Magic your way and food options?

[Ducky4Disney]

I read on the restaurant board about the new food options with the new maigc your way plans. Is there anyway to prepay for food plans when you are a DVC member and not buying a "package"?


D4D

 

[sarhenty]

wishful thinking... but I'm all for it!

 

[InstImpres]

I just got off the phone with the Travel Agent line. Dining packages must go with a "travel package) aka hotel & ticket purchase. To bad, seems like a good deal about $34 a day for character meal, ff service and a snack.

Looks like DVC will have to go back and negoiate for us but I don't see it happening

 

[Ducky4Disney]

That's too bad. It would make sense to off some sort of food package to DVC owners. We were the people who bought package after package and finally bought a vested interest in Disney and told them, "We like this so much, we promise to come back over and over!" Don't get me wrong, we have a lot of nice perks with all the discounts we get, but to have a plan like those they will be offering next year would be nice.

I'm sure there's more to thins than meets the eye and I'm not seeing it, but that's my thoughts so far. As I become a veteran DVC owner I may understand more about how things work.

D4D

 

[sarhenty]

It would be nice if they offerd DVC Members a dining option because they obviously know we won't be purchasing a package on account of accomodations. Maybe some type of ticket and dining option would be nice! I'm sure it could be worked out with the new system in place. In fact, they could make that the fourth add-on! a dining option! oooohhhh....

 

[lllovell]

I suspect that DVCers are the ones that actually do a great deal of the dining at specific restaurants already (especially the ones at the DVC resorts) so it really probably would not be in Disney's best interest to offer us any more discounts. They got us into the parks more (probably) with the AP discount. I for one dont cook on vacation if possible and love trying new restaurants and old favorites often. I would love the discount, I just dont see how it would benefit them to give it. dang it!

 

[tjkraz]

I read on the restaurant board about the new food options with the new maigc your way plans. Is there anyway to prepay for food plans when you are a DVC member and not buying a "package"?

Yeah, it's called the "send 'X' dollars to your credit card company and charge all of your meals to your room key" plan.

With the kitchens in every single room, few DVCers would be interested in meal plans. If DVC were to offer meal plans, the administration of such would become a DVC expense. DVC expenses are paid by our dues.

No thanks.

A discount dining card was offered years ago. It was discontinued due to lack of interest.

 

[BCV23]

But would it have to be a DVC only plan and administered by DVC?

What about a plan for AP and DVCers? They are not mutually inclusive of course.

Our stays are usually split pretty evenly between DVC and AP rates at resorts. Our one constant is Disney Dining.

A plan would be great!

 

[RobDoc]

DVC originally offered a dining package. It was underutilized by members and eventually dropped as an offering. With a past record like that and kitchens in every room, it's unlikely that such programs will be offered again. As with everything though, if there are features you'd like to see added to the DVC program, let DVC know. If enough members indicate and interest in dining options beyond the discounts presently offered, something may eventually come of it.

 

[BCV23]

What was the program like Doc? We're longtime WDWers but have only owned at DVC for 2+ years.

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Thanks for all the thoughts and info about this idea. Like Sarhenty said, we won't be buying packages, so we won't be able to use this new food option. It's similar to when company offers a new service but only to new clients and you'll won't be able to use the new service because you are not a new client.

Take that with a grain of salt - a pile of salt actually! We get GREAT discounts, and this AP discount is wonderful, I can't wait to take advantage of it. I just wish I could buy "food points" or something. You pay $X for Y points and certain restaurants cost Z points per person. They could sell them in packages of 20, 50, or 100 (or whatever) and the more you buy, the lower the $ per point cost.

They could off that to more than DVC owners, couldn't they?

D4D

 

[sarhenty]

But would it have to be a DVC only plan and administered by DVC?

What about a plan for AP and DVCers? They are not mutually inclusive of course.

Our stays are usually split pretty evenly between DVC and AP rates at resorts. Our one constant is Disney Dining.

A plan would be great!

Exactly, it doesn't have to be just for DVC Members. Just another add on option to the new MYW Pass.

 

[BCV23]

Wouldn't it be nice if WDW would let non-Florida residents who are AP &/or DVC purchase the Disney Dining Experience?

I know that there are members who cook in their rooms but I think there are also many who just admire that "stove ornament."

Does anyone have any idea why offering DDE to those of us who don't live in FL would be detrimental to WDW's bottom line? Wouldn't it encourage some people to dine out more at WDW?

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

What I'm wondering is what will happen to Q&C Meal Vouchers being sold by a third party (Hotwire, Connections, etc.) when Disney kicks in the new dining plan. Is this a way to start phasing them out? I wouldn't mind as long as something comparable was still available as we used them almost every day during our last visit.

 

[tjkraz]

Wouldn't it be nice if WDW would let non-Florida residents who are AP &/or DVC purchase the Disney Dining Experience?

People made the same arguments for years about the lack of DVC AP discounts.

