Why I think Disney has to do free dining again...

[fla4fun]

Has anyone heard if there were a larger proportion of guests who booked the free dining package that had so much trouble getting ADR's that they had more credits left than they would have if they paid for it? My reasoning is that when you pay for something, you often work harder to get your money's worth. But with all the restaurants being booked solid, there may have been more people with credits left over thinking "Oh well, it's not like I'm out anything - I got it free". But in reality, you didn't, because they build the profit into the room, or the tickets. I think a previous poster mentioned that sometimes the room discounts work out better in the long run, especially if you're staying a week or more, than the free dining (even if you pay for the dining plan).

I'm sure Disney will look at it from every angle, and if it's to their benefit to discount the rooms, upgrade package tickets for free, or provide free or discounted dining plans, they will pick what gives them the best profit. I would not be surprised to see more restrictions on packages, such as having a minimum ticket purchase equal to the number of room nights you book (instead of booking a package with free dining with a one day base ticket for a 14 day trip) to balance out the difference. But since they waited until spring last year to announce the free dining package, I guess we'll all just have to be patient.

I've booked two weeks in September, and I won't be getting the DP (it just doesn't work economically for me). If there's no AP discount, I'll just stick with my AAA discount and have a good time anyway.

 

[daver]

When my husband was talking to a guest relations person, this was exactly what she said their goal was...2 years to get people hooked on the convenience and see the value in the program even if you had to pay. In her opinion (not fact) she didn't think it would be offered again because they had achieved that goal. But they didn't think it would be offered again last year so...all we can do is wait and hope!

My husband got hooked just like they wanted. He says it made the vacation more relaxing to not think about what everyone was ordering (or wasting!) or if we got our money's worth. We had a meal at The Coral Reef for 8 of us and it was close to $380. On the DDP (if we had been paying) it would have been $260 for the entire day's food. Once you've done the math you feel better about paying for the DDP. And to get 40% off the room and pay for the DDP doesn't feel *that* bad.

I sat down and worked out sample out of pocket meals and the difference at best is $40 less a day, but not eating half as well. And we want to eat at the CP, Boma and Chef Mickey's and those days would be breakeven. Other than packing our own food (which is hard when you're flying and not renting a car) and really watching every dime, I can't see it being a huge difference and not enjoyable. I'd rather work harder at home to make extra cash to pay for the DDP than work harder on vacation to save money.

That said...we are crossing every finger and toe that it will be free again this year!! Because we'd save another $580! That pays for our dog kennel expenses, ride to the airport, extra snacks and souvenirs!

I hear ya sister!
We went last year and for 5 at Coral reef it was over $200.00 each night ( we went twice as we loved it) I am booked Sept 28th - Oct 8th already and would LOVE free dining, but are going anyway. We will take any deal that comes along as our bill right now is $4600.00 so any savings will be great!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I don't think the chances of a general public offer for free dining are that great, but that's just me.

Do I understand correctly that they are allowing folks to book the room at a 40% discount and then add the DDP? That is remarkable, because in the past you had to pay rack rate to be allowed to add DDP. The only room discount you could have was AAA, and that is 10-15%.

We booked on the bounce back and I also got a survey asking what motivated me to book it. We went for 9 nights last August and paid for the darn plan, so we absolutely want to go again this August and have the plan for free!

When we were at The Plaza a couple of weeks ago our server told us that they actually "oversold" Free Dining last year. There were more guests than there were seats in the TS restaurants, which is why people had such a hard time getting in. That is also why they added the buffet at the Noodle Station - everything else was full! So maybe they will scale back the Free Dining availability this year.

I don't know if people booking rooms on speculation helps or hurts, but I am sure Disney knows! I will say I am glad I was able to get my ADRs since we ARE going in August for certain. If the ADRs were full from people speculating that they MIGHT be there I would have been really, really angry.

 

[jamounger]

The people who are getting the 40% off the room and adding the DDP are paying full price for the DDP and tickets. The discount is only on the room portion of the package. There were 2 different offers. The first was 40%off a room only reservation and the second was the above. A MYW package with DDP with 40% off the room portion.

 

[keishashadow]

jmho - DP promo was designed specifically to fill the resorts after a wicked hurricane season; if the rooms are booked to whatever the magical % is; why would they offer it?

