Free Dining

[crisi]

First of all PEOPLE that are happy in Values... You say that like it's a dirty word. I agree to some extent and no would I choose to stay in a value first first? No I wouldn't, I guess I and you and other DVCmembers are fortunate to be able to stay at DVC and usually other deluxe properties. It simply makes me Thankful I can go to a higher resort level thats all.

Sorry you interpreted it that way. Its not a dirty word. But if you are happy in values (as opposed to content in values in order to take advantage of free dining, or to squeeze in one more trip, or whatever) you wouldn't buy DVC because it doesn't make any sense. Likewise, if you are happy offsite (as opposed to being "willing to stay offsite for this one trip because we got a great deal), you wouldn't buy DVC because it makes no sense. This isn't me making some sort of value judgement regarding the people who stay at value resorts - its simply why would you pay MORE with a DVC membership to get something you like LESS (or even the same)?

 

[magicmouse2]

This could work for us....so we would get the dining plan for $77 a day ?in value season ?

 

[Figment56]

Don't know price on resort, but we got ours for $860 (minus the $250, included in price, for one day passes)= $610! Like I said, even if we went low budget (paying out of our own pocket), it is still going to be cheaper getting the dining plan!

 

[Melrosgirl]

I just found this thread today and am so glad that there are no rude comments on it. I posted a similar topic back in May or June when free dining was first offered and a well known DISer basically told me off for being upset with free dining not being offered to DVC members. (I was offering to pay for the dining package, too...I didn't want it for free.) Now that I'm within 90 days of my trip, sure enough my fears were confirmed and I've already had problems getting a few reservations for dinner. (Had I not already had my tickets, I would have canceled this trip and postponed it until after the dining promotion.) I can't stand having to get ressies for dinner 90 days in advance. I hate to plan for food, lol.

 

[Figment56]

Melrosgirl, I feel the same way! I hate being in MGM and having ressies at MK, or being at MK and having ressies at Epcot. We never know where we will be and enjoy being able to make ressies at the park we are in. I do not know ahead of time when and where we will be. Even though I have made my ressies already, I am nervous that we will not be able to meet some of them. We will just have to try hard to be in the right parks at the right time. Yes, we are DVC members but we are not wealthy (just your average middle income family) so we still need to watch our pennies, especially when we are looking at college in a few more years for DD!

 

[lopo]

Figment56, I'm with you! I often plan a visit during the last week of August, too, to avoid the crowds, etc. (Also live in MA) I had no intention of traveling to WDW this year; however, when this promo came out, I finagled a bunch of things to make it happen. The one not-so-great thing for me is that I did not want to stay in one of the value resorts so I booked a moderate for a few days. I am not traveling with my school-age teen though; instead I am taking my 20 year-old daughter and new grandchild. So I get to go at the end of September (never been before at that time). I am really looking forward to the trip (especially for the dining! I am having fun planning which restaurants we'll try this time around. Knowing that the cost is covered is liberating, too.

I am sure that I will miss staying in one of the DVC properties this time around though.

 

[joecap98]

This is another example of how Disney seems to forget it loyal vacation club members. I am really upset about the fact that we not only cannot take advantage of the free meal plan, but DVC management has not even thought of throwing us a bone and atleast allow us to purchase a meal plan. I think we should come up with some way of expressing our outrage at this decision. DVC gladly takes my payment, with high interest, every month. Oh well maybe someone out there can figure out something. I really think Disney, of late, is forgetting it's loyal families who have been with them though all the years!

 

[NMW]

I just found this thread today and am so glad that there are no rude comments on it. I posted a similar topic back in May or June when free dining was first offered and a well known DISer basically told me off for being upset with free dining not being offered to DVC members. (I was offering to pay for the dining package, too...I didn't want it for free.) Now that I'm within 90 days of my trip, sure enough my fears were confirmed and I've already had problems getting a few reservations for dinner. (Had I not already had my tickets, I would have canceled this trip and postponed it until after the dining promotion.) I can't stand having to get ressies for dinner 90 days in advance. I hate to plan for food, lol.

