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

[twokids0204]

This is a super unlikely scenario.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is about to bring thousands of people to Orlando who have never been before. Many of them are going to come to Walt Disney World this fall, as long as they are already in town.

I personally would not mix Universal and Disney in the same trip.

We are already talking about 2011 going to Universal / Sea World / etc... and skipping Disney. (And if no free dining, possibly changing this years plans).

 

[mking624]

Adults are 10 years old? They do that to make money is my guess. And then it makes some 10 year olds associate some pretty good feelings with Disney.. see below.

Actually they do that because by 10 years old, the majority of kids reach the height requirement for all of the rides (regardless if they choose to ride it or not). As far as dining is concerned, there are many 10 year olds who no longer order off a kid's menu. Obviously this varies from kid to kid, but Disney has to make a cut off somewhere. Also, Disney is not the only one to view "adults" as starting at age 10...Universal and SeaWorld do that as well.

 

[sjs314]

I feel like Clark Griswald finding out he isn't getting a Christmas bonus.

"If you don't want to offer free dining, FINE! But when people start to expect it as part of their vacation..."

I wish I had a redneck cousin to go kidnap the head Disney guy.

 

[Belle_princess]

I'm about to go nuts waiting on Disney. . .will they. . .won't they? It is enough to make a person insane! I don't feel I have a life. I'm constantly on this board and on the official site . . .waiting. . . I'm so tired of NOT knowing. Will I be going? Or not? Come on Disney!!! This is one desperate DISer who is dying to know.

Ok. . .now back to your regularly scheduled FD waiting thread. . .

 

[mking624]

well.. I don't know. But there's at least 100 and probably close to 1000 ...

Just look at the craziness on these F/D threads.. you don't create a 20 page thread in 3 hours with 4 people.

This thread has 75000 views... I'm not sure how those numbers are tabulated.. but again.. you don't get to that with 4 people .. or even 100.. and this thread has only been around less than a week.

In fact, I just checked.. this thread has the most views of any thread ever created on the Resorts/Codes & Rates Board.

DOH!

I wonder how many of us have posted repeatedly on this same thread. If someone took the time to go through each post and see how many individual members posted to this particular thread, that might help give some perspective. Not that I'm volunteering. Also, page views aren't necessarily a good indication...I can read one page and then add a comment...adding the comment takes me right back to the page I was reading which adds an additional view. Then if I go back any number of pages to read what I may have missed while gone or to reread things...and then go back to the last page and refresh just to see if anything new popped up...page views can and do add up very quickly. Now I'm not implying that only a few people can raise it very high. But if the same people are replying to the thread, which they are...then it would make sense that they are the ones contributing the most to the page views because we're the ones constantly seeking information, asking the questions and replying to them, etc.

 

[sdmom]

I don't think that a lot of people will do days at Disney too. With the economy the way it is...If they do add a few days at Disney it will be most likely 1 and they will stay off site to save money. There are a lot of things that are available at US for HP that you can't get anywhere else...So, I suspect they will spend more money at US/HP. People don't like to get up and switch hotels during a trip IMHO unless they are going to the beach or something for a few days. If they are already in Orlando visiting US then the would be staying at hotel nearby and would just drive to WDW rather than packing up and moving to an onsite hotel.

We are switching hotels - others too if you read the US section of this board.

We are going back to Florida in August to check out WWoHP, (planning for 22-27 @ WDW after 4 days at Hard Rock).

We spent a week @ AKL in Feb and enjoyed the benefit of the 4/3 promo. We would not return to WDW a second time this year if not for WWoHP.

 

[CanadianGuy]

I wonder how many of us have posted repeatedly on this same thread. If someone took the time to go through each post and see how many individual members posted to this particular thread, that might help give some perspective. Not that I'm volunteering. Also, page views aren't necessarily a good indication...I can read one page and then add a comment...adding the comment takes me right back to the page I was reading which adds an additional view. Then if I go back any number of pages to read what I may have missed while gone or to reread things...and then go back to the last page and refresh just to see if anything new popped up...page views can and do add up very quickly. Now I'm not implying that only a few people can raise it very high. But if the same people are replying to the thread, which they are...then it would make sense that they are the ones contributing the most to the page views because we're the ones constantly seeking information, asking the questions and replying to them, etc.

