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

[CanadianGuy]

RE: My Inalienable Rights to Discounts and My Right to Bear DDP Credits

You know.. the first dozen or more trips I made to Disney..

I PAID RACK RATE WITH NO DISCOUNTS. (gasp!)

Snicker. It all goes back to that perspective thing we've been talking about.

I always look at it like this - Disney is doing what's best for their wallet. And I'm always doing whats best for mine.

Sometimes those two things meet very nicely in the middle. And sometimes I end up staying home...

HAHA

 

[leahjade]

I can assure you there will be no free dining since I am a jinx. We waited years for our kids to be able to go during that time period, so I'm sure they will do away with it now that it would work for us, lol. Last time we bought the dining plan and they had done away with the free appetizer and free tips that very same year (because I bought it!) . And the first few times we stayed at WDW, we paid full price for everything not knowing about these boards. So I'm sure if I'm able to get away free dining week, it won't be offered at all - just blame me!

 

[my3squeals]

Toy Story Midway Mania, commonly known on here as just TSM

Thanks! The extra M was throwing me!

 

[disadventurer]

I thnk your analysis is great, Knox. Thx so much for it

Two days ago, I would have said "but is is a very important vacation". I stalked the boards for a discount as obsessively as the next person Today, however, I agree 100% with this. DO NOT PANIC. Put it in perspective; it is ONLY a vacation

Yesterday, we received 10 inches of rain. I live at the TOP of a hill. OUr house flooding is nearly impossible. We have a split level which means the downstairs is 100% completely finished. WE LOST everything. There is currently a foot of water spread throughout 1500 sq of our house. We will lose everything in our house to mold.

My new perspective: It is only a vacation

Sorry to hear about your water damage!! Thought the sun would be out today, but no luck. You are 100% right it is only a vacation.

 

[my3squeals]

RE: My Inalienable Rights to Discounts and My Right to Bear DDP Credits

You know.. the first dozen or more trips I made to Disney..

I PAID RACK RATE WITH NO DISCOUNTS. (gasp!)

Snicker. It all goes back to that perspective thing we've been talking about.

I always look at it like this - Disney is doing what's best for their wallet. And I'm always doing whats best for mine.

Sometimes those two things meet very nicely in the middle. And sometimes I end up staying home...

HAHA

And like I have said before FD accomplished what they wanted it to do; it made us try the dining plan which I would have never booked before. Now we love DDP and will most likely always book the dining plan, free or not, at least for the short while especially while I still have 2 kiddos that are kids prices......

 

[Bridge203618]

For what it is worth I was chatting with a CM while on disney's site today...

Thank you for contacting Disney. The free dining has been offered in the Spring for Fall vacations the last few years. It has not been released for 2010 yet. We do not know if it will be, or not. If it is, it will be listed under Special Offers online, probably in the late spring/early summer timeframe.

 

[g3pak]

I can assure you there will be no free dining since I am a jinx. We waited years for our kids to be able to go during that time period, so I'm sure they will do away with it now that it would work for us, lol. Last time we bought the dining plan and they had done away with the free appetizer and free tips that very same year (because I bought it!) . And the first few times we stayed at WDW, we paid full price for everything not knowing about these boards. So I'm sure if I'm able to get away free dining week, it won't be offered at all - just blame me!

So it's Leahjade's fault? Let's get her! Grab your pitchforks!

And that reminds me of one morning during the rush to TSM. The crowd was briskly walking to get in line and get FP's when someone shouted "grab your torches and pitchforks and get the monster." It was then that I realized we must have looked like a scene from a 50's moster movie.

 

[Hoodie]

I can assure you there will be no free dining since I am a jinx. We waited years for our kids to be able to go during that time period, so I'm sure they will do away with it now that it would work for us, lol. Last time we bought the dining plan and they had done away with the free appetizer and free tips that very same year (because I bought it!) . And the first few times we stayed at WDW, we paid full price for everything not knowing about these boards. So I'm sure if I'm able to get away free dining week, it won't be offered at all - just blame me!

So it's YOUR fault!

Count me in for the FD wait. Actually, for the fall deal wait. I really hope it isn't 4/3 or 5/2 - I tentatively have us booked for a 5 day weekend and really can't extend it.

So I'm hoping for straight discount or FD. Otherwise it's a no go.

