Free dining? Will they ever do it again????

[tink rules]

I'm keeping my eyes open - just in case... I doubt they would do it during Dec. - even the beginning... It would be nice if they did

Do you think they will? ever, I mean...

 

[LSUxStitch]

I never knew they did it ever...

 

[JimboJones123]

I never knew they did it ever...

i would in a heartbeat -- Saved us 1500 on our trip --- that's better than free tickets...

 

[Android-XS]

I hope so. We saved about $1000 also. If they do it again I would assume it will be around the same time of year, possible during their slower season.

 

[wannabeBelle]

I hope so. We saved about $1000 also. If they do it again I would assume it will be around the same time of year, possible during their slower season.

I would go along with this idea as well. Belle

 

[mousermerf]

It worked to get people in - but so do the buy X days get another free deal they did the year before. I think it was called Storybook Vacations?

Anyways, it worked. So, that's a plus for it returning, however the free dining part of it is skewing WDW's reservation systems to an extreme. They had to open a temporary buffet at MK because they ran out of restaurants.

A little bit of outlook: The dining plan goes up in price in 2006 (like $3 per day or something totally insignifigant) and its already planned for the Coral Reef at Epcot to change from 2-table service to 1-table service.

Many people were given a chance to try out the plan. Many people see it very favorably - before you'd get overwhelming bad response to the idea. LOTS of people now, without it being free, would buy the plan for the sheer convience and price savings it normally brings.

Disney very specificly had a period just prior to the start of the free-dining reservations (in september during the last predicted "slow" period of the year) where they sent their reservations agents to the resorts with a guest only paying the price for the dining plan. Prior to this, most agents were jsut as skeptical of the plan as guests. Now, they'll say its wonderful and easy to use.

So, to me it all seemed like a matter of winning the public's opinion of the plan. Even internally at reservations. Give it away, prove its worth, then people will buy it. If you have a good product, it tends to work.

 

[Fran98765]

We're crossing our fingers they will offer free dining in Jan when we will be there. C'mon Disney give us free food!!

 

[DisneyBunny]

Oh I really hope so. It would have cost us a little over $700 for the three of us for the dining plan if we paid out of pocket. We ate almost $1400 worth of food. It was a much better deal than last year's "buy X days get Y days free!" promo. It saved us sooo much!

But then again, the free plan brought in really high crowds at the places that used to be less crowded. It made for an interesting expeirence at some places. Too many people, too much noise. But I'll deal with noise if I'm saving $700!

 

[Laura]

So, to me it all seemed like a matter of winning the public's opinion of the plan. Even internally at reservations. Give it away, prove its worth, then people will buy it. If you have a good product, it tends to work.

Very good point. I bet anyone who has used the dining plan so far will most likely use it again. I would venture to say that without the dining plan most visitors to WDW would not be eating a full service meal every day. So even with the plan being a good value, I bet they are still making a big profit off it.

I am guessing most people would normally spend $20 on 2 meals and a snack, but with the dining plan they are spending almost $40 (after tax). So even though it's saving guests money, it's also causing guests to spend twice as much on food as they normally would! What a great idea Disney - everyone wins.

The free dining definitely seemed to boost attendence. When I went in late September 2003 it seemed like the crowds were almost non-existent, this September it was quite busy.

 

[Nemo14]

The attendance last year was severely impacted by the 4 hurricanes that had hit Florida too.

 

[shoppingnut]

The dining plan for free also got people to try restaurants they never did before with the idea that they will now come back and eat at that restaurant when paying and also tell others about the restaurant.

 

[mhead]

I am in the minority but I hope they do NOT bring it back. It made it impossible to get decent ADR's for those of us that book with AP's room only plans.

 

[Heatherbell]

We went September 15-19 and we had the free dining plan and I loved it!!! I mean who wouldn't love free but I also loved the whole idea of it. My husband and I ate at restaurants that I probably wouldn't of eaten at if we didn't have it. And the convenience of not having to pull out your wallet after dinner made dinner even better.I totally wish they would offer free dining again but I think I would even pay for the dining when I go again. And the free dining I am sure probably boosted attendence so maybe they will think of doing it next year, who knows.

 

[Laura]

I am in the minority but I hope they do NOT bring it back. It made it impossible to get decent ADR's for those of us that book with AP's room only plans.

How early did you made your ADR's? I didn't use the dining plan and I booked all mine 90 days out and got whatever places and times I wanted.

 

[mitchk]

When I went in July we purchased the dinning plan. It was well worth it, but you need to make reservations. It worked out best when we ate at strange times, like lunch at 2:30, Diner at 8:30, because we waited until we arrived to make reservations. I wish they were giving it away for free when I went.

But it was still a good deal.:sohappy:

 

[GoofyMom2]

I hope they offer it next Oct, or other discount like they just did (but free food would be best!) Next yr the kid's Oct break is for a full week instead of 3 days so I told my Mom if they have these great deals again, we're going! (Poor DH, this is his very busy season w/ work and wouldn't be able to go....)

I would love to use the dining plan to try out some new restaurants.....

 

[lscott933]

well we are going in november. i have saved a total on 466 with this new plan they came out with. we had the dining plan already. it cost me and my daughter a total of 360 dollar for 8 nights. so we got free dining you can say plus about 10 dollars a night staying at the pop century. so the deal they have now is better then what had when they had the free dining for me that is.

 

[AEfx]

It was amazing. If it happened again I'd book a trip immediately. We paid about $1300 for the package and recieved over $1000 worth of free food. Had absolutely magical experiences at every restaurant.

The only drawback is that a three course meal takes at least 90 minutes, no matter where we ate. It did take a chunk of time out of the park day. Next time I'd skip the TS meal a few days and just double up on others, or use them for Signature (only if it's free...Signature isn't worth it on the plan if you are paying for it, IMHO).

AEfx

 

[JimboJones123]

The best thing is for the servers working at the resturants. They actually got FULL TIPS on every meal -- meals which included apps and desserts -- so they pulled off great money from each table. Great for them, not to mention people tended to but the MOST expensive meals -- as opposed to the burger or the sandwich -- they got steaks. GOOD FOR THEM. I'm sure they usually make about 7-8 percent off normal tables... and even with the dining plan and tips included, we still overtipped for great service on our trip. so servers prob. made about 150%-200% on average for tables with DDP over those without -- GOOD FOR THEM

 

[mousebymarriage]

Hubby and I just came back, we were there oct4th - 9th and we ate approx. $500 worth of food just the 2 of us! We saved the receipts to keep track and I thought we could have spent alot more if we tried harder . The meal plan was free for us but I think even if we had to pay it would be sooooo worth it!