FREE DINING UPDATE- RUMOR and SPECULATION / Update Page 80 !

[gabriellyn]

I've been to US and to me it's a 1-3 day park at best, however the simple fact is if you go to US there are plenty of things to do in that area as well as cheap transportation to do them all on. There is a bus that runs the length of international drive available for about 1 or 2 dollars each trip or you can buy a multi day or single day ticket to ride all day long, or length of stay. International Drive is full of shops, mini golf places, exhibits, as well as museums and Sea Word, I have spent a whole week happily entrenched in activities on that street alone. There is also a bus available at Sea World to take you to Bush Gardens for the day, and I believe it's about 10 bucks round trip for adults, not sure for children. So yes I think you can spend a week right in that area without having to switch hotels or anything.

Interesting. I remember reading that some people are doing both - so I wonder how that will work out in reality? Do most people only do one or the other? Or do they mix it up? Obviously it would be really easy to skip either WDW or US - depending on your preferences and/or time constraints.

Back to FD though, I wouldn't be surprised if Disney offers the Visa deal for the GP instead of everyone eats free, or just offers the QSD deal for everyone. But I also wouldn't be surprised if Disney just delays the regular FD announcement, since they are working on Summer bookings, not Fall.

 

[su_A_ve]

Back to FD though, I wouldn't be surprised if Disney offers the Visa deal for the GP instead of everyone eats free, or just offers the QSD deal for everyone. But I also wouldn't be surprised if Disney just delays the regular FD announcement, since they are working on Summer bookings, not Fall.

QSD is a better proposition for Disney. The majority of the folks that take this offer will stick to it. They will not know they can upgrade to a Basic Dining Plan. If they do, they pay for the difference. If they don't, chances are they'll still book sit down dinners and pay out of pocket. It's easier for Disney to crank up fast food.

It's all in the marketing - what's the best way for them to attract more of the general population and fill those rooms.

 

[disneyfan55]

QSD is a better proposition for Disney. The majority of the folks that take this offer will stick to it. They will not know they can upgrade to a Basic Dining Plan. If they do, they pay for the difference. If they don't, chances are they'll still book sit down dinners and pay out of pocket. It's easier for Disney to crank up fast food.

It's all in the marketing - what's the best way for them to attract more of the general population and fill those rooms.

I think WDW is still interested in filling up the summer. Ads on TV here in NJ for the summer discount that they changed and extended. I posted this on the the FD threads as well. That's how it seems to me. I don't recall too many if any ads on TV for the summer in the summer here.

 

[Port Orleans fan]

QSD is a better proposition for Disney. The majority of the folks that take this offer will stick to it. They will not know they can upgrade to a Basic Dining Plan. If they do, they pay for the difference. If they don't, chances are they'll still book sit down dinners and pay out of pocket. It's easier for Disney to crank up fast food.

It's all in the marketing - what's the best way for them to attract more of the general population and fill those rooms.

If Disney was to only offer QSD, I would be happy. It saves me from buying it, and then I could upgrade it (for approx $200) if I wanted Table Service.

 

[su_A_ve]

I think WDW is still interested in filling up the summer. Ads on TV here in NJ for the summer discount that they changed and extended. I posted this on the the FD threads as well. That's how it seems to me. I don't recall too many if any ads on TV for the summer in the summer here.

I agree 100% - they are trying to fill summer rooms still, which is odd. Combination of economy and the new HP park. (I'm in NJ too)

Many lost jobs two years ago still had the funds available or reserved to go on vacation last year. Insane? Yes, but, anything not to disappoint kids. Those who didn't loose a job probably got pay cuts, so cut down on this years plans.

And considering you can get a 7 day or even a 14 day ticket for about 120, it's easier for parents to say "let's take a break from Disney - let's go to US" and with the new HP park...

 

[Bridge203618]

If Disney was to only offer QSD, I would be happy. It saves me from buying it, and then I could upgrade it (for approx $200) if I wanted Table Service.

Same here!

Maybe Disney sent out all those FQSD pins (although not to me! ) to see how well they worked to determine what if any FD they will offer in the fall...