That's funny. When I posted that I thought the dining plan was a good deal, some DISers told me that 2 meals and 1 snack was WAY too much food for anyone to eat, not a good deal, etc., and made me feel crazy for wanting it! For the record, I do NOT think it's too much food and I do think it's a good deal for most people.

I have read many posts on the restaurant board about people with out reservations being turned away for dinner at sit down restaurtants, even some of the less popular ones! I think as long as this plan is free or really cheap ($35/$10 per person) it's going to be hard to get or change any ADR's on short notice. EVERY family we know going to Disney (besides our DVC friends) are getting this plan. It seems insanely popular. I wonder if Disney knew it would be as popular as it is.

 

[marathonmommy]

In early June I inquired re the above. A very nice MS person told me to "...always put this type of request in an email...". She indicated that the only way they track this sort of request is in writing.

If you email MS, you'll receive a standard reply: "...currently working with our Technology partners to change the manner in which the plan is sold. Unfortunately, we do not have an estimate as to when this will be available. Please contact Member Services prior to your next visit for updated information."

Since many DVC members cannot cost effectively utilize the AP/DDE; it would be great to have the plan offered, For Purchase - Not Free, as a tie in to MYW tix purchases. A discount would be nice, but just to have the option offered as a ticket purchase would be a start.

I encourage all who are interested to "e-mail" MS with their request. Perhaps if MS gets 'tired of answering that specific question', they'll get on the ball.

I would love to email them. I am a newbie and have a member number but no access to the website (I did not receive a pin yet). Do you have an email address that I can utilize? I encourage EVERYONE with even the slightest interest in ever buying a dining plan to forward your requests! More power to the DVC people!

 

[keishashadow]

I would love to email them. I am a newbie and have a member number but no access to the website (I did not receive a pin yet). Do you have an email address that I can utilize? I encourage EVERYONE with even the slightest interest in ever buying a dining plan to forward your requests! More power to the DVC people!

Hooray, spread the word...email for the MYW dining option.

I called member services and asked for the pin assigned to our member number. Just let them know that you want to access the site for planning purposes & they'll be happy to help. FYI, you can access the website via a link on the general WDW site, of course you need your Pin to register.

 

[tracyl921]

I spoke with my DVC sales guy last week about the dining plan. We just joined and I wanted to know if this was available. He told me they are trying to work something out so that we can purchase the dining plan. Since our first visit "home" is in November I asked if things might be worked out by then. He told me it was possible. So here's to hoping!

 

[brandip22]

hate to burst your bubble tracyl921, but I think they've been saying that for months now. Hopefully, it'll be true by the time you get there. I was told the same thing about my Sept trip, but not yet- oh well! Good luck and let's hope we get it sometime!

 

[TammyAlphabet]

I think that the dining plan is great and I might use it if it is available. But, since I don't often plan very many meals, just a couple usually, it might be hard for me to use without getting ADR's ahead of time. We kinda like to eat when the mood strikes us, not always the best strategy at Disney, but it is my DH's way of vacation and I decided long ago to just go along to keep the peace.

But for my mommy and me trip with my DD, I will plan a few of the character meals for us.

 

[wdwfan1]

We are going with relatives who are not DVC members. They had already booked their trip with free dining and asked if we wanted to go. We took the 1 day pass and will trade it in for APs using the DVC discount. It is a good deal for us and the whole family can stay together. I dont have anywhere near enough points to treat everyone to DVC, so this works out great for us.

 

[twinmomplus2new]

Sorry, I haven't gotten back to this thread, my computer is in limbo. The horror.

Sometimes it is hard to interpret the written word. and a great many times it comes off as elitist.
My point was we all as DVC members are blessed to afford wonderful vacations with our DVC ownership.

And, when my children go 3 times a year and expect that whirlpool... perhaps a little stay at the All stars is just what they need. A trip to Disney for many children is a one time deal and if it is at a value so be it.

I guess I was a little sensetive as I just booked a trip for a family that has never been and probably will never go again. They are estactic about thier trip at the All star Movies, infact. And you can bet their kids wil be appreciative of the gift given.

To everyone enjoying this fabulous deal this summer enjoy!!