Talked with CS Manager/ May not have Free Dining this year!

[DisneyMom5]

I was told after I booked the bounce back program in Dec that they had done extremely well with the promo and that they were not going to offer free dining except to those who signed up for the the bounce back promotion.

This is just another example of what I have believed all along: MOST (not all)of the incidents of people being told there will be no additional free dining this year are being told this by cms who are trying to get them to book with them, right then and there, so they can get the comission.

It's all about the sales numbers.

What salesperson says: Call back in a few months for a big discount that I won't get credit for.

Even the CMs who have said it will happen have been saying "So book now" even though that ressie will have to be re-booked if the special comes out, based on availability.

I don't know whether they will do it or not, but I don't trust the word of the CMs who are trying to make a sale. They are not evil or anything, it's not a big conspiracy, they just need the sale.

 

[Irishhockey]

The only frustration anyone in my situation would have would be with Disney.

I think it's awesome that someone was able to upgrade to the Poly for their Honeymoon. How special is that? Am i jealous she was able to make her vacation that much more special... no of course not.
In fact if you recall, that 40% code was posted on Dis and several people were able to take advantage of it without the pin. Heck... I don't even have a problem with that.

When theres speculation of Disney not offering anything this year for that time frame because of these bounceback and 40% promotions its upsetting. I wasn't one of the "lucky" ones and thats fine... as another poster said maybe next year. But again what about travelers like us?

Therefore, my "beef" lies with Disney and not it's travelers. Disney takes a very nice chunk of change to experience and I was more than willing to budget for the next few months to be able to go back down there.

This time frame has been known to offer fantastic deals, including the last 2 years with free dinning. I'm not demanding free dinning or 40% off, but a decent package would be nice for us "unlucky" ones out there.

 

[Disney Fans]

I do think that smart companies pay attention to their loyal customers while trying to attract new customers. The loyal customers are the visitors who continue to come year after year even when the travel economy is bad. WDW needs to continue to make these people feel valued. Yes, WDW doesn't have to offer any type of discount to their "regulars" during this timeframe; but I think they are fools not to.

I also agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have been to Disney many many times and even done the DCL with the WDW trip the past 3 years. I have asked this year and last year, why some people continue to get the pin codes, email codes and post card codes ( some year after year) and others like me never get one! I have waited for almost 20 years and have never got one!!! So even though I LOVE Disney, My DH now doesn't want to go on anymore Disney vacations, because we never seem to get a brake! We have a trip planned for next year, but I don't think I will be able to keep it due to how my DH feels!

 

[Miss_Nellie]

I also agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have been to Disney many many times and even done the DCL with the WDW trip the past 3 years. I have asked this year and last year, why some people continue to get the pin codes, email codes and post card codes ( some year after year) and others like me never get one! I have waited for almost 20 years and have never got one!!! So even though I LOVE Disney, My DH now doesn't want to go on anymore Disney vacations, because we never seem to get a brake! We have a trip planned for next year, but I don't think I will be able to keep it due to how my DH feels!

I think I understand how you feel, in fact, we may be in similar situations.

I LOVE Disney! We've been once a year since 2001 and the thought of not going this year or a couple of years depresses me.

But with us never having been offered or eligible for any discounts (pin codes, emails, postcards, etc.) and paying full / rack rates ....

Well, DH is seeing how much it's costing and is suggesting, gently at this point, that perhaps we should spend our vacation dollars and see some other sights (the Grand Canyon was one suggestion).

A year without Disney? The horrors!!

Couple that with our boys, 11 & 7, who are ready for more thrilling rides and adventures ....

Disney is losing the magic for 3/4 of my family. So, yeah, unless there is some sort of offer we may have already had our last trip for a while.

Of course I'll need intense therapy for having to quit Disney cold turkey.

