Free Dining, why do some NOT like it?

[LaurieN]

For my family the dining plan doesn't fit the way we eat, so Free Dining is of no interest to us. The childrens meal choices are so limited, we don't always eat dessert, and a LOT of the places we want to eat at are not on the dining plan. A room only discount would be a much better fit for our family (oh well, maybe we will get lucky and something will come our way).
Just my $.02
Laurie

 

[PrincessTiffany]

For my family the dining plan doesn't fit the way we eat, so Free Dining is of no interest to us. The childrens meal choices are so limited, we don't always eat dessert, and a LOT of the places we want to eat at are not on the dining plan. A room only discount would be a much better fit for our family (oh well, maybe we will get lucky and something will come our way).
Just my $.02
Laurie

For everyone on this thread that has posted that their kids don't like the WDW kid's menus, you do know that for about $100.00 (the cost of ticket upgrade) you can upgrade your child to 10+ and they can order off the Adult Menu during free dining?

 

[EPCOTatNight]

For everyone on this thread that has posted that their kids don't like the WDW kid's menus, you do know that for about $100.00 (the cost of ticket upgrade) you can upgrade your child to 10+ and they can order off the Adult Menu during free dining?

$100? Where does that number come from? A 5 day child ticket is only $20 less than an adult ticket, so to upgrade would only be $20.

 

[janabananas]

I have an AP and I wouldn't be able to get FD, I also have TIW. Room only discounts work for my family. We will have one big meal and snack the rest of the day.

Also, we only stay for 2 nights, maybe 3 at the most, so we couldn't use it anyways. I have never been in WDW during FD so I do not know how it affects the restaurants. I will find out next month when I go.

I am of the mind set that if it saves you money and it works for your family (whatever option you choose), and it's legal () then go for it and have fun!!

 

[Donaldswife]

For everyone on this thread that has posted that their kids don't like the WDW kid's menus, you do know that for about $100.00 (the cost of ticket upgrade) you can upgrade your child to 10+ and they can order off the Adult Menu during free dining?

My reason for not liking free dining has nothing to do with kids menus or ADR's.

I have a family of 3, 2 adults and my DD9. We like to stay deluxe. Each time we have priced out a trip the room only discount has been a better offer for us.

Also, we now have AP's and don't want to purchase unnecessary tickets in order to get the free dining and pay rack rate on the hotel room. A room only discount is better for a lot of families, that is why Disney usually offers more than one "special" when they offer free dining. For some families' circumstances, free dining is just not the best offer.

For the record, my favorite offer was buy 4 get 3 free, now there was deal I would LOVE to see come back. Hey, I can dream right!

 

[PrincessTiffany]

$100? Where does that number come from? A 5 day child ticket is only $20 less than an adult ticket, so to upgrade would only be $20.

I don't know ;-) I was typing fast and responding to a lot of threads. I guess I was thinking $25.00 per kid and I have 4. Who know? lol! But you are right and it's even better!

 

[PrincessTiffany]

My reason for not liking free dining has nothing to do with kids menus or ADR's.

I have a family of 3, 2 adults and my DD9. We like to stay deluxe. Each time we have priced out a trip the room only discount has been a better offer for us.

Also, we now have AP's and don't want to purchase unnecessary tickets in order to get the free dining and pay rack rate on the hotel room. A room only discount is better for a lot of families, that is why Disney usually offers more than one "special" when they offer free dining. For some families' circumstances, free dining is just not the best offer.

For the record, my favorite offer was buy 4 get 3 free, now there was deal I would LOVE to see come back. Hey, I can dream right!

I know about those reasons, that's why I quoted some of those exact things in my first post on this thread

Just giving the heads up to those that may not be aware that they can upgrade their kids for a very minimal amount during free dining.

 

[basketlacey]

We love FD but the dates don't work for us this year. I would have to change my check in by one day to get FD and in doing so, would lose the opportunity to go to the Food & Wine Festival. We are a family of 5 and 2 of my kids are Disney "adults". The FD discount saves us a ton.

Luckily we got a 30% off PIN code this year. I was planning to change to FD when it was released because it would save us even more but it isn't going to happen now. Oh well, since I get 30% of the room rate, I ended up upgrading our room at the discounted rate.

I'd love a 40% off room only rate!