 

[EclecticWAHM]

I thnk your analysis is great, Knox. Thx so much for it

Two days ago, I would have said "but is is a very important vacation". I stalked the boards for a discount as obsessively as the next person Today, however, I agree 100% with this. DO NOT PANIC. Put it in perspective; it is ONLY a vacation

Yesterday, we received 10 inches of rain. I live at the TOP of a hill. OUr house flooding is nearly impossible. We have a split level which means the downstairs is 100% completely finished. WE LOST everything. There is currently a foot of water spread throughout 1500 sq of our house. We will lose everything in our house to mold.

My new perspective: It is only a vacation

Oh boy, I am SO sorry to hear about the flooding and your loss. I can't imagine how frustrating and expensive this will be for you. I hope the weather turns around and you can start getting things fixed up.

 

[Don Disney]

Gas prices are high-but they are still making BILLIONS in profit!!! Disney prices are relatively high-and even with the discounts they are STILL making a profit-10 BILLION,instead of 30 BILLION(just throwing #s around)!!! Yeah,POOR Disney!! Just saying,gas prices could be cheaper,but they aint because of greed-they want ALL of the money,not satisfied with SOME of the money.By giving good discounts,Disney is more in line with making SOME of the money,as opposed to ALL of the money!!! Come on FD!!!

 

[mom2aba]

TSMM 08/15/10 - 09/04/10
Star Tours 09/08/10 - 05/19/11

Whew! At least ST will still be open for us.

Carole

 

[Melanie230]

Not to rain on anyone's parade here at all but no discount is a given. People just act like FD was written into the Constitution or something. I mean I know all the promos and deals are great and lord knows I have used them. With 4 kids, I love any deal that means less money spent, but in the end the way I always look at it is can I afford to go at normal prices. I then book what our needs or what we want, then if something hits that works for us then that is even better means more for less.

In the end however, Disney is a business with one thing in mind, MAKING MONEY. Do CM's and such make it a more magical experience for people well yes for the most part, however the goal is still to make money.

The company I work for just cut ALOT of jobs. I sat in on a meeting 2 days ago where they were deciding where and who got cut. Do they hate the people that work for them???? No, are they careless people without a thought about their employees?? On the surface it may seem so, but in reality cost per unit was sky high and payroll was the quickest and easiest way to take money straight off the top. I have alot of people that work for me, that won't be there come tomorrow, the company made what it thought was best decision for the interest of the company as a whole.

That being said I would love a 4/3, or maybe even FD, but as it stands now, my ressie is made and I am going regardless.

People get spoiled sometimes, just the reality of life and then they expect something.

I am sure a fall deal will roll out soon, but if it doesn't keep in mind one thing

As much as I love Disney ( over 40 trips) I know that in reality if Disney began to lose money and kept doing it at a rapid pace then there may be changes coming that no one would like to see.

End of rant, here is hoping for pixie dust for all come fall.

I dont think it is about being spoiled. It is about being competitive with other places. Disney in these hard times needs to fill those hotels, and needs to fill those parks. It is better to fill those parks and break even or even lose a little than it is to have no one there and lose a lot. No matter what they are doing well. If Disney doesn't offer some incentive for people to travel to their parks...someone else will.

 

[mom2shayleeandlogan]

Can't wait till we all find out what the deal is, to me this is too much fun!!!

 

[Luvmepluto]

Excellent points all.. and you made me think of something else - what *if* whatever is offered isn't 'free dining' -- but still works out to be a really good deal?

I hadn't even considered the possibility that a new offer could meet or exceed the excitement of F/D. I can't even imagine what that might be...

What do you all think? What realistic offer .. could beat F/D?

Thanks for the update Knox!

FD or not, I am booked (purchased DDP) and ressies are taken care of. It would have been sweet to have received the FD. Who knows, whatever may happen may be better.....and....it may still happen.

 

[scdisneyguy]

I dont think it is about being spoiled. It is about being competitive with other places. Disney in these hard times needs to fill those hotels, and needs to fill those parks. It is better to fill those parks and break even or even lose a little than it is to have no one there and lose a lot. No matter what they are doing well. If Disney doesn't offer some incentive for people to travel to their parks...someone else will.

I am a business major both undergrad and Masters. I totally understand the concept your trying to get across.

Thing is times are hard but they are hard everywhere. I , like Canadian Guy , have spent numerous trips at rack rate with full Disney prices. I know friends that have even when promos are out. Disney or US or any other theme park for that matter isn't a necessity. Vacation time from work may be a given- going somewhere away from home to relax, spend money, and enjoy yourself however are not.

