I hate to say it , and I hope I'm wrong , but ...

[crazymomof4]

I think that when people give their opinion of what is the best value, RO Discount or FD, they consider their own family dynamic. The truth is that every family has a unique dynamic, and the only folks who can know which discount is the better value are the ones who make the decision for their family. .

You know that. I know that.
But many do not think outside of their own situation.

 

[Robertfam08]

I agree that adding the park hopper requirement takes away from the savings, because we wouldn't get hoppers otherwise. Somehow over the phone last year dh was able to drop that requirement from our trip (apparently there were multiple free dining offers and one didn't require hoppers?) But even with the add on, we would still save WAY more than a room discount!

 

[amg35]

What I learned from our use of the quick service dining plan a couple of years ago is that it is expensive, probably doesn't cost me any less, and I want at least one sit down a day.

I'm definitely adding the regular dining plan with a table service restaurant to our trip next year and it won't make anymore sense this time than it did last time other than it's already paid for and I'm okay with that.

 

[Nancyg56]

You know that. I know that.
But many do not think outside of their own situation.

I know. I don't get that. A lot of people insist the DDP is a waste of money, but wha they mean s that it is a waste of money FOR THEM>

Everyone has their own methods of paying for things, allocating funds fo meals, etc. And we all know what our comfort level is when dining our for an extended period of time. That is why while I knwo which discounts work for us, which DDP's are best for us, I never tell others how to plan. I do suggest that they be honest about thei dining habits, as well as how they will WANT to eat when they get to Disney.

My DH tells me to plan a budget trip, and then he tells me how he wants to travel! LOL!

When he is with us we go Deluxe...Deluxe DDP, Deluxe Resorts. Becasue what he says and what he wants are two different things. LOL!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

It's inevitable that prices are going to be raised. It WILL happen. There will be those who would balk at a resort fee who would cough it up if they just raised the base resort rates. So if you are thinking they shouldn't increase prices, that won't happen. They WILL increase prices. They're only trying to figure out how.

 

[JRennie]

Whenever we were able to go and get the "free dining" pkg. we always found it cost us less than a room only discount . It really boils down to how well you use the dining plan and what resort you stay in .

I guess it also kind of depends on how many people you are paying for food for. Good points!

 

[Misha72683]

Because a 20% room discount on my room would save me about $145 for 7 nights. I know we would for sure eat more than that.

This. A discount on our room ar CBR last year would have saved us roughly $50 a night. I couldn't feed 3 adults, a child and a toddler (not actually covered by free dinining but he shared food with his brother) for that amount. At least not well. Our dinner at Akershus alone was close to $300 and almost $200 of that was covered by the DDP.

 

[tinka-belle]

It's not only the PH requirement that has raised the price of FD. We booked a bounceback last year for our preferred resort of Coronado Springs and noticed it was much higher than what we were currently paying. Did a little digging when we returned and I see that September is no longer a "value season" for the moderate resorts. Value and deluxe resorts still show most of Sept. as value season, but the moderates are at "fall season" and "regular season" rates now according the chart on MouseSavers. For a two week stay the increase for 2016 over 2015 is in the range of approx. $900 for the same room category for two weeks!!! Just a portion of that would be the PH addition, the rest is an increased room rate to cover my "free" meals along with the annual overall room rate increase.

We expect a slight increase every year, but this might just be too much. Seriously considering cancelling the trip or just doing one week. Sad, since we've like our two and three week trips to WDW now that DH has retired, and the low crowds in Sept. are nice. Weather is always an issue, but with the lower seasonal room rates in the past we figure we could miss some park or pool time on a very rainy day. Really don't like paying the same resort price for crappy weather as I would for better weather weeks!

 

[TexasKiwiPrincess]

When I was getting my MBA a few years ago, Disney as a corporation is frequently used as an example of bad corporate governance / horrible board of directors / etc. The case studies were from the early 2000s so perhaps it's gotten better but I am never surprised about poor management decisions there because it's kind of what they are known for.

I'm surprised that such a large, commanding, iconic company is used as an example of what not to do. I would be very interested to hear more about the cases cited, even if the information is 16+ years old.

 

[samsteele]

I checked out the bounceback for the POP last Fall with free quick service dining and was quoted more than $400 US more than what I had just paid for a comparable length stay plus dates restricted to September. When I asked why the big price increase, I was told it was simple inflation. I passed.

 

[IrishNYC]

I would be perfectly fine if this happens! And I wouldn't be surprised. Especially with people booking their rooms in hopes of FD.

