Help me get over "Free Dining" envy

[Melani]

I can't help but feel a little jealous when I see posts bragging anout their Freed Dining deals.

Even though the reason we bought DVC was because of Free Dining.
After w week in a tiny Value room during hurrican season we knew we loved WDW, but never wanted to do it like that again.

I crunched #'s & found that if we bought the bare min resale we could swing the same trip at the time of year we chose at better resorts for the same money (if we stretch our APs out)

Still I can't believe I'm lustung over Free Dining.

Some one reassure me,.

 

[wildernessDad]

Psst. It's not really free. It comes with the price of the booking.

 

[disneynutz]

This might help. VWL Studio, 5 nights, $1976.13, includes "free" dining and a 1 day admission.

 

[Chuck S]

You can still get "free" dining, only you'll be paying about $250+ per night for a studio.

I rather pay less than half of that by using my points.

 

[culli]

For our family you can keep free dining it is a pain in the **** with kids. One of the reasons we bought DVC was to eat in, not just to save money but because it is easier then bringing the kids along. Plus I can eat healthier and not be tempted by all the "bad" stuff that tastes so good Now for an adult only trip I might consider the free dining and paying whatever CRO rates are for it.

But like someone else said it really isn't free they are just finding creative ways to discount prices during the low season. Trust me Disney isn't giving away anything for free that they are not getting reimb for somewhere else...they are a FOR PROFIT organization. Does this help

 

[IggyLans]

I had the same "envy", until I sat down this morning and did some calculations. I figured we're saving about $1400 doing 8 night DVC trip in November and paying for DDP, over booking SSR with cash in Sept with FD.
Free dining sounds nice, but really, it's not so free. Plus, you're tied to the dates FD is offered.
So I'll keep my DVC, they can have their "free dining".

 

[islandtimect]

We're going with my brother's family during FD. We would have paid $1721 for 2 adults, 1 child at WL, with 1 day base tix for 5 nights. Instead we get a studio villa for nothing and use the park passes w/ hopper, water parks and no exp that was bought with undercover tourist last yr. So now we have lots of money to spend on dining!! FD is only good if you stay value or maybe moderate.

 

[MickeyCrazed]

Plus, free dining really isn't free... you still have to leave a tip!

 

[mybabesuz]

lets compare...

Price for AKV Kidani... Savanna View Studio...2 Adults 2 Children...7 day MYW base passes...DDP added...

Current 4/7 deal with DDP added... $3601.68

Free Dining... $3668.90 cost more than 4/7 deal!

DVC...101 points for a week in September...
renting points @ $11 pt. $1111.00
DDP for 2 Adults and 2 Children 7 days...$713.72
Park tickets...base MYW 7 day... $837.80
Grand DVC Total... $2662.52

You can save over $1000 even just renting from DVC !

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

In 2006 we stayed at AKL and paid for the dining plan.
In 2007 we stayed at WL and had "free" dining. The package price was $500 less for 2 adults, 1 child. That was when appetizer and tip were included.

Last year we had the Deluxe Dining plan (NOT free) and had to tip OOP for our TS meals. We usually had a buffet breakfast and a signature dinner. We were shelling out about $60 a day in tips. We would have been WAAAYYY ahead to use the DDE card and pay OOP for everything.

With "free" dining this year you pay rack rate for your room, have to buy park passes (which you can upgrade later but they are still full price tickets) and you have to tip on top of the TS bill. And pay OOP for any appetizers. Free dining is not a fabulous bargain. It's a marketing hook.

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

Free Dining doesn't excite me at all. I'm 6'3" and about 270lbs, with an appettite to match. The free food doesn't match how I prefer to eat: Breakfast, a small lunch and an appetizer and entree for dessert. All the sugar-free chocolate cake in the world doesn't excite me during lunch hours.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Okay, I don't mean to poke any of the free diners in the eye, but let's make ourselves feel a little better about the fact that we can't take advantage of this perk when using our points...

1. If you're not on the DDP, you'll miss out on all these...

• Having to ask the waiter if you're allowed to order something;
• Having to eat when you're not hungry, just to get in all the meals;
• Paying full price for portions of your meal that aren't covered (appetizers, cocktails, etc.);
• Eating that awful desserts that come with the plan at counter service locations;
• Skipping certain restaurants you enjoy or want to try because they're not on the plan;
• Sticking rigidly to a dining schedule you had to plan 90 days in advance, because you're traveling at a time when last-minute ADRs are nearly impossible to get at the nicer restaurants; and
• Expecting your kids to eat the same things meal after meal after meal, since they must order off the kid's menu which doesn't vary much from restaurant to restaurant.

2. Think about all the things the free diners are paying for that you aren't...

• Full price park tickets -- you get a $100 discount on your annual pass;
• Rack rate room charges -- DVC costs over the course of your ownership will save you significantly;
• Laundry costs or extra luggage fees to the airlines -- with a washer and dryer (or free laundry room) you're not feeding quarters in laundry machines, and because you can wash clothes, you don't need to bring as much with you, so you're not paying fees to carry as much luggage on your flight; and
• Valet parking fees, if parking at a DVC resort.

3. If you're in a one-bedroom or larger, you'll also have...

• A kitchen where you can cook quick, economical meals or heat up left-overs from the restaurants you've tried;
• A jacuzzi tub to relax in after a long day in the parks; and
• Your own private bedroom.

