Free Dining??

[Mommy2Corinne]

Except that you were unable to prove your point. You chose the most expensive moderate room category on a weekend night. Then you admitted that you would buy your kids treats but you would get your coffee Club Level.

I don't get why you wanted to argue about this in the first place if you've never stayed in a value or moderate resort?

My point is valid. PP said that "free dining" is "always" better than a discount. That.Is.Not.True. as shown by my example.

And I did NOT chose the most expensive moderate room category. If I wanted to do that I would have chosen Caribbean Beach Pirate Water View for ($291.38) or any of the Coronado suites for much more than that, or the Cabins at For Wilderness for $347.63.

If we want to use the room I chose (POR River view) on a weekday night then fine. It is $249.75. But that is assuming that people don't ever travel over weekends, which is a very weak assumption indeed.

And the reason I want to argue about it? Well...mainly because I think free dining lowers the dining experience for everyone (no mention of "class differential" at all...you guys are the ones inserting that argument into the debate, not me), and I really wish Disney would offer a different discount in the fall instead.

 

[Disneylover99]

And the reason I want to argue about it? Well...mainly because I think free dining lowers the dining experience for everyone (no mention of "class differential" at all...you guys are the ones inserting that argument into the debate, not me), and I really wish Disney would offer a different discount in the fall instead.

Well I have been to Disney with and without free dining. How exactly do you think it lowers the dining experience for everyone?

 

[mickey2000]

 

[Disneylover99]

You are right.

 

[Mommy2Corinne]

Well I have been to Disney with and without free dining. How exactly do you think it lowers the dining experience for everyone?

Much more crowded restaurants, much less ADR availability, food quality is more poorly executed (due to preceding two statements), much more rushed dining experience (again due to first two statements), and much more overworked/overwhelmed waitstaff (again...see preceding). Have you ever talked to the waitstaff during free dining and asked for their honest opinions on the program? We have. It's enlightening.

 

[Mommy2Corinne]

You are right.

Then why do you keep asking me questions?

 

[Disneylover99]

Much more crowded restaurants, much less ADR availability, food quality is more poorly executed (due to preceding two statements), much more rushed dining experience (again due to first two statements), and much more overworked/overwhelmed waitstaff (again...see preceding). Have you ever talked to the waitstaff during free dining and asked for their honest opinions on the program? We have. It's enlightening.

We have seen crowds and felt rushed with and without free dining promotions going on. As for food quality, we've always had excellent meals.

When we are on the dining plan, at a TS meal we order drinks, expensive entrees and dessert. We tip 20% according to our total food and drink order. The waitstaff make more in tips off of us when we are on the dining plan then off because of our total bill.

 

[Disneylover99]

Then why do you keep asking me questions?

Because I am trying to understand why you hate free dining so much.

 

[Mommy2Corinne]

We have seen crowds and felt rushed with and without free dining promotions going on. As for food quality, we've always had excellent meals.

When we are on the dining plan, at a TS meal we order drinks, expensive entrees and dessert. We tip 20% according to our total food and drink order. The waitstaff make more in tips off of us when we are on the dining plan then off because of our total bill.

ZOMG. Again with the broad generalizations.

Whether we are on the dining plan or not (and admittedly sometimes we have been...I've done the math on CL stays...sometimes it makes more sense for us to use the free dining option over the insignificant CL discount option...but I STILL think it would be better if free dining went away overall) we order drinks (read expensive bottles of wine and/or mixed drinks), appetizers, entrees, and desserts and tip anywhere form 20-30% on the total.

You think the staff makes *more* off of you than me because you are on the dining plan? Hahahahaha.

Again...I ask. Have you ever talked to the waitstaff and asked for their honest opinion on free dining? If not, I urge you to do so.

 

[Mommy2Corinne]

Because I am trying to understand why you hate free dining so much.

See post #67. I am not sure why this is so hard for you to understand.

And no. It does not have anything to do with the fact that I am "selfish" or "snobby." I truly think it would be better for EVERYONE if "free" dining went away and Disney offered different discounts instead. I truly mean that.

 

[mom2cinderella]

Have you ever talked to the waitstaff during free dining and asked for their honest opinions on the program? We have. It's enlightening.

No. I'd rather spend my vacation time chatting with my family.

I would think that people who rely on tips would be happy that Disney is trying to encourage people to eat on site during slower periods, but what do I know. I'm just a mouth breathing hillbilly hoping for free dining.

 

[Disneylover99]

ZOMG. Again with the broad generalizations.

Whether we are on the dining plan or not (and admittedly sometimes we have been...I've done the math on CL stays...sometimes it makes more sense for us to use the free dining option over the insignificant CL discount option...but I STILL think it would be better if free dining went away overall) we order drinks (read expensive bottles of wine and/or mixed drinks), appetizers, entrees, and desserts and tip anywhere form 20-30% on the total.

You think the staff makes *more* off of you than me because you are on the dining plan? Hahahahaha.

