Really?

[cdsulhoff]

Really... What is up with the free dining plan! Why is everyone so gaga over this? I don't see the big fuss over it! I understand its has that free title! But you have to pay full price for the room! And what type of dining plan is it? is it QS or DDP or DXDP???
I guess with me getting military discounts that It don't matter if I got free dining or not! Personally all the ppl talking about Disney restaurant going downhill makes me think again about doing the dining plan!

 

[ready4mouse]

Military is a great discount- a small way to say thank you for what you do for our country!

For our family, the free dining is a huge savings!!! We are a family of 5, so while yes, we have to pay full price for the room, it is only one room (POR)- and I don't have to worry about feeding 5 people for the week! That ends up being a significant amount of money saved for us!

 

[3pletprincesses]

fo us it's the savings. I went last fall for a week there with my DDs and it saved me $500 which I couldn't have gotten in room discount. For moderate and deluxe rooms, you get the regular plan and for value hotels you get the QService.

this May there's 5 of us going and the free dining or kids play free came to the same discount so we picked kids play free because I likedthe dates better. In august, I picked once again free dining for the girls and I. I love the carefree vacation while on the dining plan.

 

[Cafeen]

For those with families, it's typically the largest raw $ amount for discounts.

If you figure a family of 4, with 2 Adults and 2 children staying at moderate (so DDP, values have typically be QSDP for the past few years), they will save roughly (46*2) + (12*2) or $116 per night of stay. The percentage discounts for moderates are usually in the 30% range (at least public offers). Room rates at moderates average about 130-150 per night, meaning a savings of about $45 per night.

So, yes, they have to pay full rate at the resorts, but the fact they're getting just slightly over that amount off in savings per adult, and the savings grows per person on the package (room rates are static per package), means it's quite a good value.

For values, the same family would be saving roughly $94 (QSDP) per night of stay, which is almost equivalent to the cost of the room. (And Value room discounts usually cap out around 25%)

It gets different though once you hit deluxe, as the dining plan amount doesn't increase beyond the Moderate level, but both the room rates and the discount percentage do (thus increasing the return on the room discount).

Of course, it's not for everyone. If, for whatever reason, you have no interest in either the dining plans or eating at the participating restaurants, it's not going to work out in your favor too much.

And personally, I'm not convinced that the dining plans are the cause of the perceived decline, but merely another effect of it. (The root cause would be what prompted Disney to incorporate the plans in the first place, which was most likely lower volume and profitibility. We hear a lot of stories around here how you used to be able to pretty much walk-in at any TS the day of... that's not a good thing from a business standpoint.) But, that's another thread for another day .

 

[momto2inKC]

I'm 'gaga' over free dining simply because there is NO other discount we qualify for that saves us the amount of money free dining does. Just like some people love room discounts, some love kids stay/play free, some love military discounts. You have to go for what saves your travel party the most

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Really... What is up with the free dining plan! Why is everyone so gaga over this? I don't see the big fuss over it! I understand its has that free title! But you have to pay full price for the room! And what type of dining plan is it? is it QS or DDP or DXDP???
I guess with me getting military discounts that It don't matter if I got free dining or not! Personally all the ppl talking about Disney restaurant going downhill makes me think again about doing the dining plan!

It's a great discount, plain and simple. For anyone staying at a Value or Moderate Resort or anyone with a larger family, there isn't EVER a bigger discount. We are a family of 6, the free dining discount saves us about $1,200.00. I don't know what's so hard to understand about people being excited over a huge savings on their vacation. The Quick Service Plan is offered to Value Resort with free dining and the Basic Dining Plan is offered to Moderate and Deluxe resorts. Also, you can may the modest price difference and upgrade to one of the other plans. Not everyone can take advantage of a deep military discount - the majority can no. With a family our size and having to have 2 rooms, free dining saves us more than the military discount anyway.

As for food quality, we have been going to Disney for many years, pre and post the Disney Dining Plan, and the food is good. The food and restaurants were good before the dining plan and they are good now. I can honestly say we have never had a bad meal at WDW - ever. Of course, any place can have an off night or not be able to live up to some costumers unrealistic expectations, but overall Disney has great food and food service. The great dining experiences are part of the reason we go back each year.