2nd comment, if you did enjoy "free" DP (even while paying rack) rejoice it was a wonderful promo; not necessarily the new standard method of operation.

The one thing you can count on WDW doing is constantly tweaking their offerings.

 

[perd]

I think that they will find if they don't do the free dining that they are going to have a ton of people who have made reservations purely hoping that if they have the promotion, they will go, but they can cancel if the free dining doesn't happen.

Does Disney want to lose that many people during a down time?

I'm hoping for free dining, but I wouldn't have made reservations counting on it, and we are going whether the dining is free or not! I did sign up for dining.

 

[abaldacci]

I don't think the chances of a general public offer for free dining are that great, but that's just me.

Do I understand correctly that they are allowing folks to book the room at a 40% discount and then add the DDP? That is remarkable, because in the past you had to pay rack rate to be allowed to add DDP. The only room discount you could have was AAA, and that is 10-15%.

We booked on the bounce back and I also got a survey asking what motivated me to book it. We went for 9 nights last August and paid for the darn plan, so we absolutely want to go again this August and have the plan for free!

When we were at The Plaza a couple of weeks ago our server told us that they actually "oversold" Free Dining last year. There were more guests than there were seats in the TS restaurants, which is why people had such a hard time getting in. That is also why they added the buffet at the Noodle Station - everything else was full! So maybe they will scale back the Free Dining availability this year.

I don't know if people booking rooms on speculation helps or hurts, but I am sure Disney knows! I will say I am glad I was able to get my ADRs since we ARE going in August for certain. If the ADRs were full from people speculating that they MIGHT be there I would have been really, really angry.

I received the the 40% off pin and booked dining with mine still saved 400-500 room with dining so yeah you can have ddp and 40 % off I don't see the problem.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I received the the 40% off pin and booked dining with mine still saved 400-500 room with dining so yeah you can have ddp and 40 % off I don't see the problem.

Oh, it's wonderful! I didn't mean it was a problem, I meant it was different than what they have offered in the past.

In the past if you wanted to have the DDP you had to pay rack rate (or close to it). If you booked through AAA you could get the 10-15% off of the room portion, but that was the best deal available. Getting 40% off the room and being able to add DDP that you pay for is a terrific deal! Our past 2 trips we have gotten the AP discount on the room and used the DDE card for dining. DDP would cost about $120 per night (2 adults and DS10), where the AP discount only saves about $80 per night on a deluxe room in Value season, so for us free dining is better. Maybe that's why I didn't get a 40% off pin? They know we are already booked for free dining on bounce back.

 

[dannyh23]

Look at it from Disney's Perspective... Free dining caused Disney a *TON* of problems. Lots of people whine, even when something is "free". I saw plenty of people DEMAND to be seated at TS places without making ADR's, just because they had "free" dining! Plus, overall quality of service and food drops when a place is packed all day long -- ask any server or manager anywhere.

And let's face it, those of us here at Disboards are a distinct minority at WDW -- the few who actually made reservations "just hoping" for free dining and cancel if not offered are a drop in the bucket... Occupancy rates aren't going to drop in half just because a few of us disboard people cancel a reservation. They will fill the rooms regardless, without free DDP.

I'd count on the free park hopping and water parks instead of free dining -- the cost to Disney to offer that is next-to-nothing compared to dining... Just my opinion....

 

[bizeemom4]

I guess I would be suprised if they didn't offer free dining. I think by offering it to people from the UK and then bounce back folks, and then not offering it to their other repeat customers they are going to tick some people off. The big wigs at WDW must keep tabs on these boards and know that there are a lot of people waiting for the free DDP again.

Also Universal offers a lot of sweet deals that could easily attract a bunch of disappointed WDW customers. I am keeping my fingers crossed, but I sure hope I am right.

Exactly. I did buy my airfare last week for August when it was $27 each way on AirTran. If free dining is not offered (or a comparable discount), we'll be in Orlando exploring the "other" parks. yoUNo, the ones that offer 2 parks for 7 days for less than the price of one day at Disney. My teens will probably be relieved to not have to go to Disney AGAIN.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Does anyone know what dates the Free Dining offer came out last year?

Not just the dates it was available but when it was offered so I know when to start looking for it?

Thanks friends!

