Free dining 2015 - no return?....

[Pootle]

But there are some on here that will never go to OKW again, we all want different things in a resort.

Oh how true Wayne! I'm staying at the Beach Club villas at the moment (but off to Vero tomorrow) and can't wait to get back to OKW next week. I don't NEED this level of Disney immersion! Lesson learnt for us

 

[wayneg]

Oh how true Wayne! I'm staying at the Beach Club villas at the moment (but off to Vero tomorrow) and can't wait to get back to OKW next week. I don't NEED this level of Disney immersion! Lesson learnt for us

Enjoy the rest of your trip Moira, is it just you and David on this one?

Matt made it into the Lancaster Guardian last week with the charity he has started http://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/...-charity-for-terminally-ill-parents-1-6347930
A bit of a downer this weekend though, the lady that inspired the charity passed away on Friday night.

Beach Club is not somewhere we have ever considered.

 

[2Tiggies]

We were happy the one trip when we stayed at a value, but I did it when DD was much younger (I think she was 6 that year) and for "in your face" Disney theming, you can't beat the values so they are lots of fun for the kids. However I feel I should point out that the rooms, while plenty spacious enough for myself and my little girl at the time, may be a little too cosy for a family of four, in my opinion.

We are happy to return every year to our moderate and also have Deluxe in the mix this coming trip, and you do get a bit more floor space which does help.

That said, if it were a choice of value or nothing, unlike Wayne, I would NOT be staying at home for any reason although I can see where he is coming from even with a family of three.

 

[Pootle]

Enjoy the rest of your trip Moira, is it just you and David on this one?

Matt made it into the Lancaster Guardian last week with the charity he has started http://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/...-charity-for-terminally-ill-parents-1-6347930
A bit of a downer this weekend though, the lady that inspired the charity passed away on Friday night.

Beach Club is not somewhere we have ever considered.

Sorry to hear the sad news and I'm going to read the article as soon as I've contacted toll violations! Put our 75c in and it stayed red Just the two of us here, but we may meet up with friends if they can get back from snow-hit New York.

The Beach club villas are very nice but it's not so quick and easy to pop off site to eat as it is at OKW, both in terms of your car being outside your door and the location. Twenty years ago when I had more interest in the parks I would have thought it paradise ..........

Back on topic, I'd like to endorse what you said about the 'free' dining no longer being a good deal, but as Joh pointed out, there are reasons other than financial that make it still attractive to some.

 

[joolz1910]

I have heard the rumour about free DDP being withdrawn but I am more inclined to believe the theory that it will be downgraded. I have been told that OKW free DDP could be downgraded to Quick Service only. I am in the process of adding up the cost of the TS meals we really *want* to go to and then comparing that with the price to upgrade.

I know that the free DDP isn't really 'free' but I liked the convenience and I loved the resort. I would consider AoA, and I like the look of Bonnet Creek - but I wouldn't want to drive every day.

 

[RobynPrincess]

Free dining IS coming, I have had it confirmed from a friend who works for a WDW travel company, so they are outright lying to you.

 

[2Tiggies]

Rumors about free dining being removed have emerged every year since the outset of the promotion and thus far nothing has happened about it; but that is no guarantee either way that it will or will not be here. We just have to wait and see. Disney needs to fill rooms. If people are paying and booking, they don't need the promos to do a hard sell to the same extent they do if they are struggling.

As a party of two, we stand to gain more by a decent room discount than Free Dining but I don't have the nerve to miss the FD if it comes out to see if I get a better offer without it. Also the level of discount on the room discounts is not near as generous as it has been in prior years. This year our resort had none. Previously we have had FD with at least 20% off the room rate on top of that.

 

[chmurf]

for us, free DDP is the only way we can afford to stay onsite, and staying onsite is the only way we can do Disney.

there is a fairly high possibility that I'll soon no longer be able to drive so using disney transportation will be the only way to go. This means no dining offsite either.

Last October we were able to stay at POR for the price we would have paid for POP + food.