 

[Crystal824]

I agree there isn't ever a bigger discount if you are staying at a value or moderate.

We usually do free dining in the fall. We didn't do bounceback last year because I was pregnant and we weren't sure what we would do this year and so we are going in May becuase it is too hot in the fall for an infant. We did get a 35% pin code, which saved us $300.00 on our trip. If we had free dining for this trip, it would save us about $700. Yes, free dining is a better deal.

 

[Nadjalu]

Geez, I am not sure why this comes up so much???

Not all discounts are what they seem correct. But because it doesn't benefit you doesn't mean it doesn't benefit others.

Here is our situation:

Free Dining is ALWAYS a better discount for us than any other discount WDW has offered.
We stay at POP, which usually a room discount is only 20%. So at roughly $100 per night (we are not going exact) a 7day/6night stay at the hotel is $600.
Now take 20% off that = $120.

That $120 I save (woohooo) will not cover 1 day of food at WDW for us. Yes staying on property, eating on property, being slaves to the system. this is our vacation and we do not change how we do it.
Free dining or not, we don't go off property to eat.

So if I pay rack rate at POP $150 (depending on the season, I chose the highest rate).
My 20% discount is $180, that will pay for 1 full day of dining and maybe lunch the next day. But it WILL NOT cover our food bill for the trip.

Now free dining, I pay rack rate yes but I still come out ahead because to buy the dining plan would be roughly $552 for the 2 of us. (for us paying OOP would be stupid because the DDP is how we eat, it is a perfect fit)

You are right in saying the dining plan isn't really free, as you pay the difference from 20% discount rate to full rack rate, but I still end up paying less for the overall vacation in the end. (that is room, tickets, and food)

Now if I were to stay deluxe the % savings is a bit more....for us still not enough to come out cheaper to go that way.

So with free dining it helps us get to vacation quicker, saves us money and feeds us how we love on vacation.

If the discount is not for you or doesn't save you $$$, look for one that does. But please don't say it doesn't save some of us $$$!!!!

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Geez, I am not sure why this comes up so much???

Not all discounts are what they seem correct. But because it doesn't benefit you doesn't mean it doesn't benefit others.

Here is our situation:

Free Dining is ALWAYS a better discount for us than any other discount WDW has offered.
We stay at POP, which usually a room discount is only 20%. So at roughly $100 per night (we are not going exact) a 7day/6night stay at the hotel is $600.
Now take 20% off that = $120.

That $120 I save (woohooo) will not cover 1 day of food at WDW for us. Yes staying on property, eating on property, being slaves to the system. this is our vacation and we do not change how we do it.
Free dining or not, we don't go off property to eat.

So if I pay rack rate at POP $150 (depending on the season, I chose the highest rate).
My 20% discount is $180, that will pay for 1 full day of dining and maybe lunch the next day. But it WILL NOT cover our food bill for the trip.

Now free dining, I pay rack rate yes but I still come out ahead because to buy the dining plan would be roughly $552 for the 2 of us. (for us paying OOP would be stupid because the DDP is how we eat, it is a perfect fit)

You are right in saying the dining plan isn't really free, as you pay the difference from 20% discount rate to full rack rate, but I still end up paying less for the overall vacation in the end. (that is room, tickets, and food)

Now if I were to stay deluxe the % savings is a bit more....for us still not enough to come out cheaper to go that way.

So with free dining it helps us get to vacation quicker, saves us money and feeds us how we love on vacation.

If the discount is not for you or doesn't save you $$$, look for one that does. But please don't say it doesn't save some of us $$$!!!!

AMEN!!!!!!!

Seems this ridiculous debate is brought up about once a week . . . .

 

[cdsulhoff]

Geez, I am not sure why this comes up so much???

Not all discounts are what they seem correct. But because it doesn't benefit you doesn't mean it doesn't benefit others.

