Should DVC offer a discount dining plan??

[Bmwdsny]

I will be vacationing during the time frame when WDW is offering a package with free dining plans. Now, because i am borrowing points, i can't cancel my DVC trip unless i rent them out.

i am upset that DVC is not offering at least a discount on dining plans for the 8/13 - Sept time frame. I have freinds who are staying at POP century for 79 a night, pay one day tickets and have free dining for the whole week.

I think DVC should offer something for that time frame. do you agree?? I wrote to them and maybe many of should the same. I don't expect to be free, but at least some discount.

Am i being unreasonable about this???

 

[dianeschlicht]

Why? We pre-paid vacations, not meals. There would be no reason to give us a discount or free meals, since it is a ploy to bring in customers, and they already have us as customers.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I guess I should have said, "yes", I do think you are being unreasonable. I don't see it as really "free" anyway. You would need to pay full rack rate to get the "Free" offer. If you are willing to pay full rack rate for your DVC reservation, than, by all means enjoy the "free" dining.

 

[Chuck S]

There is no advantage to Disney to do so, the DVC rooms expenses are paid, they make no direct profit per room. However, if DVCers want the free dining and decide to book at a value and cancel their DVC resort Disney can rent the unused DVC rooms at full price, begininging at nearly $300. Almost like there is more incentive to Disney to NOT offer a discount.

Plus, filling those rooms (at full price) even at a value resort helps offset the cost of the "free dining" for Disney. There is no such direct "offset" in DVC point ressies, only (perhaps) secondary souvenir sales.

I'm perfectly happy with (by the time I figure amitorized initial purchase and dues) my highly discounted rate for a DVC room vs. rack rate for the same room.

 

[DisFlan]

It took a loooong time and lots of effort to get DVC to negotiate ANY form of dining plan for DVC members. DVC doesn't "provide" the DP, they negotiate with Disney for it. We all want something for less, but I don't feel this is a case where it's warranted.

We all have the option of "free" dining that any other WDW guest has - pay rack rate at one of the hotels to get it. As DVC members, we don't have to pay rack rate for accommodations. And that's a big enough "discount" for me.

DisFlan

 

[Bmwdsny]

Ok, point taken!!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

LOL! Well, you did ask.

 

[Bmwdsny]

LOL! Well, you did ask.

and i thank you for the honest answer!!! LOL!!

i guess i am just a lil annoyed that i have freinds who are staying at the hotels and they are getting FREE dining and i have to pay extra for the meals... but you right, we are getting the better accomodations even though we are paying matint. fees ...LOL!! if i knew this beforehand i would have plan accordinaly.. But i'll get over it!!! LOL!

 

[chris1gill]

You are already getting a discount on the room IMHO & the dining package is already discounted... I don't think we are due any further consideration.... just MHO of course.....

 

[Anewman]

And besides getting a discount on the "room".

The Dining plan itself is like a discount on food, and DVC does sell it to you for $38 per day, per adult.
And that $38 per day can easily get you $80 worth of food(@disney prices obviously).

 

[TLinden16]

I'm just grateful that we have access to the dining plan now--it's a wonderful little perk, and a big money saver if you eat a sit down meal every day (which I do). I wouldn't expect DVC to ever offer the plan discounted or free.

 

[CarolA]

I think DVC should offer something for that time frame. do you agree?? I wrote to them and maybe many of should the same. I don't expect to be free, but at least some discount.

Am i being unreasonable about this???

No I don't agree
And yes I think you are being unreasonable.

I don't really want my dues to subsidize your "Freebies" and that's what would happen. Disney has no incentive to give you a freebie so you want other members like ME to pay for it...

IMHO, if everytime Disney gives a deal you look at your DVC and go "I didn't get that" then this was not a decision that you fully considered. You were buying a timeshare not a "discount plan"

 

[FlyingfreeWDW]

I don't agree that DVC should offer free dining but I would like to see this implemented: As an OWNER of real property in Florida (DVC), I would like to have access to the discounts given to Florida Residents. They already did this with the discount on the AP's. I would like to be able to purchase the DDE card without having to purchase AP's. $50 for the card and WDW getting more of my business sounds like a win for them and me. Why not offer this? AP's don't work for everyone. We currently use the MYW 10 day no expiration with PHP options. It works well for us as we only avergae 4 park days per year and maybe 1-2 water parks per year. Is this unreasonable to ask? The OP and there requests were unreasonable, how about mine? I realize they owe us nothing in the form of discounts and perks but this is one I'd appreciate. Thanks guys.

 

[Chuck S]

I don't think you're request for DDEs is unreasonable, but I think we won't see it. Especially now that DVC stays are eligible for the regular Dining Plan. Non-DVC AP holders are not eligible for the plan if they use their AP room discount and don't want the hassle of purchasing then exchanging a one day ticket.

Unless they choose to make DDEs available to DVC members at the non-discounted FL resident, non-AP holder rate of $85, but I still doubt we will see it.

Just because we own a small portion of a DVC building on land still owned by Disney and leased to DVC, it does not make us true "Florida Residents". We don't vote in FL, and we don't hold FL drivers licenses

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Having the same perks as Florida residents would indeed be welcome. The argument then comes from Florida residents who own at DVC ... "What additional perks could we get?"

I try to operate in "count your blessings" mode. It keeps my blood pressure down. YMMV.

That's not to say that I'd turn down any more perks that came my way, however.

 

[Dean]

Having the same perks as Florida residents would indeed be welcome. The argument then comes from Florida residents who own at DVC ... "What additional perks could we get?"

I try to operate in "count your blessings" mode. It keeps my blood pressure down. YMMV.

That's not to say that I'd turn down any more perks that came my way, however.

As a FL resident it doesn't hurt me at all if others get the same benefits as I do, so I'd say we have NOTHING negative to say in that situation. They don't owe it but the more they offer, the better for the members.

 

[JimMIA]

As a FL resident it doesn't hurt me at all if others get the same benefits as I do, so I'd say we have NOTHING negative to say in that situation. They don't owe it but the more they offer, the better for the members.

I'm another Florida resident with Dean. I would never begrudge DVC owners getting any of the benefits I get for having to live in this Hellhole!

That said, I think there has to be a sound business reason for any discount Disney offers. Last time I looked at an annual report, they were not in the business of giving stuff away.

I personally think it would be in their best interest to offer the DDE to DVC owners too, because a) it puts money in their pockets, and b) the dining plan does not suit everyone's needs. But I think they would counter that they already give the 10% discount for nothing.