Originally Posted By Doobie This topic is for Discussion of <a href="Latest.asp?ID=141">The Latest: Disney Dining Experience Opened to all APs</a>
Originally Posted By demderedoseguys I called about this today and also got a $25 discount for being an AP holder. The thing that surprised me was that I did not have to prove that I held an AP. I asked if had to present the AP when I dined and the girl said no. Makes me think that you can still get the program even if you don't have the AP. Also, because it takes up to 6 weeks to get the dining card, make sure you ask them to fax or email you a letter to use if you need to use the dining discount before you get thye card. I'm going with my wife for Valentine's day and was happy to find out that the 20% discount is good at the Cali Grill. The complete list covers just about every sit down restaurant at all the parks.
Originally Posted By t1lersm0m So, I guess on my next trip I'll have to order an AP (in case they ask for it) and get this card....as this probably saves you lots of money if you plan accordingly.
Originally Posted By demderedoseguys Here's the scoop: NEW Annual Passholder Perk! Walt Disney World Annual Passholders, regardless of residency, are now eligible for membership in the Disney Dining Experience, and they can receive $25 off the regular $75 fee to boot! Previously, this membership was only open to Florida residents. The primary benefit of membership is a 20 percent discount on all food and beverages at participating resort hotel and theme park restaurants (valid for a party of up to 10). Membership also includes complimentary resort and theme park parking for dining, as well as invitations to special member-only events. (Note that the Disney Dining Experience Membership card is not accepted on holidays, including New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Mother's Day, Easter, July 4, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.) Call (407) 566-5858 (Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Eastern) for more information. Posted on allearsnet.com
Originally Posted By demderedoseguys Sorry, here's the link :<a href="http://allearsnet.com" target="_blank">http://allearsnet.com</a>
Originally Posted By WDW1974 I'm sorry, but I can't get all excited by this. I'm a Florida resident, been a member sine DDE began a decade ago and I think it sucks that they're opening it to all APers (and basically anyone who wants one). Slowly, every resident perq is being taken away or, in this case, given to anyone. I'm also less than thrilled that it;s being offered to APers at a price LOWER than my renewal last year. BTW, Disney made plans to do this a while ago as most dining locales property wide recently had a price increase of between 10-35% on many items. My whole DDE discount will be more than eaten up by the increases at places like California Grill. The Mouse is very greedy. He doesn't give with one hand without taking with the other.
Originally Posted By demderedoseguys It's hard for me to have sympathy for you. Ii costs me about $1600 a year in airline tickets alone to get my family down to WDW from Ct, since I usually come twice a year. Now I get to save 20% at restaurants. Wanna trade places ?
Originally Posted By vbdad55 20% at cali grill ? !!!! Ok- that settles that -- with the $100 discount per AP from DVC -- makes my media decision very easy now
Originally Posted By WDW1974 <<It's hard for me to have sympathy for you. Ii costs me about $1600 a year in airline tickets alone to get my family down to WDW from Ct, since I usually come twice a year. Now I get to save 20% at restaurants. Wanna trade places ?>> Ahm ... I didn't ask for your sympathy. I just stated my dislike of the change. It once again shows a blantant lack of loyalty by the Mouse for its most loyal and regular visitors. I guarantee I spend more than you do when it's all added up. Florida residents are the ones who visit all the time. Post 9/11 ... during recession ... offseason etc ... DDE was designed to give Fla residents a break on Disney Dining and to encourage them to eat more on-property, since they were more likely to go off ...but like I said, this move explains the latest round of price increases.
Originally Posted By demderedoseguys I know you didn't ask for sympathy, it was merely a figure of speech that I chose. It just nice for me after 30 years of visits to get a little perk. My two annual trips cost me plenty since I bring two sons(college age and still fanatics) as well as their girlfriends at least once a year and my wife and I come down once a year by ourselves and usually stay at the Yacht club. I also own 300 points of DVC, so I spend quite a bit each year. When I bought it in 1999 I tried to make them give me park passes or dining discounts, which they refused to do. I bought anyway and now I see that they are offering AP's to sweeten the pot, so I know how you feel to some degree. My post was not meant to be sarcastic, I guess I just wish i lived close enough so my 2 annual trips would be more like 2 monthly trips. I guess I was trying to say how lucky I think you are to have the access that I don't.