I agree with Doc--communicate the desire through DVC and perhaps something will materialize down the road.

 

[BCV23]

I actually see no reason to communicate with DVC about this. I think this decision is WDWs to make not DVC's just as I'm sure the AP discount was a decision of WDW even if DVC and its members have been longing for it.

But still, does anyone know why it wouln't benefit WDW to extend this discount card to AP holders and DVC members? WDW gets $75 up front and one would assume more dining revenue too?

 

[lllovell]

Wouldn't it be nice if WDW would let non-Florida residents who are AP &/or DVC purchase the Disney Dining Experience?

I know that there are members who cook in their rooms but I think there are also many who just admire that "stove ornament."

Does anyone have any idea why offering DDE to those of us who don't live in FL would be detrimental to WDW's bottom line? Wouldn't it encourage some people to dine out more at WDW?

lol - I love that ...."stove ornament"

We do breakfast in the room, sometimes lunch - but forget cooking big meals. I guess most cook (from what you all have said) but not me.

 

[BCV23]

You know I don't know that most people cook. Some polls that I've seen here have indicated that many eat out a lot. I'm sure many do as you do too and have some quick meals in their villas. All the more reason for WDW to want to entice them out.

The stove ornament is an old phrase from these boards. I think it is great too. I think I laughed out loud the first time I read it.

 

[tjkraz]

I actually see no reason to communicate with DVC about this. I think this decision is WDWs to make not DVC's just as I'm sure the AP discount was a decision of WDW even if DVC and its members have been longing for it.

There is no sense in implementing a program, ANY program, if nobody will use it. As Dean said, there was a DVC meal plan years ago and it was discontinued due to lack of interest.

While I agree that Disney would not implement discount programs in direct response to demand, it goes without saying that a program is worthless to Disney unless they are reasonably certain that sufficient demand DOES exist.

For example, in the case of the APs, Disney is taking a gamble that the increase in AP purchases will more than offset the hit they are taking by lowering costs to those who will already buy APs. I myself will save $300 next time I buy APs for my family, and Disney is risking that money on the hopes that sales of new APs to DVC members will more than offset the loss they experience on my family.

They were under no obligation to offer an AP discount just because thousands of DVC members asked for it. But the constant barrage of requests did tell them that the demand exists. DVC / Disney was then able to review the current AP sales records for DVC members, and determine that sufficient growth potential exists to warrant an AP sales incentive (discount.)

But still, does anyone know why it wouln't benefit WDW to extend this discount card to AP holders and DVC members?

Sure. When one is a Florida resident (presumedly a resident of Orlando or the surrounding area), one has thousands of dining choices within immediate reach. Disney is trying to attract those folks who could otherwise dine at Sizzler or Outback or Applebees when they want a night out.

The purpose of most discount programs is to generate NEW sales--not just to get a few dollars up front and hope that those who participate will not spend sufficient dollars to offset the initial investment.

In the case of Florida residents, Disney is hoping to take daily business away from off-site establishments in the area. They are willing to accept a lower profit margin in exchange for earning those new sales.

Florida residents at WDW are largely a mobile group. They have their own car and go to any restaurant that suits their tastes. On the other hand, many DVC members and AP holders vacationing at WDW do not have a rental car with them and therefore represent a captive audience. AP holders and DVC members with no transportation are virtually compelled to use the WDW dining network. There's little to be gained by offering greater discounts.

Now if sufficient demand were demonstrated, that may change the situation in Disney / DVC's eyes. Again, make Disney aware of the need from your perspective. If enough people are of the same mind, perhaps a program will materialize.

 

[BCV23]

But no new program would be implemented, just expanded. No extra expenses. Instead of requiring a FL id, APs and DVC cards would be accepted too.

I haven't read what Dean said about the program but I read Doc's comment about lack of interest. But whatever the details about that program, I believe it was aimed at DVC alone.

I agree with you most of your comments about the new AP discount although I doubt if it is much of a gamble. I'm sure they've run the numbers every which way!

I disagree with you about this type of discount. Of course, the purpose is to generate additional sales. The DDE must do so or it would not have been in place for quite a few years now. But I would think the discount is meant to promote more dining at nice places without worrying if the member recoups the initial cost.

I also disagree about some of your assumptions. How do you know that most AP and DVC folks don't have cars? I'm not saying this with my hands on my hips...it just seems a leap. Everyone I know always has a car at WDW. Of course, there are people who use towncar, Mears, etc. but I sure don't know the breakdown.

I also am not sure that DDE members are "presumedly" from the Orlando area. If you hang out on the restaurant board, you'll read of members from all over FL who enjoy it. In fact, I wonder how many people would shell out the upfront fee and pay the higher prices even with the discount if they were interested in dining at Sizzler.

But I really appreciate you taking the time to answer. I still do not see how extending this card would not benefit WDW's bottom line. And of course, that is the charge they have from their stockholders.