reaction to all the free dining and deals from Disney

[LIFERBABE]

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.

I hope to accomplish a re-focus on the membership and the quality of our experiences. Not everyone eating in a restaurant is eating for free. Not everyone staying onsite is staying for free. We are paying for a quality experience so we should get what we paid for all the way around.

Research has shown that DVC members spend more per capita than the average guest. This is why Disney execs placed such a priority on devoting resources to the expansion of DVC. Jim Lewis reported this himself. AKV, THV, BLT, GCV, and Hawaii are no accidents. They went where the money was and that is DVC members. So dont discount yourself just because Disney has.

I dont expect freebies or specials. I know how to dial 407-WDW-STAY just like everyone else.

I do expect a quality product from a quality organization. And I agree, our room is discounted and none of the current or past offers have eclipsed the value of DVC, im not going to argue that and I am not going to demand freebies or upgrades.

If members find the quality of their experience declining for whatever reason, they should speak up. They need us also. Foreclosed contracts dont help the bottom line and neither does a bedroom DVC community who lives there and plays elsewhere.

You can bet after my last stay at AKV and I had a "visitor" in my bed and it wasnt my husband, they heard from me! So that is what happens when we lower our expectations and start making excuses for our management.

 

[vicki_c]

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 ?

But look at the results of your poll. It's clear that the "group" here doesn't feel that way. Some do, but the vast majority that took this particular poll here do not. Most of us don't see that there's anything to complain about.

 

[twinklebug]

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.

When I bought DVC I bought for the resort and location. I well knew there could be times ahead that I may not be able to or want to afford the cost of the park passes... and yes, of course the prices will go up - inflation happens. The Orlando area has so much more to offer than just "Disney". I'm just starting to explore those options now and am amazed. If Disney wants to keep me buying the passes and spending my money on site they'll continue to offer the DVC discounts on APs - which in turn lets me buy a TIW card, making the cost of dining on site a bit less painful. But I am looking elsewhere...

As for DVC subsidizing the deals being offered I disagree. I believe the resorts and the parks are two separate entities that happen to help each other's existence & are owned by the same parent company. Likewise DVC and the hotels are separate entities that have some odd crossovers, but that's simply due to location and the resort side owning a number of rooms it can rent out. The resort side does not say "lets mess with the DVC owners over there and take their money to entice people to stay with us, giving them free dining" Doesn't happen.

The "free" in "Free dining" and "Free 2 nights when you buy 3" is nothing more than a marketing slight of hand. It's just a very effective name given for a reduced cost package so Disney can fill the resorts and keep them operating without having to reduce labor and shut down wings as the economy comes around and people's fears of the worst are eased.

Our DVC stays need to be looked upon as separate from the hotel/park pass/dining packages.

 

[Chuck S]

I hope to accomplish a re-focus on the membership and the quality of our experiences. Not everyone eating in a restaurant is eating for free. Not everyone staying onsite is staying for free. We are paying for a quality experience so we should get what we paid for all the way around.

Actually, according to your documents, you paid for the right to reserve rooms at your home resort in accordance with DVC booking policies. You did not pay to experience the parks, the restaurants or attractions at their best. In fact, when we signed on the dotted line it was made pretty clear that Disney could even choose to close or sell the parks in the future and it is not a guaranteed part of our resort experience.

We should have well maintained rooms, resorts and common areas, but according to our contracts, we didn't buy magic and pixie dust. But they could lease out the resort restaurants and management if they so desire.

But providing continual and unchanging access to the Disney aura isn't shown in the contract.

Research has shown that DVC members spend more per capita than the average guest. This is why Disney execs placed such a priority on devoting resources to the expansion of DVC. Jim Lewis reported this himself. AKV, THV, BLT, GCV, and Hawaii are no accidents. They went where the money was and that is DVC members. So dont discount yourself just because Disney has.

Including our initial buy-in, sure we spent more per capita ie. per individual person...likely not "per room night" though, given the cost of $400+ per night for a tower room at the Contemporary. We pay less for our rooms per night, spend less on souvenirs (current economy not withstanding) and likely, since we have a full kitchen, less per person overall on restaurant food. If we didn't spend less per night than at a cash resort, what would be the advantage to the member buying DVC?

I do expect a quality product from a quality organization. And I agree, our room is discounted and none of the current or past offers have eclipsed the value of DVC, im not going to argue that and I am not going to demand freebies or upgrades.

The only "quality product" we have a legal right to demand is our resort accommodations. I do expect them to be well maintained for the price of our dues. Other than that, we have choices where to eat, where to shop and whether to enter a theme park. Those items are not included in our rights of ownership.

 

[emlutz23]

I voted for option #2. I would not trade in my membership for anything! I LOVE staying at the deluxe resorts and will continue to through the year 2054 knowing I pre-paid for my room at 2006 prices! I stayed at a Value in March and vowed never again! It's just not for me. Disney is about my vacation experience, not just saving money. And if that means planning ahead to save for the cost of the dining plan and our tickets (or passes), then that's fine by me! I love my DVC and do not need any more "deals" over and above what I have already received!

