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Does free dining affect crowd size
- Thread starter analise
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jgj123
Well-Known Member
Free dining is generally offered to help fill rooms at Disney Hotels, so it will affect crowd size at the parks, but it’s only offered on a limited number of rooms. Also, it doesn’t affect crowd size as much as the various events held on Disney property like the marathons, pop warner, cheer, and such
Not really. It’s just a crutch.
There is a certain segment that feels that they can’t book otherwise.
Granted, but its still telling that they must chase these customers...
I am sure there are plenty of people that won't book unless they get it half off too...
Means to me that they are having trouble filling rooms..
graphite1326
Well-Known Member
At least by 1, me. I wasn't going unless I got free dining. I see they are still offering it to card holders. Does that mean they didn't fill all the openings/rooms they wanted?
It’s like anything else. There are certain times of the year that require more effort to fill up. They have decreased the allotments of food (lower tier plan), lowered the available rooms, etc.
They lean on it because it works. It’s an easy offer to roll.
HwdStudio
Well-Known Member
That time of year has become a very busy time in general with free dining, MNSSHP and F&W.
DisAl
Well-Known Member
I'm sure it helps some but part of it is just social engineering. We have such a Pavlovian response to the word "free" that if they put out a promotion that said "FREE SUNBURNS, DEHYDRATION, AND HEAT EXHAUSTION FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST!!!" they would probably have some people sign up for it.
Minnie Mum
Well-Known Member
Exactly this. IIRC, late Aug/Sept and the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas had the lowest occupancy rates compared to other times of the year (aside from Jan). Free dining was offered to fill those empty rooms. But even when it started, it was only offered on a certain number of rooms per resort, and not at every resort.. There are around 30,000 (ish) rooms in WDW. Sounds like a huge number. But compare that to the 123,000+ rooms available in Orlando (latest figures I could find online were for 2016). So the result is that they can fill their rooms, attracting some that would otherwise stay off site or visit at other, busier times of the year. And they increase their restaurant occupancy, as those free dining guests use all those dining credits.
Since it started, Disney has both scaled back on the number of rooms offered with this "deal", and reduced the quality of the food offerings within the "deal". If they were having that much trouble filling their rooms, they wouldn't have scaled back. And they wouldnt be increasing room rates every year.The last report I saw, they were averaging out to an 89% occupancy rate. That's approaching maximum in the hotel industry, and is significantly higher than Orlando hotels as a whole.
Given the small percentage of "free dining" resort rooms, the increased number of guests they produce aren't going to substantially affect the crowd sizes in the parks. The majority of park guests will still be coming from off site.
Minnesota disney fan
Well-Known Member
To answer your question, Yes, they affect crowds. Or at least, it did when it first started. My husband and I booked in September the year free dining first started. Our TA told us that people wouldn't take their kids out of school after it had just started, but guess what? They did, in droves. We were very surprised by the amount of families that were there during the starting school session for many schools.
So, AT THAT TIME, it did hugely affect the crowds.
As of recently, I really don't know because we stay away at those times.
So, AT THAT TIME, it did hugely affect the crowds.
As of recently, I really don't know because we stay away at those times.
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
Free dining was designed specifically to affect crowds during the most dead weeks/months. They were designed to jack them up.
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
It was effective in filling out the calendar...as far as recently? I don’t know if it really matters anymore. With the computerized ride rationing and all year travel...there are no really significantly “better” or “worse” times other than Christmas week.
It is what it is now.
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
The fact it still exists in a”boom” economy is telling...
It means their price is too high and/or the market is declining.
DougK
Well-Known Member
This just in: Disney's room prices are too high.