Free dining

[Sammie]

This bugs me to no end. Free Dining is free. Is it the best bargain; not necessarily. But you don't pay more for your room using Free Dining, you pay rack rate, which actually many people do actually do that. It works out to save some people money, depends on where you stay, where you eat and your group size. You have do the math. But if you booked the same package during non-Free dining dates you most certainly would not get to eat for free.

 

[disneynutz]

Theoretically, if the DDP is $60/night but I typically spend $45/night (on items the DDP covers).
I might be willing to buy the DDP at a discounted $50/night so Disney would get an extra $5-$10/night from me.
I might pay a little more due to the convenience aspect of it.

A discounted DDP is a great thing for Disney in the long run. My first DDP was $25/night (back when it was $30/night in the good days when it included appetizer and gratuity )
But the DDP opened me up to more TS dining, and I now plan to spend more on dining per trip.

Don't forget DDP makes Disney money because people are paying rack rate for their room and not using all of their DDP entitlements and the lower quality and quantity of food that free dining has created.

Bill

 

[ParkHoppers]

Two things:
First do we think the Free DDP will go away in the near future because Disney seems to be filling more rooms year round regardless of the Free dining. Also is it a sign that Disney is thinking of removing the Free dining by making more and more restrictions on the Free dining?

Second would the overall quality of the food in Disney restaurants improve with the Free dining being gone or is it the DDP itself that is the problem in relation to the food quality.
All thoughts,guesses and otherwise welcomed.

 

[Dean]

4- Offering DVC discounts or "perks" is something that once you have, you do not want to be taken away.

Of course one doesn't want to lose something they like but the difference is whether one doesn't want to lose it or is upset about it. The loss of the free valet is a perfect example. It was there, some used it but most didn't. While they did it poorly, no reasonable person can argue that eliminating it was the wrong choice given the realities. Go back and read the thread's on the subject, you'd have thought they doubled the points for some.

In general. Ultimately it's about understanding 2 things, that the perks are things that will change over time and that timeshares themselves evolve, usually not for the better. Everyone should know this going in and those that aren't OK with those risks shouldn't participate.

 

[hakepb]

Two things:
First do we think the Free DDP will go away in the near future because Disney seems to be filling more rooms year round regardless of the Free dining. Also is it a sign that Disney is thinking of removing the Free dining by making more and more restrictions on the Free dining?

Second would the overall quality of the food in Disney restaurants improve with the Free dining being gone or is it the DDP itself that is the problem in relation to the food quality.
All thoughts,guesses and otherwise welcomed.

Disney seems to be happy raising resort and ticket prices enough to make a profit during free dining.

The food quality issue...is the year-round DDP. There is (basically) no incentive for a restaurant to offer a unique option if that costs the restaurant more $ than a burger.

 

[gdrj]

Of course one doesn't want to lose something they like but the difference is whether one doesn't want to lose it or is upset about it. The loss of the free valet is a perfect example. It was there, some used it but most didn't. While they did it poorly, no reasonable person can argue that eliminating it was the wrong choice given the realities. Go back and read the thread's on the subject, you'd have thought they doubled the points for some.

In general. Ultimately it's about understanding 2 things, that the perks are things that will change over time and that timeshares themselves evolve, usually not for the better. Everyone should know this going in and those that aren't OK with those risks shouldn't participate.

Totally agree Dean. It does make you wonder the cost and or savings for Disney or DVC when reducing or eliminating perks. I would think the perks that offer discounts (minor ones) and are reduced or eliminated have minimal impact in any cost savings and could actually reduced use of that event/ shopping or dining experience.

As far as AP discounts, which does have a significant cost. Speaking just for myself without the discounted AP we would not have it. It would most likely reduce the number of total visits which would reduce our Disney spending. We have had an AP for the past few years, since we vacation primarily as just 2 adults now. This allows us to stay in studios which means more travel. This increases TS dining (where when traveling with kids with did more QS) as well as alcohol ! While we still will do some rides, The AP gives us the opportunity to dine in the parks at just enjoy the atmosphere. Any discount we receive definitely generates more revenue for Disney. We also, since having AP's will stay at Disney hotels above and beyond DVC either for a quick weekend, extend a DVC vacation, or stay due to lack of points available. Sometimes when making changes a company looks at a specific cost reductions/savings but lose sight of how it impacts other areas of their business.

 

[disneynutz]

Totally agree Dean. It does make you wonder the cost and or savings for Disney or DVC when reducing or eliminating perks. I would think the perks that offer discounts (minor ones) and are reduced or eliminated have minimal impact in any cost savings and could actually reduced use of that event/ shopping or dining experience.

As far as AP discounts, which does have a significant cost. Speaking just for myself without the discounted AP we would not have it. It would most likely reduce the number of total visits which would reduce our Disney spending. We have had an AP for the past few years, since we vacation primarily as just 2 adults now. This allows us to stay in studios which means more travel. This increases TS dining (where when traveling with kids with did more QS) as well as alcohol ! While we still will do some rides, The AP gives us the opportunity to dine in the parks at just enjoy the atmosphere. Any discount we receive definitely generates more revenue for Disney. We also, since having AP's will stay at Disney hotels above and beyond DVC either for a quick weekend, extend a DVC vacation, or stay due to lack of points available. Sometimes when making changes a company looks at a specific cost reductions/savings but lose sight of how it impacts other areas of their business.

Disney's revenue accounting has a good handle on when and what to offer a "discount" on. Disney's discounts actually cause increased spending not a savings for most people. Most restaurant discounts are offered by non Disney owned restaurants to increase covers during slower periods. Disney is a well oiled numbers machine.

Bill

 

[Dean]

Totally agree Dean. It does make you wonder the cost and or savings for Disney or DVC when reducing or eliminating perks. I would think the perks that offer discounts (minor ones) and are reduced or eliminated have minimal impact in any cost savings and could actually reduced use of that event/ shopping or dining experience.

As far as AP discounts, which does have a significant cost. Speaking just for myself without the discounted AP we would not have it. It would most likely reduce the number of total visits which would reduce our Disney spending. We have had an AP for the past few years, since we vacation primarily as just 2 adults now. This allows us to stay in studios which means more travel. This increases TS dining (where when traveling with kids with did more QS) as well as alcohol ! While we still will do some rides, The AP gives us the opportunity to dine in the parks at just enjoy the atmosphere. Any discount we receive definitely generates more revenue for Disney. We also, since having AP's will stay at Disney hotels above and beyond DVC either for a quick weekend, extend a DVC vacation, or stay due to lack of points available. Sometimes when making changes a company looks at a specific cost reductions/savings but lose sight of how it impacts other areas of their business.

For the most part, perks and discounts don't cost DVC anything, they are negotiated from other Disney entities. The exceptions are things required to run a resort, such as the transportation issues, and occasional sales related issues like the free passes for OKW & VB early on. That was the thing on the valet, it was going from no cost to DVC to full price. With that situation it 100% had to go.

Disney's revenue accounting has a good handle on when and what to offer a "discount" on. Disney's discounts actually cause increased spending not a savings for most people. Most restaurant discounts are offered by non Disney owned restaurants to increase covers during slower periods. Disney is a well oiled numbers machine.

Bill

Certainly Disney's perks are mostly about controlling spending habits.

 

[gdrj]

Disney's revenue accounting has a good handle on when and what to offer a "discount" on. Disney's discounts actually cause increased spending not a savings for most people.
Bill

I have no problem with that. If I can save some money on something and try something I hadn't before that fine, I don't mind spending money if I see a value for me. Just like TIW, I spend more by having the card, but get to enjoy dinners, and wine I probably wouldn't do without the discount.