No Free Dining (not confirmed)

[ginnygi]

Just want to let people know who are waiting to hear about free dining for fall 2010 - I dont think it is happening at this point. I just received an email with pin code for new offer for late summer/fall/early winter. The offer was for 30% off value hotel rates, 35% off moderate, and 40% off deluxe. The offer runs from end of July all the way through mid December, with a few black out dates. But if this pans out the way it has in the past, the pin code offer with eventually be offered to general public in near future. I dont think they will offer free dining and this other room discount at the same time. So this thread is based on my opinion and has absolutely no weight behind it other than logical thinking. But Id like to hear what others think. I was hoping for free dining, but room discount is better than nothing so... Should we hold out hope for free dining? Or just reconcile ourselves to the fact that the dream is dead?

 

[DisneyWeather!]

I am relatively new to watching for the discounts, so I could definitely be wrong, but it seems to me that they have been offering several promos at the same time recently. So, I wouldn't give up on the free dining yet. Also, I tried to compare a couple of the deals that they had going recently and it seemed that the dining and the percentages off the room (mod for us) was about the same for my family. It seems that the promo dept. tries to offer several different deals to try and entice different people with different mind-sets, but in the end, it costs them (Disney) about the same in the end.

 

[CanadianGuy]

I am relatively new to watching for the discounts, so I could definitely be wrong, but it seems to me that they have been offering several promos at the same time recently. So, I wouldn't give up on the free dining yet. Also, I tried to compare a couple of the deals that they had going recently and it seemed that the dining and the percentages off the room (mod for us) was about the same for my family. It seems that the promo dept. tries to offer several different deals to try and entice different people with different mind-sets, but in the end, it costs them (Disney) about the same in the end.

There are a few exceptions.. (large families or parties traveling in groups) where free dining allows them to make out like bandits in some situations.

But generally.. I think you're right on the money.

Currently the prevailing wind over on the Codes & Rates board (sub board of Resorts) that watches all these offers etc.. is that F/D or *some* fall promo will probably not be announced til late April or early May.

Time will tell.

 

[marius97]

I've stayed out of the FD debate because I didn't want to get attacked to badly. My first thought when I heard someone from Disney (the CEO maybe?) state that they were going to be pulling back from deep discounts in the 2nd half of 2010 was that FD would be gone or severely limited. I know A LOT of people like FD, but I think it hurt the bottom line too much. I believe that they have crunched the numbers and figured out that they can live with fewer people coming with no FD, but those that are there will be spending more per person per day.

 

[mickey2000]

NO FREE DDP =

 

[lauraf]

NO FREE DDP =

So why is FD so bad? Why do you say no to it? It works for me when I go. Its good for me, and I look forward to it. I save a lot. Would I still go without it? of course, I would just pay for the DP. If you went during the FD and it was the only offer would you get it? If not, why? It doesn't matter whether we approve of FD or DP it will always be up to Disney in what they offer. I am not wanting a confrontation I am just curious as to why. It has always been a positive experience for me. So for me it works, while its still here. And I will be enjoying it again this sept. (bounceback offer).

 

[doccoc2002]

Just want to let people know who are waiting to hear about free dining for fall 2010 - I dont think it is happening at this point. I just received an email with pin code for new offer for late summer/fall/early winter. The offer was for 30% off value hotel rates, 35% off moderate, and 40% off deluxe. The offer runs from end of July all the way through mid December, with a few black out dates. But if this pans out the way it has in the past, the pin code offer with eventually be offered to general public in near future. I dont think they will offer free dining and this other room discount at the same time. So this thread is based on my opinion and has absolutely no weight behind it other than logical thinking. But Id like to hear what others think. I was hoping for free dining, but room discount is better than nothing so... Should we hold out hope for free dining? Or just reconcile ourselves to the fact that the dream is dead?

Are you saying that the pin you recieved will automatically turn into a public offer...because some people have recieved a FD pin code for AUG/SEPT time frame. So, if pin codes go out to certain people and then become general public FD may still have a chance.Who know what Disney will do??? They are starting to make some people crazy sitting here waiting and all they are doing by prolonging this fall offer to come out is pushing people to book elsewhere.

 

[Minnie321]

I've stayed out of the FD debate because I didn't want to get attacked to badly. My first thought when I heard someone from Disney (the CEO maybe?) state that they were going to be pulling back from deep discounts in the 2nd half of 2010 was that FD would be gone or severely limited. I know A LOT of people like FD, but I think it hurt the bottom line too much. I believe that they have crunched the numbers and figured out that they can live with fewer people coming with no FD, but those that are there will be spending more per person per day.