I would gladly stay at a value again (not AoA, it's a zoo, we stayed there for 3 nights last october, never again ...) but POP still is our "fall back" home and if we need to wait for US free dining (QSDP at values) then so be it.

It's absolutely true that free dining is not free at all, and that onsite is highly overpriced. But, as far as I'm concerned, I don't have the choice. Offsite is not an option, so if I have to stay onsite, let them give me free food

 

[wayneg]

It's absolutely true that free dining is not free at all, and that onsite is highly overpriced. But, as far as I'm concerned, I don't have the choice. Offsite is not an option, so if I have to stay onsite, let them give me free food

It depends what room only deals you can get, for example if we had booked free dining at AKL this Sept it was around £200, now £130/nt room only but book with Expedia and its £100/nt. As 3 adults we don't eat £100/nt in food so 2 adults and a child should be a lot better off room only.
All down to next years offers though, too early to know and unfortunately you have to decide before best room prices are available.

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

This year will be our 3rd year with free DDP and with 4 adults in the room it works for us. It means that we can order whatever we like off the menu and my kids know what they like ........... anyone say the most expensive steak possible or lobster

We like to do a TS meal every night and on a 10 - 14 night stay we would probably include 2 or 3 signature meals. I also think for us it's convenience of knowing that the bulk of the cost is already covered before we leave home so even if DDP wasn't free I would definately consider buying it rather than do OOP all the time. All that being said if free DDP wasn't offered and we were looking to book a holiday I know the places we like to eat so I guess I would be getting the calculator out and doing the maths.

BTW Wayne we stay at The Yacht Club and absolutely love it and Joh I know exactly what you mean I also like my bedroom door to open onto the inside of the hotel

 

[chmurf]

It depends what room only deals you can get, for example if we had booked free dining at AKL this Sept it was around £200, now £130/nt room only but book with Expedia and its £100/nt. As 3 adults we don't eat £100/nt in food so 2 adults and a child should be a lot better off room only.
All down to next years offers though, too early to know and unfortunately you have to decide before best room prices are available.

this is something that makes my brain hurt every year.

 

[Elise79]

The only way I would book free dining is when it is coupled with a decent discount at OKW. Otherwise I would just wait and book a room only either through UK or US.

If there isn't a discount we will stay offsite - we really want a one bedroom villa minimum.

 

[wayneg]

this is something that makes my brain hurt every year.

I know, its a nightmare, thankfully I have the option of staying offsite, plus we enjoy offsite dining as much as onsite (character dining does not appeal at all anymore) Last Oct we spent £30/nt on the room + around £30/day on food,enjoyed it every bit as much as OKW with free DDP which costs £160/nt. plus paying $7+/pint of beer & $20 tips/meal does not sit well with me when offsite its $2/pint & $7-10 tips

 

[stephensmum]

I know, its a nightmare, thankfully I have the option of staying offsite, plus we enjoy offsite dining as much as onsite (character dining does not appeal at all anymore) Last Oct we spent £30/nt on the room + around £30/day on food,enjoyed it every bit as much as OKW with free DDP which costs £160/nt. plus paying $7+/pint of beer & $20 tips/meal does not sit well with me when offsite its $2/pint & $7-10 tips

Yes, it's the beer & tips that bother us, although we always pay the tips, we mind that the prices are so inflated. We always stay at Disney but this year are off site.

 

[tinkerpea]

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

I know its bloody Insane!
Were doing 2wks in a 2bed in June and with tickets for 3adults 3 kids its costing £6700 that's no flights just villa & tickets with 35% off lol

 

[tinkerpea]

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 .

Had to reply to this,
No the values are not bad at all, but everyone has a preference! I would not do the all stars as I do think they are not very good! But I have rated at POP 3 times and AOA twice and I love them

When I 1st stayed onsite we picked pop I cried when I entered the lobby! It was magical to me, sparkly floors bright colours disney everywhere!!
Same with AOA its the most amazing resort and my boys are begging to go back,...

Now I have also done 3wk trips at SSR twice! AKL savannah view, and the Polynesian last trip, yet I'd still stay at AOA and love my trip!

