looks like free dinning again for uk residents again why did we bother buying dvc

[SARATOGA ROB]

free dinning for uk residents extended dates 42% of room rates
why did i buy dvc
any thoughts or comments anyone

A lot more dates available and 42% of OKW/SSR also available.
I just priced up 17 nights next August before our cruise £102/night OKW or SSR. Less than £111 I was expecting. Maybe it will be more on Disney when they release prices. Was actually more to book POR/POFQ @ £107/night and only QSDDP. Maybe they have price wrong on OKW/SSR?


(Edit: Direct Link to UK online travel agency removed - Chuck S)

NEW for 2011, if you stay a min. of five nights in selected Disney Resort Hotels with Disney tickets you'll receive FREE Disney Quick Service Dining Plan (when staying at a Disney Moderate Resort Hotel), or receive FREE Disney Dining Plan (when staying at a Deluxe Disney Resort Hotel).

Book your 2011 Disney hotel & ticket now and enjoy FREE Disney Dining at selected Walt Disney World hotels for all stays completed between the following dates:


•01 Jan - 17 Feb 2011
•01 May - 02 Jun 2011
•01 Aug - 18 Nov 2011

 

[disneynutz]

Just because Disney is selling a product, "DVC", that doesn't mean that it's going to be the best deal.

Bill

 

[Tiger926]

As has been discussed on these boards over and over again, the deals are available when Disney needs to fill rooms. They are short term and meant to fill rooms - they are not perks or rewards.

DVC is a long term proposition and like disneynutz said, it doesn't mean that it will always be the best deal for you. In tough economic times, it's going to be much easier to find a better deal to go to Disney as they are using these deals as incentives. If guests are eligible, then it is a good deal, as it saves money, but again, it's a short term deal. A few years ago, there were no free dining deals, and so DVC was a better deal during that time period.

I hope this new promo doesn't sour you to DVC - sorry you feel like you have lost value. Value is something that may change over time, so hopefully, you can enjoy DVC once again! In a few years when there are no free dining deals, your DVC may be of more value to you.

Tiger

 

[Crystal_27]

I understand your frustration - that is a killer deal! BUT, with DVC you have to be in it for the long haul...period. If you really wanted to take advantage of the deal posted, you can simply rent your points and book the package paying cash.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I can't beat the deal I got with DVC. The buster there is that I am still vacationing on those contracts I paid off 13 years ago!

Besides, I have a full kitchen, and if I choose, I can make any meal I want to there and avoid the huge crowds that free dining causes.

 

[christa112]

I know what you mean, but these dates are already for 2011!!!

•01 Jan - 17 Feb 2011
•01 May - 02 Jun 2011
•01 Aug - 18 Nov 2011

Obviously, Disney doesn't think the economy is going to get any better by then for them to be releasing some of these dates more that a year out.

Free dining has been going for longer than a few years. I 1st took advantage in 2005 and I think they 1st starting offering it right after 9/11 so that mean 2011 would be it's 10th years. That is a long time to be running a promo to chalk it up to a bad economy.

As has been discussed on these boards over and over again, the deals are available when Disney needs to fill rooms. They are short term and meant to fill rooms - they are not perks or rewards.

DVC is a long term proposition and like disneynutz said, it doesn't mean that it will always be the best deal for you. In tough economic times, it's going to be much easier to find a better deal to go to Disney as they are using these deals as incentives. If guests are eligible, then it is a good deal, as it saves money, but again, it's a short term deal. A few years ago, there were no free dining deals, and so DVC was a better deal during that time period.

I hope this new promo doesn't sour you to DVC - sorry you feel like you have lost value. Value is something that may change over time, so hopefully, you can enjoy DVC once again! In a few years when there are no free dining deals, your DVC may be of more value to you.

Tiger

 

[jlwhitney]

My thoughts on the whole free dining thing is a total marketing plot....
Disney gives it to you once and you enjoy having it and then next when you go and it is not free dining plan time people are more likely to buy it since they had it once before.

I do realize there are people who plan and price things out and wouldn't pay for it on their own or will only go when free dining is offered but there a ton of people in this world that would pay for it and be more likely to if they have had it before.

If offering free dining didn't help Disney in the long run they wouldn't offer it.

