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

[Wendy*Darling]

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.

I can see where it is possible. I would guess that "almost at capacity" would be for popular resort and that it means off season capacity. For instance, maybe at the Poly they close 2 longhouses in the off season. They don't open them unless the rest of the longhouses are full AND the GF and CR are both getting full too. September is gaining in popularity.

Anyone remember maybe 5 or 6 years ago early December was dead at the parks? It was a great time to go and there were great deals to entice people to travel then. Word got out that it was the perfect time to travel for mild weather, empty parks and good deals plus you have the Christmas lights and all that jazz. Now look at it, early December can hardly be considered "empty" anymore. It is getting crowd ratings more like regular season during the week and higher on weekends. I think September may just be becoming the new early December. A lot of people here locally are choosing to go then. They've heard the parks are empty because "no one" wants to take their kids out of school (that "no one" is quickly becoming sort of like "everyone" when my son tells me that "everyone" in his 4th grade class has a cell phone. Read: there is one kid with a phone! That "no one" translates to "a lot more people than you would ever think plus all of those people with kids under school age who are travelling in September because it's so empty."). Most of these people have no idea free dining was ever offered in the past and they aren't expecting it now, they just know they've been told that September is now "the" time to go for off season.

I can see where it is possible that September bookings are up from where they were anticipated to be for this time just because that travel period is increasing in popularity.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Here's the post DG-12 was talking about..

Much to my disappointment, I jut had to cancel our April AP reservation for Riverside. I told the res agent that we would probably be pushing the trip to September and she told me I should re-book right away as the resort is looking like it's almost at capacity for that month. I told her we were hoping to book at an AP rate if they come available and she said in that case, I should probably hold off or check into a different resort as she doesn't anticipate that some of the more popular resorts will offer discounts during Sept. due to the high number of rooms currently booked.
I asked her if I should pre-book and then call back if a discount happened to be offered for that time and she told me that there would be no guarantee that they could switch my res to a discounted rate and priority would most likely be given to "new" reservations only as they consider current bookings as part of their full-rate quota which weighs on managements decision as to whether or not they will discount rooms and how many they will discount.

I'll hold out for the possible discount rather than add to the numbers that make offering a discount more unlikely.

For the record - the long term plan for F/D was to increase travel during a traditionally slow season that still has great weather except for the occasional tropical storm..

Maybe it actually worked? Seems unlikely but wow..

And once again - whatever is gonna be announced in the next week (if anything) -- is SUPPOSEDLY a promo with dates before August 14th.. (NOT AFTER)

Knox

 

[anbouk]

Universal has a couple of packages out. It is the on site hotels that are offering the great deals. We got a week at the Hard Rock Hotel in October for $131 per night. That is the cheapest I have ever seen one of their onsite hotels ever be.

WOW that is a GOOD price! HR is a nice deluxe hotel! And at WDW it is almost like getting a Value during Peak for that price. Hope WDW sees this and gives us better hotel prices. Universal is definitely the competition!

 

[lojikal1]

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

I definitely agree with that. Being a fan of Las Vegas, I have stayed in extraordinary rooms for waaaaay less than rack rate at the Poly or GF... and living here in Chicago I can stay at posh boutique hotels for $150-$200 a night... WDW makes most of their money off of the tchockes they sell anyway... drop the rack rates and put more money in my pocket... I will then spend more at the parks when my sons ask for an R/C Lightning McQueen!

 

[ruzer28]

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".



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.



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.




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

I agree about this thread not being "bickering." True bickering seems to be reserved for the "pool hopping" and "can I park my car at another resort" threads. Throw one of those topics in here, and the real fun will start.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I agree about this thread not being "bickering." True bickering seems to be reserved for the "pool hopping" and "can I park my car at another resort" threads. Throw one of those topics in here, and the real fun will start.

I park my car at another resort in ORDER to pool hop.

 

[mking624]

]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

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.

DCL is more expensive than a typical cruise line because of two things...
-lack of a casino
which typically leads to...
-lower alcohol sales

Cruise lines get BIG BUCKS from both of those things, allowing their prices to be lower.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I agree about this thread not being "bickering." True bickering seems to be reserved for the "pool hopping" and "can I park my car at another resort" threads. Throw one of those topics in here, and the real fun will start.