I gess we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[LakeAriel]

I own a DVC membership and still decided this year to stay a few days at Universal. AAA got me $54 a day discount at Portofino Bay, which looks gorgeous. Yes it was $215 a night, but staying onsite allows you to have a fast pass for every ride, I really am looking forward to that! In addition I got 2 park/ 3 day tickets, buy one adult, get one child free. So for $200, 4 of us can park hop. Afterwards Costco came out with a 3 month Universal hopper for $85. You can't beat those promotions! IMO Disney has been rearing it's corporate head and it is time maybe to spend my money elsewhere if they continue to forget their loyal fan base. It is the only way to get their attention!

 

[TDC Nala]

I own a DVC membership and still decided this year to stay a few days at Universal. AAA got me $54 a day discount at Portofino Bay, which looks gorgeous. Yes it was $215 a night, but staying onsite allows you to have a fast pass for every ride, I really am looking forward to that! In addition I got 2 park/ 3 day tickets, buy one adult, get one child free. So for $200, 4 of us can park hop. Afterwards Costco came out with a 3 month Universal hopper for $85. You can't beat those promotions! IMO Disney has been rearing it's corporate head and it is time maybe to spend my money elsewhere if they continue to forget their loyal fan base. It is the only way to get their attention!

Yes, if enough go over to Universal, then Disney will have to offer wide-ranging discounts again. Right now they don't need to. I don't think Disney fights too hard for return business, but they don't need to. Universal needs to.

I can do Universal in two days with the front of the line pass thing and then I get bored. Heck, I can do both parks in one day with front of the line pass.

Portofino Bay is fantastic but I am thinking mostly of the adults-only pool. Loved that.

 

[phyllis1966]

I do think that smart companies pay attention to their loyal customers while trying to attract new customers. The loyal customers are the visitors who continue to come year after year even when the travel economy is bad. WDW needs to continue to make these people feel valued. Yes, WDW doesn't have to offer any type of discount to their "regulars" during this timeframe; but I think they are fools not to.

I totally agree with this. There are many companies that "reward" their loyal customer base, while at the same time try to attract new customers. Since we usually go during slower times, we've almost always had some sort of discount, but when we had to pay rack rate, it was a killer. It's good business practice to "keep 'em coming back," and a special promo for yearly or every-other-yearly guests would be a welcome and refreshing gesture on Disney's part!

 

[Wafflestoo]

Well, DH is seeing how much it's costing and is suggesting, gently at this point, that perhaps we should spend our vacation dollars and see some other sights (the Grand Canyon was one suggestion).

We took are two DS's to the Grand Canyon three years ago. The oldest of the two asked, while viewing the splendid vista of the canyon "Where are the rides?"
My husband and I decided Disney was the way to go while the guys are little.
Meg

 

[LakeAriel]

Yes, if enough go over to Universal, then Disney will have to offer wide-ranging discounts again. Right now they don't need to. I don't think Disney fights too hard for return business, but they don't need to. Universal needs to.

I can do Universal in two days with the front of the line pass thing and then I get bored. Heck, I can do both parks in one day with front of the line pass.

Portofino Bay is fantastic but I am thinking mostly of the adults-only pool. Loved that.

That is why I am only going for three nights..I will have my grandchildren with me, one a 6 year old Spiderman fanatic...The kids will love it. I will see how it goes for future planning. I have only been once and did enjoy Universal. Free dining, sometimes offered by Disney, IMO is one of the best perks in the area. The adults, at least, like to eat in the nice restaurants and you can't beat that savings. The paid DDP is also worth every dime!

 

[TDC Nala]

That is why I am only going for three nights..I will have my grandchildren with me, one a 6 year old Spiderman fanatic...The kids will love it. I will see how it goes for future planning. I have only been once and did enjoy Universal. Free dining, sometimes offered by Disney, IMO is one of the best perks in the area. The adults, at least, like to eat in the nice restaurants and you can't beat that savings. The paid DDP is also worth every dime!

But they don't have Emerils! and Universal does....hm, a couple days over there doesn't sound so bad...maybe next year when I am doing long trips again.

I don't even do the DDP at Disney, it rarely works for me. I have those bounceback reservations which I needed because I gave my brother a lot of my DVC points. He gets a free room but I get the free food.

