(Article updated: April 24, 2018)
There is no denying that the money spent for food on a Disney World vacation can really add up.
Fast.
But, it turns out, with a little planning there are ways you can save money and even get the food on your trip for "free".
Disney often offers discounts, and the Disney Free Dining promotion is the most popular discount of all. However, snagging this coveted discount has become more difficult in recent years - but it isn't impossible.
In the post below we'll show you exactly what you'll need to do in order to maximize your chances of getting your meals for free on your next trip. Plus, we have some ideas on ways to save even if you can't snag the Disney Free Dining promotion for your vacation.
Let's get started...
In this article
First, some Free Dining basics
What are the Free Dining dates for 2018?
These are the dates for 2018. As long as you check in during these dates, you can get it for your whole stay.
- August 20-September 29, 2018
- November 24-November 27, 2018
- December 7-December 23, 2018
Get all the details on the 2018 offer.
What is a Disney Dining Plan?
Simply put, the Disney Dining Plan is an optional add-on that only guests staying onsite at a Disney-owned resort can purchase as part of their vacation packages.
It is basically a way to prepay for your meals - and it can be quite expensive.
Ouch!
That is a lot of money, and it's probably a huge portion of your entire Walt Disney World vacation budget. That's why getting a free Disney Dining Plan during the Free Dining promotion is so attractive to so many people.
What you get for free
When you book Free Dining, the level of your dining plan will be determined by which level of resort you have booked.
Make sure you know exactly what is offered in each Dining Plan before you commit. You don't want to be disappointed and find out you didn't get what you were expecting.
Booking a Value or Moderate Resort?
You will get the Quick Service Dining Plan for free.
The Quick Service Dining Plan credits can be used at participating quick service and counter service locations (you can't use them for table service).
You can upgrade to the Regular Dining Plan for $22.99/adult and $4.00/child per night, and you can upgrade to the Deluxe Dining Plan for $63.75/adult and $18.24/child per night.
Booking a Deluxe Resort?
You will get the regular Disney Dining Plan for free.
The Regular Disney Dining Plan includes a mix of credits that can be used for dining at participating counter service, quick-service, and table service restaurants
You can upgrade to the Deluxe Dining Plan for about $40.76/adult and $14.24/child per night.
Get all of the Disney Dining Plan details
Get even more info, including the best places to use credits, in our Disney Dining Plan guide.
Free Dining tips
Plan to travel when Free Dining is offered
Free food is awesome. But to get it for free at Disney World, you have to book a trip when Free Dining is usually offered.
Notice any patterns in the chart of historical dates for Free Dining below?
The dates don't lie:
Free Dining is usually a fall promotion, so if you want Free Dining make sure your travel dates include the fall.
| Free Dining Stay Dates | Booking Period |
|---|---|
| 8/20-9/29, 11/14-11/20, 11/24-11/27, and 12/7-12/23/18 | 4/24/2018 - 7/7/2018 |
| 8/21-9/30, 11/14-11/20, 11/25-11/27, and 12/8-12/23/17 | 4/24/2017 - 7/7/2017 |
| 8/23-10/1/16, 11/15-11/21/16, 11/26-11/28/16, and 12/10-12/21/16 | 4/25/2016 - 7/8/2016 |
| 8/28/2015-12/21/2015* | 4/27/2015 - 7/10/2015 |
| 8/31/2014 - 12/23/2014 | 5/7/2014 - 8/8/2014 |
| 9/29/2013 - 12/22/2013 | 8/1/2013 - 9/15/2013 |
| 9/2/2013 - 9/25/2013 | 5/9/2013 - 7/31/2013 |
| 9/30/2012 - 12/13/2012 | 7/12/2012 - 9/29/2012 |
| 8/25/2012 - 9/29/2012 | 3/5/2012 - 5/18/2012 |
| 1/8/2012 - 3/31/2012 | 8/3/2011 - 10/29/11 and 10/27/2011 - 12/17/2011 |
| 10/2/2011 - 12/17/2011 | 8/3/2011 - 10/29/2011 |
| 8/28/2011 - 9/24/2011 | 5/2/2011 - 8/27/2011 |
| 8/19/2011 - 9/29/2011 | 8/16/2010 - 12/20/2010 |
