Free Dining Plan? Not if you're in the vacation club!

[Devilspice]

Why can't DVC members get free dining like the rest of the on property folks? We pay alot of $$ to belong & we could have stayed @ All star for $79 per night & gotten free dining? Seriously we pay extra fees & annual fees yet cannot get the free dining discount that is given to other guests who are not DVC members? What gives?

 

[tjkraz]

Why can't DVC members get free dining like the rest of the on property folks? We pay alot of $$ to belong & we could have stayed @ All star for $79 per night & gotten free dining? Seriously we pay extra fees & annual fees yet cannot get the free dining discount that is given to other guests who are not DVC members? What gives?

Oy. "Free dining" is not just free dining. It's an incentive program. You have to spend thousands of dollars for the hotel room (usually at full rack rate), taxes and theme park tickets--with a minimum stay--in order to get the complimentary dining plan.

If you think you can do better with that or any other promotional offer, go for it. Bank your DVC points or rent them to a non-member and pay cash for the trip.

DVC itself is a different type of discount program. If you did any sort of financial analysis prior to buying, you know that you will be getting your accommodations for pennies on the dollar over the long haul. Disney has absolutely no reason--financial or otherwise--to reward DVC members by also giving out millions of dollars worth of free meals.

 

[CaptainShortty]

Why can't DVC members get free dining like the rest of the on property folks? We pay alot of $$ to belong & we could have stayed @ All star for $79 per night & gotten free dining? Seriously we pay extra fees & annual fees yet cannot get the free dining discount that is given to other guests who are not DVC members? What gives?

You get a whole bunch of discounts available to you anytime that non-DVC members don't get usually ever. That's generally why. Disney doesn't let people double dip when it comes to discounts practically all the time.

 

[djpoore94]

Oy. "Free dining" is not just free dining. It's an incentive program. You have to spend thousands of dollars for the hotel room (usually at full rack rate), taxes and theme park tickets--with a minimum stay--in order to get the complimentary dining plan.

If you think you can do better with that or any other promotional offer, go for it. Bank your DVC points or rent them to a non-member and pay cash for the trip.

DVC itself is a different type of discount program. If you did any sort of financial analysis prior to buying, you know that you will be getting your accommodations for pennies on the dollar over the long haul. Disney has absolutely no reason--financial or otherwise--to reward DVC members by also giving out millions of dollars worth of free meals.

Over the past few years that we have been DVC members I have priced different promotional offers, including free dining, percent off rooms, etc and I have never been able to find a deal as cheap as using our points for a room and either paying OOP for all meals or even purchasing a dinning plan.

 

[Korfar]

Because you are already committed to coming back annually. Free dining is an incentive to get people to come who may otherwise not.

 

[dixiegirl]

We're DVC members and found we saved quite a bit purchasing the Tables In Wonderland dining card and I believe you can use it up to 8 people(not positive) on that one card... If you have'nt already you should look into it!

 

[Master Yoda]

Oy. "Free dining" is not just free dining. It's an incentive program. You have to spend thousands of dollars for the hotel room (usually at full rack rate), taxes and theme park tickets--with a minimum stay--in order to get the complimentary dining plan.

If you think you can do better with that or any other promotional offer, go for it. Bank your DVC points or rent them to a non-member and pay cash for the trip.

DVC itself is a different type of discount program. If you did any sort of financial analysis prior to buying, you know that you will be getting your accommodations for pennies on the dollar over the long haul. Disney has absolutely no reason--financial or otherwise--to reward DVC members by also giving out millions of dollars worth of free meals.

This.

There is noting free about free dining. You are required to purchase tickets and a room at full price to get it. It is no different that that free no name TV you get when you purchase an over priced living room set.

 

[lebeau]

Others have already answered your question. But also remember, just because you're a DVC member doesn't mean you can't take advantage of other offers made to the general public. You're not excluded from free dining. You just took a different offer with a long-term commitment. Don't expect Disney to pad the deal any further now that they have your money. From here on out, the terms will only get worse.

 

[Crush Dude!]

Free Dining is Only free Dining in the UK and here in Ireland! We get free dining plus 45% off the Fantastic OKW or SSR :sohappy:

 

[Missymoe4]

Exactly right to all of those who already stated this: "free dining is not free".

Each year I receive a pin code for "free dining". I end up paying a lot of money, usually upgrading to a deluxe dining plan along with a Deluxe hotel. I still pay for dining, but I do SAVE money on the promotion. For example, this year for a 10 day trip in a deluxe resort with deluxe dining, I saved around $1,450. I'm still paying for food and all other portions of my trip--it's just at a reduced rate.

