Free Dining - Will Disney Ever do away with it?

[dvcdisney]

I just came back from a two week vacation from Disney. The first week was rainy every day (Tropical Storm). Not the best thing to have during a vacation, but that's the weather during this time of the year. But we had a far better time this week than the next. Week 2 begins the Free Dining. We have yet to go during free dining, so this is our first time. I made these reservations 11 mths prior so I really wasn't aware of the free dining dates. Needless to say, I didn't think much of it. Boy, was I surprised. It was like stepping into another dimension. As soon as this week began, we had encounter many many rude, inconsiderate guests AS WELL AS some CM's.???

I do believe it has to do with crowd issues, but I thought that Disney was only offering it during slow seasons. (I thought the slow season started after Labour Day?) Anyways, it was horrible. I could accept the long wait times because it's busier than when we usually go, but the attitude and behaviour of the guest AND some CM's were just appalling. I just couldn't believe the way people behaved. I had even had a CM's say to me, "Wow, some people have some nerve!" after a family was VERY rude to me. I just stood there stunned.

I told my husband that as long as Disney continues to offer free Dining during our vacation, we will definitely take the time to go to Universal or some other park for those days. It was just surreal. I have seen very rude behaviour at Disney (mostly at Disney), but this time it was too overwhelming. I've never seen so many inconsiderate, selfish, self absorbed people at Disney before. We were just not prepared.

I do have decided to be extra deligent in my reservation plans. I have to make sure that at least the last week of our vacation can be easily cancelled so that when I find out when free Dining is, I can book a Universal Resort at that time. This may be the beginning of our split vacations. Wow, I can't believe that I'll be booking Universal because of Disney.

Anyways, thanks for letting me vent. And please understand that I don't think everyone who is there or who participates in free Dining is rude. I'm sure many are very nice and considerate people, I wish I met some of them, though. And yes, it is possible that our experience has nothing to do with free Dining, and it is just the last week of August that many rude people decide to congregate, I don't know, I just thought I'd share my experience.

Thanks.

 

[Chuck S]

Too bad, September used to be a very nice time of year to go to Disney. I'm sure they'll discontinue free dining at some point in the future. Rumor mill has it next year they will off only Counter Service meal plan free to value and possibly moderate resorts next year. If true, that should help cut down on some of the crowds, or at least make for some more relaxing and pleasant table service venues.

 

[spiceycat]

disney only offered free dinning in the first place because of the hurricanes.

got 3 hurricanes in 2 years - so free dinning to get people to come back in last weeks of August and all of Sept.

until Disney goes without a hurricane being near it for at least 5 years - would say free dinning is here to stay.

5 years - most people forget around then.

definitely sounds like Hana might get near disney. it just has to be closed for the count down to start again.

 

[Muushka]

Well there may be an upside to all of this. You may enjoy yourself at USF/IOA. I am renewing my AP for these parks (US/IOA) and am very excited about going again. It has been several years (since the DVC AP discount, started getting those again), but with this past rate hike on the WDW AP, I just go to USF.

We have gone during free dining for the past 2 years. If I didn't get the free dining, I probably would not appreciate the added irritation either.

 

[DisFlan]

I don't think they'll do away with FD any time soon, but I do think they'll keep chipping away at it with increased limitations. It may not end up being an attractive enough draw to induce people to pay rack rate for a room during a period of uncertain weather.

We used to love WDW during September and October. The cooling temps and lower crowds made it the perfect time to go. We were there last year at the end of September, and we're going this month because of scheduling - but it won't happen again. And it's a certainty that we'll be spending more time at Universal when HP is finished.

DisFlan

 

[jana]

I think you'll continue to see the slow erosion of a) the length of time it is available and b) what the dining plan is worth (it was previously a MUCH better value than it currently is) and the proposed plans for a just counter service option next year are a continuation of that.

I think most of the "bad tempers" are due to people not being able to get their families feed in a timely manner both those on the dining plan and those who are not. I have the feeling those "in the know" make multiple dining reservations a long time out and decide on which one they will use on the day, leaving those that didn't know they need to plan or didn't plan early enough to scramble around trying to find somewhere to eat at the last minute. This isn't too much of a problem if you're in a park as you can walk up to the podium and ask about the delays, however it hurts for those thinking of going to a resort because if you call through 30-45 minutes ahead (to allow for transportation times) you'll be told the restaurant is fully booked, however it seems if you were to arrive at the hotel many of the resort restaurants have a lot of unoccupied tables

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I just returned from spending 11 days @ WDW with 8 of them during free DDP. I guess I was lucky because we didn't encounter any rude guests or CMs. Crowds were manageable but we did have to utilize fast passes at all the parks. And with the exception of one night @ DTD, bus service was great for us. As a matter of fact, I booked the bounceback offer for the same time next year.

 

[spiceycat]

thinks also it is coming from some place else (up North) and not being prepared to deal with the heat and humdity (especially humdity) that Orlando is in the late summer.

so people just don't understand and definitely don't drink enough water.

hey I get mean when tired, hot and no getting away from the humdity.

instead of taking a break - like most DVC members - these people kept going because in their minds they are losing money if they don't.

makes you really short temper (okay even me at times - and I live with it in Alabama)

 

[Muushka]

thinks also it is coming from some place else (up North) and not being prepared to deal with the heat and humdity (especially humdity) that Orlando is in the late summer.

so people just don't understand and definitely don't drink enough water.

hey I get mean when tired, hot and no getting away from the humdity.

instead of taking a break - like most DVC members - these people kept going because in their minds they are losing money if they don't.

makes you really short temper (okay even me at times - and I live with it in Alabama)

You are so right Spicey. 2 years ago I did free dining with my sister and cousin. They thought I was nuts when I would say 'see ya' at around 1 and 'where can we meet' at around 6. They are not DVC'ers. But they didn't get grumpy! If I had stayed, I would have!

