Why is Disney offering free dining for a year?!

[imortalcandy]

Does this seem strange to anyone else?
Free dining for a year and a gift card for a few months.

Do you think they can be combined? My 1st trip we did buy 4 get 3 and a gift card

 

[Dax]

They are doing it because the numbers are down...Also while it is for a year, there are black out dates...

 

[sandgrace]

I haven't heard about this, more info or a link please. TIA!

 

[AvenueBee]

Although that's a great deal, it doesn't surprise me one bit. I think Disney theme parks-- much like lots of vacation spots-- are seeing their numbers down and they're doing whatever they can to stay afloat!

It doesn't mean we can't benefit from it though!

 

[Jacoby 46]

We didn't have a trip planned for the upcoming year because we couldn't afford it with all the expenses, but thanks to the free dining plan, we are going in January!! Yay!

 

[chicagoshannon]

i'm guessing to entice people to come during the fantasyland construction. A lot of people are deciding to put off their trip until after that's completed.

 

[Allison]

I don't find it strange at all. They have rooms to fill and this is a promotion they are using to do it.

 

[Anthony1971]

Disney as a whole may be down but the park income as always is a cash cow...
Travel is down people like free so they raise the prices of everything else charge you full price for room and tickets and give you free dinning.. they are not losing anything. As they say there is no free lunch!
4/3 is a better deal as 99% of the people who take advantage of FD do not eat that way if they were paying and in most cases are tired of all that food after a few days.
I do not find it strange

 

[SandrA9810]

People assume because it's "FREE", it's a better deal. The way I eat on the dining plan is no way I ever eat in the parks paying OOP.

What happened to the big wig idea of no more discounts?? I forget who said it, but I remember it being a hot topic at the beginning of the year.

 

[Princess Nancy]

I think that this is a huge Cash Cow for Disney. Look at it from a business standpoint...

Disney insures they get all your $$. You pay upfront. You stay on property. You eat on property. The discount is in the food, probably their lowest cost items. Mark up on food is really high.

So you pay rack rate for the room and eat for "free". Otherwise you get a room discount and watch your dollars when you eat, maybe eating off property or spending fewer dollars.

I am guessing that Disney finds this "all-inclusive" idea is very appealing to families!

 

[msp2mco]

Disney may be offering free dining, but expect that dining costs have been included in the rack rate room prices. It keeps people on-site and in their restaurants where there will often be additional purchases.

 

[MaleficentandGoons]

i'm guessing to entice people to come during the fantasyland construction. A lot of people are deciding to put off their trip until after that's completed.

That's why we are really waiting.

 

[jerseygirl81]

With the economy not doing so well maybe some people who are on the fence about taking a trip a discount helps them decide, it also gives people more time to save for a trip with discounts given out ahead of time. It would also guarantee more people spending their money at disney not universal with the new harry potter section open. They are not offering the discount around their busier times. Linda

 

[disneydreamersx4]

Can you book a year in advance for free dining? When would the deposit be due? tia

 

[MickeyEars]

We have been going for 20+ years always around end of May first of June staying at the Values. In all the years we've been going we have never had free dining only % off room discounts. Since we were always at the Values I think the most we've saved was around $450. Imagine my complete disbelief when free dining was announced for our time of year (Memorial Day). I thought I was going to pass out and die when I called Disney Travel and added the free dining to our existing reservation and the nice CM said we saved $1655!!!
My boys are 20 and 17 so we are four adults staying 9 nights. I still can't believe the savings but I am certainly overjoyed!!! In addition to the free dining we are staying at a Moderate for the first time. We chose Port Orleans Riverside and I can't wait!!

Carla

 

[brunette8706]

We have been going for 20+ years always around end of May first of June staying at the Values. In all the years we've been going we have never had free dining only % off room discounts. Since we were always at the Values I think the most we've saved was around $450. Imagine my complete disbelief when free dining was announced for our time of year (Memorial Day). I thought I was going to pass out and die when I called Disney Travel and added the free dining to our existing reservation and the nice CM said we saved $1655!!!
My boys are 20 and 17 so we are four adults staying 9 nights. I still can't believe the savings but I am certainly overjoyed!!! In addition to the free dining we are staying at a Moderate for the first time. We chose Port Orleans Riverside and I can't wait!!

Carla

*
Hi! So if you don't mind me asking, how much is this FREE DINING along with your hotel and the 2 Disney tickets (per person) costing your family?

Thanks!
brunette

 

[MickeyEars]

My total for 4 adults was $3191.40 which includes:

9 nights at Riverside
9-Day Park Hoppers
Disney Dining Plan

I was pleased with the total because it used to be $4845!!! I hope this helps!!

Carla

 

[brunette8706]

My total for 4 adults was $3191.40 which includes:

9 nights at Riverside
9-Day Park Hoppers
Disney Dining Plan

I was pleased with the total because it used to be $4845!!! I hope this helps!!

Carla

*
Hi! Thank you!

So that is roughly $800.00 per person including a moderate hotel, 9 day Park Hopper tickets, and FREE DINING.

That sounds like a good deal.

Thank you!
Brunette

 

[reelmom]

I'm wondering if the opening of Wizarding World of Harry Potter over at Islands of Adventure has anything to do with it. Universal has reported an increase in attendance since WWoHP has opened. Disney might be trying to get some people back who have stepped over to the dark side.

 

[SandrA9810]

Having all adults on the dining plan can really add to the savings. As well as having free dining during peak times when there usually aren't any discounts given and the person is paying almost full price for the room to begin with.

It's also amazing the amount of people that visit that don't even ask for a discount...