Free Dining

[Mary Anne]

I agree, it's just the perk of the moment to bring in those who think they can't afford it. If you can get it to work for you then great, if not, something else will come across that will work just as good if not better.

I always consider I had the best "budget" trip when I:

Do not have to play the when will hotel deals come out that I can afford to go. I just use my DVC points and plan in advance.

Use my DVC points and don't come home with a hotel bill.

Being able to pay for my annual pass at a great DVC discount.

It's my second or third trip with an annual pass that was paid for on a previous trip and I get in the parks free.

Now having the DDE card for 20% off.

DVC gets lots of perks. If I was going now, I would have worked it so I could use the free food (getting a pop room and a dvc studio - that would have saved me points on a one bedroom so I could go an extra trip).

There are all kinds of perks, some you just don't see in black and white.

 

[AmyBeth68]

Good point! The bottom line is that we're staying at a DVC resort and, IMHO, you can't compare them to any other resorts on property. They have the best of the deluxes with the added benefits of larger rooms and more amenities. We're all lucky to have our DVC "homes".

And yes...there are always perks in slow seasons. For some reason this one seems like such a HUGE deal b/c of the word "FREE". LOL!

 

[twinmomplus2new]

Ok I admit I booked this package yesterday. 2 rooms at pop for 5 nights, 3 adults, 3 kids, free dining one day pass per person. total $1247.00/

Now include 6 RT on SWA for $623 and lets face it folks I can not rent a cottage at the shore for that. And I have an AP so entertainment is free, and dining is free.

I will tell you know I just rented 45 points to a friend to offset some of this.

If I wasn't booked with family for October. I would definately sell that reservation and do a package. use my AP and reserve the passes for next trip when these have run out.


So I Guess I am Benedict Arnold. But we will be spending some down time there this summer and forgoing my DVC..

 

[crisi]

Its a great deal if that is how you want to vacation and can take advantage of it.

It isn't a great deal for us:

We don't travel in September - kids are in school (we travel during a break in October, but free dining has ended).

We wouldn't stay in a value resort - by the time we pay rack for a deluxe we aren't saving any money over just using our points and paying for dinner.

One of the things I've decided after being on this board for four years is that there are people who DVC isn't good for. People who are happy offsite, people who are happy in values - you guys know the drill. The one threads like this convince me of is people who want to easily be able to take advantage of any "sales" or "bargains" Disney offers on packages. DVC will never be included in these and that may make a difference for some peole. Another one is people who believe Disney will "pay them back" for the loyalty they've shown by buying DVC. Take any discounts and perks Disney gives you, don't buy expecting there will be more, or the ones we have will always be there.

 

[twinmomplus2new]

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.

I never vacation and eat a character meal with the kids every night. 85% of the time we eat in the Villa. By choice. This time we will be having a totally differant vaation. Yes a value resort but, a big dinner every night no stress about money going out for food.

Will I miss my whirlpool and my washer and dryer? Of course. But that is a differant vacation. and I will do that in October.

I think people are interpreting this as a bash on DVC. I disagree they are simply saying they would like the option to add this. If you can add for 35 per person a day at a resort room. you should at DVC.
DVC reads these boards, daily somtimes. and hopefully they are listening.

 

[Anniegirl]

We originally planned on visiting the Tampa area for the first portion of our vacation (to avoid weekend points)but switched up our plans to stay at Pop Century for the first 3 nights instead (with free dining). We'll check out Sunday morning and check into the VWL for the remained of our stay. I booked the Pop Century portion through AAA and got a nice discount. I went with a one day pass for us and will roll them over into APs when we get there. This was cheaper than staying outside Disney adn paying for food and entertainment by far! A great deal for us and definately the best of both worlds. Hurray! Can't wait til we leave. I've even booked character meals for our little guys (5, 2, 8 months). They'll be thrilled!

 

[Figment56]

Annie, did you get free dining and tickets? We booked through Disney and they told us that you wouldn't get the dining if you got a discount on the room. I went on AAA and it also didn't give you the dining or tickets. Do you have to talk directly to AAA?

 

[Figment56]

Also, when I made ressies at POP, I didn't have a choice about preferred or standard room. When I went online the day after, that choice was available and we were able to switch to that. That saved us over $100 more dollars, so we get the room , 4 one day passes and "free" dining for a total of $860! Do the math 860-250 (for 4 one day passes)=610 for meals for 7 days! That's less than $100 a day for a family of three + 1 guest! Also found out on dining that you can use your meals anyway you want to. Table service can be morning character meals and counter service can be dinner at various places. You can also use table service for lunch also at character lunches or places like Sci-Fi or 50's Prime Time. They are yours to do with as you wish!

 

[DeeDeeDis]

I love being a dvc owner and don't think i would give up my villa for any type of special.

That being said when i read about the free dining i couldn't resist trying to find someone to take advantage of this great deal.
So i called for a quote for a stay at PO-RS for 6 nites, for 5 (one young child=trmble bed), with disney express, upgraded to a 4 day parkhopper plus with the free dinning package arriving 8/21 depart 8/27. got a price of 1700.00. put a hold on this reservation, SW round trip non-stop tickets for 5 = 583.00. Total vacation for family of 5 $2283.00 tax included. I can't drive to Cape Cod for that price.

called my brother, gave him the reservation number and told him he had 24 hours to book this.

We'll be there from 8/13 to 8/25 so we'll be able to spend some time togather.

Only bummer about this special is, the last time they ran a special for this time of year the parks were more crowded than we've ever experienced before, I hope that won't be the case this year.

