No Free Dining (not confirmed)

[mightyminnie]

I think that the quality of the food is an interesting subject. I guess I hadn't thought of it that way.

I was going to vent about not having free dining for people who don't have a lot of money, but I decided it wasn't worth it and now I'm editing it. LOL

 

[Kronk N Tink]

Just recieved this e-mail.....

Hungry for a Disney deal?

Good. Because we're about to offer you a great one...one that makes for a tasty and convenient way to enjoy Disney meals and snacks throughout your stay!

Enjoy the Disney Quick-Service
Dining Plan, FREE

when you purchase a 4-night/5-day non-discounted Walt Disney Travel Company vacation package that includes accommodations at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels and Theme Park tickets! For stays most nights now through 8/14/10.

Check out the sample pricing on these
Disney Resort categories.
Enjoy savings of US $127 per adult!

For stays most nights 4/11/10-6/3/10

Select Disney
Value Resorts
US $ 499 *
per adult based on adult double occupancy in a standard room.



Select Disney
Moderate Resorts
US $ 655 *
per adult based on adult double occupancy in a standard room.



For stays most nights 6/4/10-8/14/10

Select Disney
Value Resorts
US $ 530 *
per adult based on adult double occupancy in a standard room.



Select Disney
Moderate Resorts
US $ 689 *
per adult based on adult double occupancy in a standard room.


*The number of packages available at these rates is limited. Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same package. Tickets are for one Theme Park per day and must be used within 14 days of first use. No group rates or other discounts apply. Offer is nontransferable. Advance reservations required.

Scurry and book through 4/30/10!
Book Now

or
Call 407-939-7690
or your Travel Agent.

Be ready with your PIN:
(edited)

Ask about great rates at Disney Deluxe Resorts and Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts when you call!

found it interesting they're offering quick service only via pin so far.... and not even for the slow season.

 

[Diamond Dave]

The subject of free dinning is very interesting for me as a UK visitor. It seems that after reading the posts here that WDW offers either a room discount 10,20,or 30% depending on what type of resort you choose or it has in the past offered FD, again the type depending on where you stay QSDP for the values/ moderate and DP for the deluxe. Here in the UK I booked a 14nt stay at OKW 1 BDRM villa at a 48% discount off advertised price (8/24-9/7) and when purchased with a 14 day ultimate park ticket (again discounted 14 nts for the price of 7) then the DP was included free. This offer has been heavily advertised on TV and I know that this deal is also available for 2011 bookings as well (Through Virgin). So it seems that it can only be a matter of time before FD in some form is offered in the States.

However there is a downside of FD, having again read the forums and realising that all the best resturants are booked so far in advance with people booking ADRs' in the hope of FD i have had to book tables for meals 180 days in advance rather than walk up and eat what i fancy at the time. This type of planning is alien to me and kind of takes a bit of getting my head round. It also makes me think that if WDW resturants are so fully booked 180 or so days out then why would WDW offer FD. How many of those ADR's would be cancelled if no FD was available.

Just wondering...

 

[skater]

Somehow I really doubt that if Disney does away with FD or even the dining plan altogether, the quality will improve .

 

[delilah]

We got a post card earlier this week for free dining on the quick service plan (2 counter service meals and 2 snack credits a day). It is running until mid-August. You need to book a package with a rack rate room and park ticket. We have DVC, and this offer wouldn't be that attractive to us. We have a DVC discount on an annual pass, and the room is already prepaid. We are going to splurge and get the standard dining plan, and actually pay less money for the trip.

 

[OldsDr]

Somehow I really doubt that if Disney does away with FD or even the dining plan altogether, the quality will improve .

Not right away. But it would set the ground work for improvements to begin. With no dinning plan they would then probably have a restaurant somewhere try something new or different. and because it is different everyone will want to go there. prompting other restaurants to start offering unique items . That would start the pedulum swinning back the other way. At least as far as getting differnet Items offered

 

[DC7800]

Somehow I really doubt that if Disney does away with FD or even the dining plan altogether, the quality will improve

Discontinuance of the Dining Plan would at least remove one incentive for restaurants to continue the decline of food quality, quantity, and variety (within a general lessening of the Disney dining experience).

 

[SDSorority]

Discontinuance of the Dining Plan would at least remove one incentive for restaurants to continue the decline of food quality, quantity, and variety (within a general lessening of the Disney dining experience).

Good point.

I'm glad that there isn't FD so far! I have had NO problem making my ressies this year for the times I wanted!!

 

[black562]

Ok guys, as I posted in my blog earlier, I figured it would be mentioned here by now. Sources are saying that Disney is going to release free dining on May 3rd for the dates of August 15-October 2. Its also looking very likely that value resorts will get quick service, while mods and deluxes will get the regular plan. Of course, if you stay in a value, you can upgrade to the regular plan for $10 per person per day. Also, as in prior years, its likely that Disney Visa holders will get to book two or three days prior.

That's what we have so far...of course, its Disney so anything can change.

 

[ConcKahuna]

I heard the non-Disney (table service) restaurants only get something like $5-7 per adult on the DDP. If people dont think that would cause a decline in quality, they're on something.

And non-Disney restaurants aren't just at DTD. Most of the Epcot restaurants are 3rd

San Angel
Nine Dragons
Biergarten
Tutu Italia
Teppan Edo/Tokyo Dining
Marrakesh
le Celier
Chefs de France
Rose & Crown.

 

[canopynut66]

Have seen fall free dining not offered until late October and then Disney will extend it again. And the Magic Dining not just the counter service

 

[Lewisc]

Discontinuance of the Dining Plan would at least remove one incentive for restaurants to continue the decline of food quality, quantity, and variety (within a general lessening of the Disney dining experience).

Disney wanted to fill their restaurants, not just CRT and a few other popular restaurants. DDP gives guests a way to budget the cost of dining and ensures guests eat most of their meals at Disney restaurants. Reducing costs/improving efficiency is a natural consequence of that approach.
AFAIK V&A is the only Disney restaurant that doesn't participate with DDP. AFAIK Bistro is about the only non-Disney restaurant on property that doesn't participate. Disney could remove a couple of restaurants from the DDP. The fact is there aren't enough guests willing to pay the kind of prices necessary for the profit Disney is looking for together with the cost of operating that type of restaurant.

Guests willing to pay for a different dining experience can consider Bistro in EPCOT as well as the restaurants in the S/W. Shula's, blueZoo and Il Mulino all get good reviews.

I heard the non-Disney (table service) restaurants only get something like $5-7 per adult on the DDP. If people dont think that would cause a decline in quality, they're on something.

.....
le Celier
Chefs de France
Rose & Crown.

I think Le Cellier is a Disney run restaurant. The number used to be $25-$27 (I don't remember the exact number). I think it went up. Non-Disney restaurants ring up the cost of the food you order but show a discount which brings the amount down to what Disney is reimbursing the restaurant. We rarely get that receipt but you can see it if you're by the register when your check is being closed out.

A restaurant should be able to offer a reasonable price fixed menu for $27. Most price fixed menus at least include a soup or salad. Disney is offering an entree, dessert and non-alcoholic drinks.