Here is our situation:

Free Dining is ALWAYS a better discount for us than any other discount WDW has offered.
We stay at POP, which usually a room discount is only 20%. So at roughly $100 per night (we are not going exact) a 7day/6night stay at the hotel is $600.
Now take 20% off that = $120.

That $120 I save (woohooo) will not cover 1 day of food at WDW for us. Yes staying on property, eating on property, being slaves to the system. this is our vacation and we do not change how we do it.
Free dining or not, we don't go off property to eat.

So if I pay rack rate at POP $150 (depending on the season, I chose the highest rate).
My 20% discount is $180, that will pay for 1 full day of dining and maybe lunch the next day. But it WILL NOT cover our food bill for the trip.

Now free dining, I pay rack rate yes but I still come out ahead because to buy the dining plan would be roughly $552 for the 2 of us. (for us paying OOP would be stupid because the DDP is how we eat, it is a perfect fit)

You are right in saying the dining plan isn't really free, as you pay the difference from 20% discount rate to full rack rate, but I still end up paying less for the overall vacation in the end. (that is room, tickets, and food)

Now if I were to stay deluxe the % savings is a bit more....for us still not enough to come out cheaper to go that way.

So with free dining it helps us get to vacation quicker, saves us money and feeds us how we love on vacation.

If the discount is not for you or doesn't save you $$$, look for one that does. But please don't say it doesn't save some of us $$$!!!!

I never said it doesn't save others money! I just didn't see the big deal over it! I'm new to this whole Disney planning and new to free dining! So that is why I ask why ppl are gaga over it! IDK what kind of saving it will give you! I figure if there wasn't a free dining discount out now but the kids stay and play and the up to 40% off the room discount that it would be close to the same discount! but you do not have to assume that I was saying it doesn't save for others. I just didn't get why everyone love this discount! GEESH!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I never said it doesn't save others money! I just didn't see the big deal over it! I'm new to this whole Disney planning and new to free dining! So that is why I ask why ppl are gaga over it! IDK what kind of saving it will give you! I figure if there wasn't a free dining discount out now but the kids stay and play and the up to 40% off the room discount that it would be close to the same discount! but you do not have to assume that I was saying it doesn't save for others. I just didn't get why everyone love this discount! GEESH!

Because food is one trip expense that can be such a HUGE variable. You can plan how much your hotel and tickets will be, but if you are trying to spend less on a trip then you resort to only eating quick service meals and order food from Garden Grocer. Free dining gives those people the ability to splurge on some character meals for their kids.

 

[bell.of.the.ball]

Years ago FD included an appetizer and tip and you could get it at the values, that was the best for my family. We booked POP (and the upgraded to Saratoga) and had 1adult and 2 kids who were considered adults and paid only 82$ a night. My dining bills surpassed the cost of the room. That was a great savings!!!

For a family whose children are consider adults and eat like adults, it saves us about $150 a day and I dont have to tell the kids no to a dessert or chose a cheaper meal...it is a treat!!!

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I never said it doesn't save others money! I just didn't see the big deal over it! I'm new to this whole Disney planning and new to free dining! So that is why I ask why ppl are gaga over it! IDK what kind of saving it will give you! I figure if there wasn't a free dining discount out now but the kids stay and play and the up to 40% off the room discount that it would be close to the same discount! but you do not have to assume that I was saying it doesn't save for others. I just didn't get why everyone love this discount! GEESH!

40% off is only a better deal if you are staying at a Deluxe resort. The Kids Stay & Play Free discount only about to the savings on park tickets for children 3 - 9. If your kids are over the age of 9 then there is no savings at all with that discount.

 

[Tricia1972]

I think people are gaga about saving money at Disney period.

Read the resort board and they clammor for and are excited about the room discounts. You read over on the restaurant board and you read about the people who save a ton of money with free dining. DVC board is filled with people who feel that they save on vacations because they are members.

If people didn't save money with free dining, they wouldn't buy into it and Disney would stop offering it. It definitely doesn't work for everyone, but that doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with the people that it does work for.

We're Disney fans and this is a Disney Message board. We're all a little gaga for Disney. In the end we're all just happy to be able to save money and go to our 'happy' place.

