Question on DVC points/free dining-Help!!

[MsHanSolo]

Hi all, I know this question has probably been posed before, but I could not for the life of me find anything when I searched for it...so help! My family and I are thinking about going sometime in the near future and I have been looking into renting points to stay in one of the 3 bedroom villas since there are going to be 6 adults. My husband and I went during free dining last year and it worked out great for us. Here's my question: if I rent points and get a villa, can the owner of the villa get the free dining for us? I'm thinking no, because from what I can tell the free dining has to be booked straight through Disney, but wanted to definitely check with the experts! Thanks!!

 

[janischa]

when you book with dvc points you aren't able to make use of free dining

 

[Lynne M]

Free dining is offered as a promotion by Disney, to fill resort rooms that they own. Points reservations come from the member-owned inventory, so there's no reason for Disney to give free dining.

 

[MsHanSolo]

I thought that might be the case, but definitely wanted to check. Thanks everyone!

 

[OldGrizzly57]

When you participate in the "free" dining offer through a cash reservation you typically are paying rack rate for the room and then getting the dining plan at no extra cost.

Take a close look at your overall cost vs. a discounted room or renting points and adding the same dining plan.

You would be surprised how often you "lose" money going with the free dining offer.

Griz

 

[Mrs D]

You can't get Free Dining but you can purchase the dining plan with a DVC points rental (without the required ticket purchase).

 

[ujdsmd]

If you decide to rent pts. ask the owner about a 20% discount on DDP. I think DVC members get a discount.
Either way have a magical trip!

 

[notaclue]

If you decide to rent pts. ask the owner about a 20% discount on DDP. I think DVC members get a discount.
Either way have a magical trip!

We own DVC and we've never been told we get a discount on the DDP. Doesn't mean that's not true, just that I was not aware of it. Some Disney restaurants will give you a 10% discount if you show your DVC membership card but that's the only discount I'm aware of.

 

[OldGrizzly57]

If you decide to rent pts. ask the owner about a 20% discount on DDP. I think DVC members get a discount.
Either way have a magical trip!

This is probably the most requested additonal perk by DVC members but there is currently no discount for the DDP to DVC members.

Griz

 

[Best Aunt]

If you decide to rent pts. ask the owner about a 20% discount on DDP. I think DVC members get a discount.
Either way have a magical trip!

We wish.

DVC members can get discounts at certain restaurants. For example,
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel
Visit this spectacular Resort and receive a 20% discount on:
Cabana Bar & Grill, open seasonally for lunch and snacks.
The Fountain, open for lunch and dinner.
Fresh Mediterranean Market, open for breakfast and lunch.
Garden Grove Café, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Ask about character experiences on select nights and weekends.
Kimonos, open for dinner only.
Picabu, open for self-service dining 24 hours.
Splash Grill & Terrace, open seasonally for lunch and snacks.

There are discounts at about 8 theme park restaurants, as well as some hotel restaurants and Downtown Disney restaurantas.

Some DVC owners are annual passholders. Annual passholders are entitled to buy the Tables In Wonderland card, which gets you
20% discount on all food and beverages at 99 participating
Resort hotel and Theme Park restaurants (discount is valid
for a party of up to 10 Guests). That might be what you were thinking of.

 

[mousefan1972]

Also, those who aren't DVC members who have a reservation booked using a member's points aren't eligible for any member perks, including dining discounts. A DVC member card must be shown when requesting the discount.

 

[Deb & Bill]

And if you are looking to rent a Grand Villa from a member (three bedroom villa), your "near future" better be a year or more out. They get booked up very quickly by members at their home resorts 11 months out.

 

[dclfun]

I hesitate to add something else negative, but do want you to be aware that the 3-bedroom DVC villas are called Grand Villas and there aren't many of them. You would probably want to book at 11 months out to even have a chance to get one. Everyone else is correct that DVC members do not get free dining when using their points for a resort stay or a discounted ddp. You do need to price out everything and compare to see where your best value is for your vacation. For instance we are DVC members but for the first few years of "free dining" we booked one of our vacations per year that way as it was a better value for us.