Why do non-DVC members get the dining plan free?

[corab77]

Hello,

I was just wondering with all of the promotions that are going on for non-DVC members, if any DVC members have been offered any promotions? We have been DVC members for 10 years and when I see that people are/were getting free dining plans for booking vacations it makes me wonder what we get?

Has anyone heard anything?

We are going on 1/8/09.

Thanks!

 

[DVC Mike]

Hello,

I was just wondering with all of the promotions that are going on for non-DVC members, if any DVC members have been offered any promotions?

"Free" dining is a promotion/incentive to get people to book a hotel room via CRO.

DVC members are already coming, so there is no need for such an incentive.

 

[TDC Nala]

Because non-DVC members have to be heavily motivated to fill up the resort rooms during hurricane season. DVC members will come whether they are offered free dining or not.

They also have to pay rack rate for that room to get the free dining, and they must buy park tickets from Disney.

 

[Deb & Bill]

DVC members can get free dining. You just have to make a reservation through CRO during the promotion time.

You have to purchase a package to get free dining. DVC points aren't part of a package.

What do we get? We get to pay our dues to DVC and then book vacations using our points.

 

[Tiger926]

It's so funny how many people think that Free Dining is a reward - it's a marketing tool to encourage more sales!

I feel badly that so many people's feelings are hurt by the fact that they don't feel that Disney values them. It should not be taken personally at all as it's a business decision.

We as DVC members have already given Disney our money, so they wouldn't reward us in this manner, although I do appreciate the discounts that we do get as DVC members.

Tiger

 

[Lynne M]

We have been DVC members for 10 years and when I see that people are/were getting free dining plans for booking vacations it makes me wonder what we get?

The savings we get on villas is more than the free diners are saving on food. Especially since it's anything but 'free'. In order to get the dining plan free, they have to pay the full, non-discounted price for the room.

At any rate, Disney's not giving away dining to those people as a thank-you present. They're desperately trying to lure people who weren't planning to come to WDW. We've pre-paid for our lodging, so they know we're coming. They've already got our money. Why on earth would they give us hundreds of dollars worth of free food?

Business don't give out large discounts just to be nice. It's bait. Nothing more.

 

[Portugal1000]

I am from UK and considered buying DVC after staying at SSR form Xmas 2007. Then when I returned there was a offer for UK residents, 44% off and free dining. I have 17 nights booked in a 1 bed villa from 11th August 2009 for 2 adults and 1 child. The price I have paid is £2400, or $3,360 at todays exchange rate. This price also includes three 14 day park ultimate passes (had to buy these to get offer). Thats just under $200 a night to stay at SSR with food and passes. If I had DVC I think I would need around 540 points to book the same holiday. Would I be right in saying that the maintenance cost each year would be over $2000? With the initial outlay, I just cannot see how it would be finacially viable for me to buy DVC because as you say, we would not be offered the free dining. Not sure how long these sort of deals will be offered to UK residents but just the fact that they are there would stop me buying DVC at this time.

 

[TDC Nala]

I am from UK and considered buying DVC after staying at SSR form Xmas 2007. Then when I returned there was a offer for UK residents, 44% off and free dining. I have 17 nights booked in a 1 bed villa from 11th August 2009 for 2 adults and 1 child. The price I have paid is £2400, or $3,360 at todays exchange rate. This price also includes three 14 day park ultimate passes (had to buy these to get offer). Thats just under $200 a night to stay at SSR with food and passes. If I had DVC I think I would need around 540 points to book the same holiday. Would I be right in saying that the maintenance cost each year would be over $2000? With the initial outlay, I just cannot see how it would be finacially viable for me to buy DVC because as you say, we would not be offered the free dining. Not sure how long these sort of deals will be offered to UK residents but just the fact that they are there would stop me buying DVC at this time.

But, if you were planning to travel to WDW yearly for the long term, you could not be absolutely certain that such great deals (including free dining) would continue to be offered for resort stays. As it is, you are putting off your DVC purchase to get the dining. If and when WDW stops offering free dining, and you start looking into the DVC purchase again, it's possible your DVC outlay will be much more than it would have been if you bought it this year.

 

[dgaston]

I took advantage of the Disney Visa free dining in Dec. I took my DS20, my DD25 and we stayed at All Star Sports. I did miss my studios, but only paying the tip at great meals (LeCellier for CP, Boma, Crystal Palace, Mama Melrose, and Grand Floridian Cafe) was great. DS and I were in the last week of our APs and we also had a Free flight on SWA. I'll save the one day ticket for credit next time we renew our APs.

So DVCers can use Free Dining too, if you get the room at rack rate.

 

[permavac]

The savings we get on villas is more than the free diners are saving on food. Especially since it's anything but 'free'. In order to get the dining plan free, they have to pay the full, non-discounted price for the room...

