Interesting Article About Fall Free Dining

[Marionnette]

I first saw this posted in a thread on the Codes & Rates board and then followed it back to a discussion of the Rumors Board. The author bases his assumptions on an older bounceback offer. Long and short of it, the BB offer had two different sets of dates, one for the deluxes and a shorter one for the moderates. Those dates are based on the dates that each resort level changes over from "value season". Deluxes free dining BB goes from 8/18-9/26/13. The moderate resort dates are 8/18-9/13/13, two weeks shorter than the same offer for the deluxe resorts.

Although the author does not mention it, the BB offer did not seem to include value resorts. At least there is no mention of value resorts on the in-room flyer. And as always with Disney, the flyer referred to "select" resorts at each of the other two levels.

Bounce-back Offer Hints at 2013 Free Dining Dates at Walt Disney World&and at Changes in Price Elasticity?

The discussion about price elasticity is also interesting as well as the speculation as to why Disney would end free dining so early in the fall season.

ETA: It appears that the BB offer was from this past fall. However, the difference between the dates for moderates and deluxes is still interesting. Apparently people were able to book BB free dining at value resorts using that offer even though the value resorts are not referenced in the flyer.

 

[brockash]

I first saw this posted in a thread on the Codes & Rates board and then followed it back to a discussion of the Rumors Board. The author bases his assumptions on an older bounceback offer. Long and short of it, the BB offer had two different sets of dates, one for the deluxes and a shorter one for the moderates. Those dates are based on the dates that each resort level changes over from "value season". Deluxes free dining BB goes from 8/18-9/26/13. The moderate resort dates are 8/18-9/13/13, two weeks shorter than the same offer for the deluxe resorts.

Although the author does not mention it, the BB offer did not seem to include value resorts. At least there is no mention of value resorts on the in-room flyer. And as always with Disney, the flyer referred to "select" resorts at each of the other two levels.

Bounce-back Offer Hints at 2013 Free Dining Dates at Walt Disney World&and at Changes in Price Elasticity?

The discussion about price elasticity is also interesting as well as the speculation as to why Disney would end free dining so early in the fall season.

ETA: It appears that the BB offer was from this past fall. However, the difference between the dates for moderates and deluxes is still interesting. Apparently people were able to book BB free dining at value resorts using that offer even though the value resorts are not referenced in the flyer.

I saw that and thought it was interesting as well, although mainly because we did the bounce back while we were at WDW last fall and were able to receive free dining for the Values and the dates were until the end of Sept., so this does seem to be a newer version of that.

 

[black562]

Though the bounceback didn't mention values, many people called and were able to book a value. It seems that they were included, just not mentioned.

 

[pens4821]

i hope they come out with an offer soon. I'm leaning towards staying offsite, but if the free dining is offered that could change my mind. Want to make a decision soon though.

 

[cjnix29]

I also wonder if they take into account the number of people that stay deluxe that opt for the free dining offer over whatever room discount is offered during that time. For my family, if we stay deluxe, it is generally a much better deal to take the 30% off the room or whatever it is at that time, than it is to take the free dining. We are only a family of 3. Deluxe rooms are generally the only category that this could potentially be a better deal, so maybe it is an offer for the deluxe without much substance?

 

[GMU MOM]

Values were included in this BB offer except for the AoA LM rooms.

 

[Marionnette]

My primary point was that the dates for Free Dining was different depending on the resort level; followed by the fact that it ends 2 weeks earlier at moderates and values than it was originally set to end in 2012.

It creates speculation that Disney may have something going on in the last couple of weeks of September 2013. Will that "something" be so BIG, that Disney won't feel the need to offer discounts like Free Dining? Perhaps an extension of F&W? Or maybe an earlier-than-anticipated opening of the 7 Dwarfs Mine Ride?

Or perhaps it's just a matter of having the discounts line up with the "seasons" at each resort level.

My upcoming trip is all set for the last week of Sept. I was hoping that it would sort of be a slower period. Just before F&W is scheduled to start and still during what is considered to be "hurricane season". If Disney is thinking they won't need to offer discounts, then it's because they expect the resorts to be more crowded that usual.

 

[cm8]

My primary point was that the dates for Free Dining was different depending on the resort level; followed by the fact that it ends 2 weeks earlier at moderates and values than it was originally set to end in 2012.

It creates speculation that Disney may have something going on in the last couple of weeks of September 2013. Will that "something" be so BIG, that Disney won't feel the need to offer discounts like Free Dining? Perhaps an extension of F&W? Or maybe an earlier-than-anticipated opening of the 7 Dwarfs Mine Ride?

Or perhaps it's just a matter of having the discounts line up with the "seasons" at each resort level.

My upcoming trip is all set for the last week of Sept. I was hoping that it would sort of be a slower period. Just before F&W is scheduled to start and still during what is considered to be "hurricane season". If Disney is thinking they won't need to offer discounts, then it's because they expect the resorts to be more crowded that usual.

 

[csharpwv]

I never understood why they offered Free Dining at Value resorts to start with - I was glad to see it drop to Quick Service, and will be happy to see it drop off at Value resorts altogether.

The more Disney discounts, the less people value discounts and appreciate discounts.

In my opinion, free dining erodes not only the value of the dining plan, but also the quality of food served.

Nothing in life is truly free, and when something is advertised as FREE... there is an expectation for it to BE free..... all of the time.

From a business standpoint, and especially from a revenue perspective - free dining is an offer that should have been shed by Disney soon after the pits of the recession.

In all reality, a 30% room discount is about the same as free dining - with free dining having fluctuating value depending on the number of people in the room.

At the end of the day, the number of people who would or would not travel to the Walt Disney World resort because of the free dining offer ONLY are guests would would NOT travel to the Walt Disney World Resort if they didn't offer free dining. The theory of discounting is to drive revenue on one side of the coin, and reward loyal customers on the other side of the coin (by providing a better than usual value).

If Disney's objective is to lure in guests who otherwise would not travel to the Walt Disney World Resort, then they exchange loyalty for volume. If their objective is to create a season of better value for loyal guests - then limiting the offer, limiting the resorts, and limiting the number of 'free' dining plans per room would STILL provide a better value than normal.....

But anyway - what their motivation is or isn't is pure speculation....

BUT, when you look at the value of vacationing at the Walt Disney World Resort - it is still a great value for what you pay, no matter what you pay.

Buy a couple Broadway tickets, make a few dining reservations, and plan out a stay in New York City - dollar for dollar, Disney is a better value.

If Disney wasn't to improve, maintain, and build new magic - the cost to the guest has to stay relevant.

If Disney remains static and stops changing, people will stop visiting as frequently.

Our dollars as consumers make change and improvement at Disney possible - AND people forget that Disney isn't a non-profit organization - Disney is a corporation with the fiduciary responsibility to make money....profit....

I would like free magic just as much as the next person.... but I also want to see Disney change and improve.

 

[dramaticmissy]

We will be going in May and yes we got 25% off room rate for our Moderate stay, and we hope to get a good BB offer while there, if free dining is offered for bounce back yes we will be back in September. Just wondering if anyone knows what the bounce back offer will be when we are there in May