The reason I stay at the others is for free ddp but if that stops then ill go back to AOA!

Hope that's helped

 

[DLPDreams]

Had to reply to this,
No the values are not bad at all, but everyone has a preference! I would not do the all stars as I do think they are not very good! But I have rated at POP 3 times and AOA twice and I love them

When I 1st stayed onsite we picked pop I cried when I entered the lobby! It was magical to me, sparkly floors bright colours disney everywhere!!
Same with AOA its the most amazing resort and my boys are begging to go back,...

Now I have also done 3wk trips at SSR twice! AKL savannah view, and the Polynesian last trip, yet I'd still stay at AOA and love my trip!

The reason I stay at the others is for free ddp but if that stops then ill go back to AOA!

Hope that's helped

Thanks for that - I think it depends on whether you have children or not (or are a child at heart ). My two love the look of AoA and while I would never stay there without children, I would with children.

We've stayed at the Disneyland Hotel in Paris several times with the girls (they haven't stayed anywhere else in DLP) and they love it. Partly because they notice the little 'themed' bits - there aren't that many but there are a few - Snow white and dwarves carved into bathroom mirror, Fantasia in pictures and freeze around room, bedspread with (I think) Blue Fairy on - I've forgotten! Oh and Peter Pan on doorknob - they notice all these things, albeit they are understated - so I think in AoA they'd pop! OKW doesn't have child appeal but if it does the free DDP with a good room discount that will work for us especially as we can all share a 2 bed villa (lock off hopefully) which will work out more economical for us than 2 x 1 beds.

If we did AoA we'd have to have a suite. I know many have said the price of AoA plus buying DP is more than OKW with free DP when offered at a discount. But Wayne does have a point about the 'price' of the free DDP when you look at accom charges. So, I'm not sure I'd just buy a DP outright anyway. I think I'd need to work out meals but as we plan lots of character meals and a few signatures it will be touch and go on cost I think.

I know it sounds blase and we are falling into the typical trap - but it's our first time out there, we have no idea about Orlando and just want to immerse ourselves in the Disney bubble . Subsequent trips, and I can see how that would change....

 

[Portugal1000]

Yes, it's the beer & tips that bother us, although we always pay the tips, we mind that the prices are so inflated. We always stay at Disney but this year are off site.

Tips are crazy, the last time we stayed at SSR in 2011 on free dining we mostly ate at signature restaurants (we had a spare 19 credits as my nephew was meant to come and then didn't but we left him on reservation and bought his ticket and used it the next year, actually a great idea and wish I had thought of it before!). Anyway, our tips were nearly always over $40 as it is quite easy to spend over $200 at a signature restaurant for 3 of you. Not so bad in 2011 as SSR not as expensive as now but it still was a lot of money compared to eating offsite. I do like the signature restaurants but so expensive. In 2012 we went to California Grill and only ordered Sushi and flatbreads and 1 dessert, non alcoholic drinks and with tip is was nearly $150. We only did it to get to see the fireworks and then my husband pointed out we could have had 3 seperate meals at Longhornes for that and still gone into the park to watch the fireworks!

 

[duffdo]

There is just too much choice! I think Disney are very clever with their pricing for on site guests and given the price you pay oop, the dining plan (especially if it is free,) can seem really attractive. I have done regular DDP twice now. Once at POR where I paid to upgrade from the QSDP and once at SSR where it was free. I am now of the opinion that Disney just overwhelm you with a massive volume of food. Next time, I will just look for the deepest room discount and not bother at all with DDP!

 

[bex7583]

mm lots to think about here / can u walk to hollywood studios from bonnet creek?

we dont mind having the car and also enjoyed all our meals in on our road trip part , we did notice the whole offsite bill coming in similar price to just our disney tip and cocktails , black angus had a great cocktail menu

i was also waiting for free dining but im thinking now

the only place we ate on dining plan i would feel desperate to return to was ohana both for the food cocktails and then the beach after oh and the bread pudding