 

[disneyfan55]

I agree 100% - they are trying to fill summer rooms still, which is odd. Combination of economy and the new HP park. (I'm in NJ too)

Many lost jobs two years ago still had the funds available or reserved to go on vacation last year. Insane? Yes, but, anything not to disappoint kids. Those who didn't loose a job probably got pay cuts, so cut down on this years plans.

And considering you can get a 7 day or even a 14 day ticket for about 120, it's easier for parents to say "let's take a break from Disney - let's go to US" and with the new HP park...

I think it's really odd since there were better offers out there (throught Mar 27) for the summer and now there are the ads on TV for the summer (instead of Fall) While I have always found relatively inexpensive ways to see WDW over the years, whether room discounts, buying APs and going 2 times, bringing food/drinks.. I don't recall all the offers on TV also, I don't remember the parks being as crowded as they've been when we visited so I don't know what tot think!! I think disney has more rooms avail but the parks still have a lot of people as well. we were there the beginning of Feb, it was very chilly and the parks still had quite a few people in them. Always a wait for Soarin, TSM, Test track etc. I don't know what to think except there are just maybe too many rooms avail now. We couldn't even get the AP rate for our stay at WL!! I don't think that hotel was booked up but who knows (we checked every day as well from when the offer was put out we kept the 40% PIN offer )

 

[Wendy*Darling]

I wonder if Disney is considering, or ever will consider, changing policies to more like what they do on DCL. With DCL, when they release a new promo, it always says "valid on new bookings only." As a matter of fact, the small print says that if you have a higher rate booked, and you cancel that reservation just to rebook on the same cruise with the promo and they catch on, they can revert your price back to the higher rate you originally had. We were booked on a cruise last year with a fare we were happy with since we booked it far in advance. Later on they oiffered a kids sail free deal that would have saved us a pretty penny but we couldn't just have it applied to our reservation since it was valid only for new bookings.

I wonder if we will ever see language like that on WDW packages?

 

[mickey2000]

I wonder if Disney is considering, or ever will consider, changing policies to more like what they do on DCL. With DCL, when they release a new promo, it always says "valid on new bookings only." As a matter of fact, the small print says that if you have a higher rate booked, and you cancel that reservation just to rebook on the same cruise with the promo and they catch on, they can revert your price back to the higher rate you originally had. We were booked on a cruise last year with a fare we were happy with since we booked it far in advance. Later on they oiffered a kids sail free deal that would have saved us a pretty penny but we couldn't just have it applied to our reservation since it was valid only for new bookings.

I wonder if we will ever see language like that on WDW packages?

On other cruise liness they adjust your rates ... I have been on 6 different cruise lines and they all do this. IMO DCL is way overpriced compared to others. Oh I know about the Disney experience and have already done the Wonder and Magic. There is life after Disney and I am enjoying other cruises.
In May I'm going to Bermuda for a week veranda room $699 per person

 

[TikiGoddess]

Mickey2000,

Don't want to hijack the thread, but I too think DCL is too high. I just looked into a four night cruise for $1500 for my family of four. DCL was at least $600 more. I'd love to do the Disney cruise, but can't see that it's worth that much more. BTW, if you've never been to Bermuda, you are going to LOVE IT! Best snorkeling I've ever done. Just beautiful there.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Since WDW started advertising the 30% off offer on TV (in NJ) a few days ago, I don't think the fall offers are coming out real soon. I don't ever recall TV ads for the Summer months here in NJ this late in the year. Yes, the earlier offers that had to be booked by Mar 27, but not a new on. I know it's not new and actually less discount than was offered just 10 days ago, but never the less being advertised as a new offer or it appears that way.

Since earlier I have been informed (again) that Disney is "really worried" about the summer bookings.. maybe even as early as May and June dates aren't yet full "enough".

I am new to DisBoards - first post ever. Hopefully, I am doing it right...

Anyway, is this a code (Free QS) something anyone should be able to use?

Thank you!

This discussion actually focuses on a 'general public' offer of Free Dining for fall dates which traditionally by the calendar, has been released in previous years by April 12th or so at the latest.

We're all quite anxious to see it but if you read the first post of this thread.. you'll see that the information I'm getting says whatever the fall promo is - it won't be announced til early May.. which is way late in Disney terms.

Okay, so I basically stopped reading this thread. Skim it now and then, but that is about it. Too much criticism and bickering for me.

