free dining?

[Cant wait for Disney]

when you go to disney using vacation club points, are you eligible for free dining when that time comes around?

 

[teacher2525]

Unfortunatly not

 

[staceymay00]

No, there is no free dining when staying on DVC points. You have to book a package with tickets (2 days min per person if I recall correctly) and pay rack rate for your resort room in order to get free dining.

 

[LisaS]

Free dining is a special promotion that requires booking a package including a hotel room at full rack rate plus tickets. You would not qualify for the promotion if you are booking a DVC room on points.

 

[adminjedi]

Wait a minute, let me think about that, ahhhhhh, No.

 

[Greysword]

On the upsid, yuo will have a full kitchen in the 1BR or larger!

 

[The B Team]

I wonder if they would ever consider a points per person method of paying for the DDP?

 

[wildernessDad]

Free dining really isn't free.

 

[william1375]

There is no such thing as a free lunch. Disney however seems to do just fine though convincing people that they are getting a "free" lunch.

 

[Portugal1000]

We thought about buying DVC but free dining is what has stopped us for now. In UK for 3 years running they have offered 42% off at Saratoga plus free dining which is a great deal. The annual dues plus the cost of the DDP work out way more expensive than paying for this deal. Therefore absolutely no incentive to buy DVC at the moment. Have booked again for next year, 3 weeks at SSR in August.
I have met alot of unhappy UK DVC owners who understandly are upset about buying into DVC a few years ago and now see these special offers.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I wonder if they would ever consider a points per person method of paying for the DDP?

Points can only be used for lodging. If the lodging included meals, like on the cruise, they can be used for meals.

 

[kima86]

OOPS! I found my answer.

 

[DebbieB]

Free dining really isn't free.

I agree. Just to see, I did a comparison for my 6 night trip in a BWV 1 bedroom at the end of October, 2 adults with AP's. With DVC, I'm using 170 points. If I wanted to add the dining plan, it would be about $500.

The "free dining" plan through CRO would be around $3800 including 2 two day MYW passes.

Using $10/point as a benchmark, with DVC I'm around $2200 incl buying the plan. Vs $3800 with the "free dining" plan.

 

[Pootle]

We thought about buying DVC but free dining is what has stopped us for now. In UK for 3 years running they have offered 42% off at Saratoga plus free dining which is a great deal. The annual dues plus the cost of the DDP work out way more expensive than paying for this deal. Therefore absolutely no incentive to buy DVC at the moment. Have booked again for next year, 3 weeks at SSR in August.
I have met alot of unhappy UK DVC owners who understandly are upset about buying into DVC a few years ago and now see these special offers.

Believe me, I can understand this 'upset' - these boards would be ablaze if DVC were offering the same deals to US citizens - however, as a long-time UK DVC member it doesn't bother me much for a few reasons:

• If there's just 2 of you and you want a one bedroom (we do!), the offer isn't so tempting.
  
• I should absolutely hate to have my entire vacation planned around dining.
  
• I am the type who couldn't resist eating too much (I know it's not compulsory ) - and, despite having APs and a TiW card - we think that Disney dining is often over-rated and over-priced.
  
• We visit more than once a year and have APs; the free dining requires you to purchase park passes.

Note to any American readers - the UK offers are for the whole of August (plus other 'slower' times including my favourite months of October and November up 18th in 2011) - works out at around $160 per night inclusive of the dining plan for a studio at either SSR or OKW. No doubt though, it is an amazing deal for families tied to school holidays who are happy with a studio.

 

[recmouse]

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?

 

[Lynne M]

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?

You're assuming that DVC works like booking a hotel. It doesn't. It's a timeshare.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I wonder if they would ever consider a points per person method of paying for the DDP?

I hope NOT! My points are way too precious to spend on food!

 

[DebbieB]

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?

You are already getting a discount. It's estimated to be 60% off over the lifetime of your contract. Any CRO offer for free dining or buy 4/get 3 free is based on the full price of the room.

Points represent ownership interest, they cannot be discounted. Over a year if every member used all their points at their home resort, it would have to balance out. You start discounting points requirements, you are going to throw that balance off, there will be more members wanting room nights than rooms available.

 

[dianeschlicht]

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?

I have seen this sentiment stated often here on the boards, and I have a really hard time understanding what the logic is in saying we should get a discounted dining plan as a "perk".

Think of a timeshare this way:
You OWN a piece of property at WDW which you use as your vacation "HOME" when you travel there. Just like your primary residence, you pay taxes, and upkeep. Are you saying that just because you have a mortgage on your home, that the mortgage company should give you free groceries or discounted groceries too???? That is basically what your statement is saying. I don't know about you, but I don't know of any mortgage company or even home owner's association that is willing to do that. I wouldn't expect it, and so I don't expect it of my Disney home either.

As for tickets, we get an EXCELLENT discount on tickets. Our DVC annual pass discount far exceeds any other discount available.

 

[Sammie]

We thought about buying DVC but free dining is what has stopped us for now. In UK for 3 years running they have offered 42% off at Saratoga plus free dining which is a great deal. The annual dues plus the cost of the DDP work out way more expensive than paying for this deal. Therefore absolutely no incentive to buy DVC at the moment. Have booked again for next year, 3 weeks at SSR in August.
I have met alot of unhappy UK DVC owners who understandly are upset about buying into DVC a few years ago and now see these special offers.

totally agree which is why I say right now DVC is not the best deal out there for everyone. I would never buy DVC from Disney right now. Too many great deals being offered.

If someone really wants DVC, right now, resale is the way to go.