free dining?

[Sammie]

Just for the sake of discussion, why do some you not consider Free Dining to be free?

Now I will be the first to agree that the Free Dining offer is not always the least expensive way to go, but if one is going to get tickets and pay rack rate, which many people do, then yes you get the dining plan for free.

 

[DebbieB]

Just for the sake of discussion, why do some you not consider Free Dining to be free?

Now I will be the first to agree that the Free Dining offer is not always the least expensive way to go, but if one is going to get tickets and pay rack rate, which many people do, then yes you get the dining plan for free.

Because sometimes getting a room discount is a better deal. Say a room is rack rate for $400. I could get a 40% discount, which would be $160 off. If I have 2 adults, "free dining" is only worth about $90. If you have to pay rack rate for the room (no discounts available), then the dining would be "free" but usually there is some kind of room discount available that you are giving up. On non-DVC stays, I have never paid rack rate for a WDW room.

 

[TiaMaria]

I still feel as a DVC member we should be offered at least discounted dining plan as a perk. There's no discount on tickets. Also - what about when they offer buy three nights get 3 or 4 free etc? If as a DVC member I'm staying that long - shouldn't I get some points deducted off my stay? Anyone have any of the same feelings?

On the contrary - there most certainly IS a discount on tickets. DVC members get approx $100.00 off the price of an annual pass. And we DO get a discount on the Dining Plan - sort of. We do not have to pay the higher prices in place during certain seasons for the Dining Plan like CRO guest have to. We pay the same price all year long.

And 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 years from now, when I'm not paying what CRO guest have to pay for their rooms, I will be sitting on my big, old verandah at AKV and laughing about these old concerns.

I've been a Member since only 2008, and already my membership has paid for itself. I've gone beyond "breaking even" as of my last trip. All future trips are now the icing on the cake.

 

[Sammie]

Because sometimes getting a room discount is a better deal. Say a room is rack rate for $400. I could get a 40% discount, which would be $160 off. If I have 2 adults, "free dining" is only worth about $90. If you have to pay rack rate for the room (no discounts available), then the dining would be "free" but usually there is some kind of room discount available that you are giving up. On non-DVC stays, I have never paid rack rate for a WDW room.

As I stated, Free Dining is not always the cheaper way to go. That put aside, "if" one was going to pay rack rate and purchase tickets which many people do, then the dining is free.

My point is, I totally agree when any one posts that state Free Dining is not always a great deal, or the best deal, etc.

But I do not agree that Free Dining is not free. Under the specifics of that particular plan, it is free. If you have a family of 4 and stay in a value or deluxe it can save a good bit of money.

For deluxes and DVC villas, certainly not.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Since the OP's original question has been answered, this thread has veered off DVC topic. Please visit our Restaurant Board here on the DIS where there is much discussion to participate in on the topic of Free Dining being really free or not. Thanks all.