New Dining Program for DVC members?

[MichelleB]

Any new news on the dining program and if it will be available to DVC members?

 

[mcr5298]

I am really pulling for this, but I seriously doubt that would happen.

But I can not figure out why.

It is not like it is a perk, we would be paying for that.

Crossing my fingers

 

[MichelleB]

We'll be arriving at WDW on 1/15 and I need to order some breakfast vouchers if this isn't going to happen so I'm sitting on pins and needles! I think the program would be wonderful and I can't see why we'd be excluded either. Means we'd eat onsite more!

 

[chris1gill]

I'm waiting for this answer too, maybe someone could call one of the DVC resorts directly to ask!

 

[Chuck S]

Dining package is not avaiable to "room only" ressies, or those using codes, only rack rate room packages...based upon that, I really doubt DVC stays will be able to get the Dining option...just as DVC was not eligible in the past. The Rack Rate for the room package helps Disney recoup the costs associated with the dining option.

 

[FamilyGuy]

I think Chuck S who posted above, got it spot on - I was thinking along the same lines. The (seemingly underpriced) dining options are available to make the package(s) more attractive.

 

[MrShiny]

It doesn't make a ton of sense why they don't offer this, since its easy for most DVC members to avoid eating onsite at all (there is that kitchen thing in the 1br and up). So you'd think they'd rather get even the discounted amoutn towards dining than less than that.

 

[CarolMN]

It doesn't make a ton of sense why they don't offer this, since its easy for most DVC members to avoid eating onsite at all (there is that kitchen thing in the 1br and up). So you'd think they'd rather get even the discounted amoutn towards dining than less than that.

You're assuming that the discounted amount would still be profitable on its own - i.e., without the contributions made by the other package components. IMHO, that's debatable. I agree with Chuck S, too.

Best wishes -

 

[pkitty]

In a studio it's not as if your able to really cook anything...therefore you are still required to go out to eat. Once again it makes me question my DVC purchase (yup.... I said it out loud). The reason I say this is that I can stay at an on site for far less and enjoy the add ons such as this dining option. Instead because I chose DVC I'll have to pay full price to eat onsight. The last time we at Le Cellier at Epcot (which is now one of the resturants accepting this program) for Dh, myself and 10 year DD it was 80.00 US plus gratuities. If these are the types of resturants that they are offering the meal plan virtually pays for itself with dinner alone. Instead as a DVC owner I will be required to pay 30.00 for lunch 65.00 - 80.00 for a decent sit down meal and 15.00-20.00 for snacks daily while regular guests get to access this program. If you fly to WDW and stay at your DVC you eat onsight most of the time unless you've got a car rental. I just would appreciate a "practical" discount privilege for once instead of things like 10% off of a 150.00 round of golf or a 100.00 massage.Everybody needs to eat and I basically never have cooked on vacation and just because I've purchased a DVC that's not going to change just because I've got a kitchen staring me in the face. In the last 8 trips that we've been on to WDW in as many years, I can count on one hand the number of times I've gone off sight to eat. This topic just makes me irritable. Off course DVc is room only reservations...that's what the program is all about.The option isn't there to make our stays into "packages"...that's DVC stipulation, so why should this be held against DVC owners who would like to add this onto there room only ressies. It's not our problem at that point.Whereas if you are booking an onsite hotel it is your option to buy a package so if you turn it down then yes you should not be allowed to add the meal program on. That's what makes me annoyed!

 

[Chuck S]

But weren't we all aware of that when we purchased? You bought into DVC to save off of rack rate accomodations, we have a $100 AP Discount (Yay). You are more than welcome to pay rack rate in order to add a $35 per adult dining package, but I sure wouldn't do it.

If they were offering the dining pkg to discount code and room only ressies then , yes, DVC should be entitled to it. But since they are a full price package item, they are not discriminating against us at all.

The difference between Rack Rack and most discount codes, and the difference between rack rate and DVC accomodations more than makes up for savings of the dining package. If you choose to purchase an AP there are dining discounts associated with that, plus I hope DVC continues the few "special" dining discounts we had in 2004 (adding to them would be great ).

 

[margaretCT]

I remember the Food & Fun option back in the mid-90's was offered to DVC members (even at a discount from the regular $58 to $47 for DVC members). I don't remember if this perk was part of a package or associated with rooms or tickets or just a perk in its own right. Loved F&F back then and would love the dining option now.

Margaret in CT

 

[Chuck S]

Food and Fun was not part of a Package, it was an add on option for all rooms, using codes or not. DVC was given a discount.

MYW Food plan is only available to full price packages.

 

[MichelleB]

Please, someone staying at WDW right now, let us know what the resorts are saying about this issue.

 

[FamilyGuy]

I suppose you could call MS in the morning.

 

[MDonley]

We use our DVC dining discounts as often as we can. We're looking forward to AP discounts now also. We'll sure think twice before eating at somewhere not giving a discount ... However, eating at home is a big part of why we belong to DVC. It sure beats standing in line ... even with PS.
I remember Food and Fun ... We'd pig out at a character breakfast, grab some extra fruit for our backpack lunch, and eat a big early supper. Hmmm... Maybe we're the cause of why it's no longer offered!

 

[Chuck S]

MichelleB, Since you're on a fairly tight schedule with your upcoming trip, and MS is closed today....you could call your home resort directly and ask.

 

[chris1gill]

Michelle, if you take Chuck's suggestion to call & ask your resort, please let us know what they say! :jumping4:

 

[DebbieB]

Are the guides working today? One of them might know if there are any plans to add it. If it hasn't been announced on the member page, I don't think it's available now for the resorts to know about it.

 

[Chuck S]

I doubt the guides would know anything definate, speculation maybe. Since guides don't actually work with the bookings. Since the "dining option" became "available" as of yesterday, if they were going to offer it to DVC, the resorts should know, they'd be the ones adding it to the room keys.

 

[zulaya]

Anyone know anything about this yet?