DVC has gone to great lengths in recent years to make new dining discount programs available to members, but they haven't been nearly as vocal in telling us about other discounts which are disappearing. Take a look at some of the restaurant discounts which have been eliminated over the past year.
In the last couple of years members have gained access to the Magic Your Way Dining Plan (aka DDP) and as Annual Passholders, members can also purchase the Disney Dining Experience card which grants a discount of 20% off at most Walt Disney World restaurants. But Disney Vacation Club membership has always been sufficient to obtain discounts at many restaurants scattered throughout WDW property. Sadly that list has taken a significant hit in the last few weeks.
The list of restaurants offering discount to DVC members is posted on DVCMember.com. Members also receive a copy of "Portable Perks" when they check-in at a DVC resort. Let's take a look at the current discounts available compared to a Portable Perks from 2007.
While the list of theme park restaurants offering discounts has always been slim, the list has been roughly halved in the last 12 months. Members still receive a 10% discount at the Animal Kingdom's Rainforest Cafe and various discounts at four Epcot eateries. But recently removed from the list are discounts at the Magic Kingdom's Tony's Town Square, as well as Mama Melrose's and Hollywood & Vine at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Downtown Disney area restaurants have been pared back marginally. The DTD Rainforest Cafe no longer grants members a discount, nor does Cap'n Jack's Restaurant. Additionally the 30% lunch discount at Fulton's Crab House has been reduced to 20%.
But the most extreme changes have taken place in the category of resort hotel dining. Previously members received some form of discount at nearly every restaurant at a DVC resort. Included were discounts at Cape May Cafe and the Yachtsman Steakhouse (Yacht/Beach Club), Olivia's Cafe (Old Key West), Artist Point (Wilderness Lodge) and both Saratogs Springs restaurants. A variety of non-DVC resort locations were also on the list including Kona Cafe at the Polynesian, Citricos at the Grand Floridian and the Contemporary's Concourse Steakhouse.
The list is now a shadow of its former self. According to DVCMember.com, the only resort restaurants offering dining discounts to DVC members are the ESPN Club (10% off lunch) and Spoodles (10% off breakfast.) That's it--that's the list.
Fortunately for those staying in the Epcot resort area, the Dolphin and Swan Resorts still offer some attractive discounts to DVC members. Most of their restaurants still offer an appealing 20% discount to members. Included are Fresh Mediterranean Market, The Fountain, and Garden Grove Cafe, which hosts character meals on Saturday and Sunday.
DVC discount programs have always been billed as being "subject to change." But this is clearly the most significant change to the dining discount program in recent years. Members looking to schedule their Advanced Dining Reservations to take advantage of meal discounts offered to members would be wise to check DVCMember.com to see what is left on the list.