You can't really compare DVC to deals Disney gives. Plus, many of the deals have limits and blackout dates and such. Before I was in DVC and still living in PA (now in FL) I was going to Disney one week a year in May since it is our anniversary so most of the deals aren't always around then (we did the buy 4 get 3 free) or they are for less nights than we want and such. Now with DVC I know I am getting a discount on a much nicer room and resort every time I go.

 

[dzorn]

We were on a free dining trip when we purchased. DH took one look at the AKV models and was sold. For us it is more about the accomidations and what we would enjoy as a family. I love my big tub and room to spread out.

We also took advantage of free dining last year by adding a coulpe of days at the end of our DVC trip.

Yes it would have been cheaper to have us all in a POR trundle room but would we enjoy it as much NOPE.

Denise in MI

 

[Tiger926]

I know what you mean, but these dates are already for 2011!!!

•01 Jan - 17 Feb 2011
•01 May - 02 Jun 2011
•01 Aug - 18 Nov 2011

Obviously, Disney doesn't think the economy is going to get any better by then for them to be releasing some of these dates more that a year out.

Free dining has been going for longer than a few years. I 1st took advantage in 2005 and I think they 1st starting offering it right after 9/11 so that mean 2011 would be it's 10th years. That is a long time to be running a promo to chalk it up to a bad economy.

I could have sworn that Free Dining has only been going on for a few years? I don't remember right after Sept. 11th, but if it has been, that is longer. The article I last read said that Disney is already starting to wean guests - they've already changed the Free Dining parameters by offering CS plan to Value/Moderates and DP for Deluxes.

Regardless of this, these aren't deals that can be counted on. DVC is a long-term scenario.

You could rent out your points, as someone else suggested and take advantage of Free Dining if it's a better deal for you?

Good luck, Tiger

 

[pakdayton]

I think the first year for Free Dining was 2005 or 2006 ... after 9/11 the promotion was buy four nights and get three free.

Although we are DVC members, we have taken advantage of Free Dining several times by paying cash for our stay, but if you look at the math that is not the best use of $$$.

In August 2009, we were 2 adults and 1 child (12) staying at POR with annual passes. To get Free Dining, we booked a package so that included a one-day pass for each of us that we will use at a later date.
The price for that stay 1503.00

Our DVC stay this Easter at BCV (annual passes are still active) = 819.00 for dining plan and no outlay for lodging.

While we think free dining is fun ... its not always the cheapest.

 

[Mtnman44]

How much is the rate for a 1 BR with the "free dining"?

 

[SARATOGA ROB]

my point is they should give free dinning to the loyal guests ie dvc members we have all paid for our rooms the only difference is we all paid up front and once they have your money they do not need to temp you to go anymore

 

[cvjw]

I, for one, do not expect Disney to give me free dining. I knew before I bought into DVC that once we were DVC members, free dining was over for us. I am very happy to trade free dining with all 4 of us shoved into a small moderate room for the relaxing vacation that a 2 bedroom villa provides. I would rather have a spacious DVC villa and buy our own food. We also have AP's, so having to buy the one day passes also adds up.

 

[Crystal_27]

my point is they should give free dinning to the loyal guests ie dvc members

Well, I'm sure that Disney would consider doing that, if we would agree to having our dues raised to double what they are now...to which I say no thank you. We as DVC members are not entitled to anything other than our annual allotment of points.

Try as I might, I don't get the free dining hype, especially now that you have to book a Deluxe resort to get the regular dining plan. Rack rate (which I would have to pay in order to get free dining) on my BLT studio is $550/night plus tax for each of my 14 nights that I'm staying in December (total of $7,700 plus tax). The regular dining plan costs me about a $100/night for my family of 3. Even factoring in the dues that I'm paying for these points, there's no way that I'm not coming out ahead.

 

[dmoore22]

I can't beat the deal I got with DVC. The buster there is that I am still vacationing on those contracts I paid off 13 years ago!

Besides, I have a full kitchen, and if I choose, I can make any meal I want to there and avoid the huge crowds that free dining causes.