I have been saying this for a long time - stop running all the specials and let those of us that will spend the money do it - frankly I am not returning until the attendance drops - I was there last week and it was by far my worst trip - I thought last summer was, but this took the cake. I was sad when I left - we go at least three times a year and I told my kids to really say goodbye because it would be a while.

 

[LuccaDrake]

I have been saying this for a long time - stop running all the specials and let those of us that will spend the money do it - frankly I am not returning until the attendance drops - I was there last week and it was by far my worst trip - I thought last summer was, but this took the cake. I was sad when I left - we go at least three times a year and I told my kids to really say goodbye because it would be a while.

Keep in mind that last week was Easter, one (if not the) busiest times of the year at WDW. Attendance is down overall this year so crowds should actually be less than usual.

 

[Golf4food]

I have been saying this for a long time - stop running all the specials and let those of us that will spend the money do it - frankly I am not returning until the attendance drops - I was there last week and it was by far my worst trip - I thought last summer was, but this took the cake. I was sad when I left - we go at least three times a year and I told my kids to really say goodbye because it would be a while.

So you've recently been during Easter week - one of the top busiest weeks of the year - and the summer - when they are at highest average attendance due to schools being out...

Of course they're crowded!

Maybe try a time of year (if you can) that isn't one of their peak times.

 

[DisneyWeather!]

I have been saying this for a long time - stop running all the specials and let those of us that will spend the money do it - frankly I am not returning until the attendance drops - I was there last week and it was by far my worst trip - I thought last summer was, but this took the cake. I was sad when I left - we go at least three times a year and I told my kids to really say goodbye because it would be a while.

We were there over the 4th of July last summer, supposedly the busiest week of the summer, with the 4/3 deal, and I feared the worst. Instead, I was blown away by the relatively small crowds. It compared to when we went the week after Thanksgiving in '07, supposedly the slowest time of the year. I did buy an Unofficial Guide book and came up with my own "gameplan" going in to our trip, but I really don't think that my "plan" was as vital as the crowd #'s being down. So I was just curious as to which week of the summer did you have such a busy crowd experience?

 

[KYMickey]

We were there over the 4th of July last summer, supposedly the busiest week of the summer, with the 4/3 deal, and I feared the worst. Instead, I was blown away by the relatively small crowds.

That's because everybody in these days is using the DP's and after planning and eating three meals a day they don't have time or energy to visit the Parks!

 

[anthony2k7]

odd... its been available to brits this year and is about to become available for next year as well apparently.

 

[sweetdana]

FD is only SUPPPPPPPER good for value resorts, and only a little better for Mods. For del room only discounts work out better. At say Poly, it is not even as good as 30% off. As well, it fills resturants up with ressies with free dining, when say a DVCer who pays for the dining plan, or even a non resort guest paying for there ticket into the park, cannot pay for a meal ... ends up buying a QS instead, or driving out of the park. Overall FD, may bring people in, but so will 30% off, and I really believe if it was happening more than just pins, it would have been out by now. Think, Aug 15th is 4 months away.. and counting down.

.. IDK, but time will tell.


NO facts.. here just opinions. I agree with poster.. I think it will be a different promo not FD.

 

[troynkasey]

Free Dining has some effects on more than just attendance. With Free Dining, the Value resorts fill up first. That's because those folks on the fence about going will go and book at a value. If you plan on going and staying deluxe, you're going to do it regardless. If you're going to stay Mod, you may decide the money you save will allow you to upgrade from the mod to the deluxe without much additional out of your pocket.

Here is where free dining has the major effect... Those folks that sign up for free dining and stay value booking ressies or eating counter service at the food court. Counter servce at the food court doesn't compare to staying Mod or Deluxe and eating table service. Plus...Disney makes more on the food aspect and on table service.

Here's the reason why I think the will do away with free dining... Disney has the rooms and infrastructure for guests to stay. So dropping 30% off room rates isn't doing a whole lot but bringing guests to the World. They're booking more rooms, but at a lower profit. BUT, all those guests now are buying their food. THere's your profit margin increase. And they're buying souvenirs.

It has to be a better deal for Disney to offer discounts on room stays than the free dining. Personally, I'd rather have the room discount than the free dining...