 

[quirty30]

Free dining is a great deal at the value and moderate levels; room discounts are usually a better deal if you stay deluxe. Obviously, you also need to enjoy Disney's restaurants as well. No amount of free food is a good deal if you don't enjoy it (and I completely respect those who feel like free dining was the demise of Disney restaurants. I just don't happen to agree with it. We've had many, many wonderful meals at Disney over the last couple of years.)

I'm a DVC member, but I'm also a single mom. Love the space of the villas, but I don't generally do any real cooking to speak of (if I did, it wouldn't be much of a vacation for me.) We really DO enjoy the Disney restaurants. The TiW card I have is great and gives us the flexibility to order exactly what we want rather than be tied into ordering a specific way. Also, my kids are now 10 and 13 and adults in Disney's eyes. Paying for the dining plan for the 3 of us costs $138 a day.

All that being said, I still booked a Memories package for us over Labor Day weekend. We travel to Disney 3-4 times a year and I haven't done a Photo Book since our first visit over 2 years ago; so I don't mind that it's included in the package (even if I'm paying a little extra.) At CSR, the room only rate, even at rack prices averages out to $169 a night. Subtract out the cost of dining, and it's like paying $31 night for the room. If I had another person with us, it would be a wash. Now it's no 1BR villa, but it will not be unbearable for me and 2 kids for a long weekend. And, since we aren't planning on renewing our AP's after they expire in September, I can easily put the 2 day park passes to good use on our next trip. And the best bonus for me, was that I also booked my flights thru Disney and it was over $100 cheaper than what I've been paying on average for the last few years (on my favorite airline, to boot!). Overall, it was a win/win situation for me and I'm really looking forward to trying out a new resort.

I think many of the people who gripe about free dining fall under one of the following 3 categories:

1) People whose dates conflict with the free dining offer who can't take advantage of it.

2) People who stay deluxe - it's simply not that great of a deal.

3) Certain DVC members. I understand this to an extent. We are so loyal to Disney that we spent enormous amounts of money up front for our lodging and return year after year and spend a lot more money once we get there. I know our rooms are significantly discounted and don't think we deserve free dining but it sure would be nice if we could a discounted price on the dining plan. I'd even be happy with a discount on park tickets other than AP's. At the end of the day, though, I realized that free dining was mine for the taking if I could forego a villa for one trip. So no sour grapes here. I'm even toying with renting out my next planned DVC stay and using the money to book another free dining trip.

 

[KeroKero]

We've never been on free dining (never fits our schedule), but I do believe that if the park has attracted customers for free dining, the quality of the food has to be down since its free!! Only makes sense - why buy quality meats at 2.99lb when you can get discounted meat for .50lb when you're giving it away for free anyway.

 

[havoc315]

We have had free dining the past 2 trips we have gone (the past 2 years) However, this year we are in a black out period (sept 27) and are not able to get free dining. It would have saved us $317 more than the discount we have now, so not the END of the world. Would have been nice to save some more money. Regardless, we are going. But why is it some don't like free dining? Are there any perks between sept 27-Oct 2 when fd starts that we will see around the parks (less of a crowd perhaps?)

It's hard to complain about "free" dining... but the reasons for complaints vary--

For many people, especially smaller or younger families staying at a deluxe resort, "free dining" savings is pretty minor compared to a a good room discount.

Many people subjectively believe the quality of Disney restaurants has gone down hill, and they blame it on free dining. (Since Disney is so often "giving it away," there is supposedly less incentive to gear towards quality.)

Many people get aggravated with the need to book restaurants 180 days in advance, being unable to get a reservation... and they blame free dining.

Finally, many people don't like how the DDP is designed. This really isn't an issue for "free" dining -- For example, I don't like how the DDP assumes eating tons of desserts. But when it's "free"-- I don't have to worry about maximizing value, so it's very easy to skip the desserts. Still, people who don't like how the plan is designed, have another reason to dislike free dining.

 

[Dawson's Mom]

We LOVE FD! However, now that we have 2 under the age of 3, it will not work for us. I can' even imagine now going to a sit down dinner To those who can use it, yeah for you! Here's to hoping for a room discount for this year anyway

 

[Pirate4Ever]

I don't mind the DDP when its free- done it twice and loved it. However, its not offered when we usually like to travel, so its not really something we can look forward to anymore. Paid for the DDP plan once and realized that its not worth it for us because its just too much food. I don't eat dessert after every meal at home- why would I at Disney when its 90+ degrees every day?

