reaction to all the free dining and deals from Disney

[vicki_c]

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.

I know that we knew what we were buying into but I didn't know that they would raise the ticket prices so often...

I know some people are upset about the free dining and upgrades thing - that's fine - to each their own.

But to say that you didn't know that ticket prices would go up, or you didn't think about the fact that your kids would age out of child prices is just naive and shortsighted. That is never going to change, ticket prices go up just about every year.

I'm not trying to be harsh, but it sounds like you didn't consider ALL the costs of a Disney vacation before you purchased DVC. It's just a way to lock in a good value for your hotel, nothing else. If you can't afford all the "other stuff" that goes along with the vacation, you would be better off to sell your DVC, invest the money somewhere and use it to fund regular package deals that come along to make it more affordable for your family. Ticket prices, dining, travel costs, etc., are not going to get any less expensive over the next 50 years.

 

[Chuck S]

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.

If you are comfortable for an extended stay in two value rooms, go for it. Personally, I like having a washer/dryer in the room (or at least available for studios) so I don't have to over-pack for a 8 to 10 night stay. Remember that these "upgrades" at free dining time are nothing new, they shouldn't shock anyone. And there were a lot of similar cash specials after 9-11, so no one should be shocked that they re-appeared when the economy tanked. They will disappear, just like they did after 9-11. We do stay in a value resort for a night or two, it we arrive early, as we drive to WDW and allow extra time for road conditions or car trouble.

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.

There was a point re-allocation at OKW in 1996, so one would assume that you were aware that another one was possible, and even likely. In fact, our OKW POS clearly states what a maximum full reallocation would do to a 230 point membership.

 

[pyrxtc]

of course I knew my kids would ago out of the child's price but I didn't think the costs would go up so much in 4 yrs. I also am comfortable at values in two rooms as my children are getting older. The DVC rooms are great and we take advantage of washing clothes if it is there but don't always and barely ever use the kitchen, it just accomodates us all. With didning getting harder to get, prices going up so fast, and the freebies going crazy so that the slow times that we picked to go are now crazy as well. It makes it not as much fun. I can't take advantage of the AP discount price, it does not make sense for my family since we don't go often enough. I was not around for the post 911 deals, hadn't been there yet and could not afford to do anythig like it so I didn't look at the prices. In the years since 2002, tickets prices have gone up 50% !! Plus they took away the "good forever" part, unless you want to pay more for that option.

Disney keeps offereing up the free for new people without taking time to recognize those that are dedicated. It's not like they are not already making a nice profit without these freebies.

 

[Chuck S]

In the years since 2002, tickets prices have gone up 50% !! Plus they took away the "good forever" part, unless you want to pay more for that option.

At Disneyland, an all day passport ticket was $11 for an adult in 1983, so a 50% increase in 7 years seems about average historically for Disney.

Really, it seems like a DVC stay isn't a great fit for you right now. I'd consider either renting my points or selling, if you truly enjoy taking advantage of the value room specials and are comfortable there. It all depends upon your family's travel needs.

 

[riggins]

Please don't forget that Disney is a for-profit enterprise . . . period. If they have to offer freebies to the general public to get people in the park, then they will. I don't begrudge that they don't offer things to us DVC members specifically. Why should they? Giving us free dining isn't helping their bottom line. Disney isn't in the business of giving away good deals for the "greater good" and thinking they should is just setting yourself up for disappointment.

We're banking our points this year and taking advantage of these "bad economy" deals and venturing over to try the Poly. We're also taking advantage of a great DCL deal later this year too. When the economy picks up and discounts are hard to find, I'll continue to be thrilled with my DVC.

 

[WDWDad]

While I will not complain that DVC has been unfair I will say that I feel undervalued as a repeat (captive) customer. Disney has decided that we are not worthy of being solicited for our business. Therefore I will use my DVC fully in its purpose. And I will take my money,dining and entertainment and go down the road.

 

[eleven24]

We will be heading to AKV in less than 2 weeks, right at the start of the free DDP offer. At the rack rate our 7-night 2BR Savannah view would've been $5005 ($715/night) for the stay. In all likelihood there could very well be a family staying down the hall who took advantage of the "pay for 4 nights, get 3 free PLUS DDP" (or whatever the details of the offer were).