 

[Anniegirl]

I called AAA directly. We are a family of 5 but 2 of my boys are under 3 years old. So 3 nights stay at Pop Century with a 1 day basic MYW pass for the me, DH and oldest DS with free dining was an amazing $438. AAA didn't even know they had reinstituted the free dining unitl I told them. AS an extra bonus we get that coveted AAA Diamond parking pass for the good parking spots. Yahoo!!!

 

[Figment56]

Thanks for the info! I think we will keep our ressies as they are because I have already changed it once and don't want to mess anything up! They gave us a credit for our room so I will leave it as is! $600 is cheap for a week of eats in Disney! I think even if we went low budget and ate two meals a day in the Villa, it is still cheaper as most dinners would cost between $80 and $100 easily for 4-two adults and two teens (girls) for 7 nights. I would recommend that other DVCers take advantage of the same thing! Even if you have your resort booked, book a cheap room at value resorts and get dining for much less than you would pay out of pocket! I'm still excited I have a full-size rental car for $131! I will cut cost anyway I can! Yes, I know there is Magical Express, but we like to be able to travel more easily than depending on Disney transportation, especially if you have ressies and need to be there by a certain time. It can be a hassle if you make ressies at other resorts and have to transfer at certain places and still try to make them on time! Also, we have had to make emergency visits to medical places and would have had to get a taxi, so we will not be without a rental car anymore!

 

[LIFERBABE]

I called AAA directly. We are a family of 5 but 2 of my boys are under 3 years old. So 3 nights stay at Pop Century with a 1 day basic MYW pass for the me, DH and oldest DS with free dining was an amazing $438. AAA didn't even know they had reinstituted the free dining unitl I told them. AS an extra bonus we get that coveted AAA Diamond parking pass for the good parking spots. Yahoo!!!

For comparison purposes, we also booked POP for 3 nights Sep 8-11th
(No AAA), but we are a family of 4 (2 boys 6 and 8) with base 1day MYW and Free dining for $489 all tax and fees included. So there most likely was not a discount on the room, but the Parking is defitely a huge plus!!

I am a little apprehensive, but we have never stayed at a value, and we will get to do HDDR which would have cost us over $150 even with DDE, so I am willing to give it a go. We will use our remaining TS credit at Le Cellier so we will get to visit some great restaurants and use our 1 day tickets toward a future ticket purchase.

Also Im hoping this will give my DS's a new appreciation for a DVC studio which they turn their noses up at ever since we stayed in a 2 bdr last year at BCV!

 

[kcashner]

I called DVC to see if we could purchase the dining plan. Their response was that right now we cannot, but they are trying to make it available to DVC members..they suggested that I call again closer to our vacation date.

So....if anyone else is interested, give them a call. More requests might mean we get it. Free is lovely, but even $35 a day (adult) $10 a day kids is a really good deal!

 

[marathonmommy]

I called DVC to see if we could purchase the dining plan. Their response was that right now we cannot, but they are trying to make it available to DVC members..they suggested that I call again closer to our vacation date.

So....if anyone else is interested, give them a call. More requests might mean we get it. Free is lovely, but even $35 a day (adult) $10 a day kids is a really good deal!

That is good to know! Thanks for the info! I will call on Monday! Please spread the word, as I am new and don't know the best way to do that! DVC trips will be absolute perfection if we can get that!

 

[DebbieB]

Even though they blame computer system problems, my guess is part of the holdup for DVC members is they would have to charge more for the plan because there is not a room charge to help balance the cost. You are probably going to eat more than $35 worth of food for adults, they have nowhere to make up the difference like they would if you were staying in an inflated price room (which most Disney rooms are).

 

[marathonmommy]

Spoke to someone from DVC today (not the friendliest person I've ever talked to, for sure.) She stated that there is no dining plan and further explained that the dining plan is for people who purchase packages including a room. She added that since I already have a room, I can't get the dining plan. I told her that I had heard that DVC owners were "talking about it" and had heard it might happen. She said she had heard similar things, but if it does ever happen, it probably won't until next year. (Don't know if that means January or a year from now.) As mentioned, she wasn't the "most magical" of help, so I didn't delve much further. Perhaps she is tired of answering that specific question, but I get asked stupid questions at my job every day and I still have to be friendly. Glad to know she is the exception to the Disney rule.

 

[Figment56]

If Disney doesn't give it to DVC members and are still offering free dining options, purchase a value room for the benefit and still keep your DVC place-it still comes out cheaper!

 

[magicmouse2]

If Disney doesn't give it to DVC members and are still offering free dining options, purchase a value room for the benefit and still keep your DVC place-it still comes out cheaper!

- Would this work ? would you still have to check into the room ?

 

[keishashadow]

Spoke to someone from DVC today (not the friendliest person I've ever talked to, for sure.) She stated that there is no dining plan and further explained that the dining plan is for people who purchase packages including a room. She added that since I already have a room, I can't get the dining plan. I told her that I had heard that DVC owners were "talking about it" and had heard it might happen. She said she had heard similar things, but if it does ever happen, it probably won't until next year. (Don't know if that means January or a year from now.) As mentioned, she wasn't the "most magical" of help, so I didn't delve much further. Perhaps she is tired of answering that specific question, but I get asked stupid questions at my job every day and I still have to be friendly. Glad to know she is the exception to the Disney rule.

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.

 

[Figment56]

Yes-check in there first to get your room keys-you did pay for the room! You can use the room as a place to change or use bathrooms, swim, eat, etc. Then go check into your DVC room-it is two seperate places and you also "bought" that room with your points. We are not ripping anyone off as we feel we "paid" for both! For that week, we will have two places to stay!