Free Disney Dining Plan - could it be the end?

**Wendy** · 21-01-2013, 10:14 AM

When Disney introduced the free dining plan, it was to encourage people to go and fill up their hotels dueing their quieter months. Now that things seem to have picked up and there doesn't seem to be a quiet time anymore, do you think Disney will stop the free dining.

I think that the UK were offered it for a short time this year, but I don't know that I have seen it offered anywhere else. With all the offers that I seem to get and see from Disney it is for hotel discounts only and not free dining.

What do you thnk could this be the end of free dining at Walt Disney World?

**Keith** · 21-01-2013, 10:27 AM

I think it'll end when and if they can fill the hotels at the quietest times which probably isn't the case right now. I'm sure they're CLOSER to that situation than they've been since pre-2001 but still having empty rooms at certain times hence the UK offer.

The UK offer is pretty poor this year though I notice? quick service only and if you want any DECENT dining plan, you have to upgrade to it! A far cry from the old days when we'd get free proper dining plan with gratuities included and so on.

They're gradually eroding ALL the discounts that much is certain

with scarce regard for those of us who've been faithful to them in the dark days.

All I can say is, I spend less and less time, and hence money, inside Disney these days. The dining is what's mainly killed it for me. As two adults, we never really did the meeting mickey stuff, for us it was about the countries at EPCOT, the shows, the fireworks and of course, a lovely meal each evening. Since the dining plan has reduced the quality of the meal service and the prices have gone up, they've lost us and we now just dip in for half a day for fireworks when we want.

This year we're going to have to seriously consider whether it's even worth renewing our APs.

I guess Disney don't care as long as the parks and hotels are full but with just a little bit of attention to the loyal locals and loyal APs, they'd keep that good faith which they needed post-2001 and who knows, they may need again one day!

**Johnie** · 21-01-2013, 12:31 PM

The free dining plan was pure marketing genius. It enabled us to try lots of Disney restaurants that we had never tried before and now seem to want to always want to go to. My dilemma now is to try and remember how we used to do Disney before free dining. Of course my fabulous Connections vouchers are no more and prices are ridiculous even with the TIW discount.

Sigh to be honest, I'm seriously considering not going in August or Dec. I'm thinking of giving Disney a break.

**uscwest** · 21-01-2013, 01:48 PM

We have never used the Free Dining and never will. It isn't worth paying more for the hotel for just the two of us. I'd be happy to see it go, especially if it meant returning the signature restaurants to their former glory.

**Johnie** · 21-01-2013, 01:53 PM

Free dining may go away but doubtful DDP will.

**Keith** · 21-01-2013, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by uscwest

We have never used the Free Dining and never will. It isn't worth paying more for the hotel for just the two of us. I'd be happy to see it go, especially if it meant returning the signature restaurants to their former glory.

I'm with you on this. It never made sense for us to forgo the hotel discounts just to get free dining! Perhaps it worked better for other people but I never really saw how

Sadly though, the dining plan itself will still remain and it's that which has ruined the restaurants

not just the free component

**Shellyamc** · 21-01-2013, 02:58 PM

I do hope it stays at least until November, it would be a nice bonus for us to get free dining.

Sorry..we enjoy the dining plan and have made great use of it on our past few trips.

**Wendy** · 21-01-2013, 03:07 PM

Shelly there's not need to say sorry

I'm glad it works for you, I should imagine it works out very well for families.

I would think there will be something until the summer as this is when the UK free dining ends, but there doesn't seem to be many pin emails around offering free dining. All I am getting now is 30% off selected Disney Resorts, yet before I was offered the discount and free dining.

**Keith** · 21-01-2013, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by Wendy

Shelly there's not need to say sorry

I'm glad it works for you

ABSOLUTELY!!!!! it must work out one way or another for a heck of a lot of people or no one would be using it

**robertcraig** · 21-01-2013, 03:30 PM

WHITHOUT the free dinning maybe i wont eat as much and return from holiday not quite as heavy

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