Anyone else think free dining is being released in batches this year?

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

The very limited dates and booking period make me think Disney is going to released more dates in batches in the coming weeks.

I do not believe that they would go from one extreme of having such vast dates last year including dates leading into Thanksgiving break and then oddly have only a few dates this year which happen to be around the major summer holidays.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Our record on getting in on the free dining promotion isnt great. Majority of the time we end up missing it by a week or two or its not offered at POFQ where we stay. I actually prefer it that way because the competition for ADR's gets crazy when everyone who ordinarily wouldnt now wants to dine TS.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Our record on getting in on the free dining promotion isnt great. Majority of the time we end up missing it by a week or two or its not offered at POFQ where we stay. I actually prefer it that way because the competition for ADR's gets crazy when everyone who ordinarily wouldnt now wants to dine TS.

So what is your opinion on if its being offered in batches or not?

 

[JIMINYCR]

IMHO they are phasing out the frequency of promotional dining periods. Smaller periods, less options. They have the guests booking anyway and in the past its been tied towards the slow bookings, which is happening less now.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

IMHO they are phasing out the frequency of promotional dining periods. Smaller periods, less options. They have the guests booking anyway and in the past its been tied towards the slow bookings, which is happening less now.

Last year the dates were vast as and during tradition busy times.
Heck this year's dates are right around 2 major summer holidays so it's hard to believe they are phasing it out since they are literally offering it during time frames when people would already be going regardless.

 

[Zé_Carioca]

I don't think dates will be as vast as last year since they were trying to push for visits before SWGE if I recall correctly but I do think its likely some more dates will be released in about a week.

 

[Weather_Lady]

We no longer even attempt to travel during "free dining," as the savings have diminished so much that we can easily find better ways to cut down on expenses. (E.g., traveling during "free dining" would cost us at least $600 MORE for the same room, tickets and dining for our upcoming 6-night trip, since the amount we're saving on our room by renting DVC points, and on our tickets by purchasing them through Undercover Tourist, exceeds the total anticipated cost of our dining by that amount).

While the availability of free dining doesn't mean much to my family, I do feel bad for those who have long depended on it as a way to make their vacations affordable. It's got to be hugely annoying when they're releasing it piecemeal like this, to have to constantly come back and see if your dates are impacted.

Even when the discount was supposedly released "all at once" for all available dates in a season, WDW released the eligible rooms in waves -- the one time we got free dining, the rooms at our resort were all snapped up immediately and we missed out, but were able to book during a "second wave" of free dining rooms that was quietly released 2 weeks after the initial wave: I was watching for it, thanks to the advice of veterans on this board. Given Disney's use of that strategy, I'm not surprised they're releasing free dining promos in "date batches" now, as well.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The very limited dates and booking period make me think Disney is going to released more dates in batches in the coming weeks.

I do not believe that they would go from one extreme of having such vast dates last year including dates leading into Thanksgiving break and then oddly have only a few dates this year which happen to be around the major summer holidays.

They don’t like that promo...

So they’ll wait to see if you’ll book anyway (my money is on them being right) and then use it as a last resort

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

We no longer even attempt to travel during "free dining," as the savings have diminished so much that we can easily find better ways to cut down on expenses. (E.g., traveling during "free dining" would cost us at least $600 MORE for the same room, tickets and dining for our upcoming 6-night trip, since the amount we're saving on our room by renting DVC points, and on our tickets by purchasing them through Undercover Tourist, exceeds the total anticipated cost of our dining by that amount).

While the availability of free dining doesn't mean much to my family, I do feel bad for those who have long depended on it as a way to make their vacations affordable. It's got to be hugely annoying when they're releasing it piecemeal like this, to have to constantly come back and see if your dates are impacted.

I think you covered why you shouldn’t “feel bad”...

The value isn’t there. It was a gimmick in the housing crash...they fact they’ve let it limp along during record profits tells me they do it as a strategy - not a necessity

 

[ninjaprincesst]

I think you covered why you shouldn’t “feel bad”...

The value isn’t there. It was a gimmick in the housing crash...they fact they’ve let it limp along during record profits tells me they do it as a strategy - not a necessity

It is a value for my family, it is the only way we can stay at the wilderness lodge and eat.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

It is a value for my family, it is the only way we can stay at the wilderness lodge and eat.

You’re paying maximum rate for your room...there are often wholesalers with significantly discounted rates at times of the year for many hotels - including wilderness lodge (I got wilderness lodge for 52% off - tax included - about 15 months ago through one such outlet)...and the the cost of the dining plan often is more than a person would spend out of pocket...which forces people to overeat for “value”...

I’m not disputing that you find it worth it to you...I know better than to convince anyone about their Disney trips...
...but the numbers may be closer to break even or even a loss (considering all factors) when you deconstruct them.

And I gotta say this: “afford to eat” is relative - isn’t it?
Wilderness lodge rates Now START at $406 a night before tax...next Sunday or Monday likely being the first such dates this year...

So “afford to eat” is kinda melodramatic.

Why is it that much? Well...in 2001 it was $109...it rose to $180 so five years later and into the $220 range about 10 years ago.

Then about five years ago...they went to $351...and you know what happened? Occupancy fell to 50%

As a backstory...wdw hotels typically are in the 85% and above range...365 days a year.

What happened? They overpriced them...the market wouldn’t support it...even in a “boom” economy.