Plus, if you really wanted to "cash in" on the free dining, why have DVC? Honestly, you can't have your cake and eat it too, right? Something has to give. I go to WDW yearly and when the DVC people come knocking, I run fast and far. I know how I like to vacation and it fits my style. Yours fits you. But, don't complain or wonder why you're missing out. Truly you're paying for what you get and the same goes for me.

 

[Mr.Skunkape]

Free Dining is just a sales tactic used to help draw in people into non DVC resorts while the economy is bad. If the economy picks back up and Disney stops the Free Dining sales tactic then you will still be staying in a DVC deluxe resort at Value resort pricing while non DVC members will be paying full resort rates and paying for the Dining just like DVC members. The DVC perk is that you get to stay at a Deluxe resort for cheap

 

[DisneyJoe]

Free Dining is just a sales tactic used to help draw in people into non DVC resorts while the economy is bad.

It has more to do with slow times of the year than bad economy. Free Dining has usually been offered in August/September (peak hurricane and back to school season) since 2005. I also remember a "kids go free" offer for travel in September 2001 - but the offer was made in June 2001, before the events of 9/11.

 

[WDWLOVER1957]

Free Dining is just a sales tactic used to help draw in people into non DVC resorts /QUOTE]

If this statement were true maybe a lot of DVC members wouldn't be so unhappy about this. but its not.

 

[lebeau]

If this statement were true maybe a lot of DVC members wouldn't be so unhappy about this. but its not.

I fail to see any valid reason a DVC member could have for being upset about deals offered to the general public.

 

[Mr.Skunkape]

As a DVC member the fact that I do not get free dining does not bother me. Now if I wanted to stay on property and pay for a resort to get free dining I could but it is still cheaper for us to stay at our DVC resort and pay for the meals. I may be wrong but the free dining that has been offered in nov-dec the last couple of years has not been out yet this year. The sept free dining has been around for years and most likely will stay it is the other months that they have been offfering free dining for the last two years that I could see going away if the economy picks up

 

[wilkeliza]

Don't most DVC resorts have stoves and refrigerators? I know when we did the tour the lady leading us around the DVC resort rooms told us that they build the resorts with suites that have kitchens and such so that if you are concerned about price of food once you have a family you can cook at your villa and save a lot of money. Maybe she was just trying to give us 23 year olds some perspective into why we might want to buy in at a higher price now.

 

[Missymoe4]

I may be wrong but the free dining that has been offered in nov-dec the last couple of years has not been out yet this year. The sept free dining has been around for years and most likely will stay it is the other months that they have been offfering free dining for the last two years that I could see going away if the economy picks up

Free dining for the "public" happens to be in the fall? (I'm not 100 percent because school starts back up for me and I'm busy with my classroom...)

Pin codes can come at any time--I was able to book my free dining from April - August. It's all dependent. However, last year I booked to offer and maybe that's why I received the same offer this year. That can be a catch that wouldn't work out for DVC members?

I say this biting my tongue (and in many regards don't want to say this because truly I'm not mean spirited). Anyhow...I feel as though DVC members want more and more and more, as though they are entitled to it. I simply don't get the attitude?:shrug:

 

[dixiegirl]

I say this biting my tongue (and in many regards don't want to say this because truly I'm not mean spirited). Anyhow...I feel as though DVC members want more and more and more, as though they are entitled to it. I simply don't get the attitude?:shrug:

I'm a DVC member and I really have no complaints other than I should have done it sooner! And as far as the free dining, been there done that, We did it when it first came out I believe in 2005 or 2006 not sure , but back then, there were'nt all the restrictions as there are now....Yes it was nice but to be honest to have my vacation revolve around dining reservations...all set, but I get it , some people don't mind that...Me I like to make a couple here or there..But thats just me...In no way do I feel short changed by becoming a DVC member...that was up to us...Now I'll just sit back because it could get a bit more interesting here!!:fork:

 

[Mr.Skunkape]

Yes it is true that being a DVC member does entitle me and my family a chance to have fun at Disney, and guess what before we became DVC members and we went to Disney we were still entitled to have fun just like anybody who goes to Disney. I never have understood the DVC hate thing its just the way some people choose to pay for vacation fun. Don't get me wrong if they gave DVC members free dining also sure thing I would take it because when ever I can get more stuff for the same money I will take it.

 

[flynnibus]

Free dining is a hotel booking promotion. Since you aren't booking hotel rooms... I would think the answer to this question would be pretty simple.

As for DVC getting stuff for pennies on the dollar.. put down the pixie dust