reaction to all the free dining and deals from Disney

[pyrxtc]

I think they should stop giving away free nights and free dining and let everyone pay a cheaper price for the overall trip without getting anything for free. The everything that we all have to pay for will slow down going up in price. As DVC members, we do not get any of the freebies for investing our money into Disney but we have to pay for everyone else to get those things for free. yes, we could stay in our hotel and not do Disney but how often does that happen ??

Maybe there should be a deal in our contracts that our park ticket price does not increase from the day we bought our membership. For immeadiate family only and non-transferable. So, sorry, that would leave out those who bought in resale and give them that years pricing for tickets. I think it would be fair and keep us going to the parks and gt more people buying in. Imagine if you could lock in ticket prices for 50 years ?? They would have to have some stipulations like if owning parties aren't married then the lock is for those two only and not both families and that would keep brother/sister ownership and giving both spouses and all kids the discount.

Now, I never went to Disney before a few years ago, not for lack of want but lack of affordability. The first time, I rented DVC. the 2nd time I went and stayed club at AKL. After that, we bought in and look forward to each visit. We finally have the means to stay in Disney but slowly the affordability to buy tickets and visit the parks is going out of reach for my family of 6. This January will be the last visit that we have two child tickets and soon after it will be all adult tickets for 8 people!!! It would be cheaper to go and gt free dining for two value rooms and buy the tickets.

 

[pyrxtc]

I know that we knew what we were buying into but I didn't know that they would raise the ticket prices so often or give away so many freebies. Free dining, free 2 nights when you buy three, $500 gift card for $395. Why give them all free stuff and offer nothing to us? I know they already got us there but we could always sell. After paying off the loan, yearly dues and all, it costs us more to go this way right now.

 

[Tara]

I think they should stop giving away free nights and free dining and let everyone pay a cheaper price for the overall trip without getting anything for free. The everything that we all have to pay for will slow down going up in price. As DVC members, we do not get any of the freebies for investing our money into Disney but we have to pay for everyone else to get those things for free. yes, we could stay in our hotel and not do Disney but how often does that happen ??

Maybe there should be a deal in our contracts that our park ticket price does not increase from the day we bought our membership. For immeadiate family only and non-transferable. So, sorry, that would leave out those who bought in resale and give them that years pricing for tickets. I think it would be fair and keep us going to the parks and gt more people buying in. Imagine if you could lock in ticket prices for 50 years ?? They would have to have some stipulations like if owning parties aren't married then the lock is for those two only and not both families and that would keep brother/sister ownership and giving both spouses and all kids the discount.

Now, I never went to Disney before a few years ago, not for lack of want but lack of affordability. The first time, I rented DVC. the 2nd time I went and stayed club at AKL. After that, we bought in and look forward to each visit. We finally have the means to stay in Disney but slowly the affordability to buy tickets and visit the parks is going out of reach for my family of 6. This January will be the last visit that we have two child tickets and soon after it will be all adult tickets for 8 people!!! It would be cheaper to go and gt free dining for two value rooms and buy the tickets.

DVC is not an investment. You are getting just what was advertised - years of lodging for a set fee plus nominal yearly expenses. If deals like free dining are important to you and what makes Disney affordable for you, then buying DVC was likely not a good purchase for you.

ETA: And you can always bank or rent your points and take advantage of free dining deals at any time. No one is stopping you.

As for me, I'm comfortable with my DVC purchase and the knowledge that my lodging is basically prepaid. I don't expect freebies or "deals" - I'm already getting exactly the deal I want. I don't have to wait for specials to be announced or wonder when those deals are going away. And rest assured the deals will go away - or not be as good - as the economy improves.

Sorry if this seems harsh - but it's difficult for me to understand the constant "we DVCers are getting ripped off" posts.

 

[pyrxtc]

I knew what I was getting as far as resorts but far from understood the points thing. I thought it would always cost the same to go for the same length of time in the same rom size/view. It is obvious now I grossly misundertood now that my week in my room of choice is no longer doable every year due to point allocation changes without borrowing from future use years for the life of DVC.

 

[Entropy]

By offering special deals, Disney is trying to bring more people to WDW to spend more money. It's a good business practice. We, on the other hand have already paid for our mmbership and have for the most part already committed to going to WDW or Disneyland, Disney has not much to gain by offering DVC mmbers lots of incentives so don't expect to see any. The perks that we do get are negotiated between DVD and WDW or other vendors to get DVC members into their stores, shows or restaurants
Please don't make us look like whiners by complaining to Disney that you don't feel like you're getting enough free stuff.

 

[Entropy]

I know that we knew what we were buying into but I didn't know that they would raise the ticket prices so often or give away so many freebies. Free dining, free 2 nights when you buy three, $500 gift card for $395. Why give them all free stuff and offer nothing to us? I know they already got us there but we could always sell. After paying off the loan, yearly dues and all, it costs us more to go this way right now.

