Is there a way for DVC members to do free dining?

[5 Disney Fans]

Starting to plan our trip for next year and was wondering if we go in late August if there is any way we can do Free Dining? I thought I read that if stay 1 night using cash instead of points there is a way to do it. But I'm not sure if I'm remembering correctly.

 

[MatterhornMiss]

DVC members can get free dining--if you book a rack-rate package through CRO or a travel agency. WDW has offered "free dining" at the expense of any other discounts--in other words, you have to book a MYW package at regular price and get a "free" upgrade to the DDP. You wouldn't be able to do it (assuming they continue to offer it) by staying on points or booking a cash room, unless the cash room were a regular, non-DVC discounted, room included in a package.

 

[Jeremy&Susan]

Starting to plan our trip for next year and was wondering if we go in late August if there is any way we can do Free Dining? I thought I read that if stay 1 night using cash instead of points there is a way to do it. But I'm not sure if I'm remembering correctly.

There are often many ways to get free dining as a DVC Member:
1. Wait till your neighbors leave and hop over to their balcony, jimmy the lock and get the food out of their fridge.
2. Many people leave leftovers in the hall waiting for room service or mousekeeping to pick them up at BCV or BWV, just look through those for a tasty morsell or two.
3. Dine and Dash has always been a favorite of ours.


Members, feel free to add any other suggestions that I left out.

 

[MatterhornMiss]

Don a seagull costume and roam around outside Cosmic Rays. You're sure to get a few french fries thrown at you.

 

[Strangeite]

Don't forget about the lovely trashcans scattered around the various parks. I have found that small children rarely finish their meals from CS restaurants and the parents just throw the left-overs away. Sometimes the trashcan will start to carry on a conversation with you as you "order" your meal. I consider that the entertainment.

 

[bgraham34]

There are often many ways to get free dining as a DVC Member:
1. Wait till your neighbors leave and hop over to their balcony, jimmy the lock and get the food out of their fridge.
2. Many people leave leftovers in the hall waiting for room service or mousekeeping to pick them up at BCV or BWV, just look through those for a tasty morsell or two.
3. Dine and Dash has always been a favorite of ours.


Members, feel free to add any other suggestions that I left out.

Thats flippin great. I love getting the leftovers in the hallway.

 

[dvcdisney]

Starting to plan our trip for next year and was wondering if we go in late August if there is any way we can do Free Dining? I thought I read that if stay 1 night using cash instead of points there is a way to do it. But I'm not sure if I'm remembering correctly.

You wouldn't be able to book it with MS and would not get the DVC discount on the room (assuming you are staying on one of the DVC resorts). As mentioned, you would have to pay rack rate. And if you do decide to do this, I believe you will have to book more than 1 night (I think 3 or 4 nights to get free dining - I hope someone chimes in and gives the exact amount required) and need to purchase a single ticket.

 

[Chuck S]

5 Disney Fans, you've probably gathered from the replies that free dining is not available to DVC members staying on points. The promotion is only available for a non-discounted cash package. It is also not available to AP holders or FL Residents staying in cash rooms using their respective discounts.

It is a general rule that Disney does not allow more than one discount or promotion to beapplied, and for most purposes, DVC points rooms are consideed "discounted" rooms, I know I'd far rather use 8 points at OKW rather than pay about $250 rack rate for a studio for a night.

 

[dvcdisney]

There are often many ways to get free dining as a DVC Member:
1. Wait till your neighbors leave and hop over to their balcony, jimmy the lock and get the food out of their fridge.
2. Many people leave leftovers in the hall waiting for room service or mousekeeping to pick them up at BCV or BWV, just look through those for a tasty morsell or two.
3. Dine and Dash has always been a favorite of ours.


Members, feel free to add any other suggestions that I left out.

Don a seagull costume and roam around outside Cosmic Rays. You're sure to get a few french fries thrown at you.

Don't forget about the lovely trashcans scattered around the various parks. I have found that small children rarely finish their meals from CS restaurants and the parents just throw the left-overs away. Sometimes the trashcan will start to carry on a conversation with you as you "order" your meal. I consider that the entertainment.

I guess DVC members would have to resort to this to get free dining.

 

[MatterhornMiss]

You could also visit Miyuki in Epcot. A small, sugary flamingo sure fills ya' up!

 

[crisi]

In the past, some DVCers have booked the cheapest room that qualifies at Pop or a campsite at Ft. Wilderness (I don't think Disney gives free dining on Ft. Wilderness campsites anylonger). Some of them don't even stay in the room - they just book it so four adults qualify for Free Dining, check in, then stay over at their DVC resort. Not everyone things this is an ethical approach, but if you can get a room at Pop for $100 a night or whatever it is, and you have four adults on the dining plan, you will save money over buying the dining plan for each person. Disney does know this is happening, and may or may not choose to close the loophole through a policy or program change. Then again, Disney may not choose to offer Free Dining next year at all, in the past their promotions have been different - this one has lasted a long tie.

 

[hakepb]

In the past, some DVCers have booked the cheapest room that qualifies at Pop or a campsite at Ft. Wilderness (I don't think Disney gives free dining on Ft. Wilderness campsites anylonger). Some of them don't even stay in the room - they just book it so four adults qualify for Free Dining, check in, then stay over at their DVC resort. Not everyone things this is an ethical approach, but if you can get a room at Pop for $100 a night or whatever it is, and you have four adults on the dining plan, you will save money over buying the dining plan for each person. Disney does know this is happening, and may or may not choose to close the loophole through a policy or program change. Then again, Disney may not choose to offer Free Dining next year at all, in the past their promotions have been different - this one has lasted a long tie.

makes me wonder if the rumored CS only plan will become the "free" plan with paid upgrades to the TS plans.

 

[spiceycat]

I do what Crisi suggest.

was going to stay at Pop - since I do love it.

but it and the all stars are completely booked. so have a studio at OKW if Pop gets to me this time...

there will be 4 adults - so getting a room is cheaper than paying for it - you don't have to buy the tickets if you have an annual pass (I did but got a bounce back last year - it is slightly different)

only had to buy one day - we are getting free dinning for 6 days.

 

[photobob]

makes me wonder if the rumored CS only plan will become the "free" plan with paid upgrades to the TS plans.

I haven't thought about that, I bet you are right. Good observation..

OR free CS plans for stays at value or moderates and free TS plans for deluxe... I think we may have something here...

 

[dgaston]

We did it a few years ago and stayed at Pop Century! But we like Pop -- even got a (no additional charge )King-sized bed. They put us in the 80s -- as far away as you can be from the food court to use that free dining!