Again...I ask. Have you ever talked to the waitstaff and asked for their honest opinion on free dining? If not, I urge you to do so.

Honestly? It's these types of elitist comments that you have made throughout this thread that leads me to believe that you don't like free dining because you feel superior to others.

You don't think it's rude to laugh at me because you order expensive bottles of wine and tip 30% so therefore the waitstaff make more off of you???

My point was that without the dining plan we may just share an entree or two and order an appetizer so the tip would be less.

It may be better for you if free dining went away, but it certainly would not be better for everyone.

 

[Mommy2Corinne]

I would think that people who rely on tips would be happy that Disney is trying to encourage people to eat on site during slower periods, but what do I know. I'm just a mouth breathing hillbilly hoping for free dining.

What is a "mouth breathing hillbilly?" I'm confused. Because I have lots of lovable family members who are "hillbillies" (hello...I'm from Indiana, lol) but I have never heard that term.

OK. Here's the deal. After explaining this thread to my husband, he just told me that I "sound like a snob" and that I should stop arguing. He is a jerk.

Seriously though, I am not a snob. I promise!! I like deals and discounts as much as the next guy. For Pete's sake...I am the gal in Target taking advantage of the Cartwheel, plus Target mobile coupon, plus manufacturer coupons, plus store coupons...holding up everyone else in line so that I can get the best "deal."

But I truly, honestly don't think "free" dining is doing ANYONE any favors.

This is what I am saying (although apparently I am not doing a good job...I blame the mimosas). I simply think that free dining is not a real benefit to anyone. I think that people would be much better served by a good room discount across the board. That way, people have extra money to spend *wherever* they want...not just on dining options. If a family wouldn't normally use "fancy" dining options...what real benefit is "free dining" to them? Wouldn't it be better for that family to dine as they usually do and save that money for souvenirs or simply other things that they would rather buy at home?

All it does is "force" people to dining options that they may not have otherwise chosen and overcrowd and overwhelm TS restaurants.


I'm sorry. I just don't "get" free dining. But I vehemently disagree that that makes me a snob.

 

[tazadd0420]

Love free dining need to keep it and add more weeks if possible. We have used on every trip. It is why we pick the weeks we go.

 

[Disneylover99]

I'm sorry. I just don't "get" free dining. But I vehemently disagree that that makes me a snob.

Not "getting" free dining doesn't make you a snob, but that is certainly how you've come across to me and some others in a few of your posts.

 

[Mommy2Corinne]

Not "getting" free dining doesn't make you a snob, but that is certainly how you've come across to me and some others in a few of your posts.

Well, alrighty then. And you come across to me as someone who is lacking in the "logical skills" area. But to each his own.

 

[Disneylover99]

But I truly, honestly don't think "free" dining is doing ANYONE any favors.

This is what I am saying (although apparently I am not doing a good job...I blame the mimosas). I simply think that free dining is not a real benefit to anyone. I think that people would be much better served by a good room discount across the board. That way, people have extra money to spend *wherever* they want...not just on dining options. If a family wouldn't normally use "fancy" dining options...what real benefit is "free dining" to them? Wouldn't it be better for that family to dine as they usually do and save that money for souvenirs or simply other things that they would rather buy at home?
.

You just don't get it.

Many families who are on a budget will stay at a Value resort and do the quick service option. So what is the best option? A $25 discount on their room or free dining? I seriously hope you don't think a family of four can stretch a $25 a day discount into food for the whole family per day.

Families who opt to stay in a moderate resort will do TS dining plus a CS per day. Maybe they will choose to dine at Sci-Fi diner, The Plaza or 50's Prime Time Cafe......hardly fancy dining options. Just dining at these restaurants will cost about $60 or more for entrees and drinks.

 

[Disneylover99]

Well, alrighty then. And you come across to me as someone who is lacking in the "logical skills" area. But to each his own.

Not so sure about that. Maybe you should go back and reread my posts after your mimosas have worn off.

 

[Mommy2Corinne]

You just don't get it.

Many families who are on a budget will stay at a Value resort and do the quick service option. So what is the best option? A $25 discount on their room or free dining? I seriously hope you don't think a family of four can stretch a $25 a day discount into food for the whole family per day.

Families who opt to stay in a moderate resort will do TS dining plus a CS per day. Maybe they will choose to dine at Sci-Fi diner, The Plaza or 50's Prime Time Cafe......hardly fancy dining options. Just dining at these restaurants will cost about $60 or more for entrees and drinks.

It's not that I don't get it. I do. It's simply that you and I disagree. I think everyone would be better served by a better room discount (if that means offering more than 25% on a value stay so be it) than by "free" dining. It's as simple as that.

 

[Disneylover99]

It's not that I don't get it. I do. It's simply that you and I disagree. I think everyone would be better served by a better room discount (if that means offering more than 25% on a value stay so be it) than by "free" dining. It's as simple as that.

Well maybe that's something we can agree on. Way better room discounts could potentially beat free dining.