I'm a little bummed about new free dining offer.

[DonnaL]

whitfamily.......I love it.....we're with you.......we dine out maybe once or twice during our visits.......other meals we're at our own cafe also......

 

[pennst8r]

I'm a bit nervous about the dining promotion that will extend to December because we're going to be in Europe when my booking window opens. We do get the dining plan particularly for the Candlelight Processional package, and it would be sad to us to have nothing available when we come home. We are pretty flexible with restaurants.

We return when the 90 day window will be on our last day, out of 4. Do people here think we'll be OK (open to 5 possible restaurants, including Garden Grill, Germany, Chefs de France), or should I ask someone to go online and book for me if I give reservation number etc.?

Bobbi

I would have someone do it for you, just incase. If you'll have internet access, maybe you can use the online ressie system. I couldn't get it to take my conf #, tho.


As far as the crowd level...rats! It's not the free part that bothers me, but like others I pick Oct because it's usually less crowded. I'm hoping that most people won't want to pull their kids out of school, and that if they're going to plan a trip they'll go for Xmas or Thanksgiving breaks.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I would have someone do it for you, just incase. If you'll have internet access, maybe you can use the online ressie system. I couldn't get it to take my conf #, tho.
...

I took this advice...my DSis will call. She even has called me to clarify all of the points of my e-mail to her.
Thank you.
Bobbi

 

[DoOverDreams]

I still love the idea someone else posted on a different thread (don't remember which one). Offer "free" dining for CS only. Then if someone who is booking for the free dining wants to pay to upgrade for a TS dining plan they could. Like the pay-for dining plan now has different levels. Does that make sense?

Of course, I see this as a win-win for folks who aren't doing free dining. Not so much for the free dining folks.

Ah, the good old days when you could walk right up to a TS restaurant and get a table. Sigh.

 

[Kelblum]

I think Disney should do something for us DVCers, whether it be slightly earlier ADRs or even a discount on the meal plan when others get it for free.

Disney should want to keep us happy just because of the referral factor. The happier we are the more likely we will be to tell everyone we know how great DVC is!

 

[CarolMN]

I still love the idea someone else posted on a different thread (don't remember which one). Offer "free" dining for CS only. Then if someone who is booking for the free dining wants to pay to upgrade for a TS dining plan they could. Like the pay-for dining plan now has different levels. Does that make sense?......h.

That is the free dining plan for the value resorts beginning with the promotion that extends into December. QS is free, but you can pay to upgrade. You have to reserve at least a moderate to get the DP free.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I get free dining with my DVC using my Disney Rewards dollars towards the DDP.I just don't see why some are upset.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I get free dining with my DVC using my Disney Rewards dollars towards the DDP.I just don't see why some are upset.

Good idea! We have enough for the dining package in December when we get the dining plan anyway!

Usually I save them to go towards our MFs, but this would be something different, better to enjoy!

Bobbi

 

[kid-at-heart]

It may have a low cost to implement, but may still end up costing Disney in the end. Aside from DVC members, Disney still has to worry about filling 25,000 guest rooms on a nightly basis. With an ADR advantage, DVC members could easily take many of the prime dining slots. We could fully book LeCellier most nights. We could grab most of the prime dining times at popular locations like Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey's.

Imagine paying $400-500 per night for a room at the Grand Floridian, only to go on-line 90 days out and find the only times available at Chef Mickey's are 1:30pm for lunch, and 8pm for dinner.

We could fully book many of the theme park character meals for the prized pre-opening seatings between 8-9am.

I don't mean to belittle your concerns because I'm sure there are many like yourself thinking "I would add more points if ____." But Disney also has to concern themselves with the tens-of-thousands of resort guests who aren't going to pay $500 per night for their room if they are forced to eat dinner at 8pm.

Just some...ahem...food for thought.

I like you. You have a kind way of adding thought to a conversation. I do think allowing early ADR for DVC members would be a way to beef up DVC sales but with the other temporary incentives in place a permanent pert is probably not needed.

Regarding the hassle the free dining promotion has created for folks not staying on that promotion and still trying to eat at Disney - a situation which would be fair for both DVCers and resort guests not on the free dining promotion would be to allow those guests an earlier date for reserving their restaurants. However, I am fairly sure this will not happen and as with most things in life, the free dining promotion will someday be a thing of the past and the challenge of obtaining a reservation will return to normal chaos. Thanks for prompting me to broaden my thoughts on this topic.

 

[Sammie]

Seems like an ADR window could have negative repercussions for Disney, as well. We DVCers may not be a huge percentage of guests in the parks at any given time, but I believe we're over 10% of all guest rooms now. If given a 10-day head start on ADRs, I'm quite certain we could fill LeCellier for dinner most nights. That wouldn't sit well with other guests.

They could hold back a percentage of tables, but then you get into the whole "I called 99 days out and couldn't get a table but someone calling 89 days out got their reservation!!!"

With the new alacarte system they are going to hold tables anyway which is the reason for the plan. To prevent free dining and other discounts from taking up all the tables.

How about a 5 day head start think that would work.

 

[DoOverDreams]

That is the free dining plan for the value resorts beginning with the promotion that extends into December. QS is free, but you can pay to upgrade. You have to reserve at least a moderate to get the DP free.

Duh! I didn't know that. I don't pay attention to the promotions ever since we became DVC members

 

[whitfamily]

Does the Whitfamily Cafe take reservations?

Ha. If you're around for Halloween and staying at AKV just stop on by. Optimistic outlook, appreciation for being a kid your whole life and a nice bottle of red wine to share with fellow DVC-ers is all that is required.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

Ha. If you're around for Halloween and staying at AKV just stop on by. Optimistic outlook, appreciation for being a kid your whole life and a nice bottle of red wine to share with fellow DVC-ers is all that is required.

We actually do that on our big december trips; we have about 2-4 other families that vacation with us, we all have 1 bedrooms or studios, and one night we all make part of a meal, the people who stay in a studio get to bring the booze, and we bring a newly released "grownup" movie and watch it over dinner while the kids watch a kid's movie in the bedroom and the grownups are in the main room. Guys get to clean up.

It's a blast!

I'm mostly bummed about the increased crowds for december, for us. The first week used to be fabulous, I'm soooooo hoping the crowds won't be an issue. I made it through april spring break by constantly muttering to myself "it will be better in december"...

 

[djcandyrocker]

I am bummed too... Only cause its gonna be that much harder to get the ADR's that I want... I am not 90 days out yet, we are the first week of December. I have a month yet before I can do my ressies...
Oh well... guess I have to keep sweatin it! haha