 

[LakeAriel]

But they don't have Emerils! and Universal does....hm, a couple days over there doesn't sound so bad...maybe next year when I am doing long trips again.

I don't even do the DDP at Disney, it rarely works for me. I have those bounceback reservations which I needed because I gave my brother a lot of my DVC points. He gets a free room but I get the free food.

I want both!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I want DVC to do a DDP discount!

 

[TDC Nala]

I want both!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I want DVC to do a DDP discount!

Are you kidding? We're lucky they let us buy it at all!

 

[LakeAriel]

Are you kidding? We're lucky they let us buy it at all!

Yeah!

Actually the AP discount, for those doing enough days, is the best perk they have offered.

 

[smilechaser]

Please refrain from throwing eggs or tomatoes. (only cash and chocolate!) I am bound to say something here to tick off someone and I don't mean to I am just relaying how I feel TOWARD DISNEY (not individuals) at this point and time.

I think it is discriminatory to offer somthing like 'free dining' to only certain groups of people based on location. I would like to see how far we got it we opened up a restaurant and only served white females, or mexican males or german children.....(insert any combination here for the sake of arguement).

Second, when you offer specials like that they are very costly and someone eats up that cost (pardon the joke......lol eats up/ free dining....lol.) And you know who that is paying for it......US, the people who didn't get offered the special. That is what totally ticks me off. I am paying an outragous price for my family of six to go so that disney can offer someone else free dining. How fair is that for some of us to pay that much more. If Disney has that much $$$$ to throw around then give a fair deal to EVERYONE!

Sorry if I offended anyone! Just my feelings toward the whole deal.

BTW, my family has tried to talk me into doing something else for years and I bucked the issue but I am starting to agree with them. We have a disney vacation planned but unless something great as far as offers comes out soon I am thinking that new Atlantis resort in the Bahamas is looking pretty nifty.

97 acres of water park fun...in the BAHAMAS!!!!! HHmmmm! And I don't have to play around with special codes and crap with them.

 

[BillyFeat]

Disney isn't trying to screw anybody here out of a deal by not offering them discounts. They're offering targeted discounts based on what they feel THEY need to do the greatest amount of business at prices that will contribute to their bottom line. If you didn't fall into that group, it's not personal. They're going to adjust their discount offerings from year to year based on the bookings they get.

TDC Nala,
It's refreshing to read a post that is objective and absolutely correct. Disney is big business that will discount their product out of necessity, not out of empathy for their patrons. Sometimes we forget that, and Disney counts on the consumer to look beyond the price, and see the "Magic," we on these boards know and love.

 

[TDC Nala]

I think it is discriminatory to offer somthing like 'free dining' to only certain groups of people based on location. I would like to see how far we got it we opened up a restaurant and only served white females, or mexican males or german children.....(insert any combination here for the sake of arguement).

Well, since they aren't denying admittance to the parks or the right to book a room to anybody based on their ethnic background, and are only using targeted marketing to offer discounts, I don't think the analogy is correct. No matter how badly you want free dining, it is neither a right nor an entitlement.

Atlantis sounds pretty cool, enjoy it.

 

[LakeAriel]

Please refrain from throwing eggs or tomatoes. (only cash and chocolate!) I am bound to say something here to tick off someone and I don't mean to I am just relaying how I feel TOWARD DISNEY (not individuals) at this point and time.

I think it is discriminatory to offer somthing like 'free dining' to only certain groups of people based on location. I would like to see how far we got it we opened up a restaurant and only served white females, or mexican males or german children.....(insert any combination here for the sake of arguement).

Second, when you offer specials like that they are very costly and someone eats up that cost (pardon the joke......lol eats up/ free dining....lol.) And you know who that is paying for it......US, the people who didn't get offered the special. That is what totally ticks me off. I am paying an outragous price for my family of six to go so that disney can offer someone else free dining. How fair is that for some of us to pay that much more. If Disney has that much $$$$ to throw around then give a fair deal to EVERYONE!

Sorry if I offended anyone! Just my feelings toward the whole deal.