 

[Chuck S]

The "free" in "Free dining" and "Free 2 nights when you buy 3" is nothing more than a marketing slight of hand. It's just a very effective name given for a reduced cost package so Disney can fill the resorts and keep them operating without having to reduce labor and shut down wings as the economy comes around and people's fears of the worst are eased.

Exactly, "Free" anything is a marketing ploy whose cost will be made up in volume or the item being given away is very inexpensive cost-wise to the company providing it.

Much like "Buy 2 get 1 Free" is better for a retailer's bottom line than offering a 33% discount on a single item.

 

[iluveeyore]

We bought DVC almost 9 years ago and have loved every minute of it. Our main reason for buying into it was that we wanted to go to Disney every year but couldn't afford the cost of eating out all the time. DVC has paid for itself with what I would have paid for rack rates for the rooms we have been able to stay in over the years, and we enjoy our full kitchen every year - one trip in a one day rental car to the Super Walmart, and we're stocked for the whole two weeks for barely over $200 - that would have been spent in a day or two with a family of five eating out. We will be at OKW in two and a half weeks with another family that went with us two years ago and can't wait to return to our two bedroom with them. They loved the ability to buy groceries, eat what we like when we want and not have to worry about what mood their young boys are in while we're eating - no making them sit in a restaurant and eat what's on the menu.
Sure, we're eating out a couple of times for a treat, but we don't have to if it's not in the budget every year. And free dining isn't free if I'm paying rack rate for a room and having to purchase a ticket. We use our DVC AP discount and get AP's that we plan trips around so we can use them for two years in a row.
And sure, I've used their offers and codes in the past, but only if I'm not using points or I'm on my solo trip (used the 4/3 deal just this past January for my solo and stayed at Pop, had a blast).
So the deals are there if you want them, but our DVC comes first. Bring on my king size bed, jacuzzi tub, full kitchen and my oh so wonderful full-size patio at OKW that I enjoy my store-bought cheap alcohol on every night!

 

[Tara]

So the deals are there if you want them, but our DVC comes first. Bring on my king size bed, jacuzzi tub, full kitchen and my oh so wonderful full-size patio at OKW that I enjoy my store-bought cheap alcohol on every night!

I'll drink to that with you!

 

[DebbieB]

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 ?

Right now only 20% in your poll voted to write. The other 80% said no, either we have a deal or we knew what we were buying into.

 

[permavac]

Exactly, "Free" anything is a marketing ploy whose cost will be made up in volume or the item being given away is very inexpensive cost-wise to the company providing it.

Much like "Buy 2 get 1 Free" is better for a retailer's bottom line than offering a 33% discount on a single item.

Exactly, exactly! FWIW, we are doing free dining in September at a Value (plus DVC points stay! ). It was a pretty decent deal - about $113 per night - that's for 2 adults only with 1 park ticket each (we have APs). We also did the 4/3 in January at Pop (plus a week at BWV!) and even though the package didn't include free dining, if we HAD bought the dining package the per night rate would have been about $129.50 for the same party size and ticket options. FOR THE FALL/WINTER FREE DINING, I priced out a long weekend around my birthday and the price was $147 per night - and remember, at the Value's that's now just the quick service dining plan. With the other promotions (at the Value's anyway) the dining plan was not "free" per se, but certainly deeply discounted. With the latest promotion, you pay close to rack rate for the room and all of the cost of the dining plan. At least that's one way to look at it. This latest "deal" does not entice us. Anyway, hope this adds a little perspective on the "deals". We do certainly take advantage of them because we don't have enough of our own points yet, so sorry, the promotions don't bother me since we benefit for now, anyway.

Terri

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Free dining is a great promotion. It does it's job of getting more people to visit WDW. If it didn't make them money they wouldn't do it. Don't you want your beloved Disney to thrive? It's the best for all of us.

Besides you're welcome to take advantage of the offer if you want to, you just can't combine your deal of DVC (which saves you money, doesn't it?) with the free dining deal. It's not uncommon to not be able to take advantage of two offers at once for anything you buy.

Finally, I priced out a trip wondering if I should take advantage of the free dining deal. Considering we did not want to stay at a value resort (been there--done that--don't want to do that again!), we priced a moderate and it ended up being more expensive than staying in a studio at BCV! I'll take my DVC!!!

 

[dizfan]

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.

Marriot's offering nearby $400 rooms for $99.
Vegas has discounted rooms.
Mexico has discounted rooms.
Cruise lines are offering tremendous deals.
Does this mean, they will also be forced to keep prices this low? Maybe.

I remember family vacations to Disney going back to the 60's (DL). 40 years later, we still talk about those family vacations. It's why my brother is planning to take his daughter and their grandson to Disney in a couple years. A child running up and hugging Mickey Mouse last a lifetime. I was that child back in the 60's.

