How can we take advantage of Free dining?

[JMLBrats]

Thank you for responding!

The past 2 years I've gone the week after Labor Day, and have attended the EMH (pm) at Magic Kingdom. It was alot of fun. Yes there are more people, but because it's September, it wasnt crazy. Also, I make sure that I've already been there, so if the lines are long at my favorites, it's no big deal. If you do go to MK at night, make sure you ride Thunder Mountain. It's much more fun at night!

Thanks for the info about your experience at MK during EMH-it would be fun to ride TM at night. But w/3 young kids (6, 5 and 2) we'll probably opt out of the emh nights anyway. Although we were thinking about the Pirate and Princess party.......

 

[TDC Nala]

Book a room/tickets package if you want free dining.

We're not being punished. WDW doesn't have to offer us anything special to entice us to book. We're lucky they allowed us to buy the dining plan (although I don't buy it, it does not work for me).

Don't worry about the parks being crowded in September but PLEASE for your own sanity make sure you have ADRs if you want table service meals.

 

[SnowWhite2]

I am a new DVC owner and got sucked in with the free dining promotion. I now realize what is included in the "free" dining. Thanks for your help. I was expecting the room to be "free" with points and we already have tickets from past trips. We only need airfare and food. The 'free" dining is not in the cards.

I have one other question. The dining plan that you are referring to in the calculations at $78/day - what is that? Does it have to be part of a package?

My kids have been cruise fanatics and we haven't gone to WDW in awhile but would like to schedule a trip in Sept for just DH and I to visit our new DVC purchase!

TIA!!

 

[Chuck S]

I am a new DVC owner and got sucked in with the free dining promotion. I now realize what is included in the "free" dining. Thanks for your help. I was expecting the room to be "free" with points and we already have tickets from past trips. We only need airfare and food. The 'free" dining is not in the cards.

I have one other question. The dining plan that you are referring to in the calculations at $78/day - what is that? Does it have to be part of a package?

My kids have been cruise fanatics and we haven't gone to WDW in awhile but would like to schedule a trip in Sept for just DH and I to visit our new DVC purchase!

TIA!!

Actually, it is $39 per night for each adult and $11 per night for each child, ages 3 to 9. It is the "same" dining plan as the "free" dining plan, 1 snack, 2 counter service and 1 table service meal per night per person for the length of the reservation. It is not tied to a "package" or park tickets, so you can buy your tickets anywhere you wish, and whatever type (MYW/AP) you prefer.

You must link it to your reservaton through Member services prior to check-in at your DVC resort. You pay for it at check-in. It must be for all people in the room for the entire length of the reservation.

 

[HockeyKat]

Sorry, I should have been more specific!

I used $78/day because we are a couple, no kids. Prices are as Chuck said, so $39/each would be $78 total per day, and you can add it to any DVC ressie that is paid using points.

However, it is actually 1 snack credit, 1 counter service(CS) credit, 1 table service(TS) credit, per person per night. The credits begin the day you check in, and expire at midnight on the day you check out, and you can use them in any order. Some restaurants (Cali Grill for example) require 2 TS credits.

Reservations (ADRs) are strongly recommended for TS meals, and can be done up to 180 days before.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

I look at it like this... 5 nights in a studio at OKW would be 40 pts. Assuming a high end rental at $12/pt, that would come to $480 for the room. DVC AP for 2 people is $710. 5x$78 for dining plan is $390. Total cost: $1580.

If you take the actual cost of the points, which is more like $6.50/pt for me having bought DVC 2 months back, total cost: $1360.

OKW studio, 5 night package, w/ 6-day PH pass and free dining: $2097.
Moderate room/std view, 5 night package, 6-day PH, free dining: $1344.

So I basically pay the same amount that I would for a moderate room w/ free dining and a 6 day pass, for an annual pass, dining, and a deluxe room. I think I will take the latter.

You're good... Do you do taxes?

 

[HockeyKat]

You're good... Do you do taxes?

No, but I do write online banking software for a living!

Sadly, someone else does my taxes.

