with cancellations allowed.

Booked on Bookings.com for £495 (less 3% Quidco) allow cancellations at no charge.

Many people use this site to book it. http://www.vacationupgrades.com/

It's definitely changed my mind about waiting to see if free dining comes out or not. Bonnet Creek is just as onsite as some of the Disney hotels.