Then sell already and go for cheap now but no complaining after the economy improves, attendance goes back up and the incentives go away.

 

[Alexander]

I have to compare this to the car I bought... We thought we were getting a great deal when we got x amount off and x amount for rebates. Less than 2 months later the rebate amounts almost tripled for the same exact vehicle. I could have saved x amount of money or could have gotten a lot more options for the same price if I had only known. I didn't know and can't do anything about it. I love my car and will continue to drive it.

I paid x amount of money for DVC....I knew exactly what I was getting and will continue to use it. Yes, I did take advantage of the 4/3 deal in Feb. and we are taking advantage of the free dining in Aug/Sept. These are choices.

 

[christa112]

Maybe I am not jealous about Free Dining because I have used it three times before we purchase our DVC. It is definately a great incentive to get people down to the world.

I have seen alot of Free Dining Bashing on DVC boards, which I think is unfair. WDW is a business and obviously they know what they are doings.

Do I think it is unfair that DVC members sometimes miss out on deals? Yes, they should definately be giving DVC members some perks as well. I know they have AP special pricing, but that does not work for everyone. I would love to have discounted tickets as an option or TIW card offered with out being a FL resident or AP holder.

Maybe someday we will see things come our way. Until then I am happy with my decision.

 

[BigEeyore]

You didn't think ticket prices would increase over the years? They always have - and in return Disney grows and expands its entertainment offerings. And you really shouldn't be surprised that your kids grew up and now require adult tix.
If "free" dining and 2 value rooms work for your family vacations, you could rent your points out and take advantage of these current offers.
If you want to do a fair comparison - you need to calculate what it would cost to stay in a DVC villa rack rate plus MYW tix and compare that to what you have paid for your DVC membership. Just for fun I like to plug in our vacation dates on the WDW website and see just how much our trip would cost, and then I can really see how great DVC is.

 

[Sandisw]

We are new DVC members but have been traveling to WDW for many years. What has been offered this year is very unusual in terms of the amount of discounts being offered to the general public.

We bought DVC for the long haul. While numbers, when looked at in the short term, make some question DVC, for me, I look at it over the course of contract.

Even if my DVC contract was only for 15 years, the cost of it, plus MF's averages out to the same yearly price I would pay for my trip in a 1 bedroom at BLT WITH FREE DINING if booked through DRC. So, basically, I have locked in the "free dining" deal for the next 15 years. And, since my DVC lasts much longer, its even better.

Now, would I mind if Disney added some "limited time" perks for members? No, not at all. I would love to see us be eligible for the discounted gift card or some of the other discounts. But, am I upset that I am not getting them? Nope... I knew what DVC was all about and am happy for those that are getting to go with the deals.

 

[dairyqueenmom]

I can relate with the OP. I knew what I was buying into, but ticket prices are making it very difficult to take my family of 6 also more then every other year to the parks. We have had to be very creative and cut corners.

The 1st corner we cut was park hopping, now we are buying 7-10 day non expiring tickets and using them over two trips.

We will also try and switch out using our points in other vacation spots, we will do Vero Beach and no parks and we will also do a trip in the future where we stay onsite and do no parks.

 

[pennst8r]

I don't have a problem with someone else getting the DP for free. What ticks me off, is that we (and probably a lot of DVCers) plan specifically for October because the crowd level is low after all the FDP offers end. If we had known they'd extend it through the end of the year, we'd have gone at a different time. But, we already have flights, etc. so can't change easily.

 

[goofy4tink]

All those 'offers' to the general public don't much bother me. Disney isn't really giving anything away. Sure, you may be able to pay for 4 nights and get 3 nights free, but you're paying rack rate. Sure, you can get free dining, but again, rack rate for the room. Sometimes free dining works for me, most often it doesn't.
In Dec, I'm heading down and staying at BWV, using points. But, the next week, I booked POP....I get free dining as well as a one day pass that I can put towards my AP renewal, at DVC prices, in 2010!! It is saving me about $80 overall, in addition to the pass being used down the road. It's not a signficant amount but it's something.

I bought DVC in order to get really good accomdations vs value resort stays all the time. I don't look on it as an investment for down the road. Sure, it's a hedge against rising resort prices.

Do I wish Disney would stop with the promos?? Don't much care. The only one I would like to see go away is free dining...and that's only because it makes getting my ADRs so much harder. I booked my trip for Aug 14-21 back in Dec. Now? Free dining got offered for the same dates...made ADRs nasty to get. I booked my Dec stay back in March....and what does Disney do?? Yep, they offer free dining again. I know I'm going to be really annoyed come Sept 1 when I'm on the phone with Disney Dining trying to get the ADRs I really want. Maybe Disney could throw some of us a bone...DVCers book way in advance. It would be nice if we were allowed to book ADRs before the general public, especially if they are getting free dining!!'
Other than that, I don't really care.

 

[zulaya]

I'm not going to complain about DVC rooms and not getting Free Dining. It is what it is and as PP have said, Disney needs to make those business decisions to make money.