All true.. but this thread has more views than any other thread in the history of this subboard.. and honestly.. many people read without posting..

Regardless.. it's a lot by any standard..

And I believe views on a single day by one poster count as 1 view. It doesn't go up each time I view it today for example. And it's gone up 5000 views since I posted that.

And anyway you slice it -- that's not what we're discussing here.

You doubt that many posters have pre-booked and I disagree. That's cool. We don't have to agree.

 

[francie57]

People will certainly being doing both Universal and Disney together. We do it every Aug. Universal doesn't require as many days as Disney so you can do both. If you stay on-site at Universal you get the unlimited express pass so you can do all the rides multiple times with basically no wait. Even with Harry Potter opening we are still doing both. There will many others doing the same thing so Disney will still be getting people to go with the promotions being offered.

 

[Bridge203618]

Actually they do that because by 10 years old, the majority of kids reach the height requirement for all of the rides (regardless if they choose to ride it or not). As far as dining is concerned, there are many 10 year olds who no longer order off a kid's menu. Obviously this varies from kid to kid, but Disney has to make a cut off somewhere. Also, Disney is not the only one to view "adults" as starting at age 10...Universal and SeaWorld do that as well.

It bothers me mostly for dining not tickets, but i iwll get over it :My DSD is 14 and would order off the kids menu 90% of the time...

 

[gabriellyn]

I feel like Clark Griswald finding out he isn't getting a Christmas bonus.

"If you don't want to offer free dining, FINE! But when people start to expect it as part of their vacation..."

I wish I had a redneck cousin to go kidnap the head Disney guy.

 

[KTJAY]

I feel like Clark Griswald finding out he isn't getting a Christmas bonus.

"If you don't want to offer free dining, FINE! But when people start to expect it as part of their vacation..."

I wish I had a redneck cousin to go kidnap the head Disney guy.

Ahahaha! My thoughts exactly!! Can't stand the waiting anymore!

 

[MinnieTink]

I feel like Clark Griswald finding out he isn't getting a Christmas bonus.

"If you don't want to offer free dining, FINE! But when people start to expect it as part of their vacation..."

I wish I had a redneck cousin to go kidnap the head Disney guy.

THANK YOU ! Haha that was so funny. Great comic relief on a board that usually gives me so much acida, LOL.

 

[mking624]

All true.. but this thread has more views than any other thread in the history of this subboard.. and honestly.. many people read without posting..

Regardless.. it's a lot by any standard..

And I believe views on a single day by one poster count as 1 view. It doesn't go up each time I view it today for example. And it's gone up 5000 views since I posted that.

And anyway you slice it -- that's not what we're discussing here.

You doubt that many posters have pre-booked and I disagree. That's cool. We don't have to agree.

Typically, on any website, a page view is counted by the actual times a page has been viewed, not necessarily by who is viewing it because it counts towards bandwidth...which is not user specific (I had to deal with this with running my own website and message board as the cost was dependent on the bandwidth). Anyway, you're right, it's not the point. Just interesting info.

I guess I doubt that many posters have prebooked simply because of the posts that I've read that said they're waiting to book until a promo is released. I haven't seen a significant change in the number of posts from previous years with people saying "I've already booked hoping that some promo releases." It's the same situation dealt with every year...and as someone else pointed out (not sure if it's this thread or another), if Disney is offering promos during the summer, it's unlikely they won't offer something during the fall...regardless of those early bookings (as there are many other factors to consider). I have no doubts FD will eventually go away, possibly even this year, but I don't think it'll be due to the people who book early since these decisions are typically made well before even the early bookers start making their ressies.

I'm not attempting to force people to my side, just trying to show there are definitely more factors to consider regarding a promo offer than just the early bookers...since the early bookers have always been around.

