Unfair about free dining plan - Not available to DVC members

[goofy4tink]

Well....I'm headed down on Nov 29-Dec 4 and staying at BWV. Getting the regular old ddp. But, I'm then moving on to a value resort for another week. I have Music booked at an AP discount. If I can get Visa free dining, we'll see how the rate shakes out. But, right now...the AP rate looks pretty darn good with my TiW card.

 

[cvrapclark]

We are new DVC members and booked the free dining last year and stayed at Pop. I knew when this came out I would be really checking the figures.

Well, here's what I've seen. I have some neighbors I rented points for (I didn't have enough) and they are staying at Animal Kingdom. Here's the breakdown.

2 adults, 1 child. Savanaah view studio for 7 nights.
Rented points cost $1013. Dining plan cost approx $665. Tickets are approx $750. Total is approx $2730.

I called and checked the free dining for them. A STANDARD studio with free dining is approx $3200.

The free dining is not free. You can rent points and stay at deluxes cheaper. Now, values are a good deal, I think, with free dining.

We are staying at BLT and very excited to have a 2 bedroom this year and will pay out of pocket for dining. We got a great deal last year at Pop, but Pop is a lot smaller than a two bedroom!!

 

[carmie3377]

I remember feeling the same way last year. We bought DVC in Dec 07 and excitedly booked our first stay on points Sept/Oct 2008. Then free dining came out. I was bummed thinking I screwed up buying DVC. Then I started crunching numbers.

Here are some figures of mine that I posted last year on a similar thread:

I figured what my points are costing me, including annual dues. Each point has a current value of 6.39. If I went during free dining, it would have required 160 points. Therefore, my room "costs" would have been 1022.40. Add dining in at 743.76 and tickets in at 896.81 for a grand total of 2662.97.

If I booked the same (1 BR savanna view) through Disney with Free Dining, I would have to pay $4306.81. There is a significant savings using my points and paying for DDP - 1643.84!​

I don't remember the exact amount, but I remember a savanna room at AKL costing more with FREE dining than I "paid" for our 1 BR savanna room and buying dining and tickets.

I may have been able to stay for less than my "costs" at a moderate or value but I don't always want to stay value or moderate. If I want to stay deluxe, I come out WAY AHEAD just booking on points and paying for dining.

This year, we're paying cash and staying at Pop and getting the free dining. But next time, we may stay DVC and buy the dining. When the economy improves, Disney may not be offering all the awesome deals but we'll still have our awesome deals through DVC

 

[Portugal1000]

So I am really just venting but wanted to find out if any of you DVC members got a free dining plan offer. I just think its crazy it is not offered to us as we pay monthly dues for our vacation home. Whats the benefit then? Seems to me I can get better deals anymore by not being a member. Just frustrated!

I think you are absolutely right. I live in England and seriously considered DVC as I love SSR. Thankfully I didn't go ahead as the offers you get now are great. We go on 11th August for 17 nights. Staying in 1 bed at SSR on free dining plus we got 44% of the normal SSR rate. We would have had to have over 500 points for this trip which would equal about £1500 (not dollars) in annual dues alone. If I add on the cost off the DP then this holiday is far cheaper.Take into account that I didn't have to pay upfront for the DVC then I really cannot see how I can ever justify buying DVC now. I would be really upset if I had gone ahead. Surely Disney must realise this will hit DVC sales if they don't offer DVC customers free dining.

I know everyone can get this offer but why would you book again if you already have DVC?

Hope they change the rules so you can benefit.

 

[pickles]

You are only looking at DVC as in now..you are not comparing the fact that in 10 years I will still be staying DVC on the same number of points as I can now..your price for your room will keep going up

maybe you get a savings now that i dont..like free dining

but I can get the dining plan without having to buy any tickets, I get a room same price every year for the next 40 years, and I dont have to settle for a value room just to have some special deal, and I get discounts on my annual passes and for a family of 6 my AP discount about covers my yearly dues

there are good and bad points to every deal whether free dining or DVC..you just have to decide which is most important to you and fits your family

 

[DznyLvr2005]

If I could afford DVC then I wouldn't be worried about free dining.

that's not nice to say!! Just because they have DVC doesn't mean they'd want a discount too!!! Some people might say if you could afford a Disney trip, then you shoudn't worry about free dining either!!

 

[PrincessTiffany]

That's why I'm not a member.

Me too.

 

[Elmo888]

If I could afford DVC then I wouldn't be worried about free dining.

Amen.

 

[jamstew]

Well....I'm headed down on Nov 29-Dec 4 and staying at BWV. Getting the regular old ddp. But, I'm then moving on to a value resort for another week. I have Music booked at an AP discount. If I can get Visa free dining, we'll see how the rate shakes out. But, right now...the AP rate looks pretty darn good with my TiW card.

I was booked at POP for 12/11-14 (after 5 nights at BCV) at a AAA rate of $84.35/night ($278.78 total). I was able to re-book with an AP rate of $54/night and add DXDP for a total of $400.18 I figured I would have easily spent $150 on food, even with TIW, so for me, it was a savings of about $30. The Visa "free dining" package was about the same amount of money, but with the regular DDP, and I didn't need the park ticket. I'm very happy. (I did have to give up the preferred room, but I think I'll live.)

 

[disneyjunkie]

that's not nice to say!! Just because they have DVC doesn't mean they'd want a discount too!!! Some people might say if you could afford a Disney trip, then you shoudn't worry about free dining either!!

They have discounts and perks.

I'd take discounted APs over free dining any day.

They can also book the dining plan without purchasing tickets. There are tons of WDW guests that would love to have those two options.