"Free Dining" offer cut back even further

[Rodders]

We have recently returned from the world where we enjoyed the "free" dining offer. Our original plan involved booking POP for 2 weeks but when the offer came out you needed to be in a moderate or deluxe to get the offer so we went for Port Orleans. The offer for next year has been made available here in the UK and now you have to pay rack rate at a deluxe to get the full dining plan. Booking a moderate gets you the quick service dining plan. We are unlikely to go for this so I'll be shopping around to see if I can get a discount on PopC again. My guess is that the same thing will happen when the offer is made available in the US.

[DizneyRox]

"Free" dining has always been a better "deal" for guests when you stay at a value vs moderate vs a deluxe. Disney knows that as and it seems they are closing the loopholes.

Now that they have three tiers of DDP, I wouldn't be surprised to see the deluxe offered at the deluxe hotels, the normal one at the moderates and the quick service version offered at the values. Be it "free" or as a pay option...

The DDP I believe is a being used a loss leader. At first it was offered at a loss to attract people, and now it is being tightened as people become used to it making it a real factor in vacation decisions. I never thought it was a great value, and now it just doesn't make any sense to me. But folks are still holding onto it for dear life, which is what Disney wants/expects.

[disneyfan328]

From what I was reading on other posts it appears that the QS plan is going to be offered at values and moderates. the regular plan offered at the Deluxues with upgrades by paying the difference available for any of the choices. Is that not the case?

[Rodders]

Not here in the UK
Values - Nothing
Moderates - Quick Service plan with a £4 per day upgrade if you wish
Deluxe - Standard dining plan

[Marker]

I don't know about outside the U.S. or about any other rumor or speculation, but I do know that before I left WDW on Sunday I booked a week next year at Pop Century that includes free DDP. I asked to make sure it was the regular DDP, and it is.

[Jasper]

Regardless of what is offered and at what level the most important thing to remember is that Disney offers these plans as a way of getting people to stay at Disney resorts and eat at Disney restaurants. In particular it has often been aimed at getting more people to visit the parks at slower times of the year. That means if Disney feels that business is strong enough they will either reduce the plan with the kinds of gimmicks already mentioned or possibly even do away with it altogether at certain times of the year.

[Belster]

Well I am just happy to be offered a plan that makes my DH say hey lets take that deal and come back!

[Rodders]

Hi Jasper,
I totally agree, the offer is a marketing tool and Disney has every right to adjust it as they see fit. We were lucky that the previous offer sat in well with our plans but I think that on our next trip we will stay at PopC and buy food as we go.
Here's hoping for 2009

[disneyfan328]

Rodders,

Depending on when you are going back (if it will be in 2009) - if you are staying at a value the new QS plan may be a good idea for you. I have checked it out pretty thoroughly and it seems worth what you pay - it would definetly be a savings since the CS meals - combo drink and desert run about 10-15 each plus two snacks at up to 4.00 each and a refillable mug. Cost to purchase it is $29.99 for adults. Just something to think about. ( Thanks again for the Mickey Mail by the way!!!)

[Rodders]

Rodders,

Depending on when you are going back (if it will be in 2009) - if you are staying at a value the new QS plan may be a good idea for you. I have checked it out pretty thoroughly and it seems worth what you pay - it would definetly be a savings since the CS meals - combo drink and desert run about 10-15 each plus two snacks at up to 4.00 each and a refillable mug. Cost to purchase it is $29.99 for adults. Just something to think about. ( Thanks again for the Mickey Mail by the way!!!)

Mickey Mail? I didn't send any, the mouse sent them all

But who is this Posting Mail? It sure looks like my DW

Thanks for the QS Plan tip, they are charging £16 for it here in the UK so it's going to cost about £450 for a 2 week holiday for the two of us. I guess for some people it makes sense but not for us. We're not likely to order that much CS food.

[brian2000boston]

All I have to say is this doen't hurt me!!!! I got the bounce back booked with regular dining, yaaaaahoooo!!!!