Free Dining frustration <tiny vent>

[corgi_monster]

I don't think that's fair BUT! The packages being offered in the UK right now that include free dining a year from now, DO have that restriction. Moderate resorts or better - no values, no campsites.

I agree that it really isn't fair. You could even go so far as to say it's discrimination against those who can't afford moderates and deluxes. Disney, however, is in the business of making money.

 

[teslaaunt]

I, personally, have no problem with anyone else going to WDW when I am there. I dont care if your on "FREE" dining, DDP, DVC or an AP holder. All I know is that when I was 180 days out from my trip I was on the phone that morning, booking my ADR's (whether I liked it or not didnt enter into it). Then sometime later the "Free Dining" became available. Once again I was up and on the phone the first morning it was offered. I was on hold for 2 hours and had it credited to my account. I had to change from my original resort, which was fine with me(because the number of rooms WAS limited at each resort). All I am saying is, planning is a reality no matter who you are, what plan you are on, etc. This is the first time I have visited WDW and after educating myself on what I needed to do, I got all that was important to me and my family. That being said, to the OP, if I wasnt on the dining plan....I still would be getting in the TS meals because I would have planned at the appropriate time(see how it really doesnt matter who you are? ). I hope to see some of you guys there in 18 days and yes, that includes you, OP

 

[disneyjunkie]

Some DVCers seem to think Disney owes them the world.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1547387

 

[swim-mom]

Not all DVCers think that way, as you posted that thread. However, I think that those who are not DVC members have backed those who are members up against a wall.

Just like many of you have done with the 1st poster. It is no wonder why DVCers feel as though they have to defend themselves.

What about just enjoying the magic that Disney has to offer, last time I checked Disney was not created for those who felt as though they are more superior!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[k5thbeatle]

Don't get me started about the DP let alone the free DP.

 

[guelde96]

Like I mentioned earlier, perhaps the way to fix this would be to have the free dining only apply to counter service. If it's free anyway, who can complain? But by doing it the current way, anyone who pays for their meals will continue to be frustrated, so upset the guests spending the money?

Again, good marketing tactic but in the long run, the paying customers will be upset by this.

We never had a problem pre-free dining, period. Regardless of the time of year we went.

While I understand the "you snooze, you loose" theory, at the same time I feel the free dining perk is a bit overboard at this point.

happy to see all the feedback! keep the comments coming!

Many people throughout the year pay oop for the dining plan. If Disney changed the plan when offering free dining it would not really be the same "free dining" would it? Disney does this as a way of getting people into their parks and hotels at a slow time of year. This will be our first time trying free dining. We have paid for the dining plan before and love it. If they changed the plan I personally would not take the risk with the weather and it being HOT or Strormy. I think Disney probably knows this that is why the plan is offered unchanged.

You also need to understand that the free diners are most likely paying diners other times of the year. This is not a very advertised special ( ie. t.v. or papers.) You have to be checking Disney regularly or word of mouth.

I am very excited about free dining this year. I made my ADR's 180 out and got everything we wanted.

Can't wait to get to Disney in 19 days.

 

[zaxmom]

Go to the mall.
Find a sale on shirts that says "Buy one, get one FREE".
Buy two shirts.
Go back and return ONE. If they take it back and say thank you and send you on your way, That shirt was truly FREE. If they give you 50% of the amount paid...that is a discount.

We booked under the Dining Promotion. As we have two rooms for the four of us, we would have done better to have a % off the rooms and added on the DDP. Evidently, I missed that offer, or did not receive the pin code. So, I booked under this promotion.

 

[disneyjunkie]

You also need to understand that the free diners are most likely paying diners other times of the year. This is not a very advertised special ( ie. t.v. or papers.) You have to be checking Disney regularly or word of mouth.

I'll be paying for the dining plan during our Easter trip. If free dining is offered to the general public, then I'll book that for our September trip.

 

[danielle782001]

Some DVCers seem to think Disney owes them the world.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1547387

This one does not! However we do pay a lot of money to be members and we do deserve some perks just as others do.

 

[thejollyfinn]

It may be crazy but, I love planning my ADRS 180 days in advanced. But I also pack a few weeks in advanced.

I'm with you on this one. Actually, my DW and I love the planning before our trip. It might be "Free" dining for my family, but its still thousands of hard-earned dollars to experience it.

I hope you don't have a bad trip this time around cavecricket.

 

[disneyjunkie]

This one does not! However we do pay a lot of money to be members and we do deserve some perks just as others do.

I never said ALL DVC felt that way.

DVCers do get perks. The discount on APs/PAPs is a great perk.

I don't understand why anyone (DVC, AP, FL residents) think they DESERVE perks. If they are offered great. With or without perks you're still getting what your paid for. That may be prepaid vacations or admission to the parks. Anything else is gravy.

For the record, I'm planning to purchase DVC.

 

[Nancyg56]

Like I mentioned earlier, perhaps the way to fix this would be to have the free dining only apply to counter service. If it's free anyway, who can complain? But by doing it the current way, anyone who pays for their meals will continue to be frustrated, so upset the guests spending the money?

Again, good marketing tactic but in the long run, the paying customers will be upset by this.

