Free meal plan to offset hurricane fear

[bsusanmb]

When the free meal plan offer came out, my first thought was that there were so many people who had their vacations ruined by last year's hurricane season that Disney anticipated a low occupancy. I know I will never go again during hurricane season. Does anyone agree? I booked my two weeks in December with AP on the Disney web page - don't expect to see free meal plans ever again.

 

[OhioTony]

We drove down and spent the day in the parks the day before IT hit.We were "lucky "in the regard that we did not have airlines to contend with because those were mostly grounded.
The day Jeanne arrived we spent the morning and afternoon in our room--on the TV Disney provided " Pooh and the Blustery Day"
By 5 pm we could go to the food court and swim inthe pool--along with a few extra leaves.
We never saw even a cloud the rest of the week and Disney gave us a ticket to replace the day we had lost in the parks.
We will be returning the last week of Sept this year . If hurricanes are forcasted we can change our arrival/departure date or cancel altogether--we always buy the insurance.

 

[NYRN]

The day Jeanne arrived we spent the morning and afternoon in our room--on the TV Disney provided " Pooh and the Blustery Day"

That is hysterical!

 

[ksc37]

I think you're right about the free meal plan being perfectly coordinated with last year's major hurricanes...

Yes, we went last September, and we arrived 3 days late thanks to Hurricane Frances. It was extremely stressful, hoping we could get there (eventually), and then while we were there, another Hurricane (Ivan??) was threatening. We left the day before he arrived. I will say that it was our best trip... the parks were deserted (so much so that at times we weren't getting off of rides, just riding them 2 or 3 times in a row!).

But, after that, we swore that we would avoid September because of the stress of dodging hurricanes.

Well, guess what... we're going during the last week of September this year (two words: FREE DINING!!).

 

[MagicKingdom05]

I would love to go to WDW in July of 2006 and Nov 2006, but with that being hurricane season, I just don't know.

 

[DiszyDean]

From everything I have heard, they are expecting a pretty turbulent hurricane season and Disney knows this and Disney knows that the educated traveler knows this.

You are correct, the free dining was put into place to entice people to not cancel vacations during the hurricane season. Think of it this way, a lot of people are still going to spend that extra dining money, just not on food..they will buy more trinkets instead and Disney ends up losing nothing on the deal while increasing attendance. Sounds like a winning plan.

 

[SB in KY]

I would not really worry about a November visit being during hurricane season....I think technically the season extends until Dec 1....but I don't remember any major storms making land in November. July is a little iffier, but not much....they have been predicting 05 to be a bad storm season for at least 2 years now....and it looks like those predictions may be right.... good news is I have not heard any such dire predictions for 2006

Mid august through the end of September is peak hurricane season.

 

[MagicKingdom05]

SB in KY,

Thanks for the update.

 

[gigi1313]

We drove down and spent the day in the parks the day before IT hit.We were "lucky "in the regard that we did not have airlines to contend with because those were mostly grounded.
The day Jeanne arrived we spent the morning and afternoon in our room--on the TV Disney provided " Pooh and the Blustery Day"
By 5 pm we could go to the food court and swim inthe pool--along with a few extra leaves.
We never saw even a cloud the rest of the week and Disney gave us a ticket to replace the day we had lost in the parks.
We will be returning the last week of Sept this year . If hurricanes are forcasted we can change our arrival/departure date or cancel altogether--we always buy the insurance.

you had leaves in your pool during the hurricane?! we had DUCKS!! (in the bowling pin pool at pop century!) kids thought disney planned that for their entertainment! we actually 'enjoyed' our hurricane days at the resorts... they went above and beyond to keep us happy safe and having fun (even had mousekeepers teaching a class on how to make towel animals!)... so much so that we're going back for the same week this year... of course the free dining sweetened the deal!

 

[ktink]

We were there last Sept. We had to postpone a week due to Frances and then Ivan was lurking but we went on down. The week we were there was beautiful and we had a wonderful time.

We also booked our upcoming September in January. I'm hoping that it will be smooth sailing.

 

[Disneysnel]

It worked on us:
We were going to cancel after we heard about the hurricanes. We were going to go to San Antonio and do the Riverwalk instead but the (sad) day I was going to call Disney, my daughter (pryncesschrysty on the dis) called to tell me the Dis was buzzing with the free dining news - so I called and got it added to my ressie! I saved almost 1000.00 and it actually made my trip to WDW less expensive than San Antonio!
To DiszyDean:
I think you are 100% correct when you say that Disney won't be out any money because I plan to SPEND that extra 1000.00 while I am there! - lol - wooohooo!
World Showcase - here I come!