4. And then there's...

• DVC discounts at certain restaurants;
• You mention having an AP, so get yourself a TIW card and still achieve some significant savings on dining, including on any cocktails you order; and
• The knowledge that you're guaranteed to be back year after year, whether they offer free dining again or not.

 

[kimberh]

After reading all the above posts and completely agreeing...I want to add one more thing! We have the Disney Visa which gives us the Rewards card. I always get Free Dining! I have not paid for food at Disney in 4 years... no matter what time of the year I go. Even when I take 9 people. We have a big trip this Oct planned. I know some don't think the Disney Visa is a good card for Rewards, but It is better than nothing. I also have a Chase Visa that gives me Cash back. I can get a check to use for whatever I want. There are ways to eat Free at Disney or on any vacation. We ate Free at Grand Cayman last year.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

I was having buy 4 get 3 free envy, since it not only included the room, but also park passes.

Well, that ended quickly when I went out and got a quote for the room for this summer. Ummmmm...I quickly booked my vacation with my points, and felt better than ever!!!

Seriously, go price a room with the free dining! You will be feeling better in no time!!!

 

[redrosesix]

I'm so happy you started this thread -- I thought I was the only one who had FD envy...

...even though I almost never eat desserts (and if I do, it's not something from a CS menu) and I don't drink pop -- I'm far more likely to order a beer with my meal, not covered by the DDP. And my DD, who will be 10 next year, can't even finish a kids' meal yet. It would be such a waste of food

And I hate being tied down to ADR's -- I'm one of those guests you hear about who cancel them a couple of days before when we change our plans,
so other people can get them.

 

[alice99]

I was feeling the same way, and was curious about the comparisons.

I'm glad you guys did the math to spell it out for me. I was not that motivated.

I feel better now.

 

[edk35]

I was having buy 4 get 3 free envy, since it not only included the room, but also park passes.

Well, that ended quickly when I went out and got a quote for the room for this summer. Ummmmm...I quickly booked my vacation with my points, and felt better than ever!!!

Seriously, go price a room with the free dining! You will be feeling better in no time!!!

I had that envy too for our past Jan. trip. I had booked a moderate for that trip and the more I kept thinking about it...the more it bugged it to be paying cash when we had points. SO we have to be strong when these tempting deals come our way. Now if it is some really great deal......and you want to bank your points for say a cruise the next year and you need your Disney fix...I could see why some would do that.

 

[edk35]

Okay, I don't mean to poke any of the free diners in the eye, but let's make ourselves feel a little better about the fact that we can't take advantage of this perk when using our points...

1. If you're not on the DDP, you'll miss out on all these...

• Having to ask the waiter if you're allowed to order something;
• Having to eat when you're not hungry, just to get in all the meals;
• Paying full price for portions of your meal that aren't covered (appetizers, cocktails, etc.);
• Eating that awful desserts that come with the plan at counter service locations;
• Skipping certain restaurants you enjoy or want to try because they're not on the plan; and
• Sticking rigidly to a dining schedule you had to plan 90 days in advance, because you're traveling at a time when last-minute ADRs are nearly impossible to get at the nicer restaurants.

2. Think about all the things the free diners are paying for that you aren't...

• Full price park tickets -- you get a $100 discount on your annual pass;
• Rack rate room charges -- DVC costs over the course of your ownership will save you significantly;
• Laundry costs or extra luggage fees to the airlines -- with a washer and dryer (or free laundry room) you're not feeding quarters in laundry machines, and because you can wash clothes, you don't need to bring as much with you, so you're not paying fees to carry as much luggage on your flight; and
• Valet parking fees, if parking at a DVC resort.

3. If you're in a one-bedroom or larger, you'll also have...

• A kitchen where you can cook quick, economical meals or heat up left-overs from the restaurants you've tried;
• A jacuzzi tub to relax in after a long day in the parks; and
• Your own private bedroom.

4. And then there's...

• DVC discounts at certain restaurants;
• You mention having an AP, so get yourself a TIW card and still achieve some significant savings on dining, including on any cocktails you order; and
• The knowledge that you're guaranteed to be back year after year, whether they offer free dining again or not.

See that is what always makes me NOT book the dining plan. I am tempted almost every trip to try it especially when we do those split stays and we are at one resort for a few days. BUT what bugs me is that we don't want/need the desserts every single day and twice a day. Plus we sometimes like to get a couple of appetizers and share an entree for a dinner or maybe two of us just want the appetizer for our meal. I just feel a bit limited when it comes down to that plan. NOW if we could choose which days we would want to use the dining plan then I would try it. However that would be a non money maker for Disney. I could see having 2 or 3 days on the dining plan out of 8 day stay. BUT as we all know.....that is not allowed. Sure would be nice to just say " I would like to add 3 days of the DDP to my 8 day DVC stay" then you could use your 3 days any time during your trip. I would sign up in second for that. Call it the "Disney Dining Plan Designed By You"

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Remember, you can use Disney Rewards towards the DDP! We are getting 2 out of 3 days of DDP paid using rewards points for 3 of us on our next trip. Plus, if you cruise, your food is included!!

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Oh, I forgot one... even if there's something on the regular menu they enjoy, kids must order off the kid's menu -- which is essentially the same at every restaurant. Some kids might enjoy eating macaroni & cheese 7 days in a row, many don't.