 

[Chuck S]

However, it is actually 1 snack credit, 1 counter service(CS) credit, 1 table service(TS) credit, per person per night. The credits begin the day you check in, and expire at midnight on the day you check out, and you can use them in any order. Some restaurants (Cali Grill for example) require 2 TS credits.

Correct, sorry for the typo in my post

 

[NMW]

You can purchase the DDP as a DVC member, even during free dining. I think a lot of people thought free dining was a one time thing to get people to come to Disney after that bad hurricane season. Well, that was what 3 years ago? They still are offering free dining during that time period. Even before it was announced for the US, those in the UK could get free dining with their trips. I think free dining is a money-maker for Disney plain and simple. I don't know if crowds will be an issue, but I bet making ADR's will be!

I also think the DDP is a money-maker for Disney and not going anywhere, as some predicted. This plan is insanely popular. I know about 10 families that went to Disney this year-all bought the DDP and raved about it. I know 2 families that actually decided NOT to go to Universal for a couple days and rent a car (which is what they normally do) because of the DDP. They claimed there was "no reason" to leave Disney property-they also stayed in Deluxe resorts. So, Disney made quite a bit more $$ on them. Disney promotes the DDP heavily in planning DVD's, their website, and on the phone. I wonder if it would have hurt DVC sales if members were excluded from buying it? Maybe not the ones that plan to cook!

I have to admit that I don't cook on vacation and like dining plans. The DDP is a great deal, I just wish I could pay more for a plan that included 2 table service meals a day instead of one! That would be the perfect plan for our family.

 

[mikeandkarla]

I look at it like this... 5 nights in a studio at OKW would be 40 pts. Assuming a high end rental at $12/pt, that would come to $480 for the room. DVC AP for 2 people is $710. 5x$78 for dining plan is $390. Total cost: $1580.

If you take the actual cost of the points, which is more like $6.50/pt for me having bought DVC 2 months back, total cost: $1360.

OKW studio, 5 night package, w/ 6-day PH pass and free dining: $2097.
Moderate room/std view, 5 night package, 6-day PH, free dining: $1344.

So I basically pay the same amount that I would for a moderate room w/ free dining and a 6 day pass, for an annual pass, dining, and a deluxe room. I think I will take the latter.

sorry, I guess I didnt read the entire message, The bottom paragraph says it all.
How do you calculate that it costs you $6.50 point?

 

[HockeyKat]

I took my buyin cost divided by years in contract divided by number of points per year to come up w/ the base cost, then added the MF per point. So, buyin is 17500/35/210 = 2.3 + 4.8 (my MF for BWV) = $7.10... so I think I was off by $.50 a pt, so you can add $20 to my total.

Yours may differ based on what you bought and when.

Yes, yes, I am a math geek.

 

[mikeandkarla]

instead of 5 night that hockey cat calculated is based on his number cruching methods with my numbers:

OKW off peak = 80 pts
price ppt x 6 (cost of contract/number of years/pointsxMF)
13650/47/150+4.12 (my numbers) @ SSR
--------
cost for room $ 480
AP $ 710
DDP $ 546
total ---------
$ 1736

same vacation above for non DVC member @ OKW w/ free DDP and 8 day ph passes = $2732

same vacation above with moderate resort w/free DDP and 8 day PH passes = $1677

 

[Miz Diz]

We are doing free dining with 3 nights at the AsMo with a 1 day base pass (to be used for a future AP upgrade). Then we'll move to the VWL for 4 nights and pay for the dining plan there. We love the dining plan!

This is only our 2nd DVC stay, I'm really excited!

We are doing the same, moving over to BCV

 

[HockeyKat]

instead of 5 night that hockey cat calculated is based on his number cruching methods with my numbers:

OKW off peak = 80 pts
price ppt x 6 (cost of contract/number of years/pointsxMF)
13650/47/150+4.12 (my numbers) @ SSR
--------
cost for room $ 480
AP $ 710
DDP $ 546
total ---------
$ 1736

same vacation above for non DVC member @ OKW w/ free DDP and 8 day ph passes = $2732

same vacation above with moderate resort w/free DDP and 8 day PH passes = $1677

I'll take the studio upgrade (I assume that is your lodging quote) for $60.

Btw, I am a girl.