Free dining plan?

[Brygida]

If I rent DVC points from someone, can they get the free dining plan for me the week of August 30-September 5?

 

[CarolA]

No. Free dining is only given if you go directly from Disney. In this case you are paying someone like me, not Disney and they won't give you free dining.

You can ask the member to add the dining plan to your reservation. You pay for it when you check in, but the member must add it. I think it's $38 a day for an adult? All people staying in the room have to get the plan.

 

[disneynutz]

If I rent DVC points from someone, can they get the free dining plan for me the week of August 30-September 5?

The "free dining plan" isn't really free. You have to book a non-discounted cash room and pay full price for your admission tickets through Disney.

 

[rnorwo1]

The "free dining plan" isn't really free. You have to book a non-discounted cash room and pay full price for your admission tickets through Disney.

Does this mean that you cannot get free dining using dvc points for a dvc room?

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

Does this mean that you cannot get free dining using dvc points for a dvc room?

That is exactly what it means.

 

[crisi]

That is what that means. There are no special promotions when staying on points. For the past few years the special promo has been free dining, but in the past Disney has had five for three (pay for three nights/tickets, get five) and free ticket promotions. You do not qualify for any of that staying on points since the object of those promotions is to fill the hotels (and parks) with cash guests. Disney already has the committment to go from DVCers and doesn't need to run promotions to get us to show up.

 

[disneynutz]

They always have the "free" promo for cash Guests during September, a slow month due to hurricane season.

 

[DebbieB]

You can get free dining at the DVC resorts, just pay cash through CRO.

Compare the price with CRO with the DVC point rental price plus dining. Keep in mind you must buy tickets with CRO but not with DVC.

 

[Brygida]

The "free dining plan" isn't really free. You have to book a non-discounted cash room and pay full price for your admission tickets through Disney.

Does this mean that you cannot get free dining using dvc points for a dvc room?

For reference, how much exactly is a "discounted" cash room at Port Orlean French Quarter (including tax & tip), during the first week of September?

I have only ever seen about a $10 difference between the full price tickets (bought through the WD Travel Co) and the prices listed at mousesavers.com for instance. Is there some discount I don't know about for a non-Florida resident?

 

[crisi]

Most "discounted" cash rooms don't qualify for free dining - I think AAA rooms might - its a question to ask over on the resorts board. i.e. free dining gets you to pay rack rate for a room - or nearly so. In exchange Disney "gives you" the dining plan. Since Disney restaurants are pretty booked for September already, and Disney does not guarentee you'll be able to use your credits, this is a good deal for Disney.

Anytime a major corporation "gives" you something, you should try to understand why from their angle. In the case of DVC, Disney "gives us" a great value in Disney accomodations, in exchange, they get our capital UP FRONT and an implied committment from us to vacation regularly (and spend more money) at Disney.

 

[stopher1]

For reference, how much exactly is a "discounted" cash room at Port Orlean French Quarter (including tax & tip), during the first week of September?

I have only ever seen about a $10 difference between the full price tickets (bought through the WD Travel Co) and the prices listed at mousesavers.com for instance. Is there some discount I don't know about for a non-Florida resident?

It's been a while since we reserved a cash room, but the last time I looked for info to help out my SIL's family with some WDW info..."discounted" rates at the moderates dipped down to about $109 per night (before taxes, etc), whereas the non-discounted, or rack rates, were about $139 or 149.

 

[JimMIA]

In the last year, Disney seems to have moderated their discount with DDP policy somewhat.

As far as I know, they have always allowed the purchase of DDP on AAA discounts, but only when the packages were purchased through an AAA travel agent. In other words, you couldn't book a room through Disney at AAA rates, you had to go through AAA. I don't know whether AAA rates qualify for "free DDP."

In order to find out exactly what rates would qualify for "free DDP" you'd really have to call Disney CRO and ask them. I think that is something they adjust pretty often depending on what their occupancy looks like. Keep in mind that onsite rates are typically pretty low in September anyway because it's such a slow time normally.

Another consideration is that many of the "good ADR's" are already booked for the free dining period.