Help me get over "Free Dining" envy

[edk35]

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.

I agree with that too. The kids menu is very limited.

 

[daisyduck123]

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"

OH I would have so much fun planning my ADRs to something like that!!

 

[edk35]

OH I would have so much fun planning my ADRs to something like that!!

I know right. IT would be perfect because you could pick and choose what days you do TS meals. You aren't locked into what you picked 90 days befoer for every day of your trip. If this was to ever happen (which I know would never happen...) I would probably do 3 days out of a 7 night trip on the DDP. Now that our kids are off the kids menu selection.....it give them more choices. I just don't like being locked into that plan for an entire stay. I guess if I am ever going to try it...it would be like a 3 night stay when we do a split stay and have a few days at one resort. I had thought about the AKV portion of our trip but we are only there 2 nights and you guys aren't using the plan for those days.

 

[Tiger926]

I agree with that too. The kids menu is very limited.

Hello again fellow ressie changer - LOL! By the way, did your waitlist issue get cleared up?

Anyway, we always eat 2 TS meals day, so we have done it all in regards to dining: DDE 2x, cash with other discounts and Dining Plans (both regular and deluxe, as well as a combination of both during split stay trips). The kids meals are limited, which is a problem for us as our kids don't eat 'typical' kids' food at all. We don't eat junk food, fast food, drink pop, eat fried foods, etc., so with kids on the Dining Plans, you have to get creative. We sometimes pay an extra $2.00 to order a steak, or, we all share our food together. So, mom and dad might eat a few chicken fingers, and the kids will eat some of our grilled chicken, fish, etc. This is a great way of ensuring that they get the food that they need.

For us though, we have found that the Deluxe Plan is the plan that suits our needs best as we don't really care for CS either. We have just done extensive dining spreadsheets, and the Dining plans beat out the TIW card. We know that many people on here prefer the TIW card, but for us at this stage with 2 young kids and we don't drink alcohol, the plans are better for us. We also don't like how the TIW card has gone up in price, there are restaurant exclusions, blackout dates, subject to holiday surcharges and mandatory 18% tip.
We are contemplating a combination Deluxe & Regular scenario, as well as Deluxe for our whole trip, except for our last 3 nights that we are at AKV Concierge.

We have eaten everywhere, and feel we are experts in this regard, so we have lots of fun making it work for us and the kids. The kids' dining plans are great deals, so we make it work! We only order what we can eat, but love the Deluxe plan because it gives us appetizers such as soup or fruit for our very hungry 20 month old boy!

Happy eating to all, Tiger

 

[CarolMN]

I never understood the big attraction of "free" dining.

Disney only offers it during late August and September. Florida is HOT and HUMID during that time. It amazes me that people can eat that much when it's HOT and HUMID. I can't, even though the restaurants are air conditioned.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I never understood the big attraction of "free" dining.

Disney only offers it during late August and September. Florida is HOT and HUMID during that time. It amazes me that people can eat that much when it's HOT and HUMID. I can't, even though the restaurants are air conditioned.

The free DDP has really changed how we vacation now...I really like the end of Sept., but will avoid it now due to the "free dining" promo. In fact, I think they are dumbing down the menu due to this, so I am also entertaining the deluxe DDP. Looks like I'll try ressies in October when the "promo" is over!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

No matter whether it's the DDP or free dining, personally I just can't eat out for 7 days, moning, noon and night. It all starts to look and taste the same. The restaurants get so crowded and loud, not to mention that its so much food, neither option appeals to us. We make a couple of ADR's and then eat some counter lunches, but that's about it, the rest of the time we cook in the villa.

 

[edk35]

Hello again fellow ressie changer - LOL! By the way, did your waitlist issue get cleared up?

Anyway, we always eat 2 TS meals day, so we have done it all in regards to dining: DDE 2x, cash with other discounts and Dining Plans (both regular and deluxe, as well as a combination of both during split stay trips). The kids meals are limited, which is a problem for us as our kids don't eat 'typical' kids' food at all. We don't eat junk food, fast food, drink pop, eat fried foods, etc., so with kids on the Dining Plans, you have to get creative. We sometimes pay an extra $2.00 to order a steak, or, we all share our food together. So, mom and dad might eat a few chicken fingers, and the kids will eat some of our grilled chicken, fish, etc. This is a great way of ensuring that they get the food that they need.

