Free dining is back!

[unkadug]

Wow- that doesn't seem right! They should have a CM only area for them to eat for free! Or at least a steeper discount than 20%. Come on Disney!

I guess Disney figures that those 50,000 cast members vying for the same tables would really put a damper on guests trying to eat in the parks... and the profit margin.

 

[tdpolo26]

I guess it's "free" so to speak.

yeah i agree it really isnt "free" it is a shell game of discounts!

 

[tdpolo26]

I guess Disney figures that those 50,000 cast members vying for the same tables would really put a damper on guests trying to eat in the parks... and the profit margin.

i worked for marriott for years we couldnt eat at the in house places unless we asked our manager and the best discount we got was 25% which was annoying. So i understand where he was comming from

 

[tdpolo26]

What do ya'll not get that zulemara is a Cast member? I think what the issue is, is that CM's do not know their schedule until a week in advance. If you work until 5 or 6 at a park and you would love to just grab dinner at one of the several restaurants it is almost impossible now. Sure you can make a reservation and hope you are off during that reservation but there is a high possibility you won't be and then have to cancel.

Also what he/she is trying to say is that CM discounts have been cut more and more over the years. They get 20% (and forced 18% gratuity) but can hardly get into table service restaurants.

This is not about being a guest and local it is about being a Cast Member and not being able to get into the restaurants when they want to just eat dinner before they go home and not eat at the cast member lunch room for the 1,000th time.

One thing I will be doing as a College Program CM will be deciding at the beginning of the week where I would like to try and just hoping a restaurant can take 1 person.

i didnt get that till his third post. I thought it was a local who was bashing vactioner discounts thats all and i hate people who light up free dining yet take there 30 percent off a room any day or shun anyone who gets a discount

 

[wilkeliza]

i didnt get that till his third post. I thought it was a local who was bashing vactioner discounts thats all and i hate people who light up free dining yet take there 30 percent off a room any day or shun anyone who gets a discount

It's okay. I am in no way against free dinning and have used it myself but I understand where the CM is coming from. In recent years the CM discounts have gone down drastically and more and more restrictions and black out days are being added to their discounts. I feel bad taking a discount when I know I could pay for it in full regular price but will not deny a discount if that makes any sense. I only feel bad because it isn't the CEO, Board, or any of the managers taking cuts or losing money it is the CMs who work in the parks every day and actually make the magic. The discounts and stuff usually hurt the low man on the totem pole and that is the park CMs.

 

[tdpolo26]

It's okay. I am in no way against free dinning and have used it myself but I understand where the CM is coming from. In recent years the CM discounts have gone down drastically and more and more restrictions and black out days are being added to their discounts. I feel bad taking a discount when I know I could pay for it in full regular price but will not deny a discount if that makes any sense. I only feel bad because it isn't the CEO, Board, or any of the managers taking cuts or losing money it is the CMs who work in the parks every day and actually make the magic. The discounts and stuff usually hurt the low man on the totem pole and that is the park CMs.

its funny how that works the suits make more and the shirts get less

 

[Zummi Gummi]

It's actually kind of shameful how poor their treatment of frontline CM's has gotten in the past few years.

 

[AgentB911]

Thanks to Kingdom Konsultants for being on the ball, we were able to take advantage of the free DDP and upgraded from a value to a moderate...now staying at CBR!!!! So excited...can't wait for our trip! Thanks, Missy!!!

 

[WDW1974]

What a shock. Really, I am soooo shocked.

And folks wonder why Disney Dining is so absurdly priced and why you have to make plans for meals six months ahead of time.

 

[menamechris]

But but...what about scaling back discounts?? I don't think that strategy has worked very well. And with the recent raise in tickets, I am expected to see more and more of these discounts. People have to feel like they are getting a "deal" somewhere.

 

[Kuhio]

"Free [dining] isn't free."

 

[WDW1974]

"Free [dining] isn't free."

No ... we all pay for it!!!

 

[Zummi Gummi]

No such thing as a free lunch!