The above should serve as a great reminder to help combat the disease I mention below

These threads seem to crop up with some frequency and I think I've finally figured it out - the official name I will give it is: WDW-Vacation Package Special Deals-Induced Amnesia. In many threads on here you will find DVCers chortling over their good fortune and good sense to buy into DVC, saving themselves thousands of dollars in the process. Then - look out! - free dining comes along and you have yourself a case of WDW-VPSD-IA...

Seriously, corab77, I am not knocking you. It's just that as a new DVC owner, I understand that I'm already getting my discount on the room (plus that AP discount which I'm thrilled about!). Free dining and/or whatever discounts are offered for the hotel-side don't make me forget that. I mean, if you could combine ALL Disney discounts then we could all potentially go to Disney for free and subsequently they would be out of business so no more Disney. And, as others have already pointed out, I am not banned from taking advantage of the "deals". In fact, I plan on using my DVC and still doing the free dining. So I actually feel lucky to be able to have the option to do both. Hope that helps your question...

Terri

 

[keishashadow]

jmho, i remember trying the DP when it 1st was offered, prior to purchasing DVC that spring (as a result of said trip - value resort & cheerleaders ) & lobbying DVC for the ability of purchasing said plan

they did offer it the next year !

it's a perc (no matter that i have reservations re the whole quality of said plan after so many changes, etc. ), since we don't have to combine it w/tix purchase required in pkg moreso a convenience/less OOP expense waiting to trade in tix toward next AP, etc.

 

[CarolMN]

I am from UK and considered buying DVC after staying at SSR form Xmas 2007. Then when I returned there was a offer for UK residents, 44% off and free dining. I have 17 nights booked in a 1 bed villa from 11th August 2009 for 2 adults and 1 child. The price I have paid is £2400, or $3,360 at todays exchange rate. This price also includes three 14 day park ultimate passes (had to buy these to get offer). Thats just under $200 a night to stay at SSR with food and passes. If I had DVC I think I would need around 540 points to book the same holiday. Would I be right in saying that the maintenance cost each year would be over $2000? With the initial outlay, I just cannot see how it would be finacially viable for me to buy DVC because as you say, we would not be offered the free dining. Not sure how long these sort of deals will be offered to UK residents but just the fact that they are there would stop me buying DVC at this time.

But, if you were planning to travel to WDW yearly for the long term, you could not be absolutely certain that such great deals (including free dining) would continue to be offered for resort stays. As it is, you are putting off your DVC purchase to get the dining. If and when WDW stops offering free dining, and you start looking into the DVC purchase again, it's possible your DVC outlay will be much more than it would have been if you bought it this year.

Portugal1000- I probably wouldn't buy either right now given the deals you see. That said, I agree completely with TDC Nala - those deals will not last forever and in fact, they come and go depending on the economy. It should also be noted that free dining is mostly offered during the hurricane season. You do bear add'l risk coming from the UK during those months.

 

[disney fan 1994]

Oh No DVC Members can't get the free dinning meal? That was a big part of our trip this year. Well we are going in Aug and most people said we might get it but we didn't realize that it was just an incentive to get non DVC members there. Come on they can pay and stay at our resorts and we are paying to keep it up with our dues each year. When are we going to get an appreciation gift, maybe reduced park ticket price or meal plan discounts. I do love the DVC and we do use it I hate banking points must go on vacation each year Disney is pulling me in. What am I talking about I'm already in and don't want to get out. Going in Aug can't wait better start saving for our meals. Please tell me this is not correct and we do have a chance in getting a deal.

 

[crisi]

I'd say there is virtually no chance you will get a deal on 'free dining' while staying on points. Your dues pay for upkeep and operations of the resort, not for Disney to pay for your meals.

 

[5forDiz]

Oh No DVC Members can't get the free dinning meal? That was a big part of our trip this year. Well we are going in Aug and most people said we might get it but we didn't realize that it was just an incentive to get non DVC members there. Come on they can pay and stay at our resorts and we are paying to keep it up with our dues each year. When are we going to get an appreciation gift, maybe reduced park ticket price or meal plan discounts. I do love the DVC and we do use it I hate banking points must go on vacation each year Disney is pulling me in. What am I talking about I'm already in and don't want to get out. Going in Aug can't wait better start saving for our meals. Please tell me this is not correct and we do have a chance in getting a deal.

The " deal " so to speak was buying into DVC in order to pre-pay upcoming vacation accommodations in deluxe villa resorts. Any perks such as discounted tours or %-OFF meals that may be offered at some restaurants, etc. can come and go or disappear completely. Jmho, but I think member discount for APs is a decent reduction in price we are offered.

Don't get me wrong - I'd love it too if Disney would offer us members more in the way of perks or discounts or free something or other .....but the reality is they are under no obligation to do so and probably will not.

Non-members booking a cash reservation at DVC resorts are helping keep our MFs down ( from what I understand ) so it doesn't really bother me if CRO offers a deal and that fills villas that would otherwise remain empty. And as others here have stated free dining deals, etc. are offered through CRO packages from time to time that members can book & pay for if they feel it is a "great deal" and they wish to take advantage of it.