For us though, we have found that the Deluxe Plan is the plan that suits our needs best as we don't really care for CS either. We have just done extensive dining spreadsheets, and the Dining plans beat out the TIW card. We know that many people on here prefer the TIW card, but for us at this stage with 2 young kids and we don't drink alcohol, the plans are better for us. We also don't like how the TIW card has gone up in price, there are restaurant exclusions, blackout dates, subject to holiday surcharges and mandatory 18% tip.
We are contemplating a combination Deluxe & Regular scenario, as well as Deluxe for our whole trip, except for our last 3 nights that we are at AKV Concierge.

We have eaten everywhere, and feel we are experts in this regard, so we have lots of fun making it work for us and the kids. The kids' dining plans are great deals, so we make it work! We only order what we can eat, but love the Deluxe plan because it gives us appetizers such as soup or fruit for our very hungry 20 month old boy!

Happy eating to all, Tiger

Hi there. Well we are still waitlisted for the savanna view. I think when my dh and start going to WDW without kids (one day) we will try the dining plans and the deluxe one would work too for us. It is just complicated with kids.

 

[tkitty]

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,.

Well, I'll be no help because I'm dealing with my own feelings of loss!
I'll get over it though, since DH and I will be in a 1 bdrm villa instead on a teensy room with two teensy beds! I guess I can foot the bill for the DDP, since I don't plan on cooking on my vacation.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

*The knowledge that you're guaranteed to be back year after year, whether they offer free dining again or not.

This is the clincher for me. I see many people pondering a Disney vacation that will only go if there is free dining. I'm glad I don't have my enjoyment hanging in the balance like that over whether a dining promotion is offered or not. I know we will go back regardless. While the dining plan can be nice, it is really an annoyance to us. We use our TIW card and are relieved to tell all our servers that no, we are not on the plan. Honestly, maybe just my imagination, but the servers seem relieved too.

 

[SonicGuy]

The free DDP has really changed how we vacation now...I really like the end of Sept., but will avoid it now due to the "free dining" promo. In fact, I think they are dumbing down the menu due to this, so I am also entertaining the deluxe DDP. Looks like I'll try ressies in October when the "promo" is over!

This sums up my sentiments exactly. I was at first very upset when they announced FD. Not because I wasn't getting it, but rather because I booked a mid-August trip specifically to avoid FD. When the dates came out and they were starting 16 Aug I just about flipped. In the past we have seen a decrease in server attentitiveness, dumbed down menus, waits long past ADR time, and overall just a LOUSY dining experience. We felt fairly safe booking when we did but Disney surprised us.

Still trying to decide if we are going to cancel or reschedule.

 

[TDC Nala]

To quote Mr. Spock, free dining envy is illogical. You should see some of the prices that people are paying for an FD package at a deluxe resort, because they have to pay deluxe rack rate. For that you can book your DVC deluxe room and buy the dining plan and come out ahead.

Or, if you want, you can book a FD package at a value or moderate using cash and save your points for another trip or a cruise or whatever you want.

 

[twinklebug]

I never understood the big attraction of "free" dining.

Disney only offers it during late August and September. Florida is HOT and HUMID during that time. It amazes me that people can eat that much when it's HOT and HUMID. I can't, even though the restaurants are air conditioned.

ITA
I have no sympathy for all the folk who are sweating & chugging around the parks in 92 degree heat because they had to stuff themselves on the free dining plan. Lots of water, salads, fruit and an occasional mickey bar for us in the summer.

I still don't understand how disney marketing is getting away with calling it Free Dining - nothing is free.

 

[DznyDreamz]

I haven't made it through all 3 pages yet, but I started out with FD envy too. Then I remembered what the restaurants were like during FD and the envy disapated QUICKLY. The restaurants are mobbed and its impossible to get an ADR.

I am hoping the regular FD ends at the same time as the Visa offer ends since we arrive the day after the Visa offer ends.

 

[nocruisecontrol]

We are brand new DVC members having just purchased BLT during Spring Break visit this past week. We also had free dining envy and being so new to DVC, I wasn't at convinced it wasn't a good deal. (I think this thread has convinced me) but the issue is that September is really the best time for us to vacation in the fall and we will be stuck in the middle of the free dining promo. Having the deal with the limited ADRs and crowds and not being able to get it is a little frustrating. I almost decided to bank our points and pay for the room - but I think I hear you all saying that doing that would not be the best plan?