| 5/27/2011 - 6/2/2011 | 8/16/2010 - 12/20/2010 |
| 1/1/2011 - 3/3/2011 | 8/16/2010 - 12/20/2010 |
| 10/1/2010-12/21/2010 | 8/16/2010 - 12/20/2010 |
| 8/15/2010 -12/21/2010 | 7/6/2010 - 8/14/2010 |
| 8/15/2010 - 10/2/2010 | 5/3/2010 - 8/14/2010 |
| 9/27/2009 - 12/17/2009 | 7/27/2009 - 9/26/2009 |
| 8/16/2009 - 10/3/2009 | 3/30/2009 - 6/21/2009 and 6/10/09 - 7/26/09 |
| *Blackout dates included 10/3/2015-10/24/2015, 11/1/2015-11/7/2015 and 11/20/2015-12/14/2015 | |
Get online early
As it turns out:
Almost as important as knowing when you'll need to travel is knowing when the promotion opens.
That is because since there is generally a limited number of rooms available to book with the discount at each resort, and the best resorts and dates for Free Dining usually sell out quickly.
Every year, the moment the promotion is released people frantically start booking it.
Sounds crazy, right?
But it's true.
That chart above also has the historical release dates when the promotion has traditionally opened.
Study them. Follow on social media to get predicted release dates. And then be ready.
What time will the promotion be released?
Discounts and promotions generally go live really, really, REALLY early in the morning. Before the sun comes up early. 2 am, 3 am, 4 am early.
The exact time isn't always the same, but it definitely is always - say it with me - early.
In 2018, it came out at 5 a.m. eastern time on April 24.
Booking by computer is almost always faster than by phone
Here's the deal:
The promotions often come out overnight or really early in the morning.
The phone lines don't open until 7 am EST.
If you wait until you are able to call at 7 am, you'll be behind the hundreds - if not thousands - of people that have been up and on their computers since it opened, snagging up all the best rooms.
You want to maximize your chance of getting what you want? Be prepared to wake up early and book by computer.
But, if all else fails - try the phone
If problems arise and you must use the phone, try calling as soon as the lines open and be prepared to be on hold.
Wait times on days when promotions and discounts go live are often very long.
Get notified about Free Dining
This tip is easy to follow:
Want to be one of the first people to learn about Free Dining? Sign up for the email list for your month, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
When Free Dining opens, those people that are on the email lists and follow us on social media will get notified - day or night - that the promotion is ready to be booked. All you'll need to do is make sure you have notifications turned on and up so that you'll hear them!
Use a travel agent
We can't repeat this tip enough:
If all of this talk about waiting for promotions to open up at 4 am is overwhelming for you, don't try to do it alone! Instead, use a good, reliable, Disney expert travel agent to book your trip.
One of the best perks about using a Disney vacation planning specialist is that they will work to secure you discounts when they come out - including Free Dining.
In fact, you could be in bed, sleeping like a baby, and they'll be up working their magic trying to get you the best deal possible for your trip.
Are you guaranteed to get Free Dining if using a travel agent? Nope.
But, are you chances better if you use an expert that knows the ropes? Absolutely.
The agents at Prep School Travel are Disney experts and completely free to use if booking a trip through them.
They work hard every single day to help families create magical memories on their vacations.
If you want their expert help booking your trip, submit a quote today.
Even if they can't book Free Dining yet (for example, because the booking window isn't open), you can still submit a quote request to start the process.
Make resort and dining reservations now
This could make all the difference:
Book a hotel reservation now, and then you can modify your reservation later.
This is especially true if you're going to be going to Disney World whether or not you get the Free Dining promotion.