 

[monarchsfan16]

I travel solo. I don't eat desserts (or appetizers) with 99% of my meals. I eat only a couple TS meals each trip. I eat WAY cheaper out of pocket than I would with a dining plan. As such, I never get the dining plan. So free dining doesn't really save me money, if I have to pay rack rates for a room and tickets, because it's something I wouldn't be paying for anyway, and I can get better room and ticket deals. For the past couple years I've had an AP and either gotten AP rates or used my parents' DVC points. Before I had the AP, I got discounted tickets through AAA AND utilized regular room-only discounts.

As far as FD in general, it packs the restaurants, and because many people don't know how to use the DDP, it makes even the CS lines longer, as people ask 100s of questions about it. And yes, the dining plan in general has resulted in more standardized food.

 

[Pirate4Ever]

I think another issue is that a few years ago you could get the regular DDP for "free" by staying at a Value resort. Now, you only qualify for the Quick Service plan in a value- you have to stay at a Moderate or Deluxe for the regular plan. People are paying a higher rack rate room price to get the same "deal" that they were getting at a Value resort a few years ago. Combine that with the decline of the DDP itself (no more appetizer for TS meals and 1 snack instead of 2), its not nearly as desirable a promotion as it first appears to be.

 

[carebee21]

I don't know ;-) I was typing fast and responding to a lot of threads. I guess I was thinking $25.00 per kid and I have 4. Who know? lol! But you are right and it's even better!

I didn't realize it was only $25 to upgrade my son to the adult dining plan but I priced it out and it really is only $25. If I call customer service, can they change his age? What would I say? I want to change my sons age or I want to upgrade him to the adult plan???? Do they frown on this?

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

For everyone on this thread that has posted that their kids don't like the WDW kid's menus, you do know that for about $100.00 (the cost of ticket upgrade) you can upgrade your child to 10+ and they can order off the Adult Menu during free dining?

Problme with that is then you become wasteful! Think about how much food would be wasted everyday if 50% of the guest did that. Not very earth friendly.
Children can't/shouldn't be able to eat an entire adult entree. As it is most adult portions are greatly over portioned.

As it is we like dining no matter if it's free or not because it's one less thing to have to think about. But lets not deny the truth that free dining = the downward spiral in quality and variety of food at Disney, especially on the kids menu.

 

[carebee21]

Problme with that is then you become wasteful! Think about how much food would be wasted everyday if 50% of the guest did that. Not very earth friendly.
Children can't/shouldn't be able to eat an entire adult entree. As it is most adult portions are greatly over portioned.

As it is we like dining no matter if it's free or not because it's one less thing to have to think about. But lets not deny the truth that free dining = the downward spiral in quality and variety of food at Disney, especially on the kids menu.

I would upgrade my son not so much to get more food, but to get better quality food. Chicken nuggets, mac and cheese and those mickey head cheese ravioli's get old, especially if you're there for 14 days, like we're going to be. By upgrading him, he can get fish, chicken, steak, etc. Just a better overall variety....

 

[Capt Stitch]

There is no such thing as a "free lunch" with that being said I do like the meal plan once less thing to worry about. Mom being a senior just needs to know it is free, most time the "free dining" plans end up costing me money.

We orginally were going to stay at the Carrbean Beach Resort but half of our party backed out so we decided to stay at Pop Century and pay for the "free meal" dining plan. Mom needs to have a sit down meal for either lunch or dinner. We normally do breakfast in the room, cereal or bagels just enough to get the day started. Desert is a must for most meals. So the plan does work for us.

We were going to stay at Pop Century to upgrade the meal plan to have the sit down meal included there was only a $150 for the moderate resort so I went back to the orignal plan to stay at a moderate resort but now the meal plan is included.


In the nutshell I am have still saving some money so I will spend somewhere else in Disney.

 

[TwoAtDisney]

I'm curious - those saying the "Free DDP" will save them x $. How is that figured? Because it should be compared to:
1. the room only discount* vs the rack rate with "free" DDP, and
2. how the person/group would eat without DDP; usually for most people that is a lot less food which equals lower cost than the "free" DDP.

*room only discount has been offered & extended in the past, is currently offered for certain dates, & assuming will be extended this year.

We are doing "free" DDP for 9 nites this year just because we want to do so, but we know it is not "saving" us money if the room only discount is offered....& if the price is good enough, we may switch for the room only rate.