Aww.. This isn't bickering.. Believe me. I can show you some posts with bickering in them. Those threads are closed btw.

At best this is spirited discussion among DEEPLY and emotionally interested parties.

Anyway, I see a quote about a Thursday deal. I am assuming it is a summer deal? Is that this Thursday? I will have to keep an eye out and see if it works for us. Being we arrive on the 13TH. I didn't check into any of the other deals ending on the 14TH, because I was so confident about free dining, but now I am not so confident so am willing to take what they will give me.

If what I've been told is true - there should be something coming out before Monday. Whatever that something is - I'm told its NOT F/D.

If nothing comes out ... we continue to wait.



Knox

 

[Victoriasmom98]

Hey Knox......Just happy to see you are holding up well. Hopefully you have unlimited internet access or else I believe you would be WAY OVER your monthly usage limit!!! I'm just saying!!!

 

[Bridge203618]

Since earlier I have been informed (again) that Disney is "really worried" about the summer bookings.. maybe even as early as May and June dates aren't yet full "enough".

I read a few weeks ago that a CM (for what it is worth) said that even memorial day weekend was lighter than normal..

Hey Knox......Just happy to see you are holding up well. Hopefully you have unlimited internet access or else I believe you would be WAY OVER your monthly usage limit!!! I'm just saying!!!

Do some people pay the minute or something???

 

[Victoriasmom98]

Do some people pay the minute or something???

Seriously, yes. I think it's more "space" or something....believe me, I am no computer genius, but our old plan had 5 gigs(??) and we went over it within the first 2 weeks. It's now history!!!

 

[DG-12]

Knox- Thanks! I find it amazing Disney is having a hard time filling rooms in May/June but according to a post in another thread Sept is almost at capacity at some resorts. That doesn't add up.
What I find amazing in this whole situation is the Disney end of things- IMO their hotel rooms are way HIGH! We travel A LOT! We love to stay at nice places and we love WDW. However, we have stayed at much nicer places in better rooms at MUCH lower prices. Disney worried? Some of their resorts the rooms start at $300/night rack. (I mean people obviously spend the money but when things are bad aren't more people spending less?) However nicely themed the resort the room is a room. People are getting deals on vacation homes for less than a moderate would cost per night. When I was a kid there were not very many resorts in the Orlando area that could compete but now there are. Maybe Disney needs to compete a little better. So, my point- I think Disney has brought the need for discounts on itself. I think they're going to have to continue offering discounts until things really start revving back up. And I don't think it's this year. Dana

 

[lojikal1]

I pre-booked just before my 180 day ADR time. In the past, it has been difficult to get the ADRs you want once the free dining deal is released. So, my strategy is to pre-book, book my ADR's 180 plus 10 days, and wait it out. I understand the reasons people don't think this is the right thing to do, but my husband and I are going at this time anyway, and it just made sense to me.

You can book ADRS without even having a vacation package reservation. No need to prebook just to get your dining spots reserved...

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

You can book ADRS without even having a vacation package reservation. No need to prebook just to get your dining spots reserved...

Yeah, but that poster said specifically that she wanted the 180+10. You cannot do that without a package.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Hey Knox......Just happy to see you are holding up well. Hopefully you have unlimited internet access or else I believe you would be WAY OVER your monthly usage limit!!! I'm just saying!!!

We too have 'bandwidth caps' on our net service up here.. Mine is 95 GB so.. I rarely bump into that.

Knox- Thanks! I find it amazing Disney is having a hard time filling rooms in May/June but according to a post in another thread Sept is almost at capacity at some resorts. That doesn't add up.

Can you point me to the 'Sept is almost at capacity' post?

1. DO keep in mind that Disney doesn't always release all rooms for the full year.. So they may yet have a 'fall promo' inventory to the side and whatever is 'almost sold out' represents only a fraction of the full inventory.

2. Either that.. or the pre-booking problem is worse than I thought. By a lot.

I suspect the first item..

 

[Huff]

If what I've been told is true - there should be something coming out before Monday. Whatever that something is - I'm told its NOT F/D.

Are you referring to a new summer discount or to a possible fall discount?

 

[Bridge203618]

Can you point me to the 'Sept is almost at capacity' post?

I think they are referring to

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=36151848#post36151848

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