Free dining coming back?

[davebon23]

Anyone know if there is any chance free dining will come back? We got the free dining but now a friend wants to go. Anyone want to put their thoughts or two cents in on if you think it may come back or not. Thanks in advance.

 

[LoveKermit]

I don't follow a lot of free dining except to see if it's happening when I am there....but my thought (and my opinion only) is that I would doubt if they offer it as a special again in 2011. When we were in WDW last August was when they announced the date ranges for 2011 with the December booking deadline. They have been known to offer a same offer before, but since the date ranges covered all of 2011, I'd be surprised. But that's me, personally.

Though I would not be surprised to see continued room only discounts, though that creates all sorts of confusion for adding people, I know. But I look at room-only discounts as a gage for expected crowds.

 

[Don Disney]

That depends;If bookings are down,yes;if not no.BUT,my thinking is that the projections for 2011 must have been dismal,hence,the unprecedented,extremely early offer for free-dining;They are trying to get early committments for the upcoming year;That being said,My thought is that a good deal of people who have booked it will cancel for 1 reason or another,and free-dining will be offered again,maybe just not as many "dedicated"rooms as usual.Just my 2 cents.

 

[burberryplaid]

Just my gut feeling but I doubt it unless you get a pin code of some sort. There may be another discount but as they made it available for so long, so well in advance, I doubt they will offer the same promo again this year.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I really, really, hope they never bring back free dining! Actually I would like to see them do away with the basic DDP; they could keep the QS or the Deluxe and higher.

 

[Don Disney]

I really, really, hope they never bring back free dining! Actually I would like to see them do away with the basic DDP; they could keep the QS or the Deluxe and higher.

Free-Dining makes the trip a lot more affordable for many people,our family included.So,doing away with it might make it a bit harder for some families to make the trip-that would'nt be so nice for some folks;airfare,and travel expenses are enough as it is when you're traveling from far away,so the free-dining really is a nice"gesture"by Disney that makes it a little more feasable for some of us to make the vacation possible/less expensive.

 

[sdzman]

I think a previous poster said it best. If bookings are down you can expect to see free dining again in 2011.

Free Dining allowed us to upgrade from a moderate to the WL for this fall so I think it's great. I also understand that the restaurants will be busy and ADRs are important.

 

[disney4us2002]

I really, really, hope they never bring back free dining! Actually I would like to see them do away with the basic DDP; they could keep the QS or the Deluxe and higher.

Why? And why the basic? I would never eat all QS and 2 snacks per day and I would never eat as much as the Dx allows. I think the basic is perfect; we typically use the snack for bkft, QS lunch and then sit-down dinner or QS bkft at the resort, snack at the park and then sit-down dinner.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Why? And why the basic? I would never eat all QS and 2 snacks per day and I would never eat as much as the Dx allows. I think the basic is perfect; we typically use the snack for bkft, QS lunch and then sit-down dinner or QS bkft at the resort, snack at the park and then sit-down dinner.

Unfortunately, many people on the DDP, whether they pay for it directly or paying a higher rate for their room and getting "free" dining, look to the highest price items on the menu. This is based either on the attitude of "I paid for it and can get whatever I want" or "as long as it's free, let's get the best items".

For example, at Le Cellier there is a $22.50 difference in price between the lowest price adult lunch entree and the highest price dinner entree. Each restaurant receives a fixed dollar amount credit for each meal sold under DDP. Each restaurant has to make a profit.

As food costs go up it takes more money to operate a restaurant.

So as things progress more and more of the higher end cost items will vanish.

The signature restaurants do not have so much of a problem as they get paid double the regular restaurants.

If they ever do away with the Basic DDP within about six months you will find a lot more quality and high end selections at all the restaurants.

 

[baler31]

Unfortunately, many people on the DDP, whether they pay for it directly or paying a higher rate for their room and getting "free" dining, look to the highest price items on the menu. This is based either on the attitude of "I paid for it and can get whatever I want" or "as long as it's free, let's get the best items".

For example, at Le Cellier there is a $22.50 difference in price between the lowest price adult lunch entree and the highest price dinner entree. Each restaurant receives a fixed dollar amount credit for each meal sold under DDP. Each restaurant has to make a profit.

As food costs go up it takes more money to operate a restaurant.

So as things progress more and more of the higher end cost items will vanish.

The signature restaurants do not have so much of a problem as they get paid double the regular restaurants.

If they ever do away with the Basic DDP within about six months you will find a lot more quality and high end selections at all the restaurants.

As Chesire Figment noted: Free dining is not free, Disney is making a profit or it would not be offered. There are many other ways to make a Disney vacation feasible for families of most budgets.

Over the years the quality of food at Disney restaurants has declined in order to meet the needs of "free dining" not to mention having to book ADR's 180+ just to eat in said restaurants. I would love for Disney to at least try to eliminate the DDP as Chesire Figment said maybe the regular plan should go, I don't know how it should work but I know I do not enjoy dining at Disney any longer nor am I really excited about any of the restaurants. I for one would be willing to pay more for better quality and this includes park experiences.