We just did the DDP for this past week and it worked out pretty well - although we booked our trip last minute and didn't get all the ADR's we wanted at places we would have preferred. I keep thinking the the amount of food on the DXDP would just be way too much. I paid OOP for some meals, however, with the DDP. Since September will be our first trip as a DVC member, I have no idea of how to do the park tickets and meals for the best value.

Thanks for this thread - although I'm still confused.

Barbara

 

[Melani]

Well I'm glad I'm not the only weirdo out there.

I even went on WDW & got several quotes to compare resorts w/ & w/o DDP at different times of year.

And your right, it's not really free. (when you consider who really pays rack rates anyway)

Aug/Sept is so hot & humid. When we were there last Labor Day , we just missed 2 hurricanes - 1 before, 1 after. And I mean RAIN!

 

[CarolMN]

We are brand new DVC members having just purchased BLT during Spring Break visit this past week. We also had free dining envy and being so new to DVC, I wasn't at convinced it wasn't a good deal. (I think this thread has convinced me) but the issue is that September is really the best time for us to vacation in the fall and we will be stuck in the middle of the free dining promo. Having the deal with the limited ADRs and crowds and not being able to get it is a little frustrating. I almost decided to bank our points and pay for the room - but I think I hear you all saying that doing that would not be the best plan?

We just did the DDP for this past week and it worked out pretty well - although we booked our trip last minute and didn't get all the ADR's we wanted at places we would have preferred. I keep thinking the the amount of food on the DXDP would just be way too much. I paid OOP for some meals, however, with the DDP. Since September will be our first trip as a DVC member, I have no idea of how to do the park tickets and meals for the best value.

Thanks for this thread - although I'm still confused.

Barbara

Congratulations and welcome home!

If you can go anytime in September (and still want to go at that time), consider getting AP(s) and then you can get the Tables in Wonderland discount card instead of one of the Dining Plans.

If you stagger your trips, you can get two trips out of the AP even though you only go once per calendar year. For example, this year you go September 19 - September 26. Next year you go a week or two earlier (For example, September 11 - September 18).

The TiW costs $75, but it gets you 20% off food and beverage, including alcoholic drinks) in most TS restaurants. You will break even after you spend $375 at participating restaurants.

We do this and use it to eat mostly at the signature restaurants (the ones that take 2 DP credits). We have not had a tough time getting ADRs for those, either. The food is better (IMHO) at the signatures and you can eat (or not) as you choose (get an appetizer instead of dessert or get both). Nice if you wnt to enjoy a glass of wine or after dinner drink, too. We generally come out better health-wise and $$-wise with the TiW. Maybe you will, too.

 

[edk35]

This probably won't help you either. I just read on one of the dining threads that you can upgrade free dining to the Deluxe plan for 32 a day or 10 for a child. Not too bad huh????

 

[lugnut33]

For those of you upset that Disney offered Free Dining during your planned trip, here is a list of restaurants I put together showing which places are not on the Disney Dining Plan. Looks like some of the best places will be in the Swan and Dolphin. Otherwise I highly suggest you look at eating off-site because there are very few places withing WDW that don't accept the DDP, especially in the parks. I believe that is just part of the master plan to make sure you don't leave the Disney bubble.

Full Service Restaurants NOT On Disney Dining Plan

Animal Kingdom
Rainforest Cafe

Disney's Hollywood Studios
None

Epcot
Bistro De Paris

Magic Kingdom
None

Animal Kingdom Lodge
None
(Sanaa at Kidani Village May NOT Be On Plan Until Later This Year)

Yacht And Beach Club
None

Boardwalk
None

Carribean Beach Resort
None

Contemporary Resort
None

Coronado Springs
None

Fort Wilderness
None

Grand Floridian
Victoria And Albert's

Old Key West
None

Polynesian Resort
None

Port Orleans Riverside & French Quarter
None

Saratoga Springs
None

Shades Of Green
Manginos

WDW Dolphin & Swan
All are free from the DDP, Enjoy

Wilderness Lodge
None

Downtown Disney
Bongos
Fultons Crab House
House of Blues
Portabello Yacht Club
Rainforest Cafe
T-Red
Wolfgang Puck Dining Room (do no confuse with Wolfgang Puck Cafe, which is on Dining Plan)

If I have missed one please tell me so I can add it.

 

[jjohnson]

What really got me was the BB offerred last fall. 30% off villas at OKW and SSR + free dining. That's a deal!

It our situation, it would be better for us to go during free dining ($200) per day and rent our points which would cover the room. We always get the DP anyway and can stay at the Polynesian