Is this the death of free Disney Dining Plan (DDP)? - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Is this the death of free Disney Dining Plan (DDP)?
Today WDW just released a new discount? If you want to call it that
Stay at a value resort with a rack rate pkg, and you get one free CS meal a day.
Is Disney testing the waters? Why give the full DDP with 2 meals, snack, and resort mug with full price pkg if people will buy into only getting one CS meal a day .
I don't think it's the end of free dining at all. I strongly suspect they've received a lot of Guest feedback that their two-meals-per-day dining plans just don't cover guest's needs ... especially so, at the "Value or bust" end of the scale.
By giving one CS meal per day, they make it so that buying the QSDP turns that rack-rate package into an "all inclusive" affair. Guests staying at a qualifying location could get the QSDP or BasicDP, and have all three meals covered by dining credits.
I suspect this test is to see if (a) that increases attendance in general, and more importantly (b) if it increases the number of guests who get a dining plan at all.
Guests staying at a qualifying location could get the QSDP or BasicDP, and have all three meals covered by dining credits.
No, they can't. They are calling this deal today the Disney Summer Quick-Service Meal Plan and the terms to book are that you book a non-discounted room and ticket package. No other dining plan can be included in that package and you can't buy the dining plan separately to make it be 3 meals. : If you try to change the dining to try and add any other package, it converts it to a normal package with dining.
That said, it does seem a kind of cruddy deal, but they also don't typically offer discounts offering free dining (of any kind) during mid-summer so I can see this as maybe a way to appease those who go during that time frame.
No, they can't. They are calling this deal today the Disney Summer Quick-Service Meal Plan and the terms to book are that you book a non-discounted room and ticket package. No other dining plan can be included in that package and you can't buy the dining plan separately to make it be 3 meals. : If you try to change the dining to try and add any other package, it converts it to a normal package with dining.
That said, it does seem a kind of cruddy deal, but they also don't typically offer discounts offering free dining (of any kind) during mid-summer so I can see this as maybe a way to appease those who go during that time frame.
Actually, when free dining was offered starting mid August in the not so far away past, there were several discounts offered. Free dining or room discount.
You're right, they've been trying to make free ddp less of a deal with added restrictions and not offering it until Sept now, when the kids are back to school, effectively cutting out families.
This new "deal" may still be good for large families, if they don't mind paying the same price and getting less.
No, they can't. They are calling this deal today the Disney Summer Quick-Service Meal Plan and the terms to book are that you book a non-discounted room and ticket package. No other dining plan can be included in that package and you can't buy the dining plan separately to make it be 3 meals. : If you try to change the dining to try and add any other package, it converts it to a normal package with dining.
I didn't see anything in the specifics of the deal saying you can't add a dining plan. Did I miss something?
I didn't see anything in the specifics of the deal saying you can't add a dining plan. Did I miss something?
I think what they're trying to say is that you can't add a dining plan on top of the free meals to give you 3 "prepaid" meals a day. I know for a fact that if you book the deal you can upgrade to the full QSDP for a reduced rate of about $26/adult/night or the DDP for about $45/adult/night if you want to.
I think what they're trying to say is that you can't add a dining plan on top of the free meals to give you 3 "prepaid" meals a day. I know for a fact that if you book the deal you can upgrade to the full QSDP for a reduced rate of about $26/adult/night or the DDP for about $45/adult/night if you want to.
Yes, that is exactly what I was saying.
When you go to book, you are given the choice of the Free Summer Meal Plan or the Quick-Service plan or the regular dining plan, etc. You can not book another dining plan in addition to this deal but you can "upgrade" to the Quick-Service dining plan for a reduced fee, etc. You will only get the 2 meals that normally come with the Quick-Service or standard dining plans, however.
I don't think it's the end of free dining at all. I strongly suspect they've received a lot of Guest feedback that their two-meals-per-day dining plans just don't cover guest's needs ... especially so, at the "Value or bust" end of the scale.
By giving one CS meal per day, they make it so that buying the QSDP turns that rack-rate package into an "all inclusive" affair. Guests staying at a qualifying location could get the QSDP or BasicDP, and have all three meals covered by dining credits.
I suspect this test is to see if (a) that increases attendance in general, and more importantly (b) if it increases the number of guests who get a dining plan at all.
I can't see how buying this package for the same price as the free dining pkg but getting less will increase bookings. I smell a rat too.
Stay at a value resort with a rack rate pkg, and you get one free CS meal a day
I'd call it something all right - and "discount" isn't the word. For us, in the middle of summer, that one QS meal, for all three of us might be $30. Some days it's more, some days less. The rack rate on the room is how much? I really have no clue how much extra the rack rate is but I'm willing to be it's not worth paying it for only one meal free.
I'd call it something all right - and "discount" isn't the word. For us, in the middle of summer, that one QS meal, for all three of us might be $30. Some days it's more, some days less. The rack rate on the room is how much? I really have no clue how much extra the rack rate is but I'm willing to be it's not worth paying it for only one meal free.
I totally agree, but we are knowledgeable! Many people who don't "know Disney" or don't do any research will see it as a great deal!
Well, yeah, those who don't know about the QSDP and aren't familiar with how packages vs. room only differ will think it's a great deal, I bet. Especially if it's billed as "One FREE QS meal per person per day."
Geez, if I didn't know it amounts to "not getting kissed," I'd think it sounds really great. And ignorance is bliss for Disney.
ETA: I've changed my mind and consider this post hasty and ill-thought. See my later post #39 for how mickeyears16 and Pax led me to reconsider.
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Last edited by Her Dotness; 01-22-2016 at 02:05 PM..
This is such a bad deal. It kind of makes me mad that they are doing this. But I guess this is no different then other hotels having a "free breakfast" "deal".
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: If you try to change the dining to try and add any other package, it converts it to a normal package with dining.
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