Poll about banning free dining (Inspired by Geezer)

[robinb]

For me, Free Dining IS the DDP during those times when FD is offered. Unless I'm mistaken, wouldn't anyone that is staying at a WDW Resort (non-DVC points) be using free dining? As such, it is one and the same in my opinion.

"Free dining" is actually just another discount. It's the value of the DDP x the number of adults and children in the room. Standard AP Discounts can be a better bargain depending on the number and ages of the people in the room and the level of resort you book even if you purchase the DDP.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

FD (No matter if you think it's free or not) and the DDP have caused the demise of Disney dining, but Disney did it with a purpose. Disney wanted a bigger monopoly of the diners and the only way to do it cheaply and put more money in their pockets was to create FD & the DDP.

They homoginized dining to bump up their bottom line. They had to make it easier for kitchen mass production so they offer fewer choices and in turn made it less costly by offering cheaper cuts of meat etc. and cutting back on upscale foods like lobster tails etc.

Disney won't change it because it's a winning formula $$$$$$$$$$$$ for them and frankly since it does serve the purpose of many diners why would they! Personally I've stopped caring whether they do or not. I eat a few TS meals that I enjoy (OOP), I can't wait to try the new Le Cellier, I enjoy Todd English Blue Zoo, other than that I eat outside of Disney (love Timpanos Italian Chop House) and the rest of the time I cook in my villa, something which I enjoy doing even on vacation!

Just as I don't participate in the DDP, nor would I participate in FD if offered to DVC owners!

 

[DebbieB]

I also do not think free dining is to blame for the drop in quality of food. I think the dining plan itself is the main cause for that one. Still, we feel we've been able to get quality meals at WDW but hate the homogenization that only seems to increase at many of the restaurants.

We did experience the free dining way back when it first came out. I was excited at this new promotion. When we were done what we decided is that the dining plan in any shape or form is not for us.

Unless it really were free!

I agree - I don't think it's free dining but the dining plan in general.

 

[TDC Nala]

Best case scenario is they get rid of it (and by that I mean the dining plan in its entirety and NOT just free dining). However, that'll never happen. It was fun to fantasize but the realistic choice is "leave as is." Free dining is the most successful promotion WDW has ever run, because it draws in even those who are not technically getting the dining "free" because they have options other than paying rack rate. The word "free" is very powerful.

Unless I'm mistaken, wouldn't anyone that is staying at a WDW Resort (non-DVC points) be using free dining?

No, because of several factors: free dining requires rack rate and at least 2 day park tickets, and not everyone wants to pay that - they can get better deals using other discounts (annual passholders, for example, can get a room discount plus dining and don't have to buy any tickets at all); and free dining is not offered for every room at every resort. There is a limit as to how many rooms at each resort are available on the free dining promotion. There are probably also guests who are like me and won't get the dining plan in any form, even if staying on a cash reservation during the time free dining is offered.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

The thing that chaps me is they put restrictions on the "free dining" offers, then they don't enforce them. A friend recently got a PIN for free dining - it stated 5 night minimum. But when he phoned they said he could use it on a 4 night stay. Why bother to list a restriction? If they REALLY required a 5 night stay, park ticket purchase, no paying the difference to upgrade the plan, etc. then it would cut down on the hysteria.

 

[Brian Noble]

I'd like to add a fifth poll option: "Every DVC Member should get a pony."

After all, it's about as realistic as the other four.

 

[Tiger926]

Interesting responses, but the poll choices don't seem too realistic to me.

Free dining is free, since no charge is issued on guest accounts. It's so silly when people keep saying it's not free. LOL!

I agree that free dining isn't the main purpose of the downfall of dining at Disney. I believe it's the dining plan in general, and the lower crowds over the years. Disney had to make up for lost guests, so the free dining promotion was born.

Honestly, how do we know that Disney still wouldn't have cut corners in dining even if there was no dining plan or free dining? Disney loves cutting corners, so honestly, I think it was coming anyway.

We used to eat 2-3 TS meals per day, mostly DDE/TIW, but we have done DP and DxDP several times when first came out, to give it a try. We are not happy with downfall of dining, so this coming trip in July, might see us for the first time in probably like 8 years to not be eating any TS meals.

If I was guaranteed that Disney would improve dining, by getting rid of free dining, I would vote to get rid of it. If not, then there is no point, as it's a promotion that draws in many guests, and allows many families who would otherwise not be able to afford dining to eat on Disney property.

I vote for Disney to improve food and service, period, Tiger

 

[Brian Noble]

and the lower crowds over the years.