Sure, we'll both be at AKV in a Savannah view room for a week. Their "rack rate" pricing will theoretically be $2k or so less than the $5k I would've spent, and they'll also get free dining, park tickets, or whatever. But for me, and my family, the difference will be that we won't feel the need to go to the park every day. We won't feel like we have to get up at 7am, head to the park, melt in the August sun, and then return exhausted at 10pm. We won't be in the mindset of "do it now because you don't know when we'll be back".

To me, THAT is the value of DVC. It will allow us to relax, enjoy the resort, and head to the parks because we want to, not because we HAVE to. That family down the hall, more than likely, have a detailed game plan set for each day of their stay. This park at 9am, that park by noon, then over here for such and such by 7pm. Run run run. Hurry hurry hurry. That's not my idea of a vacation.

Instead of that frenetic pace, we'll be avoiding the afternoon sun by hanging out at the pool... avoiding the exorbitant (and usually unhealthy) park dining offerings by stocking up with groceries from the Garden Grocer... and finally, heading to the parks later in the day.

But here's the biggie... just a year and a half into our ownership at DVC we've already booked stays equal to $8800 at rack rate pricing. That's almost half the $18k investment DVC cost us. That family down the hall who got the big discount? All they got was a one week vacation. We have 40 years worth of vacations.

Looking at it this way, does it really matter what Disney is giving them?

 

[Donna]

We will be heading to AKV in less than 2 weeks, right at the start of the free DDP offer. At the rack rate our 7-night 2BR Savannah view would've been $5005 ($715/night) for the stay. In all likelihood there could very well be a family staying down the hall who took advantage of the "pay for 4 nights, get 3 free PLUS DDP" (or whatever the details of the offer were).

Sure, we'll both be at AKV in a Savannah view room for a week. Their "rack rate" pricing will theoretically be $2k or so less than the $5k I would've spent, and they'll also get free dining, park tickets, or whatever. But for me, and my family, the difference will be that we won't feel the need to go to the park every day. We won't feel like we have to get up at 7am, head to the park, melt in the August sun, and then return exhausted at 10pm. We won't be in the mindset of "do it now because you don't know when we'll be back".

To me, THAT is the value of DVC. It will allow us to relax, enjoy the resort, and head to the parks because we want to, not because we HAVE to. That family down the hall, more than likely, have a detailed game plan set for each day of their stay. This park at 9am, that park by noon, then over here for such and such by 7pm. Run run run. Hurry hurry hurry. That's not my idea of a vacation.

Instead of that frenetic pace, we'll be avoiding the afternoon sun by hanging out at the pool... avoiding the exorbitant (and usually unhealthy) park dining offerings by stocking up with groceries from the Garden Grocer... and finally, heading to the parks later in the day.

But here's the biggie... just a year and a half into our ownership at DVC we've already booked stays equal to $8800 at rack rate pricing. That's almost half the $18k investment DVC cost us. That family down the hall who got the big discount? All they got was a one week vacation. We have 40 years worth of vacations.

Looking at it this way, does it really matter what Disney is giving
them?

Those are all good points and i remember feeling the same way when we first bought DVC. back then, there weren't too many of us, 5000 or so. Now it's so large but it's nice to have the add'l resort options too. I would like to see your views 10 yrs. from now or so. I've seen alot of changes over the last 10 years and there will no doubt be alot more in the next 10.
It takes awhile for the novelty to wear off. All that being said, it is still cheaper to vacation at disney as a dvc member, much more comfortable too!

 

[dianeschlicht]

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.

I totally agree with Zulaya. I think the free dining is pushing us away from traveling to Disney as much as we used to and as much as we would like to. We aren't ones to go off-site for meals, and the free dining is changing too many things in the dining department at Disney. First off, it's making the food all the same no matter where you eat....yuck! Secondly, it's making it almost impossible to find "white table cloth" type food and service in even the signature restaurants anymore. I do in fact blame this on "free dining". The inflated prices for what has become substandard food is pushing us into shorter stays and vacations elsewhere.