Free Dining often means limited availability at the restaurants - but the Free Dining Promotion is often released AFTER the 180 day mark where guests can start making their Advanced Dining Reservations.
If you wait to start booking your dining reservations until the promotion is released, you might be left with 3 pm lunches and 9 pm dinners - not an ideal situation if you have little kids.
Might need to rebook instead of modifying
Picture it:
You're in bed asleep, when your phone starts buzzing from emails sent out from WDW Prep School.
"FREE DINING IS NOW OPEN," they say.
So you jump on your computer, log in to your My Disney Experience account, navigate to your reservation and go to modify it only to find out something is wrong.
It won't work. You try again. And again. And no matter what, you aren't able to modify the reservation.
So, think about it:
If you run into problems, instead of waiting until the phone lines open you should, instead, simply rebook the trip.
Waiting could mean losing out on the opportunity to snag one of the coveted rooms for Free Dining, so rebook and cancel your old reservation instead. Cancelling an old reservation will not affect any dining reservations you've already made.
Having an existing reservation can sometimes make it hard to book a new one, so try clearing your cookies, opening a browser tab in incognito mode, or using a different browser.
You can use Free Dining after the promotion dates
As it turns out:
As long as you arrive by the last day of the promotion, you can enjoy Free Dining during your whole stay.
This is an easy way to make Free Dining dates work for you. As long as your trip begins while the promotion is valid, you'll get the promotion for the duration of your trip.
But, the reverse isn't true:
If your trip begins before a promotion or discount period starts, you won't get the promotion for any part of your trip unless you book a split stay.
Basically, a split stay means you'll have 2 reservations: one for the dates that span the time before the Free Dining promotion begins and one reservation for the dates that include Free Dining. Only the dates of your trip that fall during that promotion window would be eligible for Free Dining.
The 2 reservations could be in the same resort or different ones.
Coordinating a split stay and making sure you meet all the requirements for a promotion can be a little tricky if you've never done it before (and split stays are fantastic vacations to book with a travel agent since they have lots of experience with them). But in some instances, the hassle of booking 2 reservations can save you money.
Be careful, though:
Some promotions (like Free Dining) have minimum ticket length requirements so you'll want to really look at the numbers before booking.
Other things to know about Free Dining
What happens if you miss out on Free Dining?
Keep checking
When Free Dining is released, many travel agents put 72 hour holds for their clients, but not all of these get booked, so they become available again.
Check the numbers
Many people get caught up in thinking that Free Dining is better than any other promotion, but that's not necessarily true.
For instance, there is often a discount code for 30% off room rates running at the same time as the Free Dining promotion. Depending on the hotel and dining package, 30% could work out to be a much better deal.
Check out this complete list of discounts that have been offered in the past. And then, do the math for your family.
- Using the menus, create a list of what meals would cost you if you were paying out of pocket.
- For the prices of the dinner shows like Hoop Dee Doo or buffets, try a site like All Ears.
- Make sure to include the cost of beverages you think you'd order, especially now since 1 alcoholic beverage is included.
- Then, see what the same meals cost if you have the Disney Dining Plan.
- Make sure to include the cost of any meals above and beyond the total number of credits you'll have.
- Often times people find out that the room discount saves them more money.
Sometimes Free Dining can be part of a Bounceback offer
If you are already traveling to Disney World (especially August-October which has the best chance) and you know you might want to go back, don't forget to check out the bounceback offers currently running. Sometimes that promotion will include Free Dining for times of the year other than the general public Free Dining promotion that is offered in the fall.
Free Dining often includes ticket and length of stay requirements
You must book tickets as part of your vacation package in order to qualify for Free Dining. In the past, Disney has required 2 and, most recently, a 3-day minimum ticket and a 3 nights minimum stay at a Disney World resort.
Some resorts are never eligible for Free Dining
Ideally, every resort would have some rooms available to book with Free Dining, but that isn't the case.