Slightly Goofy/Linda

 

[ruthma]

Does anyone know what dates the Free Dining offer came out last year?

Not just the dates it was available but when it was offered so I know when to start looking for it?

Thanks friends!

Slightly Goofy/Linda

It was offered 4/1 to disney visa card holder and about 3 days later the public.

 

[WDW1st-timers]

I'm still sitting here with my fingers crossed in hopes again of the free dining. If not we will still be in the world with my 40% off rooms.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Ruthma, thank you so very much! We had such a good time with the FD last time and are tempted to try it again. It works well with our slow pace. If they do not come out with the FD we will go this Spring, just waiting until after April Fool's to see what will happen.

Free Dining is the only thing I can think of that would tempt me to go in the heat to DW. I like it cool, just like me!!!

Slightly Goofy

 

[goofydad621]

Look at it from Disney's Perspective... Free dining caused Disney a *TON* of problems. Lots of people whine, even when something is "free". I saw plenty of people DEMAND to be seated at TS places without making ADR's, just because they had "free" dining! Plus, overall quality of service and food drops when a place is packed all day long -- ask any server or manager anywhere.

And let's face it, those of us here at Disboards are a distinct minority at WDW -- the few who actually made reservations "just hoping" for free dining and cancel if not offered are a drop in the bucket... Occupancy rates aren't going to drop in half just because a few of us disboard people cancel a reservation. They will fill the rooms regardless, without free DDP.

I'd count on the free park hopping and water parks instead of free dining -- the cost to Disney to offer that is next-to-nothing compared to dining... Just my opinion....

While I wouldn't agree with all you said the drop in the bucket thing is correct. While we have great impact on each other we really ae a small portion of WDW business.

JM2cents

 

[djm99]

I'd have to agree with the minority here. I don't think although my fingers, toes, and legs are crossed - that Disney will offer free dining . I think they are going to offer those ticket upgrades (free hopping and water parks) vs. free dining. I'm already booked for Aug 6-12th - paid in full!!!! Ya See my luck is just that bad. Remember back in 05, my family and I went to DL, in 06 just did Universal & IOA, and MK just one day. WE missed all the free dining offerings. So the year I make a commitment to go to WDW all the great incentives and rates are not offered. This happened to me back in 01 - when they offered that "7 days for the price of 3" remember that - then the next year it was buy 5 stay for 7 - I came the year it was buy 5. We ended that year, staying offsite. Those were the days - We need some promotions like that!!!!! Forget free dining lets get free days back - say it with me, FREE DAYS BACK, FREE DAYS BACK!!!!

 

[toocooltobeMom]

I took the matter into my own hands when Dh and I went to WDW for a quicky 36 hrs trip just to grab the Bounce-back. We spent $400 on the trip but in the end we saved over $800. [3pp@$120/per day/DDP = $1200.00/10 Nts] I hope that WDW would still offer limited Free DDP for their past customers.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

For everyone that is still eagerly awaiting the free dining announcement, I would stay encouraged.

I just made my ADR's and asked to be transferred to the regular line to add a room/building request to my hotel ressie. The very polite CM told me to keep my eyes and ears open for the free dining announcement as it would run during the time we are there. We are already booked with the 40% off code at the GF, so free dining wouldn't be a better deal for our us, but I still found it encouraging to hear! (I did ask her if she knew for sure that they would offer it and she said she would be more surprised if they didn't offer it than if they did.)

 

[skater]

I sure hope she's right. I want to take my Mom and Dad down, but they can only afford it if free dining is offered. Its taken me 3 years to get them tentatively excited about going and free dining is my only chance for this year. I am hoping hard to share my disney home with them!

 

[everest]

IMHO; if Disney did some advertisements stating that they are “offering the free dinning for just one more year and that they should hurry to make reservations before the free DDP rate is all gobbled up”. I think that they would receive a tremendous response from guest trying to make sure they got in on promotion, even to get many guests to go just to get the promotion one last time before it went away.

I have not reserved our 3 rooms yet for September, still waiting for the free DDP promotion. The free ticket offer is a huge thumbs down for us. If the free DDP is not offered in September we will book our trip for mid December as we have always wanted to go at that time of year and DD6 school lets out on Dec 14, 2007 this year. But if they offer the Free DDP we just might go both times. I like planning ahead so I always dislike this wait and see game!