I have never used FD before so forgive me if this sounds like a dumb question, but is FD that huge of a discount? Does it really incentivize people who weren't planning to visit to now visit?
It can be. I did it for many years.
When I started I stayed at POP Century, got the regular DDP, got an appetizer and my tips were included.
GREAT DEAL all that FREE just for paying value rack rate.
Then they took away the appetizer and tips.
When they took away the DDP and made values only QSDP, I moved to moderates.
AND I began to book it for 4 adults.
My DH/DD would come for half the trip with California Grill and 2 credit meals.
They left and DS & I would stay on with theirs and our remaining credits.
When DH/DD could no longer come it was no longer a value $ wise for DS & I.
Especially since we have APs and TiW.
The next year we booked POP again and did QSDP for 12 days.
UGH YUK UGH YUK
That was our last time because (1) we can't make the numbers work (2) it wasn't our eating style.
I now do room discounts, no buying tickets we don't need and using my AP/TiW dining discounts.
Don't miss it at all.
In some cases, yes. In some cases, no.
All you can do is figure your costs with a room only discount (including what you expect to spend on food) and figure your costs with
free dining. Since room discounts on value rooms tend to be very small, it's easier to make it pay at a value resort, especially if you have 3 or 4 people in the room qualifying for the deal. 2 people staying in a deluxe resort will probably find the room only discount more beneficial.
THIS
This year I was going to go for a value so for me the changes are ok.
Do you think the values will be hard to come by? Since moderate will no longer have DDP?
YES! If it's about the Dining Plan and you would have to pay more for DDP at a moderate in addition to the rack rate at a moderate, then other than beds and some amenities you may as well stay at a value.