I wasn't trying in anyway to argue here with anyone. Wasn't trying to get into a shouting match with anyone. Just trying to make people realize that I went to Disney over 30 times before FD ever even existed. I have also been 7 times since it started but only had FD once. Will more people go to US if FD isn't offered, probably, but in the grand scheme of things Disney will still get it's people. There may only be 4 and 5 crowd days where you would have seen 7 or 8 days. I assure you there are TONS of people that go all the time and know nothing about pins, codes, FD or anything else. That is the point I was making. My family enjoys our yearly trips to the world, the discounts only make them a little sweeter they don't become the determining factor if we actually go or not.

 

[Luvmepluto]

I am a business major both undergrad and Masters. I totally understand the concept your trying to get across.

Thing is times are hard but they are hard everywhere. I , like Canadian Guy , have spent numerous trips at rack rate with full Disney prices. I know friends that have even when promos are out. Disney or US or any other theme park for that matter isn't a necessity. Vacation time from work may be a given- going somewhere away from home to relax, spend money, and enjoy yourself however are not.

I wasn't trying in anyway to argue here with anyone. Wasn't trying to get into a shouting match with anyone. Just trying to make people realize that I went to Disney over 30 times before FD ever even existed. I have also been 7 times since it started but only had FD once. Will more people go to US if FD isn't offered, probably, but in the grand scheme of things Disney will still get it's people. There may only be 4 and 5 crowd days where you would have seen 7 or 8 days. I assure you there are TONS of people that go all the time and know nothing about pins, codes, FD or anything else. That is the point I was making. My family enjoys our yearly trips to the world, the discounts only make them a little sweeter they don't become the determining factor if we actually go or not.

It is true....Many will still go whether FD is offered or not. I know that we go every year. This would have been our first year with FD (we normally go in the spring). Discount or no discount I am there. It just would have made things sweeter.

 

[su_A_ve]

I wonder what is the % of tourism. I do know UK visitors are big in terms of numbers and that's why they get much better offers than us in the US/Canada. They just spend a lot more.

I can imagine that most of the ones coming from other parts of the world pay rack rate. And how many go to a TA to book a vacation for the next 3 months. These folks will pay rack rate as most discount expire early.

We are just a small number of informed consumers. The majority are not and will always pay rack rate.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

I don't understand the hostility. We are hoping for a discount, not a hand out.

We have paid rack rate before. This was back when we had a couple of kids and lived within driving distance. Now we have 5 and live 3000 miles away. It is difficult to get a WDW vacation for under $10,000 for my family. (we stay at POP, btw)

Every little bit saved helps. The free dining discount is important to me...the mom. Yes, everyone in my family is guaranteed to have a great time, but the dynamic of our vacation will change if we do not get FD.

Yes, I know any WDW is better than no vacation, but staying onsite creates a better vacation for Mom. No cooking, cleaning, or driving required. Free Dining also eliminated the need for compromise when my family made their food choices. It is wonderful to not have to explain to my kids how they need to order the cheaper selections, or to share, or only drink tap water. These little luxuries make a vacation for me.

I find it funny that people seem judgemental over this. If we can't afford the rack rate we shouldn't go? FD will discount our current vacation by almost $4000. I can see where many families would cancel if there was no FD. We are lucky enough to be able to rearrange our plans to create a WDW vacation that fits our budget. Though Hawaii is looking better by the minute...and would be almost half the price!

 

[mom2aba]

We've been to Disney twice, both times in the summer because we can't take the kids out of school. This year we chose between late June and 3rd week in August. The history of free dining was appealing, but we were still planning to go regardless. Then I joined forums where people were urging getting ADRs done before FD was announced. So I sortof got all excited by the prospect of saving money by going in August. Then I saw the deals for June and thought of switching, but people seemed sure that FD was coming in August. So I went ahead and made our plane reservations. I had not entertained the idea of US until I read this thread. Investigating that idea is not out of spite, or being spoiled, it's just kind of opened my eyes to other options I hadn't looked at. Lack of FD isn't a deal breaker, but it certainly would be an incentive not to explore other possibilities.

Carole

 

[CanadianGuy]

Let's just drop the hostility here. Ok?

Thank you.

I know that from being a mod on these boards and my professional career there are a few things you don't mess with..

1. A person's vacation plans
2. A person's cable TV line up

Both can stir emotions to peaks usually seen only at Black Friday sales.. and teen pop sensation concerts..

Let's just let that part go and stay on topic.

Thanks,

K