 

[DC7800]

So why is FD so bad? Why do you say no to it? It works for me when I go. Its good for me, and I look forward to it. I save a lot. Would I still go without it? of course, I would just pay for the DP. If you went during the FD and it was the only offer would you get it? If not, why? It doesn't matter whether we approve of FD or DP it will always be up to Disney in what they offer. I am not wanting a confrontation I am just curious as to why. It has always been a positive experience for me. So for me it works, while its still here. And I will be enjoying it again this sept. (bounceback offer).

I'm not Mickey2000, but if I may interject an opinion, the chief concerns over the dining plan in general - and free dining in particular - typically center around food quality, restaurant service and experience, menu selection, and the fact that it frequently overwhelms the priority seating reservation system. From Disney's perspective, they are giving away an awful lot of food/dining reservations which could otherwise have been sold to cash paying customers, they often lose money on table-service dining even among patrons who have purchased the dining plan, and they are turning away most walk-up and last minute reservation business - again from cash paying customers - because the dining room is full of people eating for free. There are other issues, and I'll have more time later, but that's basically the gist of it.

I'm sincerely glad it works for you; Free dining really can be a good savings for a family, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it. To answer your questions (and thanks for asking so nicely), yes - I'd take free dining gladly if it were the best 'deal' available (which, for deluxe resorts, it usually isn't). As you point out it is always up to Disney what deals they offer, so while I can see the damage the dining plan appears to be doing to the Disney dining experience, it's not up to me so we all have to book whatever is available. I do sincerely and firmly believe that both WDW and its guests will be better off in the long term with alternate deals than free dining or even the continuation of the (purchased) dining plan.

I think there probably are ways to modify the dining plan - including free dining - to avoid most of the more serious issues, but I think Disney presenting other offers instead (40% off deluxe, gift cards, etc.) is the more likely outcome.

 

[skier_pete]

I've posted this many times...but will respond to the OP specifically here.

Discount PIN you got means nothing for whether FD is coming. I got a PIN last February that cover February through December at 40 % OFF. I booked our December trip using it, until the FD came out for December in late-August this past year.

Here's what I say over-and-over again. Every year for 4 years now, the boards are all a twitter how there won't be any FD offer this year. And every year, it gets offered. I think that its only a matter of time until the Values only get free QSDP, but I think you will see it come out for late-August to early-October again this year, and every year.

Here's why, contrary to what PP say - with some exceptions, this is a *much* better deep discount for Disney than say a 40% off room rate. Because with the room discount (1) you are guaranteeing that money is not coming to Disney and (2) there is NO guarantee those people are coming to make up that money in the restaurants.

With FD - they FILL up all the restaurants AND all the hotel rooms, which before FD was a historically slow time of year. Ask around, anyone that used to go at that time of year, it used to be DEAD. Not anymore. If they stop offering FD, some people will still come, but a lot won't - it is a LOUSY time of year to visit WDW...we would NEVER go that time without the big discount. Secondly, yes, they are giving away the food for free - but many people use the dining plan very inefficiently, especially those on free dining. Meals don't get used...because it's *free* people spend more on drinks, or appetizers.

So, what I'm saying is, I would bet $100 that FD will be announced for the early fall. You can pay me later.

 

[Spanky2]

I am trying to figure which option - 35% room discount, or free dining - would save my family more money.

We have booked the CSR for 7 nights in Sept 2010. The room rate, I believe, was $149 per night. We have 2 rooms (5 people - 2 adults, 3 kids under 10). If I use $149 per night, the total room cost is $2086 and with 35% off the room, I'd save about $730. Free dining would be worth $770 to my family (DDP).

Is my logic correct? The free dining would save my family slightly more money.

 

[rootbeerkid]

I am trying to figure which option - 35% room discount, or free dining - would save my family more money.

We have booked the CSR for 7 nights in Sept 2010. The room rate, I believe, was $149 per night. We have 2 rooms (5 people - 2 adults, 3 kids under 10). If I use $149 per night, the total room cost is $2086 and with 35% off the room, I'd save about $730. Free dining would be worth $770 to my family (DDP).

Is my logic correct? The free dining would save my family slightly more money.

CSR rack rates would be $149 weekday, $159 weekend with added tax. Price quoted by Disney website for 7 nights in September for 2 room totals $2392 ($2126 + ~$265 tax). So 35% savings would be ~$837. Assuming that all childern are greater than age 3, for 7 nights, dining plan would be ~$790 ($39.95*2+$10.99*3 per day). If math is correct, 35% discount would save ~$47.

 

[IslandAdventure4]

We just booked our trip for early October. We just had this depate too. We booked the DP with our trip. If they do announce the free DP, should we use the room discount of the free DP. I will be following the discussion to come. Let the debate continue