So the next step was to eliminate half the inventory and sell them as timeshares...generating easy DVC cash and fees and driving the price up for the limited rooms left over. “Copper creek villas” was born.

Just an idea of how all these things are connected and manipulated by the most skilled data analysis company on earth: the Walt Disney company

 

[ninjaprincesst]

You’re paying maximum rate for your room...there are often wholesalers with significantly discounted rates at times of the year for many hotels - including wilderness lodge (I got wilderness lodge for 52% off - tax included - about 15 months ago through one such outlet)...and the the cost of the dining plan often is more than a person would spend out of pocket...which forces people to overeat for “value”...

I’m not disputing that you find it worth it to you...I know better than to convince anyone about their Disney trips...
...but the numbers may be closer to break even or even a loss (considering all factors) when you deconstruct them.

And I gotta say this: “afford to eat” is relative - isn’t it?
Wilderness lodge rates Now START at $406 a night before tax...next Sunday or Monday likely being the first such dates this year...

So “afford to eat” is kinda melodramatic.

Why is it that much? Well...in 2001 it was $109...it rose to $180 so five years later and into the $220 range about 10 years ago.

Then about five years ago...they went to $351...and you know what happened? Occupancy fell to 50%

As a backstory...wdw hotels typically are in the 85% and above range...365 days a year.

What happened? They overpriced them...the market wouldn’t support it...even in a “boom” economy.

So the next step was to eliminate half the inventory and sell them as timeshares...generating easy DVC cash and fees and driving the price up for the limited rooms left over. “Copper creek villas” was born.

Just an idea of how all these things are connected and manipulated by the most skilled data analysis company on earth: the Walt Disney company

I know a lot of people feel that way, but i have crunched the numbers and each year the only way a room discount would be better for us then free dining is if we only had 2 people going.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

I know a lot of people feel that way, but i have crunched the numbers and each year the only way a room discount would be better for us then free dining is if we only had 2 people going.

And if those two people are a couple with pooled money.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I know a lot of people feel that way, but i have crunched the numbers and each year the only way a room discount would be better for us then free dining is if we only had 2 people going.

To each their own.

The variable is how much and where you get your food. If there are daily $60 character buffets in there...it “works”.

Those prices have been driven up for 15 years specifically to drive people into the dining plan - however

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Anyways guys this is getting off topic.
I did not create a thread to debate FD and its worth or worthlessness for some.
I purely want to know opinions on if more dates for the summer will be released.
Anyone that wishes could create their own thread about if its a good or bad discount.
Not aiming that at anyone in particular but in general.

 

[The_Jobu]

We no longer even attempt to travel during "free dining," as the savings have diminished so much that we can easily find better ways to cut down on expenses. (E.g., traveling during "free dining" would cost us at least $600 MORE for the same room, tickets and dining for our upcoming 6-night trip, since the amount we're saving on our room by renting DVC points, and on our tickets by purchasing them through Undercover Tourist, exceeds the total anticipated cost of our dining by that amount).

While the availability of free dining doesn't mean much to my family, I do feel bad for those who have long depended on it as a way to make their vacations affordable. It's got to be hugely annoying when they're releasing it piecemeal like this, to have to constantly come back and see if your dates are impacted.

Even when the discount was supposedly released "all at once" for all available dates in a season, WDW released the eligible rooms in waves -- the one time we got free dining, the rooms at our resort were all snapped up immediately and we missed out, but were able to book during a "second wave" of free dining rooms that was quietly released 2 weeks after the initial wave: I was watching for it, thanks to the advice of veterans on this board. Given Disney's use of that strategy, I'm not surprised they're releasing free dining promos in "date batches" now, as well.

How far in advance did you have to book your Dvc to get the room you wanted?

 

[networkpro]

No viewpoints CAN be shared but when the entire thread becomes "you are dumb for wanting free dining" when that was not the question of the thread it gets frustrating.
I ENCOURAGE you to start a free dining is not free thread I'm sure you'd have plenty of heated discussion that you want.

You ask for information that is not public knowledge as if someone would risk their job to answer. Whos being difficult and obtuse now ?

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

You ask for information that is not public knowledge as if someone would risk their job to answer. Whos being difficult and obtuse now ?

What???
I'm asking if anyone else has the same theory.
No one would be risking their job....

 

[Weather_Lady]

How far in advance did you have to book your Dvc to get the room you wanted?

We've always made the request at 11 months, even though it costs a premium to do that through the major brokers, because we had our hearts set on particular resorts. In each of the 4 times we've done this, it has taken 2 days to 5 weeks for us to get our request met (i.e., for the broker to have someone list the points we needed). In one case, when we were seeking a room with very limited inventory (AKL value studio), inventory ran out within a few days and they couldn't meet our request at all. By renting DVC, we've saved anywhere from 20% (Poly studio) to more than 50% (VWL 2-BR, Beach Club studio) off of rack rates for the same rooms on the same dates.

(Sorry -- this subject is a bit off topic, so I suppose I should have responded in a PM. I'd be happy to answer any additional questions about DVC rentals if you'd like to PM me, @The_Jobu.)

 

[networkpro]

What???
I'm asking if anyone else has the same theory.
No one would be risking their job....

You'd get as valid an answer if you asked for anyone who thought that the world was not semi-spherical. All pure conjecture. Those that know cant say.