 

[dvcdisney]

Well there may be an upside to all of this. You may enjoy yourself at USF/IOA. I am renewing my AP for these parks (US/IOA) and am very excited about going again. It has been several years (since the DVC AP discount, started getting those again), but with this past rate hike on the WDW AP, I just go to USF.

We have gone during free dining for the past 2 years. If I didn't get the free dining, I probably would not appreciate the added irritation either.

We haven't been back to Universal in a long time. I guess Disney was doing a great job at keeping us onsite. But during the free dining, I will make the extra effort to be out of Disney. It just isn't worth it.

And because of this, we will probably not renew our APs. Sadly, this will be the first time we may not be renewing.

This does give us a chance to see Universal. Not that Disney would miss us at this time anyways.

 

[dvcdisney]

thinks also it is coming from some place else (up North) and not being prepared to deal with the heat and humdity (especially humdity) that Orlando is in the late summer.

so people just don't understand and definitely don't drink enough water.

hey I get mean when tired, hot and no getting away from the humdity.

instead of taking a break - like most DVC members - these people kept going because in their minds they are losing money if they don't.

makes you really short temper (okay even me at times - and I live with it in Alabama)

Sadly, I think that a lot of the guests were not just reacting to the heat. I think some are generally that rude. I too do not like the heat. I did however try to not take it out on everyone else. It certainly isn't their fault that it's hot and humid. We spent a lot of time at the pool to cool down or at the shops.

 

[dvcdisney]

And I agree with all those who mentioned that the free dining is slowly losing it's appeal since they may be downgrading the plan to counter service only. So hopefully this will lessen the crowds a little.

 

[Jeremy&Susan]

So if I am reading your post correctly, you seem to feel that the people both working at Disney and attending Disney were rude and during times of free dining you are instead going to go to Universal.

Did I miss anything?

Sorry for the dig but wow this board has a strong negative tone quite often and the negative posts seem to go on and on.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Our September stays have not been long ones,(however, this one is for 8 nights), but we've had great September visits in spite of the free dining, and hope this contines when we head there in 9 days!!!

I'm sorry that you had the experiences that you did!

Bobbi

 

[kid-at-heart]

Until the "free dining" promotion began Fall was our favorite time to visit Disney. Now however...we had the same experience as you last Sept and as a result we will never schedule another vacation with Disney during "free dining". I agree, not everyone was rude but enough folks were that it affected our enjoyment.

I am curious though, I know Disney is offering free dining to attract folks during slow season but could not they do the same with offering 40% off resort coupons or something?

 

[TDC Nala]

I doubt they will do away with it anytime soon. Brings in too many visitors during hurricane season.

Rumor mill has it next year they will off only Counter Service meal plan free to value and possibly moderate resorts next year. If true, that should help cut down on some of the crowds, or at least make for some more relaxing and pleasant table service venues.

I'm not counting on this. The bounceback offer is in effect now for summer 2009, and it includes the regular dining plan (the 1 TS, 1 CS, 1 snack) for all resorts. I am guessing all US offers will include the basic plan. The British offer was different - values weren't included and you had to book a deluxe to get the basic. Moderate stays got the counter service plan.

 

[spiceycat]

I am curious though, I know Disney is offering free dining to attract folks during slow season but could not they do the same with offering 40% off resort coupons or something?

Well people generally react more favorable to something 'free' than a discount.

for a while there - DVC members and a few locals were it in Sept. WDW had to do something.

 

[kid-at-heart]

Well people generally react more favorable to something 'free' than a discount.

for a while there - DVC members and a few locals were it in Sept. WDW had to do something.

True, "free" does sound better, hmmm, maybe they could do a "pay for three nights and get the fourth free" or something. Being a psychologist though, I know that food is a primary reinforcer where saving money is a secondary reinforcer. Oh well, Nov and May are also nice times to go to Florida.

 

[TDC Nala]

True, "free" does sound better, hmmm, maybe they could do a "pay for three nights and get the fourth free" or something. Being a psychologist though, I know that food is a primary reinforcer where saving money is a secondary reinforcer. Oh well, Nov and May are also nice times to go to Florida.

They've done all this before. I've been down every Labor Day weekend since 2000 and I have observed that nothing packs 'em in like free dining. On the boards you can read that people are taking their kids out of school for a week at the beginning of term so they can do free dining - that generally didn't happen before. They're willing to pay rack rate for rooms in highly discounted value season, and many are willing to buy park tickets they don't even need, just to get free dining. The anticipation for free dining makes the restaurant boards very busy.

 

[Muushka]

We haven't been back to Universal in a long time. I guess Disney was doing a great job at keeping us onsite. But during the free dining, I will make the extra effort to be out of Disney. It just isn't worth it.

And because of this, we will probably not renew our APs. Sadly, this will be the first time we may not be renewing.

This does give us a chance to see Universal. Not that Disney would miss us at this time anyways.

Good attitude!

My tip? They sell AP's called Power Passes. There are limited black out dates and cost $114 for almost all of the 12 months (I would not go during black out dates anyway-too crowded). Can't beat it. And great coasters. WooHoo!!