But but...what about scaling back discounts?? I don't think that strategy has worked very well. And with the recent raise in tickets, I am expected to see more and more of these discounts. People have to feel like they are getting a "deal" somewhere.

Yeah, it's the illusion of a discount, more than anything.

It's also a way for certain people to justify a trip in social situations- "Well, we're only going back again because they had free dining this time!"

 

[JCtheparrothead]

Hey my illusion of discount saved me $450 and extended my stay a day longer at beach club with the DDP. Thanks for the heads up KK.

 

[Lisalyn]

I'll probably get flailed but I'm going to say it....something is better than nothing! I do agree Disney employees should get discounts (whatever they may be) and rightfully so. However, this is a massive corporation in business to make money. I go thru this same scenario with my technicians all the time. They think because I charge a client a certain mileage, per diem rate or hourly rate...that is what they should get paid - NO! You get paid your hourly rate per your employment agreement, you get mileage based on IRS standards and you get per diems based on company SOP. They start feeling like they are self entitled. They are not. Companies are in business to make money. Personally I'd be happy with a 10% discount and the fact that I was employed. You get 20%. That would make me ecstatic! Do I have to make adjustments on when and where I could eat? Yes but that is part of being an employee with a massive organization such as Disney. I hope I am lucky enough to some day move to Orlando and join the team....whatever they offer up upon employment it is MY CHOICE to accept or reject.

And please don't take this as bashing your feelings...I'm just stating some facts. Honestly 20% is a huge discount in this day, age and economy!

 

[WDWFanDave]

I got the free dining the first time around earlier in the Spring, and was able to actually get it to stay at the new Little Mermaid rooms...that being said, we'd be going even if that incentive hadn't been offered, but it sure made it all more affordable. Actually upgraded to the regular dining plan so we could enjoy the character meals, so for us, it wasn't really 'free', but discounted. And, I'm just surmising here, but I probably would have gotten the same package price if I'd taken advantage of the 'discounted room rates'. So, I think ultimately, the price you get is the one you're willing to settle for, and that's how our travel industry works. No different with airfare...pick your airline, flights, travel times, perks, etc...and balance that with your budget. Just my two cents worth

Did I mention...76 days until check in? Yep, we're pretty excited! New resort to stay at, DDP, EPCOT's 30th, FLE underway, and Food & Wine Festival...plus my little girl turns 6 while we're there!

 

[draybook]

It's amazing how we can all go back and forth on whether or not Free Dining is "free". Sure, the price includes everything, but technically FD saves more for some people than a room discount. So, can we quit with the "it isn't free" already and just leave it at "it works better for some than other"?

 

[Magical Dreamer]

The Free Dining promo gave me a refund of $2,212....it works a lot better for me.

 

[menamechris]

It's amazing how we can all go back and forth on whether or not Free Dining is "free". Sure, the price includes everything, but technically FD saves more for some people than a room discount. So, can we quit with the "it isn't free" already and just leave it at "it works better for some than other"?

That's fair enough. But there is a psychology to it. And the bottom line is Disney wouldn't offer it if they didn't win everytime. Disney is in no way in the business of giving people "a deal". Anyone who works for the company understands this. It's about either tricking people into that mentality - or (as Nick said) creating a justification when there otherwise wouldn't be one to visit the resort.

 

[draybook]

That's fair enough. But there is a psychology to it. And the bottom line is Disney wouldn't offer it if they didn't win everytime. Disney is in no way in the business of giving people "a deal". Anyone who works for the company understands this. It's about either tricking people into that mentality - or (as Nick said) creating a justification when there otherwise wouldn't be one to visit the resort.

I don't work for them and I understand it. It's the same as the slogans and other jargon the casinos use to make people think they're coming out ahead. Heck, I once saw a woman sit at a bank of progressive in house slots machines for about 18 hours just to win a $3387 jackpot. Never mind the fact that she spent about 5200 to win it......




Point being that for our family it's still cheaper than the room discount and paying out of pocket.