We never had a problem pre-free dining, period. Regardless of the time of year we went.

While I understand the "you snooze, you loose" theory, at the same time I feel the free dining perk is a bit overboard at this point.

happy to see all the feedback! keep the comments coming!

It really is not free. It is part of a package that customers has bought and paid for. When someone has taken advantage of a code or special that reduces the cost of a resort room would you feel that the rooms should be parking lot view becasue there are customers who did have that special paid more?

Disney has many marketing campaigns designed to keep their parks and resorts filled during time frames that may not be as busy. Free dining happens to be one of the many "specials" that Disney runs during th course of the year but the word "FREE" seems to have negative connotations to those who have not taken advantage of that special. If Disney sold a package that only included CS there would be people complaining that the Free CS people have made the lines too long and those people should have special boxed lunches that would move the lines along faster. After all....the boxed lunch is free. I'm not saying that you would feel this way, but because Disney calls it Free does not make it so. Everyone is paying for the package that they bought. Nothing at Disney is free. I think that the real problem is that there are many who just do not plan ahead and the reality is that if you want to eat in a specific restaurant at a specific time you have to plan ahead.

 

[kaytieeldr]

If Disney sold a package that only included CS there would be people complaining that the Free CS people have made the lines too long and those people should have special boxed lunches that would move the lines along faster. After all....the boxed lunch is free.

In 2007, sure... but in 2008, the Plan probably wouldn't include the price of the box itself

 

[Nancyg56]

In 2007, sure... but in 2008, the Plan probably wouldn't include the price of the box itself

 

[PaulaSB12]

This post annoys me. Its the 2nd time in as many days I've seen a vent about free dining, as if those of us who booked it are somehow entitled to less. I booked a ton of ADR's for our vacation...14 TS meals to be exact, so yes doing the math we'll be paying for some OOP...so I guess on this logic I only get to eat half my meals. As someone else pointed out, we pay full price for our rooms, and the promotion is meant to fill vacancies that would otherwise remain empty...nothing in life is "free", and if they began to restrict free dining to make people feel like second class citizens for being shrewd enough to take them up on their marketing ploy...well, Disney is going to have a lot more vacancies to fill...

Well I bet th OP wouldn't like me then I have 21 days worth of free dining, I had 15 days last year and 14 days next year (with more people to boot!) I am sorry but the whining element of the OP is somewhat irritating,you have dvc and think anyone on free ddp is not worthy to eat at YOUR resteraunts? BTW last year I was asked if I was on the ddp no one asked if it was free.

 

[dbriggsq]

Notwithstanding the rights/wrongs of free dining/DVC my concern is that we booked a stay 2 months ago at OKW for late Sept/early Oct and could not book ADRs at any of the restaurants we wanted and were told that nearly all restaurants were fully booked. I asked if it was worth turning up to see if we could eat and was told again that all the tables were reserved. And this is meant to be the 'slow' season

It seems to me that there is something intrinsically wrong with the ADR system - perhaps because of people booking multiple ADRs (because 'at 180 days out we don't know what we will be doing') and then not cancelling them

Where else in the world would you arrive at a hotel and then not be able to make a reservation at a nearby restaurant to eat.

 

[PaulaSB12]

I agree that it really isn't fair. You could even go so far as to say it's discrimination against those who can't afford moderates and deluxes. Disney, however, is in the business of making money.

Gave me the excuse to take my sisters kids to a moderate rather than a value. Good excuse as well as its about £500 cheaper.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Notwithstanding the rights/wrongs of free dining/DVC my concern is that we booked a stay 2 months ago at OKW for late Sept/early Oct and could not book ADRs at any of the restaurants we wanted and were told that nearly all restaurants were fully booked. I asked if it was worth turning up to see if we could eat and was told again that all the tables were reserved. And this is meant to be the 'slow' season

It seems to me that there is something intrinsically wrong with the ADR system - perhaps because of people booking multiple ADRs (because 'at 180 days out we don't know what we will be doing') and then not cancelling them

Where else in the world would you arrive at a hotel and then not be able to make a reservation at a nearby restaurant to eat.

Yes, September is the slowest season. During Free Dining the restaurants will be packed. But the parks will be slow and the lines will be short. Also, good luck getting decent dining reservations 8 weeks out for any time of year. It just won't happen. Also, a CM on the dining line told me a while back that if a party has double bookings at restaurants inside of a close time frame, the party's ADRs will be cancelled. And I don't think I would show up at any hotel anywhere and think that I could get an immediate dinner reservation. That would just be poor planning on my part.

 

[Sammie]

Some DVCers seem to think Disney owes them the world.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1547387

As do some nonDVCers. There are rude people in every category.

Has anyone on this thread that is upset about any of the dining situation, or DVC taking over the world, contacting Disney, or is this a situation where it bothers you, but not enough to try and change it.

 

[dbriggsq]

And I don't think I would show up at any hotel anywhere and think that I could get an immediate dinner reservation. That would just be poor planning on my part.

I have tried to make reservations weeks before our trip (not on any dining plan) and have been unable to do so. If I booked at any hotel other than Disney I certainly would expect to be able to dine at the hotel restaurant or one nearby - it is not bad planning it is a bad system.