New Dining Program for DVC members?

[MichelleB]

We're checking into VWL so I called them direct a few minutes ago. The lady I spoke with said she didn't have any information but the reservations personnel are the ones that add that for you so I would need to check with MS. Guess I'll call them in the morning, but thought I'd let everyone know what I found out so far.

 

[chris1gill]

Thanks for checking, that gives us one more day to hope!!!

 

[Codie]

I often stay in the studios also. I prefer to spend more nights and not have the kitchen and jacuzzi (although that jacuzzi makes it a tough choice). We eat a ton of meals in the room. I bring a large bowl, a hot plate skillet, and a can opener. You can make everything from spaghetti to stew to mac/cheese, etc. I bring the skillet in my suitcase along with the cans of food and pop...it always gets searched;-) Last time we took Happy Limo and stopped at the grocery store--definitely better than lugging cans of stew, applesauce, spaghetti sauce and pop in the suitcase
I love Disney and if I didn't have my timeshare, I would never go as often as I do and I would never stay in the luxury resorts with the awesome pools that I do. I'd have to stay at the All-Stars and I'd be pinching pennies to go....this is SO MUCH better!!!

 

[mcr5298]

I went to dvcmember.com and email Member Services.

I have my flame resistant suit on

The more I think about this the more it burns me up on why they would or could not offer this plan to DVC members.

I doubt that the dining plan is a loss leader for Disney Packages.
You don't need to add the Dining option to book a package. I would like to know the percentage of packages that add the Dining Option.

I can't imagine Disney doing anything to loose money. They tell you that you save money by adding the dining plan, but they are trying to add on gross sales for people packing PB&J's to bring to the parks. These people are not going to eat at the California Grill. It might save some poeple money but it is still a revenue vehicle.

It is probably more a boundry issue then anything else.

We may never know why this is not offered.

Sorry, I guess I am feeling Grumpy today.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

I doubt that the dining plan is a loss leader for Disney Packages.
You don't need to add the Dining option to book a package. I would like to know the percentage of packages that add the Dining Option.

I can't imagine Disney doing anything to loose money. They tell you that you save money by adding the dining plan, but they are trying to add on gross sales for people packing PB&J's to bring to the parks. These people are not going to eat at the California Grill. It might save some poeple money but it is still a revenue vehicle.

I agree with your thoughts, thats why I also feel that the dining plans will be offered to dvc guests. i dont think meal plans, in general, need the extra revenue from rack rates to make them a worthwhile income producer. Some people will save money with them, but some will be spending money they never even planned on because now they will rethink cooking for themselves.

 

[Scratch42]

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!

Vouchers!

Plus when was the last time you went grocery shopping in a US store! You will definately be amazed at their selection of premade meals to what is available to us!LOL And it's all microwavable!

Scratch

 

[Doctor P]

I'm going to bet that we cannot add the plans (at least yet), but agree that Disney might make some extra money if they found a way to add the plans for DVC members.

 

[canwegosoon]

First of all I wanted to say...Scratch that is exactly what I did...I got vouchers. I posted a similar thread on the DVC Community board. I do not understand why Disney doesn't offer this as an option, ( if you buy you tickets onsite you can add a meal plan for XXX) we are paying full rack rates. Makes sense to me.

I also have been reconsidering why did purchase DVC, only to then be charged top dollar.

And sorry while initially excited about the DVC discount on the AP tickets, in the wake of the new MYW tickets there is no true savings, unless you make frequent small trips or a really long trip. This is not possible due to DH work schedule. (so you can say I am medium warm on the discount).

Ok...so I am a consumer, and I can let my dollars do the talking. But really think Disney would want to strengthen it's relationships with some of their best customers, not let them continue to feel..Why did I do this?

 

[chris1gill]

Nope, no go...

I just got off the phone with MS & as of right now there is no ability to add the dining program to DVC reservations... What a bummer We're booked for October, maybe they'll change their minds in the meantime

 

[canwegosoon]

Thanks for checking.

 

[crisi]

Its possible that these will be offered, but are being "piloted" as part of the package. We are all pretty well aware that some of Disneys computer systems don't talk well together, and its possible that adding this to a DVC reservation involves a bit of additional programming they haven't completed yet. Its also possible Disney wants to see the numbers on this. If it makes them more money, it may be opened up. If its wildly successful, they are going to have a problem - they don't have that many seats in sit down restaurants! - and we won't get it for DVC or AP holders.

And, while I would love this package that saves me money, the MYW passes are still cheaper than the UPHs I was getting (even with the discount), the room is still cheaper than I was getting, and I'm still saving money over staying at a Deluxe at rack rates - and don't need to watch codes to get it cheaper.

 

[Chuck S]

Canwegosoon...

