This forum is called "Rumors and News"...

[Lewisc]

FD is a popular promotion. It replaced the deep room discounts (sometimes as high as 45%) which used to be offered during slow seasons.

This is the news and rumors board. Makes sense that posters would discuss FD here.

My "pet peeve". Threads which are neither news nor rumors. Threads which are nothing more then speculation.

 

[beer dave]

Again. I am going in September, like I always do. I have to eat. My food is free. The quality of the food would be the same if I payed for it or not. Do you refrain from going to Disney now because of the poor food quality? Do you still eat when you go? If my biggest concern was fine dining I would go somewhere that has fine dining. I am going for a Disney vacation, and I need to eat. My food is free, saving me a significant amount of money. There are 11 of us. Add it up yourself. To come on the forum and try to tell everyone what a rotten deal they are getting is borderline insane. I know how to add.

You are correct, you need to eat, as do I. The thing I am saying is not that you should not eat, or that you should not be happy it is free. My point is that the food was better prior to the dining plan, and free dining has only made it worse. My point is that if they would get rid of free dining, there is a chance that the dining will improve again. (probably only a very slight chance, but I will take it.) My complaint about the whole thing is that disney used to have fine dining, and now they do not.


I will continue to go to disney on vacation probably until I die.


And I don't go to very many dining locations any more. I used to when they were good. I do like some of the unique snack type items-- the pork shank is fun to eat-- and we usually eat appetizer type offerings for dinner at one of several somewhat unique lounges. There are a few restaurants that I will still go to, but that list is dwindling.

Nowhere did I say anyone was getting a rotten deal--- except for the people who want quality dining back.

 

[twolittletinkerbells]

You are correct, you need to eat, as do I. The thing I am saying is not that you should not eat, or that you should not be happy it is free. My point is that the food was better prior to the dining plan, and free dining has only made it worse. My point is that if they would get rid of free dining, there is a chance that the dining will improve again. (probably only a very slight chance, but I will take it.) My complaint about the whole thing is that disney used to have fine dining, and now they do not.


I will continue to go to disney on vacation probably until I die.


And I don't go to very many dining locations any more. I used to when they were good. I do like some of the unique snack type items-- the pork shank is fun to eat-- and we usually eat appetizer type offerings for dinner at one of several somewhat unique lounges. There are a few restaurants that I will still go to, but that list is dwindling.

Nowhere did I say anyone was getting a rotten deal--- except for the people who want quality dining back.

Ok, I will clarify. I responded to you because you responded to me. But there are plenty of people in the thread trying to say what a bad deal FD is, and it is simply not true for the majority. Discussing what would be IF, has no bearing on the savings people are getting, (my group in particular). Whether FD is a good or bad thing for quality of food has no bearing on the savings people receive who are currently planning vacations. (We actually agree the food quality has went down, but it has no bearing on my being happy about my group eating for free including some character experiences for the kids)

 

[ThurlFan]

Ok, I will clarify. I responded to you because you responded to me. But there are plenty of people in the thread trying to say what a bad deal FD is, and it is simply not true for the majority. Discussing what would be IF, has no bearing on the savings people are getting, (my group in particular). Whether FD is a good or bad thing for quality of food has no bearing on the savings people receive who are currently planning vacations. (We actually agree the food quality has went down, but it has no bearing on my being happy about my group eating for free including some character experiences for the kids)

All true, but looking at the larger picture(s):

1) You are looking at a short-term benefit that's contributing to a long-term detriment. Sure, *cost* for this particular vacation is a bit more palatable (pun intended) due to the free dining, but over time the *value* of a WDW vacation is dropping as you get lower quality food on successive trips.

2) The masses snapping up "free" dining offers are indirectly dragging down the quality of food for those of us for whom it is not the best choice. It's rare that it makes sense for our family (although we have done it once, back when you got the regular DDP with a Value Resort instead of counter service only) so the long term effect is for us to experience lesser quality food for more money over time.