 

[MommaX03]

I understand both sides of this argument. The free dining plan that has been offered was one major reason that I cancelled on my initial contract for DVC in 2005. I figured I could come to Disney on the free dining and not do the outlay of buy-in and MFs. Well, in August 2006, we got stuck (2 adults, a 2 year old, a 4 and 5 year old) in an All-Star room with one TV, two double beds, a pack-n-play and one bathroom (no kitchen) for an entire day courtesy of a tropical storm. Yeah, we got free dining, but part of that was the risk of getting such weather.

So, after that trip, my DH and I promised never to go through that again. Even if we were in WDW at the time, we could have been in our 2 bedroom villa with mutliple rooms, TVs, etc. By the way, the deal I could have gotten in 2005 was way better than what was offered when I bought from Disney in 2006.

The free dining plans are not a sure thing. Maybe for the interim with this economy, but most DVCers do not want to be at WDW during hurricane season anyway.

DVC members get awesome rooms (have you spent such a day cramped in an All Star?). A king bed is such a treat for my oversized DH and me. We get Annual Passes at a discount and Members Perks.
If that is not enough for some, then maybe DVC is not for them. They can take their chances on the next promo and PIN codes to come down the line.
The room rates still go up, and the dining plan has changed significantly over these past few years. Is the possibility of a free dining plan promo enough to say no to DVC? Not for this family.

 

[hakepb]

Oh No DVC Members can't get the free dinning meal? That was a big part of our trip this year. Well we are going in Aug and most people said we might get it but we didn't realize that it was just an incentive to get non DVC members there. Come on they can pay and stay at our resorts and we are paying to keep it up with our dues each year. When are we going to get an appreciation gift, maybe reduced park ticket price or meal plan discounts. I do love the DVC and we do use it I hate banking points must go on vacation each year Disney is pulling me in. What am I talking about I'm already in and don't want to get out. Going in Aug can't wait better start saving for our meals. Please tell me this is not correct and we do have a chance in getting a deal.

Best way I can word it,

"Disney Parks" puts most of it's marketing/promotions into getting people on property. It just happens that DVC ownership is Disney's best promotion, ever!

 

[DebbieB]

Oh No DVC Members can't get the free dinning meal? That was a big part of our trip this year. Well we are going in Aug and most people said we might get it but we didn't realize that it was just an incentive to get non DVC members there. Come on they can pay and stay at our resorts and we are paying to keep it up with our dues each year. When are we going to get an appreciation gift, maybe reduced park ticket price or meal plan discounts. I do love the DVC and we do use it I hate banking points must go on vacation each year Disney is pulling me in. What am I talking about I'm already in and don't want to get out. Going in Aug can't wait better start saving for our meals. Please tell me this is not correct and we do have a chance in getting a deal.

I don't think it's an "appreciation gift" but an incentive to pay inflated rack rates for rooms. Let's look at BWV. A studio during value season is $335 plus 12.5% tax, 1 bedroom $450, 2 bedroom $630. So they pay that per night and Disney "throws in" free dining. For the 1 bedroom I usually stay in for 6 nights it would be $506 including tax x 6 = $3,036. But I would get free dining!!!! Sorry, they can keep it, I'd rather pay 155 points and not get the dining plan. Plus I can use my AP and not buy a ticket.

 

[disney fan 1994]

Very true. I would not give up the DVC membership for anything. We thought everyone was entitled to the free dinning, so thats what we were going on. I told DH tonight and he said oh well we will still have a good time but happy we found out nowand not then. So we have time to save the extra money. We did stay at the All star movies in March of last year and when the kids got there they said this is where we are staying?? What happened to our regular disney room. They were 7 and 5 at the time. But we surprised them and did not tell them until we were at the airport that they were going for spring break. We were out of points that is why we stayed there and still had time on our annual passes so we went 3 times in a year. It was great. We do know that we get our money out of having DVC. Our first trip was our sons 1st b-day we stayed in a grand villa @ OKW and that stay was basically our purchase price if wewould have paidout of pocket.

I just think that maybe they should offer something like 2 weeks in Jan. we can purchase park tickets at a discount. That is what the beaches around here do for their rides.

Thanks for giving me a heads up.

 

[crisi]

I just think that maybe they should offer something like 2 weeks in Jan. we can purchase park tickets at a discount. That is what the beaches around here do for their rides.

Thanks for giving me a heads up.

Why? January is a busy DVC time....DVC has managed to create incentives to go during down seasons by lowering the number of points required to go then. So if you can visit Disney in January or early December or September, your 'bargain' is in the number of points it costs - visit over Easter or Christmas, and you spend a lot more points. This has worked - if anything - possibly too well with DVC - some of the low point times are high demand - some of the higher point times (like much of summer) its much easier to get rooms.