Nope. sorry, but we like the DDP and FD is a good value for us. I see the lack of menu choices and ADRS blamed on FD all the time, but even when FD is not offered ADR's are tight. LImiting choices is about bottom line profit, not FD. FD patrons pay rack rate for rooms, so disney is profiting either way. They pay virtually the same for their meals as those who pay OOP when all is said and done so iti s nto about lost profits. I think we all need to accept that Disney is doing it to make a buck and stop blaming "those FD people".
Same here. we booked 3 1/2 months out for Thanksgiving and got Ohana, Le Cellier, CRT, Akerheus, Brown Derby Fantasmic, ect.Every trip we've taken since 2007 has been with free dining. It's been a great deal for us. We're among those for whom the math works out like katieeldr explained. Our savings is more than the cost of our room when we stay at a value or moderate. This coming trip we're going with a room discount because when I do the math it's a better deal for my family with the choices we're making meaning we'll be at a deluxe resort. We're booking the same ADRs we would have with free dining. It's not influencing my dining choices at all.
Free dining is a discount and nothing more. Saying that people who are now booking up the more expensive restaurants because suddenly they get TS credits when they would have only paid for CS meals is very elitist. For most who go with the free dining promotion, it's just the cheapest way to go once you add the total costs. I don't see how this makes those who use this promotion any less than anybody else.
FYI: I booked my next trip around 4 months out. It's during a free dining period that's also an extremely busy time of year (I think top 5 time periods). I got every ADR I wanted at the exact times I wanted them. Free dining didn't stop me from getting anything I wanted. That includes 'Ohana, LeCellier and 1900 Park Fare.
Another GREAT thread here on the boards is this one...
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2381706
It helps you get some wonderful things for your snack credits. We had a great time trying new things using snack credits. Enjoy