New DDP option and FREE Dining!

[DVCJones]

I know there are a lot of people out there worried that the new CS DDP is going to be the new FREE dining option.

Aside from getting less food for FREE, what are the negatives. It is FREE!!!! I understand that people don't like to get less than what they previously got. I get this..but it is FREE! I can understand people being unhappy with getting less than they once did when PAYING for it. (last years changes in the DDP)

No flames please, but why would the CS DDP not be okay for free dining? I think if it is FREE than who should complain? I think it is a better option than cutting into the TS/CS DDP and taking away things like filets, tips, apps..etc.

Disney obviously takes a huge hit with FREE dining. With people trying to max their meals, I think this is Disney's way of not ending the FREE dining that so many love, all while trying to give people who PAY for the DDP a chance to get an ADR and have a filet.

I think they are trying to please everyone with this. I for one hope to see this as the standard FREE DDP. I have never been to WDW during FREE Dining. However, there are many posts on the boards from people who pay and get shutout of ADRs at most TS restaurants. I think it is a great idea for FREE Dining. If one plans it right they can still have a quality sit down meals (WP Express, Pepper Market...)

How many people who don't go during FREE dinning like the additional choice for DDPs?
JMHO!

 

[bytheblood]

I agree with you 100%.

I believe this will be the new free dining.

 

[LadyOmega]

I don't think it's anything to really complain about either. And so far, I haven't really seen anyone "complaining" about it, other than just initial disappointment. Which, if you are used to going during free dining and getting the great value of the basic DDP for free, I could see how it would be disappointing. But I so far have not seen anyone posting about anything but disappointment - haven't seen any actual "complaining" yet, which I consider to be ranting about Disney's cheapness and "we deserve better" type stuff. But I'm sure it's only a matter of time before someone comes up with that......

 

[beroh2253]

I also figured this would be the new free plan. I wonder if this then would create alot of empty TS restaurants? The complaints may come for the wait staff more the us. Or maybe you would pay a certain amount more for the origional DDP and more for the DXDDP? Anyway this may make the room discount the better option so then I may opt to do some TS over in Kississmee (haven't done that for a while). Also this would get me back to Universal and Sea World, I haven't gone there since the free DDP. There are many options if they replace the free DDP.

 

[n2mm]

I agree with you 100%.

I believe this will be the new free dining.

I also agree. This will be the free ddp for 2009.

 

[LadyOmega]

Anyway this may make the room discount the better option .

Yep, I just thought of this and was going to post again LOL. I think that may be what will be the real upsetting thing for people who do free dining - not necessarily that they are only getting CS now, but that they are paying rack rate for only CS now.

 

[Dismix]

I think it is cool for the free dining no complaints here CS no tip needed and it is fast and filling and it is FREE

 

[catne]

Fine by me, Free food is Free food. And staying in a value resort, paying rack rate at the lowest rack rate of the year just isn't bad at all.

Will be o.k., especially if they let you pay the difference to upgrade to regular or deluxe, for those who would like a table service meal. Or maybe we'll just pay OOP for one or two TS meals that week, and have some CS breakfasts once in awhile...hmmm. This actually opens up some options, doesn't it.

 

[secretpantssam]

Yeah, I don't see how people would get upset about free food. I'll take whatever disney feels like giving me. No complaints!

 

[lisaanddenny]

i havent heard of this CS plan, how many CS meals do you get in one day? snacks? tip?

 

[ptcbass]

Ok, I feel like I am a step behind on this topic. We have went in the past and paid for the DDP and this year we are going on the Free DDP and really looking forward to it.
Has a new plan been announced or where did this info come from? Also for the new Free CS DDP is that for only a limited time like now or are they talking about making it year round? I say more options is better cause it seems every family does Disney a little differently. If they are replacing the current Free DDP with the CS DDP then who can complain? It is free! Yes disappointment plays into it. We were disappointed this year when we found out that tips and appetizers aren't included any more but it is still free so we are still doing the happy dance!

