Free Dining Plan for DVC?

[Sharkreef11]

I notice now and then that a free dining plan is offered if you book during certain dates or if you have the Disney Visa. Is there ever anything that DVC members can utilize to gain free dining plan? I was getting excited when I saw about the Disney Visa because we have that card, but also realized that you actually have to book your vacation using it. Since we are DVC member we don't exactly have to need to book a vacation the same way anymore..

Does anyone know anything about DVC members being able to get free dining ever? Or is that just wishful thinking?

 

[DisneyJoe]

Wishful thinking.

Free Dining is offered to attract guest to book full price packages.

Since you own DVC, they don't need to give you a reason to book.

 

[disneypets]

Look into tables in wonderland. I believe it is now available for all dvc members. It costs $100 or $75 if you are a annual passholder. You will get a 20% discount at most participating restaurants off the bill and it is good for your entire dining party. There are some restrictions and blackout holiday dates but it is worth looking into. We did and we love it.:animwink:

 

[tjkraz]

The offer isn't just free dining for anyone who happens to be at WDW that day. It's free dining for those who book a hotel room at full rack rate AND purchase theme park tickets in a package.

I've known members who decide to bank their points and take advantage of free dining. The offer isn't closed off to members. You just have to adhere to its terms just like any other WDW guest.

 

[skinnymarie2000]

This always bothers me too! I feel that DVC members don't get enough perks. I would love to see DVC member with better Dining discounts. I have to buy park tickets for everyday I am there just the same as someone who would buy a package. I was hoping for a DVC anniversary gift for the 20 years but we didn't get anything. I love being a DVC member I feel very lucky and special every time I visit but I would still like to see better perks for us too!

 

[Pioneer Hall]

This always bothers me too! I feel that DVC members don't get enough perks. I would love to see DVC member with better Dining discounts. I have to buy park tickets for everyday I am there just the same as someone who would buy a package. I was hoping for a DVC anniversary gift for the 20 years but we didn't get anything. I love being a DVC member I feel very lucky and special every time I visit but I would still like to see better perks for us too!

As a member, I would love to see more perks too. However, DVC isn't a frequent stay/perk program. It is a timeshare program that is designed to save you money on your accommodations and really nothing else. If the program works for you, and you utilize it correctly then the benefit is in how much you save over those comparable rooms. We probably just expect more because of all that Disney encompasses as opposed to it's timeshare competitors that only have rooms to offer their owners.

 

[slappy magoo]

And for what it's worth, Disney offers this promotion when it's convenient for THEM, not necessarily for YOU. DVC affords you an opportunity to travel when it's convenient for you (for example, free dining often occurs during the school year, so any parent that doesn't believe in taking their kids out of school for a family vacation is SOL). You can get a discount on an annual pass; Arrange your next vacation to coincide just before it expires and it could save you serious coin (you would still have to buy tickets for each free dining package), plus as others have, the Tables in Wonderland discount that would save you 20% off pretty much every table service restaurant and a smattering of counter service.

I would love to see some additional discounts for DVC members, too. For example, I could be wrong, but I think the Tables in Wonderland is only available for Florida residents and annual passholders. DVC members can only get in TiW if they get an annual pass, which happens to be discounted. It'd be nice for DVC members to be able to get it regardless of the ticket type they get. It'd also be nice to see it usable in more counter service restaurants. Heck, I'd like to see some kind of discounts for DVC members of any kind of theme park ticket, not just annual passes. But hey, while I'm at it, I'd also like a pony. I knew what sort of perks were available when I joined, and I also knew those perks could go away at any time (and the annual pass discount wasn't even a perk when I first joined, though it was shortly thereafter), so I can't complain that as a DVC member they don't ask me "what would you like us to give you for less or free?" All I can do is try to convince them that offering certain perks benefits them in the long run - saving money means I may spend more there, or extend my trip, or pay for park hoppers or water park options, etc.

 

[Master Yoda]

This always bothers me too! I feel that DVC members don't get enough perks. I would love to see DVC member with better Dining discounts. I have to buy park tickets for everyday I am there just the same as someone who would buy a package. I was hoping for a DVC anniversary gift for the 20 years but we didn't get anything. I love being a DVC member I feel very lucky and special every time I visit but I would still like to see better perks for us too!

Not quite because you are also not paying full price for a room. If you want it, bank your points and pay full price for a room and tickets and you can get it.

 

[Master Yoda]

And for what it's worth, Disney offers this promotion when it's convenient for THEM, not necessarily for YOU. DVC affords you an opportunity to travel when it's convenient for you (for example, free dining often occurs during the school year, so any parent that doesn't believe in taking their kids out of school for a family vacation is SOL). You can get a discount on an annual pass; Arrange your next vacation to coincide just before it expires and it could save you serious coin (you would still have to buy tickets for each free dining package), plus as others have, the Tables in Wonderland discount that would save you 20% off pretty much every table service restaurant and a smattering of counter service.

I would love to see some additional discounts for DVC members, too. For example, I could be wrong, but I think the Tables in Wonderland is only available for Florida residents and annual passholders. DVC members can only get in TiW if they get an annual pass, which happens to be discounted. It'd be nice for DVC members to be able to get it regardless of the ticket type they get. It'd also be nice to see it usable in more counter service restaurants. Heck, I'd like to see some kind of discounts for DVC members of any kind of theme park ticket, not just annual passes. But hey, while I'm at it, I'd also like a pony. I knew what sort of perks were available when I joined, and I also knew those perks could go away at any time (and the annual pass discount wasn't even a perk when I first joined, though it was shortly thereafter), so I can't complain that as a DVC member they don't ask me "what would you like us to give you for less or free?" All I can do is try to convince them that offering certain perks benefits them in the long run - saving money means I may spend more there, or extend my trip, or pay for park hoppers or water park options, etc.