This isn't true. 9/11 caused a multi-year dip. But, by '05 they had recovered to surpass 2000's total and have been growing ever since (though estimates for 2010 are a *very* slight dip, probably thanks to the Potterverse, as Universal has been going gangbusters for the last nine months.)

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AjsL9DI5I5dlcGxxMHh3NnlNc1NzLTNFSDJ2MkVLVXc&hl=en#gid=0

 

[MichaelColey]

They could eliminate Free Dining, but it still wouldn't make the food any better.

 

[MichaelColey]

Free dining is free, since no charge is issued on guest accounts. It's so silly when people keep saying it's not free. LOL!

Gotta disagree with you on this. It isn't free, because you have to choose between the "free" dining and a room discount. If you weren't getting free dining, you would get a room discount, so it "costs" you the amount of the room discount you would have received.

That amount varies depending on Value/Moderate/Deluxe, the type of room, the season, and what type of discounts were available.

 

[dnoyes]

I'd like to add a fifth poll option: "Every DVC Member should get a pony."

After all, it's about as realistic as the other four.

 

[DenLo]

I voted for "Eliminate the Signature Restaurants from Free Dining". Truthfully I don't think anything we vote on will make Disney change the policy of free dining. Free dining does exactly what it was designed to do, bring in customers, make them think they are getting a bargain when they are not and make money for Disney. The only thing that will eliminate Free Dining is when Disney doesn't need this promo to fill the empty rooms at their cash resorts.

I do hope that surveys like this one will make Disney realize their TS restaurants have deteriorated not only in the level of service but the quality of food and many of the menus have become boring and unimaginative. Some desserts are exactly the same at each of the signature restaurants with minor variations.

 

[LindaBabe]

I wish someone would send this thread to Disney Dining! We've in the past ONLY eaten out when we go to Disney. Now, we still only eat out in Florida, but it's usually NOT at Disney.

 

[Tiger926]

Gotta disagree with you on this. It isn't free, because you have to choose between the "free" dining and a room discount. If you weren't getting free dining, you would get a room discount, so it "costs" you the amount of the room discount you would have received.

That amount varies depending on Value/Moderate/Deluxe, the type of room, the season, and what type of discounts were available.

Nope, you are talking about whether it's the best deal or not, and that is irrelevant. Disney never lets you stack discounts either, so it's always one or the other.

I am speaking about the fact that this part of the package is indeed not charged to the guest = free. So, in this respect, this product is being used as a promo to secure bookings. The dining department more than likely charges back the resort department for the free product.

We are discussing 2 separate issues, Tiger

 

[hakepb]

Disney somehow needs to get the restaurants competing for $ to reverse the effects of DDP.

Right now, a restaurant gets the same $ if they sell you spaghetti, burrito or a steak. They have no reason to care about quality.

But, since it must be such a moneymaker, and yes, I understand the mental advantage of being pre-paid..
Perhaps expand the "points" system? Ie each meal gets 5 points/person, and that's enough for a cheap drink(1), salad(1), entree(2) and desert(1) but then have other choices that use more points requiring users to pay more or use more points if they want the higher quality items (ie steak for 4 or 5 points, larger appetizers/deserts for 2 points..).give restaurants the incentive of putting more $ into some options.

 

[phyllisnnj]

Don't know if this was mentioned already..

Keep Free Dining & DDP...just put a cap on the total meal price allowing customers the option to pay additional $$ for the more expensive items.
This would allow Disney to bring back the good food for those of us who miss the old dining experience.

 

[AirGoofy]

I'm fine with free dining, because we no longer go to that many of the DP restaurants, other than a couple character meals for children. This keeps everyone out of Fulton's, and I can enjoy dinner there (w/ my DVC discount).

 

[Rest&Relax]

I vote eliminate free dining. To me Disney lost is special touch with TS restaurants since free dining has come on board. Reservations are harder to get and service is not the same. I hope food service in general improves.

 

[tgropp]

If WDW wants to give free dining instead of room discounts, make it Counter Service dining only.

 

[Greysword]

Thank you Robin and Nala for clarifying this!

I wish someone would send this thread to Disney Dining! We've in the past ONLY eaten out when we go to Disney. Now, we still only eat out in Florida, but it's usually NOT at Disney.

This would be a shame, since DVC members have a unique perspective on this topic. We don't have as large a dog in this hunt (due to the full kitchen and being excluded from this benefit), and if this moved to the Restaurant board, it would likely be flooded with outrage and condemnation on the idea (like the removed post).

I'd like to add a fifth poll option: "Every DVC Member should get a pony."...

This would be appropriate for a stay at SSR. Maybe a beach umbrella at BCV, a bear rug at WL, and fast passes for that great monorail ride that goes through the Contemporary

- Chris