 

[MrsNick]

I don't begrudge the deals that WDW is offering to hotel guests. I'm happy for them, and I don't feel that my DVC membership subsidizes their stays, nor do I feel that what I pay for meals subsidizes anyone else's meals.

As a shareholder, I believe that the Free DDP is a good thing for the bottom line (and the stock price); likewise, I would think someone had smoked too much pixie dust if Free DDP was offered to DVC members. How would giving DVC members Free DDP grow revenue or profit?

I do agree with other PP's that since the inception of the DDP, the WDW restaurants have become more generic. This is one example of why I view "freebies" as a mixed bag. I'm at a point in my life where I do not necessarily equate cheap and value (and it isn't because we're rolling in money, either - the economy is affecting us, too). Sure, the DDP might be "free," but if I don't like the meals that I can get with the DDP and it is a PITA to use because it is difficult to get ADR's or because I have to disrupt my day's plans to use it, then it isn't a good value to me (free or not). Believe me, I am all in favor of a good deal, but I'd rather spend a few hundred on groceries for the week and actually enjoy my food at my convenience.

As for ticket prices, well, in a perfect world it would be nice if prices never went up. Unfortunately, rising ticket prices are a fact of life, and from what I've read, this year's price increase was smaller than increases in years past. Again, if WDW can charge more for tickets without lowering park attendance, then from a business standpoint, they're obligated to do it. I know it can be frustrating to try and stretch a dollar in this economy though.

 

[vicki_c]

Now math is not really my strong point, but did anyone else notice that the poll numbers right now add up to >100%?

I get 108% total -- what is up with the polls?

 

[Chuck S]

Now math is not really my strong point, but did anyone else notice that the poll numbers right now add up to >100%?

I get 108% total -- what is up with the polls?

It is because the OP chose a type of poll where a person can give more than one answer.

 

[vicki_c]

It is because the OP chose a type of poll where a person can give more than one answer.

Thanks - I got it now!

 

[Luv2trav]

Personally I think it's ridiculous to complain. We all knew what we were buying. We all knew prices of tickets and food will continue to go up and up. If you didn't then as someone else has mention it was very shortsighted purchase. This economy is terrible and we are going to see some fabulous deals for Disney vacations.. Heck we are going to see fabulous deals on other vacations, homes, cars, computers, appliances etc etc you name it. If you are truly unhappy then I suggest you sell.

Personally I am very happy with my purchase. I purchased for the long haul not for the next 1-2 years...

 

[LIFERBABE]

I don't begrudge the deals that WDW is offering to hotel guests. I'm happy for them, and I don't feel that my DVC membership subsidizes their stays, nor do I feel that what I pay for meals subsidizes anyone else's meals.

As a shareholder, I believe that the Free DDP is a good thing for the bottom line (and the stock price); likewise, I would think someone had smoked too much pixie dust if Free DDP was offered to DVC members. How would giving DVC members Free DDP grow revenue or profit?

I do agree with other PP's that since the inception of the DDP, the WDW restaurants have become more generic. This is one example of why I view "freebies" as a mixed bag. I'm at a point in my life where I do not necessarily equate cheap and value (and it isn't because we're rolling in money, either - the economy is affecting us, too). Sure, the DDP might be "free," but if I don't like the meals that I can get with the DDP and it is a PITA to use because it is difficult to get ADR's or because I have to disrupt my day's plans to use it, then it isn't a good value to me (free or not). Believe me, I am all in favor of a good deal, but I'd rather spend a few hundred on groceries for the week and actually enjoy my food at my convenience.

As for ticket prices, well, in a perfect world it would be nice if prices never went up. Unfortunately, rising ticket prices are a fact of life, and from what I've read, this year's price increase was smaller than increases in years past. Again, if WDW can charge more for tickets without lowering park attendance, then from a business standpoint, they're obligated to do it. I know it can be frustrating to try and stretch a dollar in this economy though.

MrsNick I agree with much of what you posted. We are so not the DDP family. We do use it on occassion with guests but I love to cook in my Villa and we rarely visit the parks. I can do a trip to WDW for very little oop and we love our resort too much to spend all day in the parks with all those grumpy people trying to get their monies worth.

My biggest concern is for the resort quality and maintenance.

 

[alldiz]

I voted other......because even though I am NOT happy that they have free dining over the holidays when I will be there....and DH is PISSED that we can't have it.....

WDW is SUFFERING....and I want them to stay in business and make money so they can still create the magic.
Kerri

 

[kaffinito]

I knew what I was buying into when I bought DVC. I got it for the ability to use my points where I wanted to, and for trips with DH. With the boys it's nice to get a room (or two) so oldest DS can have his own space.

When I go on trips, I don't really want to cook a lot, so we do use the DDP, but since we use points I don't mind the cost so much.

I do still take advantage of the "deals" that Disney offers - we stayed at the Poly in April on the 4/3 deal. We might do that once a year. Next August I'm thinking of doing the Free Dining "deal" to stay at the Poly or maybe the GF for a few nights after our DVC stay. That way I can save money by cooking for a few nights and get pampered by eating out for a few nights.