TIWL opened up to DVC members this year.

http://www.mouseplanet.com/9819/Walt_Disney_World_Resort_Update#dvc

 

[Hakunamatata]

This always bothers me too! I feel that DVC members don't get enough perks.

Was this a concern prior to purchasing DVC?

 

[Zummi Gummi]

DVC isn't a loyalty or rewards program. It's a timeshare. I've actually been very happy with the DVC perks they offer, especially the significantly discounted annual pass.

I would like to see a loyalty program, or some way for WDW to reward its repeat visitors, but that's separate from DVC.

 

[slappy magoo]

:fork:

TIWL opened up to DVC members this year.

http://www.mouseplanet.com/9819/Walt_Disney_World_Resort_Update#dvc

Thanks for the correction. I did a search on the Googles internets tubes but I didn't find anything. I realize I probably should have used keywords like "Tables in Wonderland" and "Disney Vacation Club" and "DVC," instead of "cheerleaders" "whipped cream" and "openminded." Oh, well. Can't say the evening was a total loss. :shrug:

 

[DisneyJoe]

I would like to see a loyalty program, or some way for WDW to reward its repeat visitors, but that's separate from DVC.

Others usually do this to attract new customers and keep others coming back.

From what I have seen and read, Disney already has a very high repeat rate among guests, those who will come back year after year after year, no matter what, so they have no incentive to offer a loyalty program.

 

[Master Yoda]

:fork:

Thanks for the correction. I did a search on the Googles internets tubes but I didn't find anything. I realize I probably should have used keywords like "Tables in Wonderland" and "Disney Vacation Club" and "DVC," instead of "cheerleaders" "whipped cream" and "openminded." Oh, well. Can't say the evening was a total loss. :shrug:

I am sure your search results were far more interesting than mine. Not surprisingly, my search turned up noting officially from the mouse so I have no idea if the DVC TiWL is actually active or still in coming soon mode.

 

[Coach81]

My wife grumbles everytime this is offered.... she hates that we can't take advantage of it as DVC members (I know we can bank points and book like everyone else), but like I told her... we don't pay for dining anyway... (thank you, Disney rewards).. so what's the big deal???

We will begin using the annual pass perk this month as we will all be buying APs for at least three trips over the next year!!! YAAAA HOOO!!!

 

[tjkraz]

DVC isn't a loyalty or rewards program. It's a timeshare.

Exactly.

DVC is a quid pro quo. It's something for something.

Some members (not singling anyone out) act as if Disney should heap praise and rewards upon them for making the $15,000+ up front commitment. Thing is, the reason for that financial commitment is to save far more in the long run. We aren't giving that money to Disney out of the goodness of our hearts--we're giving it to them in return for 50 years of accommodations at deep discount prices.

I would certainly enjoy getting more perks but they aren't owed to us. A DVC purchase should be made with the understanding that you'll still have to pay for theme park tickets and meals if you wish to partake in those activities while staying at the DVC resorts.

 

[goodanu]

Look into tables in wonderland. I believe it is now available for all dvc members. It costs $100 or $75 if you are a annual passholder. You will get a 20% discount at most participating restaurants off the bill and it is good for your entire dining party. There are some restrictions and blackout holiday dates but it is worth looking into. We did and we love it.:animwink:

How does one go about purchasing the Tables in Wonderland card? I've read that DVC members can now purchase the card even if you do not hold an annual pass. I would love to take advantage of this for our trip in August.

 

[Master Yoda]

How does one go about purchasing the Tables in Wonderland card? I've read that DVC members can now purchase the card even if you do not hold an annual pass. I would love to take advantage of this for our trip in August.

It can be purchased at every guest services in the parks or DTD.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

DVC isn't a loyalty or rewards program. It's a timeshare. I've actually been very happy with the DVC perks they offer, especially the significantly discounted annual pass.

I would like to see a loyalty program, or some way for WDW to reward its repeat visitors, but that's separate from DVC.

Others usually do this to attract new customers and keep others coming back.

From what I have seen and read, Disney already has a very high repeat rate among guests, those who will come back year after year after year, no matter what, so they have no incentive to offer a loyalty program.

That is the thing, Disney really has no reason to have a loyalty program. The people who are committed to go are already going. While we would all like to save money the majority of the loyal group doesn't need free rooms or food to entice them to go there again (like a Casino or Hotel program would do). Loyalty programs are effective when there is a lot of competition and a low switching cost to the consumer. That is why airlines and hotels try to tie you in with their points and offer some nice benefits on their credit cards. It's easier for you to switch loyalty in that category over finding a comparable and satisfying substitute for something like Disney.

I am sure your search results were far more interesting than mine. Not surprisingly, my search turned up noting officially from the mouse so I have no idea if the DVC TiWL is actually active or still in coming soon mode.

I believe that the card is being offered, but like so many new things it may take time for you to find someone who knows for sure. The DVC price is also the same as the FL resident price and not the slightly less expensive AP price. So if you are a DVC member and AP holder, you want to make sure you get the AP price.

 

[WWWD]

I bought the TiW card as a DVC member over President's Day week at guest services at EPCOT's International Gateway. Since I am not an annual pass holder it was $100. The card even states "DVC member" on the back, so the perk must be in their computer system now.