You forgot to mention the "can I still use my mug that I bought three years ago?" posts.

 

[mickey2000]

DCL is more expensive than a typical cruise line because of two things...
-lack of a casino
which typically leads to...
-lower alcohol sales

Cruise lines get BIG BUCKS from both of those things, allowing their prices to be lower.

Thats a great reason to charge more than ALL the others... I understand ...

 

[ruzer28]

You forgot to mention the "can I still use my mug that I bought three years ago?" posts.

You're right!! How could I forget?!

 

[ruzer28]

I park my car at another resort in ORDER to pool hop.

 

[mking624]

Thats a great reason to charge more than ALL the others...

Actually yes it is. If you're not pulling in revenue because you don't have a casino and you're not selling as much alcohol, both of which rake in lots and lots of money...you have to make up the cost somehow. Obviously it's not ideal for many travelers, but they still have to make it up. They charge more than ALL the others because as far as I know, they're the only cruise line without a casino. Now it's definitely a "to each his own" when it comes to why you choose a particular cruise line. But as for the cost, it makes perfect sense. It's just our personal preference, but DH & I would rather pay more and go on a cruise that doesn't have those elements.

Anyway, it's way off topic from the fall discount speculation and rumors...just thought I'd share the tidbit. You may return to the "OMG WHEN WILL IT BE RELEASED" mania.

 

[Bridge203618]

To speak of advertising again.

I have yahoo/att mail. When I open it (which is all day) there is an ad that periodically changes to the right of my inbox. I have noticed frequently it is advertising that 30% off deal...

 

[disneyfan55]

To speak of advertising again.

I have yahoo/att mail. When I open it (which is all day) there is an ad that periodically changes to the right of my inbox. I have noticed frequently it is advertising that 30% off deal...

Yes, I've seen this as well.

 

[disneyfantotheend]

So canadian, when you say to those going before Aug 14TH no later, does that mean you need to be going home by that date or arriving by that date? I notice that the percent off discount only discounts my first 2 days if I put it in to get a quote, so it is truly only good until that date, but I know some offers such as free dining and 4/3, you only had to arrive by the last day. Just curious. I am sure you won't know for sure, but any guesses as to whether this new discount is a room only one again or a package type one that might help me, being we arrive on the 13TH.

I would be so happy to be paying rack rate and going at a cooler less busy time of year over paying it and going during the hottest busiest time of year, but my kids can't be pulled out of school anymore, so I am stuck with August. If I hadn't booked airfare, I would be switching my trip to early June. I think that is just as crowded, but a little more barable heat wise from what I have heard, but too late now.

And BTW, I know there are much worse threads out there. I avoid those all together. This one I don't avoid, I just tend to ignore the criticisms and just look for the facts.

 

[zales127]

Hi all. I haven't posted in forever! We too are waiting for word on the FD. We already have our FD for our bounceback from last year. However, we had 2 families book to go with us this year anticipating the FD. And I have been chosen to be the follower of the FD. Im getting calls every hour asking if its come about yet. I sincerely hope it does for their sake!

 

[StacyMarie]

I received a pin in snail mail today for QS FD but if is for stays from now through 08/14/2010. Too bad we are not checking into the Poly until 08/28/2010.

 

[zales127]

If the pins are running for FD through August..does that leave hope that free basic dining plan will be offered in September???

 

[jen42002]

Responding to the PP regarding POR supposedly being near capacity for September...

Another possibility is that they are holding off on some inventory for POR due to a possible refurb? Permits have just been pulled for POFQ.

 

[ShellyShellfish]

Quick question - I think my original question was buried way back in the thread - anyway....

We were originally thinking of going in early October. Now I'm thinking early December might be better...the fact we'd pay for DS (turns 3 in October) balances out the rates because it'd be value season. Anywho - when could I expect to see anything for December? FD would be AWESOME on top of the cheaper (value season) rates...When was it announced last year for December? Thanks.