Example: Columbia Harbor House offers a fish and chicken combo meal. The chicken used to be long strips of white meat cut from whole chicken breasts. They were pretty good. Now that same meal (which costs more) has replaced the chicken strips with the same, lesser quality nuggets you get everywhere else on property.

The homogenization of dining is particularly egregious at counter service locations. They offer the same pizza at Pizzafari as at Pizza Planet, which is the same as at Pinocchio's Village Haus, which is the same as at your resort, etc. This is not to say there aren't unique options (AK and Epcot still have some variety although Flame Tree serves the same "barbeque" as Cosmic Ray), but in MK the more unique offerings (Tomorrowland Noodles, Tortuga Tavern nee el Pirata y el Perico) are often not available except during peak season.

So you can't simply say "If you don't like it don't use it". Everyone is affected by this whether they participate or not.

 

[manning]

Like my dad used to say. "Your money, your choice". My choice is quality, but then again I can afford it.

 

[twolittletinkerbells]

All true, but looking at the larger picture(s):

1) You are looking at a short-term benefit that's contributing to a long-term detriment. Sure, *cost* for this particular vacation is a bit more palatable (pun intended) due to the free dining, but over time the *value* of a WDW vacation is dropping as you get lower quality food on successive trips.

2) The masses snapping up "free" dining offers are indirectly dragging down the quality of food for those of us for whom it is not the best choice. It's rare that it makes sense for our family (although we have done it once, back when you got the regular DDP with a Value Resort instead of counter service only) so the long term effect is for us to experience lesser quality food for more money over time.

Example: Columbia Harbor House offers a fish and chicken combo meal. The chicken used to be long strips of white meat cut from whole chicken breasts. They were pretty good. Now that same meal (which costs more) has replaced the chicken strips with the same, lesser quality nuggets you get everywhere else on property.

The homogenization of dining is particularly egregious at counter service locations. They offer the same pizza at Pizzafari as at Pizza Planet, which is the same as at Pinocchio's Village Haus, which is the same as at your resort, etc. This is not to say there aren't unique options (AK and Epcot still have some variety although Flame Tree serves the same "barbeque" as Cosmic Ray), but in MK the more unique offerings (Tomorrowland Noodles, Tortuga Tavern nee el Pirata y el Perico) are often not available except during peak season.

So you can't simply say "If you don't like it don't use it". Everyone is affected by this whether they participate or not.

But, you are MISSING MY POINT. I cant control what Disney does. Short of not going to Disney. And I am taking our kids to Disney. I already stated it has led to a decrease in the quality of food. I would rather the quality be better. But its not. And I am going in Sept like I always do. I have to eat and my food is free. I dont need the nay sayers to tell me how horrible FD is. I already acknowledge the decline in quality. But, I need to eat and it does save me a LOT of money. A whole lot more than room discounts. Thats my point. Dont insult my intelligence by telling me I can do just as well with room discounts and such. It is just not true. (Not you personally)

 

[ThurlFan]

But, you are MISSING MY POINT.

I think I followed your quote by saying "All True", so I totally get what your saying. I'm not saying you should pass on free dining out of some altruistic gesture to your fellow guests. If it works for you, go for it.

It's Disney that I'm annoyed with, not you. But I do think it's short sighted of people to root for free dining to continue to be offered. Sorry if that wasn't clear.

 

[twolittletinkerbells]

I think I followed your quote by saying "All True", so I totally get what your saying. I'm not saying you should pass on free dining out of some altruistic gesture to your fellow guests. If it works for you, go for it.

It's Disney that I'm annoyed with, not you. But I do think it's short sighted of people to root for free dining to continue to be offered. Sorry if that wasn't clear.

Gotcha. I really see both sides. But I think a lot of the posters against FD (not you) go out of their way to rain on the parade of those who are getting FD and saving money on their upcoming vacations. Its two different debates. One is, does FD contribute to lower quality food and increase meal pricing? (It does). Two, is FD a substantial savings if its available when you are on vacation? (It is, and for most people it is far and away a greater savings)