BTW, my family has tried to talk me into doing something else for years and I bucked the issue but I am starting to agree with them. We have a disney vacation planned but unless something great as far as offers comes out soon I am thinking that new Atlantis resort in the Bahamas is looking pretty nifty.

97 acres of water park fun...in the BAHAMAS!!!!! HHmmmm! And I don't have to play around with special codes and crap with them.

I am going to throw..just kidding I agree with you (somewhat) and mentioned it earlier. (the part about offering it to people in Britain) However to play the devils advocate, no one is making us go to Disney. If we feel as though they are more interested in the bottom line then repeat customers, we have the option not to go. I, myself, will spend 3 nights at Universal this year to try it out. I went on the Disney Cruise and Atlantis is beautiful. Next time I go it will be sans Disney...On the other hand late August is a slow season in Orlando, schools are back in session and the threat of a hurricane looms. They offer cheaper rooms and for the past two years have offered free dining. What is just good business sense (free dining in hurricane season) and corporate greed ( not maintaining resorts, giving foreigners perks we can't get) is subjective. Without tourists from other countries, Disney would cease to exist. So there you have it, my opinion only. All I ask from Disney is loyalty, courteous service, clean, maintained resorts and parks, and Mickey Mouse. I have traveled on Spring break and in hurricane season. There is a huge difference in the money required. Some years I'll suffer through the heat to save the cash, some I'll pay more and get more moderate temps. Choice is mine...and I'll keep looking under every rock for a way to save for my trip!

 

[smilechaser]

Well, since they aren't denying admittance to the parks or the right to book a room to anybody based on their ethnic background, and are only using targeted marketing to offer discounts, I don't think the analogy is correct.

Great let me correct it for you!

Same restaurant, same group of people. The chosen 'ethnicity' will pay for desert and the others won't, it will be free.

 

[Timon71]

NOT trying to start an issue. If everyone remembers awhile back, the only discounts EVER offered were for Magic Kingdom Club members. SO, for all of us to expect, or feel, we are entitled to a discount is us dreaming. I have been over 55 times and haven't thought of discounts until the last three years when Disney has had to offer them to get up occupancy levels. I, like everyone else here, will still go to " THE GREATEST PLACE IN THE WORLD".
That's my two cents.

 

[TDC Nala]

Great let me correct it for you!

Same restaurant, same group of people. The chosen 'ethnicity' will pay for desert and the others won't, it will be free.

I'm a lawyer. It's not the same thing.

Disney can offer discounts to any group it wants, as long as that offer isn't based on race or ethnicity. Awhile back they had a discount offer than ran only in Hispanic community newspapers, but they could not require that you be Hispanic to book the discount. Targeting the offer by placing it in Hispanic community newspapers is not actionable discrimination.

They are not infringing on your right to go to Disney at all by not offering you a discount. It is your choice whether or not you wish to pay for the trip at the price you are being offered. Disney is under no obligation to offer you a discount just because you want one.

I see this argument "I'm being discriminated against because British citizens got a discount and I didn't" kind of bugs me because it cheapens genuine and actionable cases of discrimination. You might as well say "I'm being discriminated against because I am not an annual passholder" or I am being discriminated against because I couldn't be at WDW in December to book the bounce back program" or "I'm being discriminated against because the computer didn't pick my name out to get a 40% email."

The UK discount was offered to attract more European guests, who have to come a long way for their trip - therefore they stay longer, and spend more money. The thinking wasn't "We don't want American guests to stay here so we'll make them pay full price" or "We want to exclude anyone who doesn't visit in December." It's "How many rooms can we fill by offering discounts, and can we target them to the customers who will maximize our profit?"

Disney is under no duty to offer equivalent discounts to everyone to be fair. There's no innate requirement for fairness in discounting and I wouldn't require it of Disney. They might choose to be fair by offering discounts to NOBODY. If that makes you want to forego Disney vacations, that's your choice.

Ever hear of bars that offer free or reduced price drinks to ladies? That's to get more women into the bars...because the men will go where the women are, not because they don't want men in the bars.