 

[Sammie]

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.

Think about it, if you sell, they still have a member in your place. There is no way for a DVC member to not give them money once you buy in.

Cash customers on the other hand can definitely walk away and go to the competition.

It is all economics and when they don't need these bargains to get people to come, they will go away.

DVC perks are either good will jestures or sales incentives.

 

[murcor]

I dont expect anything

BUT

I will say that it would be nice as a repeat customer

Disney needs to make those business decisions to make money.

HOWEVER...

I do think the Free Dining has gotten out of control.

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

AND

The food prices are to make the people on the dining plan feel good about all the money they supposidley saved

 

[dizfan]

I view to put this in perspective of the current economy.

In WDW's history, they have offered the 4/3 deal during two time periods.
The first was after 9/11 when no one was traveling.
The second was during the worst financial meltdown the US has seen since WWII.

Some companies took the approach of MASSIVE layoffs. Anyone who has ever been at a company during a massive layoff knows that employees are terrified for their jobs. If the happiest place on earth has unhappy CMs, millions will stop going to WDW (not just this year, but for 20+ years).

When the economy turns around, Disney will not offer nearly as many discounts.

 

[DebbieB]

I view to put this in perspective of the current economy.

In WDW's history, they have offered the 4/3 deal during two time periods.
The first was after 9/11 when no one was traveling.
The second was during the worst financial meltdown the US has seen since WWII.

Some companies took the approach of MASSIVE layoffs. Anyone who has ever been at a company during a massive layoff knows that employees are terrified for their jobs. If the happiest place on earth has unhappy CMs, millions will stop going to WDW (not just this year, but for 20+ years).

When the economy turns around, Disney will not offer nearly as many discounts.

When the economy does turn around, I think Disney will be in a difficult position because of these offers. People who took advantage of free dining year after year will balk if it's not offered. It used to be just late August & September. Now it's also the remainder of the year, excluding holidays. People are going to keep expecting discounts & free deals and will look elsewhere if they can't get a deal as good as their last trip.

 

[Deb & Bill]

When the economy does turn around, I think Disney will be in a difficult position because of these offers. People who took advantage of free dining year after year will balk if it's not offered. It used to be just late August & September. Now it's also the remainder of the year, excluding holidays. People are going to keep expecting discounts & free deals and will look elsewhere if they can't get a deal as good as their last trip.

I bet people will come in droves when the economy improves. The DIS is just one place where people find out about the goodies that Disney is throwing at people to get them to come. I know some people who just got back, didn't get an upgrade, didn't get free dining, etc. because they knew nothing about it. Thousands of people will go when everything is better because they will be better off and they want their kids to experience Disney. Disney will come up with a newer and better slogan than before. And offer one family per night the chance to stay in the castle or something similar.

It's just like buying into DVC. I would never in a million years pay over $65-70 a point for DVC. Yet, thousands of new members are buying into BLT, AKV, VGC and older DVC resorts directly from Disney. Others are paying lower prices for resales, but I'd bet the member selling that resale is making at least enough to pay for the commission.

Disney won't have to worry about going broke when the economy improves. And DVC members will still go and spend money. And gripe that they are not being treated like the most adored customers and deserve special perks.

 

[Donna]

When the economy does turn around, I think Disney will be in a difficult position because of these offers. People who took advantage of free dining year after year will balk if it's not offered. It used to be just late August & September. Now it's also the remainder of the year, excluding holidays. People are going to keep expecting discounts & free deals and will look elsewhere if they can't get a deal as good as their last trip.

you're right! then we will see a thread "WHO ELSE IS UPSET THERE ARE NO MORE FREE DINING EXTENSIONS OR HOTEL DEALS", LOL.

i guess the economy IS bad enough that it affects regular guests attendance but not quite bad enough that it affects DVC members.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I never expected Free Dining or other deals because I feel that DVC guarantees me deluxe accomodations for a fair price.

We are not privy to the Free DDP or the 1 bedroom upgrades that are occurring at SSR this fall but next year we will have to pay more for the DDP because Disney is losing money this year. We will also pay more for tickets and our AP's due the increases. The promotions will continue, but members on points will continue to pay the going rate for DDP and tix.

