Is "Free Dining Plan" false advertising?

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

They are wired to decide on price and would otherwise skip what they really want because they think they "should" order something cheaper.

If speaking strictly vacation I'm like this only on particular vacations which to date is all-inclusive for honeymoon and 10th anniversary and the cruise where the cruise line does not have additional charges for alcohol or specialty dining (nor tips). But at Disney there are too many choices of food options and my time is more valuable doing other things so being locked in that like would not work for me and I would rather not worry about having to order a particular item to make it fully worth it because for me or even worry about what restaurants I can go to.

I agree people can be weird about money but I also think it's vacation style and location specific. WDW is just not a destination for me where food is my high priority, I've got way too many other things to do and see on my time there. But an all-inclusive resort or cruise is just a different environment.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I get the "put money on gift cards" strategy, but for me, money is money. Gift card, prepaid debit, credit card, cash, regular debit.

The advantage and what usually is the add on is that for gift cards if you have leftover money it can be used towards merch or other things that can take the gift card. Sure money is money but I would advise people to get the value of the dining plan on a gift card if they are grappling with should they or shouldn't they because in the event they have left over it then become "freebie" money, to be used at Disney or online. There is nothing you can do about lost cost if you actually buy the dining plan out of pocket. It's not going to be apt advice for everyone but for people who are on that line it can end up bringing a balance between flexibility and expectations of cost.

 

[Nancyg56]

The advantage and what usually is the add on is that for gift cards if you have leftover money it can be used towards merch or other things that can take the gift card. Sure money is money but I would advise people to get the value of the dining plan on a gift card if they are grappling with should they or shouldn't they because in the event they have left over it then become "freebie" money, to be used at Disney or online. There is nothing you can do about lost cost if you actually buy the dining plan out of pocket. It's not going to be apt advice for everyone but for people who are on that line it can end up bringing a balance between flexibility and expectations of cost.

I agree with you. We do the math prior to booking dining plans, so far we never lost money. We dont work at it either.

I firmly believe that people need to be honest about how they want to vacation, and then how they actually do vacation. Its personal, so there is no "right" way. My husband will tell me he wants to go "cheap" but what he means is that he wants the best price for where we go, and for him "dump" was the Beach Club and Old Key West. Why you ask? Because neither was located on the monorail line. I got great discounts for both of those resorts, with the BC including club level. I did not book may breakfasts because we had the lounge, so he staged a mutiny. Now I am different. I am content with moderate resorts, could live on coffee alone for breakfast, but like a nice lunch and dinner, adding cocktails with both. If I pay for them upfront, I know I will get what I want and I wont begrudge the money. If i pay as I go, I know I woudl have an internal war with myself. Crazy, yes? welcome to the G household! LOL!

 

[Nancyg56]

If speaking strictly vacation I'm like this only on particular vacations which to date is all-inclusive for honeymoon and 10th anniversary and the cruise where the cruise line does not have additional charges for alcohol or specialty dining (nor tips). But at Disney there are too many choices of food options and my time is more valuable doing other things so being locked in that like would not work for me and I would rather not worry about having to order a particular item to make it fully worth it because for me or even worry about what restaurants I can go to.

I agree people can be weird about money but I also think it's vacation style and location specific. WDW is just not a destination for me where food is my high priority, I've got way too many other things to do and see on my time there. But an all-inclusive resort or cruise is just a different environment.

We travel to Aruba, and are among the minority with regards to food. We book AI at Barcelo. I know that Aruba offers a lot of wonderful dining options, and we do go to a few, but for my family, food is not the priority there. We do not want to plan meals, leave just to eat, or worry about spending. A lot of folks are critical of the AI folks, indicating that you need to be gluttons or alcoholics if that what your choose. As I explained before, my husband wants 3 meals a day. Oatmeal or pop tarts in the room is not going to fly, ad I am NOT cooking to save money. These are some of the cost cutting method that are suggested to save money to go to the expensive dining venues Aruba offers. Nope. Drinks are pricy, even mocktails. Disney we plan meals, dining experiences are part of our WDW fun. Aruba dining is just that for us. Food. we are too busy to plan meals