Originally Posted By ChiMike I ordered one on Wednesday. I think this helps, at least with the lost valet perk of the resorts. I can handle a $50.00 upcharge. I can also understand what WDW1974 is saying. Disney stopped showing loyality a long time ago to the core guests that support them through the tough times. A lot of the gearing up for '05 shows how "it's off to better days!" with little concern on which market segment softened the blow over the last 4 years. This DDE move is another notch on the headboard.
Originally Posted By WDW1974 <<I guess I was trying to say how lucky I think you are to have the access that I don't. >> I understand, and I hope you didn't find my reply rude. It was intended to once again show my dissatisfaction with how Disney treats its most loyal guests. I am waiting to see Disney offer new DVC signees the same discount I get on an AP as a charter member (since 1982) in order to hawk timeshare sales. If that happens, Al Weiss will hear from me personally. DDE was designed for Florida residents, and now they are going away entirely from that. Even with their generic room code discounts, that never existed before 2-3 years ago, they are basically offering everyone the same rate (or maybe $5 more)... Florida residents should get something. And, no, I don't consider three days for the price of two a great perq as it is useless to me, my family and friends, who are all APers.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>I am waiting to see Disney offer new DVC signees the same discount I get on an AP as a charter member (since 1982) in order to hawk timeshare sales. If that happens, Al Weiss will hear from me personally.<< The $100.00 isn't close enough? I need to refresh my memory over at wdwig.com. I would have assumed that came pretty close to the charter discount.
Originally Posted By WDW1974 ^^^Hmmm ... I didn't know that the discount was $100. Is that for new members? All? Just for one year? But you may be right. I have had an AP since 1982, which speaks volumes of my loyalty and love for the place, but now anyone should get an AP for the same price if they buy into Disney's timeshare program?! Pricless!!!!!! I don't know offhand, but I believe I paid $339 last year for my Premium AP renewal including tax. I don't know what regular price is for one.
Originally Posted By ChiMike HA! Sorry buddy. Just looked at wdwig.com <a href="http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/ticketchart.htm" target="_blank">http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/t icketchart.htm</a> You as a charter member pay substantially more then ANY DVC member. Thus- I would love to see your draft letter! j/k
Originally Posted By WDW1974 Actually, looking at the chart -- which is confusing in its own right -- it appears that Florida DVC members are the only ones with a better renewal rate then me albeit by two cents (353.60 for me vs. 353.58 for FLA DVCers) BUT they do NOT have to be charter members to get that rate. They could be second year APers. I do have a big problem with that. Non Fla residents who have charter APs (likely not many) pay $438.79 to renew but again any DVCer can renew at $377.01. That's absurd. I do have a problem with it. Charter members were told we would always have the lowest renewal rates. I'm sure I have old letters saying as much -- not that they are legally binding and I'm sure any Guest Relations CM will glady sell me mine for two cents less to avoid a less than magical incident. But non-Florida renewers really have quite a bone to pick. Just another way of Disney saying 'We don't want your kind around here. We like our new breed of guests better. They don't expect as much. They don't know any better.' Maybe it's time to see the local media pick up on this ...
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>it appears that Florida DVC members are the only ones with a better renewal rate then me albeit by two cents (353.60 for me vs. 353.58 for FLA DVCers)<< I think you looked at the wrong spot. 281.16 dvc r v. 353.60 for charter r That's a $72.44 difference!!!!! Almost double the discount you get. More then a day's free admission. A far better break-even point. Not trying to rub it in!
Originally Posted By ChiMike sorry .. 336.54 for you v. 281.16 for "them" I guess we both have a hard time reading the chart. Still a $55.00 difference .. Still a whole day's admission worth.
Originally Posted By ChiMike Man .. I am screwed up.. OK .. now I get it. I wish there was an edit. i forgot to figure for FL