So basically we are the built in full fare paying customer that is subsidizing the promotions offered by Disney. We will come and pay year after year.

And we are more dependent on Disney because we have made a committment by purchasing DVC. So when the food and parks decline, we feel it most. So I do agree that if Disney is going to continue selling DVC then they have an obligation to the members to maintain the parks and quality of our experience for us to continue to enjoy the product.

I dont think that is being a whiner or a complainer to let them know we expect a quality product. Our quality should not suffer because they have provided others with discounts. We pay dues to maintain a certain standard at our resort, so we are not asking for anything free.

If you paid for 1st Class, would you accept peanuts and water because everyone in coach only paid $1 and the airline had to make it up somewhere?
They should not be using DVC members to make up the financial shortcomings.

 

[pyrxtc]

I never expected Free Dining or other deals because I feel that DVC guarantees me deluxe accomodations for a fair price.

We are not privy to the Free DDP or the 1 bedroom upgrades that are occurring at SSR this fall but next year we will have to pay more for the DDP because Disney is losing money this year. We will also pay more for tickets and our AP's due the increases. The promotions will continue, but members on points will continue to pay the going rate for DDP and tix.

So basically we are the built in full fare paying customer that is subsidizing the promotions offered by Disney. We will come and pay year after year.

And we are more dependent on Disney because we have made a committment by purchasing DVC. So when the food and parks decline, we feel it most. So I do agree that if Disney is going to continue selling DVC then they have an obligation to the members to maintain the parks and quality of our experience for us to continue to enjoy the product.

I dont think that is being a whiner or a complainer to let them know we expect a quality product. Our quality should not suffer because they have provided others with discounts. We pay dues to maintain a certain standard at our resort, so we are not asking for anything free.

If you paid for 1st Class, would you accept peanuts and water because everyone in coach only paid $1 and the airline had to make it up somewhere?
They should not be using DVC members to make up the financial shortcomings.

This is exactly what I was going for. I don't feel like I'm whining but complaining is something else. If we don't speak up, how will they know how we feel as a group ?

 

[Donna]

hopefully, by reading these boards!

 

[Chuck S]

What do you hope to accomplish?

Disney will do what they need to do to fill cash rooms. You may not like it, but those cash customers contribute at least as much to the bottom line as DVCers, probably more on a "per room night" basis. Disney will do whatever they must to make as much $ per guest or room as they can...that is business in America today.

Nothing obligates Disney to even offer DVCers the DDPs, and nothing obligates DVCers to buy them.

Disney really loses a whole lot more $ if those cash rooms don't fill up compared to a DVC resort sitting empty, as the DVC resort operating expenses are already paid by dues.

If you don't feel you are getting any "value" from dining onsite, then don't dine onsite. The restaurants aren't losing money, they've simply adjusted the menus to fit into the price the DDP reimburses them per meal, and will continue to do so until the DDP is either discontinued altogether, or they can no longer make any profit on the reimbursements.

On the other hand, if you think Free DDP and other specials are such a "great deal" and better than your DVC costs, then you are free to either rent your points and pay cash for a special, or sell your membership. Either way, it won't have much (if any) impact on Disney.

Disney pretty much covered themselves legally via our contracts, and I don't see "magic" or "pixie dust" mentioned anywhere. Expect them to fulfill their legal obligations and requirements to DVCers, don't expect a bunch of freebies and specials. Over the life of our contracts, we're already getting a substantial room discount, equal or better than anything currently offered for comparable cash accommodations.

 

[Castillo Mom]

I voted that we knew what we were getting into, or at least I knew what I was getting into. Buying into DVC was a long thought process for me. I took into consideration not only the cost of DVC itself, but also everything that goes along with it such as airfare from the West coast and theme park tickets, both of which fluctuate, plus the cost of dining and souvenirs.

Bottom line for me is that I want to be able to stay at deluxe accomodations whenever we travel to WDW. Before buying into to DVC we stayed deluxe. I regret not purchasing from the beginning because paying rack rate even with free dining is not cost effective for us.