 

[HaleyB]

I agree, Disney made this offer to off-set huricane fears. But I will go way out on a limb here and say this; last year was the first time ever WDW closed down due to a huricane, the odds of that happening a second year in a row are very low (knock on wood). If one hits while I am there, all that really means is we spend a day indoors (or two). No biggie, we have no expire tickets anyhow. We drive in so airports are not a concern for us.

The free dining is not exactly free because we gave up a room discount to get it. Still it is a wonderful deal for us, except that I will totally blow my diet. Yes, I bet we will spend more on other things this trip, so Disney will get our money one way or another... I think of it as a win-win deal

 

[bsusanmb]

I made my ressies last year for two weeks to coincide with the Night of Joy because I love Michael W. Smith.
We were so excited because the first weekend we were staying at the AKL for the first time, and my daughter and son-in-law were going with us.
Well, nothing was flying in or out of Orlando or Philadelphia. So we lost our stay at the AKL. It was stressful trying to get to Orlando with all of the rescheduling of flights.
I did get to see Michael W. Smith at the Magic Kingdom in the pouring rain - and I do mean POURING rain. I was drenched. I am sure that Disney lost money on this event.
We did buy a meal plan in March for our trip and I couldn't get all of that food down. I am a big eater, but I got so sick of eating I just gave up!
Loved the big lobster at Narcosse's.
Like I said, I will never go again during hurricane season - too many problems with airlines, and fear of disappointment.
You are right - Disney knows you will spend the money anyway.
As DH says "one way of another, you are going to pay the mouse!"

 

[LongIslandCouple]

This offer is a different variation of what they had traditionally offerred. Last year Disney offerred a buy 5 nights get two free nights during the same time frame. IMO, that was a better incentive to stay @ Disney. I don't see why the free dining offer is being perceived as a lure specifically aimed at those afraid of hurricanes when they have traditionally offerred similar deals.

 

[bsusanmb]

Because Disney never gives anything free - if you have a family of 4 this is a great savings.

 

[Tiffany]

When the free meal plan offer came out, my first thought was that there were so many people who had their vacations ruined by last year's hurricane season that Disney anticipated a low occupancy. I know I will never go again during hurricane season. Does anyone agree? I booked my two weeks in December with AP on the Disney web page - don't expect to see free meal plans ever again.

I agree with you about why Disney did the free dining offer. I believe it was to try and get people to book even though they had weather concerns.

We have been traveling to the "World" during Aug/Sept since 1998. We went last year and we had good timeing as our dates fell between two of the hurricanes. We would travel to WDW during Sept again and depending on avaiable vacation funds we will be going in Sept 2006.

 

[duck_adoo]

"We ain't afraid of no [silly ] hurricane" Can't remember what movie it's from, but I like it

Hopefully this hurricane season will calm down and everyone can have a relaxing time

 

[kizmac]

Because Disney never gives anything free - if you have a family of 4 this is a great savings.

I agree! We're a family of 8......the savings is incredible. We were going in September anyhow and this just made the trip more fantastic! We will be doing character meals and eating at places we could never of dreamed of splurging on. Not to mention, staying on property which we wouldn't of done before the free dining came out. I can't wait!

 

[momxx5]

The Fairy Tale Package and last's yrs "pay for 5 stay for 7" deals were offered for a much longer period of time....from July through November.

This year, with the 50th anniversary celebration, they did not have to offer any packages to get people to come to WDW. The new systems shows that a family of 4 can come to WDW any time of year and stay for under $1,500.

I believe the free dining is in direct response to the low booking for Sept - the strongest month for hurricanes.

That way, in the dreadful event that a hurricane comes....when you get a free "boxed meal" while huddled in your room you really cannot complain - its free dining.

 

[planning06]

Pshaw! I live in hurrican territory. I refuse to not plan anything for 5-6 months out of the year. Most of my vacations consist of traveling along the Gulf Coast, Florida, WDW, or the Caribbean. I figure you have a higher chance of having a vacation ruined because somebody in your group gets sick/hurt/etc. than because of a hurricane.

While I'm sure part of the reason free dining was offered was because some people were worried about booking during peak hurricane season it is all just gravy for me. Even if I wind up spending a day in my resort room because of bad weather.