 

[Faldred]

I I just didn't get why everyone love this discount! GEESH!

But not everybody does love it.

Larger parties who stay in a single room at value or moderate resorts like it, because it's a bigger savings than any of the other publicly available offers.

Smaller parties or ones staying at deluxe resorts can usually find a better deal through other promotions.

Then there are those who prefer to go at off-peak times without the "fee dining", but get annoyed that restaurant availability is highly competitive with "free diners" despite generally low crowds overall.

And let's not even start with the ones who blame "free dining" and/or the dining plan in general for menu homogenization and other cost-cutting measure.

 

[5boyz]

Geez, I am not sure why this comes up so much???

Not all discounts are what they seem correct. But because it doesn't benefit you doesn't mean it doesn't benefit others.

Here is our situation:

Free Dining is ALWAYS a better discount for us than any other discount WDW has offered.
We stay at POP, which usually a room discount is only 20%. So at roughly $100 per night (we are not going exact) a 7day/6night stay at the hotel is $600.
Now take 20% off that = $120.

That $120 I save (woohooo) will not cover 1 day of food at WDW for us. Yes staying on property, eating on property, being slaves to the system. this is our vacation and we do not change how we do it.
Free dining or not, we don't go off property to eat.

So if I pay rack rate at POP $150 (depending on the season, I chose the highest rate).
My 20% discount is $180, that will pay for 1 full day of dining and maybe lunch the next day. But it WILL NOT cover our food bill for the trip.

Now free dining, I pay rack rate yes but I still come out ahead because to buy the dining plan would be roughly $552 for the 2 of us. (for us paying OOP would be stupid because the DDP is how we eat, it is a perfect fit)

You are right in saying the dining plan isn't really free, as you pay the difference from 20% discount rate to full rack rate, but I still end up paying less for the overall vacation in the end. (that is room, tickets, and food)

Now if I were to stay deluxe the % savings is a bit more....for us still not enough to come out cheaper to go that way.

So with free dining it helps us get to vacation quicker, saves us money and feeds us how we love on vacation.

If the discount is not for you or doesn't save you $$$, look for one that does. But please don't say it doesn't save some of us $$$!!!!

Now in my case.....It is "free". I can only go within a 2 week span, so I was paying full price for my week, with the free dining if I was paying for dining I am saving $900. I was not going to get dining as it was $300 more than out of pocket, so it acutally saving me $600. I was paying rack rate anyway...

 

[kmedina]

I concur with some other posters. People want to save money on vacation. It can either help them buy more of other items while there, spend less total or be able to afford the vacation at all. Free dining can be the best saver for large parties staying at value or moderate resorts. For smaller parties staying at a deluxe resort, the 40% pin offer saves quite a bit more than free dining. The seven day savings on this pin offer is almost $1500 at GF in a gv room. The deluxe plan for 2 adults and a 4 year old is $1260. That plan is never offered for "free" either, so that is quite a savings over the "free" regular plan.

Any promotion that saves is awesome. When there are multiple promotions out at once, people should price them out and choose the one that saves the most. In many cases, it is free dining. Hence, the excitement.

 

[Nadjalu]

OP, didn't mean my post to offend you. Just stating fact and to ward off the "attack dogs" that are unleashed upon this debate.

Don't read hostility into my post, just frustrated about people always thinking free dining is the end of the free world. LOL (stay on the boards a while and you will see what I am referring to).

If the deal saves you money, whoot, holler and do the jig, if it doesn't then go about finding a deal that does save you money....all is good.

 

[stacy2197]

We are staying at a pop and we are considered 4 adaults for disney dining. We are saving more than what the room costs. My husband and kids are big eaters so I usualy budget about 100 a day for food. So it saves us a ton.

 

[lblume91]

For our family, the free dining is a huge savings!!! We are a family of 5, so while yes, we have to pay full price for the room, it is only one room (POR)- and I don't have to worry about feeding 5 people for the week! That ends up being a significant amount of money saved for us!

I second this! For our family of five, we are savings over $1500 on our upcoming trip. We always have the DDP for the convenience anyway so might as well take advantage of the free offer.