 

[JimmyV]

If they ever do away with the Basic DDP within about six months you will find a lot more quality and high end selections at all the restaurants.

Another option would be for restaurants on the DP to offer set menus with a few choices, none of which are money losers for the restaurant. A chicken, a beef and a vegetarian pasta. But opening up the entire menu to DP participants forces the restaurant to dumb down its menu which directly impacts OOP guests. Can't put a $40 lobster dish on a DP menu, because too many people on the plan would order it as they try to "beat the system". And in the end, you prevent OOP guests from ordering lobster since it no longer exists as an option. So, yes, the existence of the DP directly impacts the offerings that a restaurant is willing to put on its menu, and the impact is always negative.

 

[disney4us2002]

I guess I get what you guys are saying but I really didn't notice a quality difference when we went in 2002 and 2004 pre DDP and 2009 and 2010 with DDP. What I did notice was that my family of 5 (all adults) stayed for 10 days and free dining was awesome! We would definitely have eaten $2000 (price at that time) over 10 days. We actually had snack credits to use up the last day because it was so much food. My kids (20, 16, and 13) probably got the best deal because they love desserts and we probably wouldn't normally order desserts but nobody ordered the most expensive "just because". The one thing I truly wish the DDP allowed was switching apps for desserts but otherwise I am a fan of the DDP basic.

 

[sdzman]

That's interesting Cheshire. When using the DDP, I order what I want to eat not whether it is the most expensive thing. I think if WDW came up with a tiered dining program in which different menu items cost different points that would be cool. The DDP could include a certain "pool" of food points. That way you could order an appetizer or expensive entree and be charged accordingly. I see this as getting somewhat confusing so I would expect it it happen anytime soon.

 

[davebon23]

Thanks for the opinions. I didn't mean for it to be a big discussion on whether the dining plan was good or bad or should stop free dining.

I personally have been to Disney 5 times. The last time we paid OOP for the dining plan. I have never used free dining. This will be the first time. Free dining has allowed us to stay more days than we would have normally.

I also don't go into any restaurant and say I want the most expensive thing because I want my money's worth. I order what I want to order. I know there are some people who nickel and dime everything, but I sure don't.

And I see what you are saying about quality going down, ( Our last time was 2007 so I am not sure) but are you sure that is because of free dining or the dining plan itself, not just because Disney is trying to save money in this economy, just like the rest of us.

I personally am happy about free dining because I need more sit down meals , because this will be my first time going to Disney Gluten Free, since I have Celiac. So I would like to be taken care of better like at the sit down restaurants, so I don't have to worry about being sick from food preparation.
Disney is supposed to be the best with accomadating food allergies.

But if I had to pay OOP, for all the sit down meals, not sure I could convince my DH to go and def. not for that long. We love Disney, but do not love paying extra money for it. It would def. be a lot more for us it the dining plan wasn't free. But to get that free dining, I have to sacrifice and go in August and deal with that heat.

Just my two cents, and again thanks for the opinions.

 

[photobob]

There have been rumors that free dining may be a thing of the past. Being a DVC member and unable to get free dining when staying on points it wouldn't hurt my feelings.

One point about the positives for Disney with the DDP is that not only does it require staying in a Disney resort but also you are pretty much going to keep those using DDP ON PROPERTY the whole trip. When you have either paid for all your meals or are receiving your dining for free it is very unlikely you will be leaving to go to other Orlando attractions so they stand a great chance of every dollar you spend being within the gates of Disney.

 

[bytheblood]

If Disney has rooms to fill, I can see the promotion being offered.

Just something to remember - free dining is really not free. You pay rack rate for the room. If disney offers you a room discount, in most cases that is the better way to go.

 

[francie57]

We go to Disney every Aug. and usually check out just before the free dining starts. For us a room discount is a much better deal than the free dining. As others have said, it depends on the catagory of resort you are staying at as to which is better. Since I am a deluxe person the room discount is a much better deal than free dining with the room at rack rate. Hoping that something comes out for our dates in Aug. this year but so far nothing yet.

 

[dioxide45]

Another option would be for restaurants on the DP to offer set menus with a few choices, none of which are money losers for the restaurant. A chicken, a beef and a vegetarian pasta. But opening up the entire menu to DP participants forces the restaurant to dumb down its menu which directly impacts OOP guests. Can't put a $40 lobster dish on a DP menu, because too many people on the plan would order it as they try to "beat the system". And in the end, you prevent OOP guests from ordering lobster since it no longer exists as an option. So, yes, the existence of the DP directly impacts the offerings that a restaurant is willing to put on its menu, and the impact is always negative.

I agree with this. Since DDP is a fixed price, why shouldn't it be a fixed menu?

 

[Huff]

The OP should be able to add the extra person to their existing reservation and they would get the free dining even though the booking period has ended for free dining. We did this last year with no trouble.

 

[wildcatfan]

I was thinking the exact same thing. I think they can book up to 3 rooms under their discount. I would certainly give it a try. For people like me, free dining certainly helps. I received the QS last year with a pin and it was a nice savings. I am keeping my fingers crossed it returns this year.