Ditto here -- paid off ten years ago.

looks like free dinning again for uk residents again why did we bother buying dvc
free dinning for uk residents extended dates 42% of room rates
why did i buy dvc
any thoughts or comments anyone

A lot more dates available and 42% of OKW/SSR also available.
I just priced up 17 nights next August before our cruise £102/night OKW or SSR. Less than £111 I was expecting. Maybe it will be more on Disney when they release prices. Was actually more to book POR/POFQ @ £107/night and only QSDDP. Maybe they have price wrong on OKW/SSR?


(Edit: Direct Link to UK online travel agency removed - Chuck S)

NEW for 2011, if you stay a min. of five nights in selected Disney Resort Hotels with Disney tickets you'll receive FREE Disney Quick Service Dining Plan (when staying at a Disney Moderate Resort Hotel), or receive FREE Disney Dining Plan (when staying at a Deluxe Disney Resort Hotel).

Book your 2011 Disney hotel & ticket now and enjoy FREE Disney Dining at selected Walt Disney World hotels for all stays completed between the following dates:

•01 Jan - 17 Feb 2011
•01 May - 02 Jun 2011
•01 Aug - 18 Nov 2011

I'm not sure the exchange rate (dollar vs. GBP) would translate into a good deal for "free dinning." I'm not sure I know what a "dinning" is or if I would want it. Is it some kind of a British word? Is it animal, vegetable, or mineral?

 

[Chuck S]

my point is they should give free dinning to the loyal guests ie dvc members we have all paid for our rooms the only difference is we all paid up front and once they have your money they do not need to temp you to go anymore

Free dining is offered to generate rentals of cash rooms that otherwise would sit empty. What would the reason be for offering it to DVC, considering those rooms and dues are pre-paid, it doesn't matter to Disney (or even DVC) if they sit empty and you don't use your points?

I've yet to see anyone explain what the business advantage would be to Disney for offering the free dining promotion to DVCers.

 

[SARATOGA ROB]

Ditto here -- paid off ten years ago.



I'm not sure the exchange rate (dollar vs. GBP) would translate into a good deal for "free dinning." I'm not sure I know what a "dinning" is or if I would want it. Is it some kind of a British word? Is it animal, vegetable, or mineral?

sorry for the spelling mistake but however you want to spell it the fact is it is still free
i was just trying to let people in the us know what prices are like to uk residents and that the disscounts recieved in the uk are different from the ones in the us

 

[dmoore22]

sorry for the spelling mistake but however you want to spell it the fact is it is still free
i was just trying to let people in the us know what prices are like to uk residents and that the disscounts recieved in the uk are different from the ones in the us

Just kidding around. It is depressing to see the deals, not limited to only free dining, that our neighbors from across the pond are offered. I wish we had friends/relatives over there that could purchase MYW or APs at the European discounted prices then send them to us. I guess we could fly over there to take advantage of the discounted rates but, alas, I'm afraid the cost for airfare would more than negate the benefits of the discount.

 

[Tiger926]

Free dining is offered to generate rentals of cash rooms that otherwise woud sit empty. What would be the reason be for offering it to DVC, considering those rooms and dues are pre-paid, it doesn't matter to Disney (or even DVC) if they sit empty and you don't use your points?

I've yet to see anyone explain what the business advantage would be to Disney for offering the free dining promotion to DVCers.

Exactly - as we've discussed many times on here, it's not a 'gift' or a 'given', as it's a marketing ploy used to generate rooms. It's an incentive, and not a reward, plain and simple. It's just like when they offer monetary or cruise incentives to purchase DVC - they are used to generate business, and are not free gifts/rewards as so many people are mistaken in thinking they are.

I think this is the biggest thing standing in people's way when discussing this topic. It's not a gift to the general public as they have to meet certain criteria, one of which is paying full price for a room, as well as buying park tickets.

Tiger

 

[Mtnman44]

Not to mention we already receive a huge discount on the fair market value of these villas when we become members and pre-pay for our stays. If you want to change your prepayment to reflect the actual rental rates for all your future trips, I'm sure Disney would be happy to give you free dining also.

Free dining is offered to generate rentals of cash rooms that otherwise would sit empty. What would the reason be for offering it to DVC, considering those rooms and dues are pre-paid, it doesn't matter to Disney (or even DVC) if they sit empty and you don't use your points?

I've yet to see anyone explain what the business advantage would be to Disney for offering the free dining promotion to DVCers.