 

[dvcdisney]

I think people will be fine with it if still saves them money.

 

[LadyOmega]

Ok, I feel like I am a step behind on this topic. We have went in the past and paid for the DDP and this year we are going on the Free DDP and really looking forward to it.
Has a new plan been announced or where did this info come from? Also for the new Free CS DDP is that for only a limited time like now or are they talking about making it year round? I say more options is better cause it seems every family does Disney a little differently. If they are replacing the current Free DDP with the CS DDP then who can complain? It is free! Yes disappointment plays into it. We were disappointed this year when we found out that tips and appetizers aren't included any more but it is still free so we are still doing the happy dance!

The new info on dining plan options should be released on Sunday. According to very reliable sources, there is now going to be a 3rd option of dining plan-the quick service plan-which gives you 2 CS meals, 2 snacks per day/per person and 1 refillable mug per person. The speculation is that this CS dining plan will be what is offered during "free dining" time, rather than the basic DDP that is offered now.

 

[pearlieq]

It's not "FREE" at all. You have to buy a room onsite at rack rate and park tickets. In order to get the "FREE" dining you have to go at an undesirable time, pay more than necessary for your room, and can't use up old tickets or buy a from a discounter.

If I'm going to pay more than I have to for my vacation, I want some percieved value for it. The regular DDP might do that for me. CS meals probably won't. I can see why people would be miffed.

I would also disagree that Disney "takes a huge hit" with free dining. They're a business, not a charity. If it weren't profitable, they wouldn't be doing it. Frankly, I think whoever came up with Free Dining is a genius.

Disney doesn't have too many ways to lower their overhead. They have to keep the lights on and the parks and resorts open, even when crowds are low. Their best bet for keeping revenues up is to get as many people into the parks as possible.

September, in my opinion, is a fairly rotten time to go to WDW. It's hotter than blazes, rainy, there's the threat of hurricanes, and if you have kids you have to pull them out of school right at the beginning of the year.

In order to get people to come during a less popular time, they had to sweeten the deal. Enter Free Dining.

Free Dining actually greatly helps WDW's bottom line, for three reasons:

1.) Food is very cheap. I realize prices are going up, but still, comparatively, food is very cheap in America. And they're not exactly serving haute cuisine most of the time, much as they'd like you to think so. If they're like any other food service enterprise, their food costs are only about a quarter of what you see on the menu.

So, they get you into a restaurant they would have had to have open anyway during the slow season, and with you paying your own gratuity, you're covering a good chunk of their labor costs. They're basically spotting you a piece of meat and some veg. Not a bad deal for them. Plus, they have the opportunity to upsell you on appetizers and specialty drinks. Buy a couple of those and they've covered their costs for your "FREE" meal.

2.) Most people don't really "maximize" their DDP. You see the odd tale of someone here who carefully plots out the most expensive entrees, but most people are just going to order what they feel like eating. Many people don't use all of the credits, or mind up burning them on something that doesn't cost very much.

3.) Probably the biggest advantage to the DDP is that it encourages you to stay onsite. You obviously have to lodge onsite, but now there's not as much reason to rent a car, since you don't need to eat offsite, and since you're not renting a car, you probably aren't going to spend a day at Universal, Sea World, or the beach. You'll take advantage of the low incremental cost increases on their park tickets and stay at WDW, cheerfully spending money, for your entire vacation.

 

[PIERCEDRN]

I think it will be a 3 level free dining, with the CS plan for the values, DDP for the moderates and DeluxeDDP for the Deluxe resorts.
BOB

 

[LadyOmega]

I think it will be a 3 level free dining, with the CS plan for the values, DDP for the moderates and DeluxeDDP for the Deluxe resorts.
BOB

Now that would be interesting.

