Is it likely there will always be free Disney dining?

[gjdjud]

Originally Posted by Andybear

Where did you read about us being second only to Canada? I'd be interested to see where other countries come in.

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As Vickie says on Google. Disney are very secretive with their visitor demographics but Orlando Tourist board do say. I think Canada was miles ahead with over 3 million visitors followed by the UK around about a million.

[Nimbus]

Originally Posted by Andybear

Where did you read about us being second only to Canada? I'd be interested to see where other countries come in.

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As already mentioned, although we don’t know Disney visitor demographics (we don’t even know the overall number of visitors - the ones TEA publish are guesstimates), we do know information about visitors to Orlando and Florida. I’d guess the percentage visiting Orlando is approximately the same as the percentage visiting Disney.

Here are some interactive stats and numbers regarding visitors to Florida:

visitflorida/resources/research/

After Canada and the UK, it’s then Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and then Germany (surprisingly).

[Rachv38]

We too would love to go back again we really enjoyed it and the free dining saved us a fortune. I think if it wasn't offered again we would still try and go but try and do it cheaper. It was way too much food for us and we ate for the sake of it really. We fetched loads of snacks home with us. The prices in the Disney parks were shocking. I think it was $5.69 just for a soft drink.

[Andybear]

Originally Posted by Rachv38

We too would love to go back again we really enjoyed it and the free dining saved us a fortune. I think if it wasn't offered again we would still try and go but try and do it cheaper. It was way too much food for us and we ate for the sake of it really. We fetched loads of snacks home with us. The prices in the Disney parks were shocking. I think it was $5.69 just for a soft drink.

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You can use snack credits for soft drinks. I save a fortune that way.

[BevS97]

When it first started the dates were very limited. I suspect we will see more and more limitations on dates / hotels before it disappears completely. But if they think they can fill the hotels without free dining then they will drop it.

[thealienwarrior]

We are starting to look for a 2021 stay. If the free DDP is offered we are definitely staying on site. However, if this is not offered then definitely look to stay on I-Drive.

[scottsman]

Sadly free dining in one of Disney’s biggest regrets it’s reached a point where it’s nto expected and they know if they remove it completely it will cause a massive hit on bookings

I expect for the next few years it will get more restrictive and they will look to remove it after a few years when they can afford to take a hit in bookings

[Andybear]

Originally Posted by scottsman

Sadly free dining in one of Disney’s biggest regrets it’s reached a point where it’s nto expected and they know if they remove it completely it will cause a massive hit on bookings

I expect for the next few years it will get more restrictive and they will look to remove it after a few years when they can afford to take a hit in bookings

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I don't think its removal will cause a massive hit on bookings. Americans are a huge percentage of visitors and reading American forums the room discounts they get are often better value than free dining for them.

[Moorlandman]

Free dining is available for Canadians, US, Brits and all other major markets. I can’t see them stopping it just for us Brits

UK visitors are quite substantial. Remember the US visitor numbers include several million Floridians with very discounted annual passes. I’m sure they would like to keep us Brits coming.

[Sew109]

Originally Posted by BarryL

That's my thinking too. UK guests who stay on property for 1-2 weeks are a relatively small but important market. As it becomes comparatively more expensive for us to travel I think that Disney will still offer their most popular incentive.

With the US economy booming they could easily keep hotel occupancy at near full levels without foreign markets but still offer the free dining plan at the moment

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Disney would rather have US guests than UK they stay only a few days, they pay more for their park tickets and spend per head per day is far higher.

For us no free dining no Disney