How do you figure DVCers are paying rack rates? Figuring my initial purchase at $51.50 per point/ 49 years of the contract that was available in 1992, that is $1.05 per point per year. Add a little less than $4 dues, and figure $5 per point actual cost.

In June we have 9 nights in a one bedroom for 236 points of roughly $1180 An average of $131 per night. Way less than an AP discounted deluxe room. A studio is 118 points for those 9 nights, or less than $66 per night. Hmmm, a studio for less than a rack rate at a value resort. Including a Saturday and Sunday. IF it were weekdays only, $50 per night studio, $100 per night 1 bedroom.

 

[NMW]

I booked the first three nights of our Dec 2005 stay at BWV this morning with MS. I asked about a meal plan and was told (after being put on hold to check) that a meal plan for DVC members was in the works and that they were working really hard to work everything out with the plan and make it available as soon a possible. BTW, I was told the prices for the discounted AP's but was told that I would have to wait until Jan 10 to purchase them from MS. I was told that in the meantime they can be purchased at the DVC resorts. Just wanted to share.

 

[canwegosoon]

Canwegosoon...

How do you figure DVCers are paying rack rates? Figuring my initial purchase at $51.50 per point/ 49 years of the contract that was available in 1992, that is $1.05 per point per year. Add a little less than $4 dues, and figure $5 per point actual cost.

In June we have 9 nights in a one bedroom for 236 points of roughly $1180 An average of $131 per night. Way less than an AP discounted deluxe room. A studio is 118 points for those 9 nights, or less than $66 per night. Hmmm, a studio for less than a rack rate at a value resort. Including a Saturday and Sunday. IF it were weekdays only, $50 per night studio, $100 per night 1 bedroom.

Chuck, while I appericate your view point, not everyone paid $51.50 a point (nor pay 118 points for a stuido), and from a financial numbers stand point you probably right or close to it, technically speaking. I know I am simplifing things by stating I feel like I am paying full rack rates, but in my mind it is due to 2 reasons. #1 is the points vary according to desired room requests, the dates change yearly to account for Easter and other school breaks. Yes I was fully aware of that when I signed on the bottom line, so no qualms about it. The 2# is that due to the fact that I have dollars invested in Disney, that prohibits me from taking advantage of "specials" that are being offered, in this case the packages that will now be including a totally revamped ticket structure, and a dining option. IMHO is seems that investors are being penalized, which from a marketing/mgt stand poink doesn't make sense. If you upset your corebase of customers, you can create devestating problems. Having said that, no I don't think Disney should give everything away for free, and I certainly don't think that DVC owners have the right to constantly demand more and more-I do understand Disney is a money making operation. But in this case, with the dining option, I feel that there should be an offer made available to DVC owners who can not qualify for it through normal channels. Secondly, Disney has stopped availibility for vouchers, thus closing off the only other option.
In my case FYI $87 per point(1.67+4.65*231=1476)comes to an average of $148 dollars (based on 10 nights) a night for a stuido SSR...In my mind close to rack rates, but can't check due to system being down(and I could be totally off on this one). Once again...jmo...but I can see yours too.

 

[Chuck S]

DVCers can qualify for the dining program via "normal" channels, they can book a package through CRO.

But here is something interesting from another thread: now, it may be this person was given a FL res sleeve by mistake, if not, perhaps they are working on a simlar DDE for DVC.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=707764

 

[defos]

Please excuse my ignorance. What is CRO?

 

[Chuck S]

CRO - Central Reservations Office They handle the packages and room only cash ressies at the Disney resorts.

 

[crisi]

canwegosoon,

The "deal" gets better over time. When Chuck bought OKW you can bet rack rates weren't near what they are now....so his savings was significantly smaller years ago.

The first few years with DVC are break even. Its once hotel rates rise faster than dues that this becomes a better deal. And if Disney stops the heavy discounting, it will be a better deal. There is no guarentee that codes will be available five years from now, or that they will offer significant savings.

Chuck has a point - book your vacation through CRO and rent your points if you think you are getting a bad deal. You'll have everything the CRO package offers (remember you can't use codes and get the dining deal) - and, if you are right, come out ahead.

 

[DebbieB]

I could see being upset if CRO allowed the dining plan to be added to room only reservations. They are not. Disney has always offered packages with dining plans. It was previously the gold, silver or platnium plan. What they are doing this year is breaking the price out rather than rolling it into the package plan price.

By the way, I checked the rack rate for an SSR studio. It's $259 to $379 plus tax, depending on the season.

 

[Chuck S]

It is true, AP holders can get the DDE (20% off Breakfast Lunch and Dinner at most full service restaurants - Holiday blackout dates apply) for $50. I just ordered mine.