Free dining & DVC???

[k_null81]

I'm sorry if this questioned has already been asked but this board is huge so it's a little hard to use the search engine and get the exact answer you are looking for. Anyhoo, my MIL owns DVC points and has had it for a couple years now. She tells us they usually go Sept/Oct b/c they get free dining then. I didn't think free dining was available to DVC memebers. Did they offer DVC free dining in the past?

I know the new promotion is if you buy so many nights you get free dining and I was told that isn't available to DVC members.

Any insight would be appreciated! I wouldn't think my MIL would make something like that up but you never know b/c again I was under the impression free dining wasn't available for DVC members ever so I always thought it was odd her talking about the free dining they get when they go.

Thanks

 

[DebbieB]

It has never been offered to DVC members with points reservations. It's a package through CRO that requires a full price room & ticket purchase. DVC rooms are available through CRO with the package, studios start at $269 plus tax per night during value season. Points reservations are not full price, thus the free dining is not available.

 

[k_null81]

I wonder why she claims she gets free dining then. I wish I had a better relationship with her and I would ask her directly as to how she gets the free dining when she owns DVC. I always thought she was full of it but didn't understand why she would claim she got something that she didn't really.

Hmmm....now I'll just have to keep wondering.

Thanks for the reply!

 

[crisi]

Does she go more than once a year? Some DVCers get a room at a value resort during free dining and still stay at their DVC resorts - with enough adults that pays for the dining plan. Or some DVCers take an "extra" trip during free dining where they pay out of pocket for the whole trip.

 

[bwvBound]

Or ... perhaps she is saying "Dining Plan" and you are hearing "Free Dining Plan"? DVC members may choose between several variations of dining plans -- but at a cost.

 

[k_null81]

Nope she says free b/c that's why they specifically go in Sept/Oct. If they were paying for it then it wouldn't matter when they went. I feel horrible about questioning her but every year when they go and say they get free dining I have always wondered how they did it since they are DVC. I was just thinking b/c I have rented points in the past from members from the DIS but we go in May/June when typically free dining isn't an option so I was thinking if she gets free dining in Sept/Oct if I rent points in Sept/Oct could I get free dining? Which I know that is not possible. So I'm just wondering how she is doing it. They go once a year.

Or ... perhaps she is saying "Dining Plan" and you are hearing "Free Dining Plan"? DVC members may choose between several variations of dining plans -- but at a cost.

 

[blondietink]

We are DVC member and there is no free dining for those of us staying on points during the free dining period. That's why we are staying at POP in August so we can get free dining and save our points for another time.

 

[Brian Noble]

This is one of those situations when it is probably best to let sleeping dogs lie. If there's any chance that what she is telling you is actully true, you can bet your last mickeybar that everyone on this board would know how.

 

[k_null81]

Thanks for all the replies! I figured I would have seen something in the past on this board about it if it was true. Maybe she pays out of pocket for that stay. I have no idea. As far as I know she goes once a year and she makes it known for sure when she does go. I also don't know how many points she actually owns so maybe she pays out of pocket for part of the trip so she gets free dining during half her stay. I was just hoping she was in on something that others didn't know about.

Thanks again!

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

This is one of those situations when it is probably best to let sleeping dogs lie....................................

I agree, especially with your MIL.

 

[k_null81]

I agree completely. Sorry to start drama. I was geuinley just curious as to how she did it. I just try to find ways to make the trips we take cheaper and I have found the board very helpful when planning and budgeting for trips to the world.

I agree, especially with your MIL.

 

[Disney_Villain]

I wonder why she claims she gets free dining then.

Here's the real question: Is your MIL a DVC member?

If she has received free dining at DVC resorts (and you say that she insists that she does), then she is staying on cash and not on DVC points. If she is staying on cash, then I would wonder if she's even a DVC member.

 

[CarolA]

Maybe she does the 'rent a value room' and not use it trick. Several DVC members do that to get the "free dining"

 

[DVCGeek]

Maybe she does the 'rent a value room' and not use it trick. Several DVC members do that to get the "free dining"

I find it hard to believe that is cost effective, but hey, if it works, more power to those who use it!!!

 

[Brian Noble]

I find it hard to believe that is cost effective

Depends on the composition of your travel party, but for most families of four, it comes to anywhere between a modest and a substantial discount on the dining plan. The more "disney adults" you have (anyone 10 and older) the better the bargain.

 

[mhanback]

You mean I can get a room at Pop Century during the free dining, and still stay at AKV? Would the Pop room have to be in another name, like my husband's?

 

[Sandisw]

You mean I can get a room at Pop Century during the free dining, and still stay at AKV? Would the Pop room have to be in another name, like my husband's?

Yes, some have said they have done this. You still have to buy the package, which includes at least a 1 day ticket for each person. And, the POP reservation would have to include everyone in order for everyone to have the DDP credits, but depending on your group, it may work out to be a bit cheaper.

I think I read for a family of 4, all who pay the adult price, it can be a few hundred cheaper. Now, you would still have to check in at POP and I don't know how much of a hassle it would be.

 

[CarolA]

You mean I can get a room at Pop Century during the free dining, and still stay at AKV? Would the Pop room have to be in another name, like my husband's?

Not that I have heard.

I have heard that during free dining EVERYONE has to be present at check in. (No inventing folks to get more meals LOL!)

 

[Sandisw]

Not that I have heard.

I have heard that during free dining EVERYONE has to be present at check in. (No inventing folks to get more meals LOL!)

I think what some have done is booked the room at one of the values, checked in to that room with everyone, and then gone and checked in to their DVC as well.

To me, personally, I don't know if it would be worth the hassle for a few hundred dollars. Plus, I read somewhere, that if Disney feels the room is not being used, they could cancel the reservation, which would really throw a monkey wrench in someone's plans. Plus, to do it this way, you have to pay in advance. With DVC, you pay the dining plan when you arrive--if you time it right with your CC, you could have an additional month!

 

[Melani]

When we went last year for FD I checked in for all of us while DH & the kids waited in the truck.


Also, I had booked a 4/3 package for our May trip at the Pop & 5 nights at BWV in the middle on DVC. To take advantage of the 3 free no expiration days Disney was giving away. The CM suggested that I leave some luggage in the room so that the housekeeper doesn't think we left and she made a note on our reservation what we were doing.

But after they released the 40% room only spring rates I cancelled the 4/3 pack. & booked SSR for our missing days & bought the tix from UCT.

I had offered the room to my SIL who lived 2 hrs. away, but her APs are expired anyway.