I would, too. Our next trip will be during what has been "free dining" but I couldn't care less if we get it or not. It's when we're going, regardless of discounts. The more people book in anticipation of free dining, the less likely Disney is to have free dining, because there's no need to fill those empty rooms. Likewise, Disney doesn't technically allow you to just change the reservation you already have to get the discount. You actually make a new booking.

We want to go but we don't like and don't think all these changes and charges are necessary or fair. We will deal with it as best we can but in the meantime we will continue to denounce them .

It's Disney. It doesn't have to be fair. It's a privilege to go and "deal with it," but no one is forcing you to go.

 

[kandb]

I agree that adding the park hopper requirement takes away from the savings, because we wouldn't get hoppers otherwise. Somehow over the phone last year dh was able to drop that requirement from our trip (apparently there were multiple free dining offers and one didn't require hoppers?) But even with the add on, we would still save WAY more than a room discount!

Perhaps you got the water parks and more tickets? If you got free dining, you had to have park hopper or water parks added to your ticket or else they wouldn't give you the free dining.

 

[mshanson3121]

I have to say that all evidence is pointing in the direction of NO MORE FREE DINING ! And for that matter no more free anything . Disney is in full , all out cash grab mode , make no mistake about it . Yes , I know they'e a business that has stockholders to answer to BUT , enough is enough ....what's next ? Can you imagine them expanding the Wishes Dessert Party and/or the Illuminations Sparkling Dessert Party to the areas currently used for guests with FP+ ? I can . And once the new Star Wars fireworks show starts you can be sure they'll have a dessert party area for that as well . Rivers of Light has already begun accepting reservations for "a $pecial viewing area " for those who purchase the $pecial dinner package . Do you see where this is going ? Premium parking spots coming soon to EP , followed soon after most likely by AK & HS . Oh , I forgot to mention the rumored $15 per night resort fee that is expected to be implemented soon . All the while more and more cuts , reductions , and less amenities are taking place every day it seems . Most of us can and do accept price increases every year but it's gotten ridiculous these last few weeks and I don't see anything but more money grab moves coming . I love going to WDW with my family , and it's never been cheap , but moving forward we will look to cut our spending there wherever and however possible . I hope I'm wrong but this is , for the forseeable future what I feel Disney execs have decided to do to keep the gravy train rolling at record speed . Hope the train doesn't jump the tracks . Hey ' I've got an idea for their next advertising campaign...."Disney Parks , where less costs more !"

I honestly think there's financial trouble going on. Whether it's Shanghai, ESPN, going over budget on Avatarland and other construction... but honestly, there's just nothing else that makes sense for everything that's happening lately.

 

[mshanson3121]

I've got to say captain america that it is darn near impossible to read your posts with all of those jumping creatures. Seriously.

Lol...well sorry to hear that .

They don't bother me in the least But for anyone they do bother, yes, in your control panels you can opt not to see people's siggys (or whatever they're called)

 

[kandb]

A lot of us who have used free dining for many years, remember when it used to include an appetizer, entrée, dessert and drink for a ts meal. It also used to include the TIP.(I think I am remembering correctly). This was the best and the prices to go to Disney were a lot lower. Those were the good ole days!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Robertfam08]

Perhaps you got the water parks and more tickets? If you got free dining, you had to have park hopper or water parks added to your ticket or else they wouldn't give you the free dining.

I just asked dh and he said that the woman on the phone simply said there was another offer available. We didn't have anything extra on our tickets for September 2015. I wasn't aware of this "other offer" myself. But hey, we took it!

 

[Davey Jones II]

I feel like Disney is trying to cover the losses of ESPN through the parks. Ideas like that have never worked out well for business.

Like I said in another thread, they're mugging Peter to pay Paul. That's how they reward us for our loyal patronage, and their CMs for their hard work at low pay.

 

[Davey Jones II]

The price increases, while not something I am particularly happy about, are not a deal breaker. The bit that bothers me is that on top of all these price increases, they are cutting service / entertainment. You are not only paying more, but at the same time, getting less.

I couldn't agree more. Price increases, even ones outpacing inflation, are to be expected when crowds keep slamming the resort. But cutting hours, staff and entertainment while raking in record profits? That's just an insult and a slap in the face, to both guests and your work force.

 

[Golfjbc89]

The no free dining i can live with. the entertainment cuts i hope will come back once the park expands. the resort fee is just crazy to me. i rather have them increase the rack rate of the hotel rather than adding this "invisible" cost.

 

[Lehuaann]

A lot of us who have used free dining for many years, remember when it used to include an appetizer, entrée, dessert and drink for a ts meal. It also used to include the TIP.(I think I am remembering correctly). This was the best and the prices to go to Disney were a lot lower. Those were the good ole days!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, gratuity was included up to 2007 :/