 

[beroh2253]

I think it will be a 3 level free dining, with the CS plan for the values, DDP for the moderates and DeluxeDDP for the Deluxe resorts.
BOB

Goooooooooooooooo Eagles. Oops off topic. Well I will enjoy this years FreeDDP no matter what happens. If what you say would be the new way this would get me back to POR instead of POP

 

[imthatgirl]

whos complaining, of course it would be a dissappointment, why wouldnt it be if youve gone for the last 4 free dining periods.

but just to correct you, disney is by far not taking a hit on the free dining. trust me if they were, they would not be offering it. they get many more people to pay rack rate for a room. but aside from that, when you go to a restaurant the amount of your bill that actually goes to food is ridiculously small. most of your bill goes to paying the wait staff, hosts, condiments, electricity, water, gas, the food containers you leave with, the management team etc etc etc...
they make up for this in the already over priced food and drinks they sell. they make up the money by just having one less host or server on. they make up the money by the drinks and appetizers you order.
so dont worry about disney, theyre getting theirs first.

 

[skater]

I'll stand up and complain . I used to get a value resort for $59 in Sept. and enjoy little to no crowds. We took snacks and carefully budgeted our meals with 2-3 TS thrown in. The free dining totally rearranged the way we do Disney (spoiled us with TS) and made loyal customers out of us despite the increased crowd level. Now, I never expected that Disney had to continue the free dining for us , but it may make us reconsider that regular Sept. trip. And saying free food is free food totally misses the point. Free CS is not the same as TS. And de-valuing the free dining deal (again) may just not cut it for this loyal customer. It may make it worth looking for other Sept. codes or take some of those other vacations we used to love before Disney hooked us!

 

[mickey2000]

It's not "FREE" at all. You have to buy a room onsite at rack rate and park tickets. In order to get the "FREE" dining you have to go at an undesirable time, pay more than necessary for your room, and can't use up old tickets or buy a from a discounter.

If I'm going to pay more than I have to for my vacation, I want some percieved value for it. The regular DDP might do that for me. CS meals probably won't. I can see why people would be miffed.

I would also disagree that Disney "takes a huge hit" with free dining. They're a business, not a charity. If it weren't profitable, they wouldn't be doing it. Frankly, I think whoever came up with Free Dining is a genius.

Disney doesn't have too many ways to lower their overhead. They have to keep the lights on and the parks and resorts open, even when crowds are low. Their best bet for keeping revenues up is to get as many people into the parks as possible.

September, in my opinion, is a fairly rotten time to go to WDW. It's hotter than blazes, rainy, there's the threat of hurricanes, and if you have kids you have to pull them out of school right at the beginning of the year.

In order to get people to come during a less popular time, they had to sweeten the deal. Enter Free Dining.

Free Dining actually greatly helps WDW's bottom line, for three reasons:

1.) Food is very cheap. I realize prices are going up, but still, comparatively, food is very cheap in America. And they're not exactly serving haute cuisine most of the time, much as they'd like you to think so. If they're like any other food service enterprise, their food costs are only about a quarter of what you see on the menu.

So, they get you into a restaurant they would have had to have open anyway during the slow season, and with you paying your own gratuity, you're covering a good chunk of their labor costs. They're basically spotting you a piece of meat and some veg. Not a bad deal for them. Plus, they have the opportunity to upsell you on appetizers and specialty drinks. Buy a couple of those and they've covered their costs for your "FREE" meal.

2.) Most people don't really "maximize" their DDP. You see the odd tale of someone here who carefully plots out the most expensive entrees, but most people are just going to order what they feel like eating. Many people don't use all of the credits, or mind up burning them on something that doesn't cost very much.

3.) Probably the biggest advantage to the DDP is that it encourages you to stay onsite. You obviously have to lodge onsite, but now there's not as much reason to rent a car, since you don't need to eat offsite, and since you're not renting a car, you probably aren't going to spend a day at Universal, Sea World, or the beach. You'll take advantage of the low incremental cost increases on their park tickets and stay at WDW, cheerfully spending money, for your entire vacation.

\I agree !!!