 

[Looking4themouse]

Hmmm... I guess I am just spoiled, like CanadianGuy and other PP's have said! I just remember that last year we went on the 4/3 deal - really really nice. We thoroughly enjoyed that. But we did book it early in the year... And Disney did have those nice GC deals earlier this year as well as the other promo (can't remember what) but we weren't looking to go during those time frames. Then, the FD pin offer arrived and I convinced DH to jump on it, as we are saving so much w/that deal as opposed to any %off or even any GC deal out there. Still, with HP opening in May, I would have thought to see even more - especially right now. It's the perfect time to book summer travel. Maybe Disney is riding on HP's coattails, or should I say robes??? I don't know that very many families could do a whole week at US/IoA - so maybe they will throw some Disney in with their HP vacation... Of course, I have never been, so maybe you can spend a whole week there? Regardless, I am just surprised because the economy still hasn't rebounded, plus with the heavy HP competition, I expected more discounts. I also thought that the announcement that discounts would be waning was a ruse, but apparently Disney might have really meant it!

Anyway, so glad I booked the FD deal - now, if only the hurricanes will stay away! I just hope that FD returns for all of those that want it.

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.

 

[GrandAdmiralStrife]

The wife and I are attending Star Wars Celebration V and will be staying at Disney for a few days after the convention. That said, we haven't made any solid plans as far as which site and how many days we're staying, as we want to see what kind of discounts are being offered; if free dining is offered we'll do a moderate hotel, otherwise we'll do POP Century. I'm pulling for free dining because the Mother in law is coming as well and a moderate hotel would be nice as its her first Disney trip. And for those that say just do Disney before the convention, Steve Sansweet, head of LFL Fan Relations, sated earlier this year they were working with Disney to have some sort of offering to fans that would happen after the con, and besides, value season starts the last day of the convention, and I'd like to maximize my $$$

 

[CanadianGuy]

I'm not attempting to force people to my side, just trying to show there are definitely more factors to consider regarding a promo offer than just the early bookers...since the early bookers have always been around.

The bigger concern is that it guarantees them nothing. And mistakenly many believe the opposite.

 

[ShhhQ]

Personally... and I am sure someone else has this problem.
I simply just CAN'T wait to book... I have heard all the arguements about waiting, and I find merit in them.
BUT I just can't NOT book in hopes of something that Disney keeps delaying releasing... they may never... I hope they are, but ya never know!!!

 

[DoodlesMom]

Typically, on any website, a page view is counted by the actual times a page has been viewed, not necessarily by who is viewing it because it counts towards bandwidth...which is not user specific (I had to deal with this with running my own website and message board as the cost was dependent on the bandwidth). Anyway, you're right, it's not the point. Just interesting info.

I guess I doubt that many posters have prebooked simply because of the posts that I've read that said they're waiting to book until a promo is released. I haven't seen a significant change in the number of posts from previous years with people saying "I've already booked hoping that some promo releases." It's the same situation dealt with every year...and as someone else pointed out (not sure if it's this thread or another), if Disney is offering promos during the summer, it's unlikely they won't offer something during the fall...regardless of those early bookings (as there are many other factors to consider). I have no doubts FD will eventually go away, possibly even this year, but I don't think it'll be due to the people who book early since these decisions are typically made well before even the early bookers start making their ressies.

I'm not attempting to force people to my side, just trying to show there are definitely more factors to consider regarding a promo offer than just the early bookers...since the early bookers have always been around.

My 2cents...when I first joined this board I mentioned something about booking in hopes of a "deal" coming out. I was immediately pounded with TONS of people telling me not to do that & why. It was almost taboo here! However, I've noticed that it is commonly accepted on the board now. I'd say there has been an increased tolerance on this board for pre-booking & it seems like it does occur more often. I can't speak for the GP but here? Definitely.

 

[Dr. M]

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.

 

[tiger4me2]

The bigger concern is that it guarantees them nothing. And mistakenly many believe the opposite.

How true ! I booked early not for FD but when I want to go & time frame. Offers or no offers I want to make sure I get the resort I want when I want it. We booked a BB last Sept for this coming Sept for FD but when we were there this past December the BB was 40% of room so we changed it as it was a better deal