HOWEVER...

I do think the Free Dining has gotten out of control. As others have said, Free Dining is now offered nearly half the year.

There's only so much money to go around, so I can see where the people who pay for the dining plan the rest of the year and the people who pay exclusively OOP end up being the ones funding this Free Dining thing.

Is that true? No one can say for sure, but people have to be paid for the work they do. Disney needs a pot of money from somewhere. They raise prices on the menus and then raise prices of the Dining Plan, more than what could conceivably be cost of materials or inflation (at least in MHO).

I think a "better" business practice would be to have a discount on the Dining Plan to draw people in and not offer it free OR if they feel they have to offer a free plan, then offer the QS Plan for Free and let people pay to upgrade to the DP or DxDP.

That way, they aren't giving away the farm, but they are still offering a pretty good deal. And if people REALLY want TS options pre-paid, then pay to upgrade or do those meals OOP.

You get what you pay for and we've all seen what free dining has done to the menus...the dumbing down of the once-creative options that were out there...

Maybe the general public who doesn't come all the time doesn't see that...but you'd think the Free Dining people who wait for that offer each and every year would notice the same-old, same-old food options, and that it would get old, even if it was free.

Anywho, I'm not exactly angry, but a little irked by the business practice.

 

[Donna]

When i bought in 96, there was no way to know that free dining would come along all these years later OR hotel discounts/deals. So i knew what i was buying into THEN; back then it was really the best deal going. I just missed the free passes and it was STILL a deal to me since i had paid so much for poly and GF stays.
sure it'd be nice to get a stay with free dining included with a dvc stay but i doubt it will ever happen. Like previous posters have said, i don't care that i don't get the free dining, just that it happens to make getting ADRs for us so difficult. they actually have preference in getting ADRs over money-paying guests, that is really not fair. What would be fair is since most of us book 11 mos. out, we should be able to get whatever dining we want (if staying on points) either at that time or at 6 mos., leave the 90 days to the freebie diners and/or non dvc guests. it would hardly hurt them since members are a minority but it would make us feel a little more special, since that feeling seems to have dwindled over the years.

 

[mrsswat]

We bought into OKW in 1993 with a specific number of points that would allow us for a certain type of vacation - we even thought ahead to when our 2 daughters would have families and could join us. With the change in point schedule that will no longer be possible starting next year. That along with the free upgrades/deals does indeed have us more than a little "annoyed". Don't know what we're going to do about it, but it definitely won't be adding on like we had been thinking.

 

[Ducky4Disney]

It does irk me that people get free dining and free nights and I don't feel like I am getting the same thing - but then again I get to stay at great deluxe resorts, I get an AP discount, and I'm ok with that. I could always rent my points and pay cash for a package, then I'd get all those freebie's, but it woulnd't be the same as staying DVC.

 

[Donna]

We bought into OKW in 1993 with a specific number of points that would allow us for a certain type of vacation - we even thought ahead to when our 2 daughters would have families and could join us. With the change in point schedule that will no longer be possible starting next year. That along with the free upgrades/deals does indeed have us more than a little "annoyed". Don't know what we're going to do about it, but it definitely won't be adding on like we had been thinking.

i meant to mention this fact also. I have since sold off contracts because DVC doesn't seem to fit our lifestyle as it once had. members shouldn't have to change their time of year to vacation to keep the points the same. in fact, i don't even use my points at dvc resorts anymore; we use them to stay in our motorhome at fort wilderness. this way, i can stay longer (2 weeks instead of 1) and we can also take our dogs. When you've been members as long as you and I, you see all the changes and most haven't been for the good. I do enjoy that $100 off the APs though.

 

[GrumpyBelle]

We knew what we were getting into when we bought in--a stay at a deluxe villa for a set price. I think that is a good deal.
As for the dining, we have never been able to go during free dining so this isn't something we would benefit from anyways. These types of perks are hit or miss and will eventually end. To save money on meals this year, we ordered groceries and ate many meals in our room--something we wouldn't be able to do if it weren't for this level of accomodation. All of our breakfasts were in the room as well as some dinners and late night snacks. Even with eating in the parks or resorts once a day and doing 3 themed dinners, this saved us lots of money.

 

[msd1962]

We are going in Oct for 8 nights staying at BCV and paying $1280 for the dining plan, room is on points. To stay at the same quality, had to use SSR since BC was booked, for 4 people $2925 and we get free dining. It would cost us $645 extra to get free food at the same quality of hotel.

2 Years ago 3 of us stayed at Port Orleans for $1500+, not sure what 4 would be but still would have cost $200+ more than we are paying now, at a better quality resort for 4. Value resorts stayed Pop for one night never will stay at those again, even if it was 100% free (Hotel, food and tickets).

If you really think about it, the cost of the rack rate room still cost more than you would pay for the dining plan. So unless you are really saying I want my resort on points and free dining and only have to pay for tickets this is a no brainer for me, we are getting the better value.