There are several resorts that never (or very, very, rarely) offer Free Dining:
- The Little Mermaid rooms at Art of Animation
- Port Orleans French Quarter and/or Port Orleans Riverside
- Fort Wilderness Campsites
- Polynesian Villas and Bungalows
This list could always change, but it is safe to say that there will always be some resorts that will be exempt from the Free Dining discount.
Can Free Dining be combined with other promotions?
No, you can't stack Disney deals. If you book Free Dining, you won't be able to use other promotions. Just one at a time.
Can I get Free Dining if I rent DVC points?
No, you can't do that since Free Dining requires booking a package and point rental is not a package booking.
Can Annual Passholders get Free Dining?
In short, yes, but you'll still need to purchase park tickets to book Free Dining. People with Annual Passes should book the minimum tickets required for Free Dining (since tickets are a requirement for packages) and then keep them in their My Disney Experience account.
With both an Annual Pass and tickets from your package in your account, you should call Disney and ask them to prioritize your tickets so they are used in the correct order. Then you can use the tickets from your package if/when your AP expires.
Some final thoughts on the Disney Free Dining discount
Remember the 3 Bs for Free Dining:
- Be realistic - whether you use a travel agent or book it on your own - sometimes there just isn't availability. It happens every year and we hear stories from families genuinely distraught over not being able to book because there wasn't availability. Don't set yourself up for heartbreak by thinking you're guaranteed the discount.
- Be flexible - the more flexible your dates and resort choices, the better the likelihood you'll be able to snag the discount. Wait to book flights and be open to trying a resort that's not first on your list if you want to maximize your chances for Free Dining.
- Be persistent - If you don't get what you want right away, don't give up. Many people (and travel agents!) place holds on rooms when the promotion is released, and, if those holds aren't deposited, they are cancelled 3 days later. That means, if you really want to snag Free Dining you'll want to keep checking. And checking. And maybe even checking some more. Persistence pays off and every year we hear from readers that kept trying and were finally able to book what they wanted.
Watch the video
Prefer video? Check out this video on Free Dining tips.
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Have question or other thoughts on the Disney Free Dining promotion? Feel free to share in the comments.
Do you need to purchase an official Disney cup to get free water refills or can you bring your own bottle and have them refill it?
if I already have reservations can I qualify for Quick service dinning
Will Disney announce in advance which resorts are included with free dining?
I’m going fo WDW for the first time in September (9-15) and I’m look forward to get the Free Dining Plan but I have some questions about the booking process. When i get online on the day that the promo is release, I’ll choose the hotel and the tickets (according to the rules), will de Dining Plan be automatically add to my shopping chart? Or I will need a promo code or something like that? Please help me I’m a fan from Brazil and down here we don’t have much information about the booking process and the Travel Agents cost… Read more »
Shannon,
If we have reservations at Pop Century for early September and will be up as soon as you notify me of free dining, what would be our best 2nd option for a resort? Just in case I try to modify and rebook but still can’t snag free dining. I want have have my plan A, B and C ready :-). Just hard to figure out a semi comparable hotel option….
Thanks for ALL you guys do!
Christa
I would choose PORS for my Plan B!
If we already booked and can’t modify for some reason, you mention to book a new one and cancel that one we already booked. My question is, what about if your package already booked includes flights? The flights say non-refundable. So is cancelling my package going to cancel my flights as well?
Id like to know the answer to this too!!!
If my reservation qualifies for quick service free dining but we want to up grade to regular can that be done online at booking or do I have to call?
Hi Shannon. Will the taxes that would be included with the dining plan, still be applied with the “free” deal? Also, will my room price likely go up during the promotion? I have a room now for cheap (through Disney), and I can easily upgrade to a room/ticket package in order to get the free dining. However, adding tickets through Disney (not a discount site) already adds about $250+. I’m looking for an idea on the taxes and room rate increase to plan for, along with the tickets. I also want to get tickets for MVMCP, so any money I… Read more »
I cannot modify my reservation on line. it says on my Disney experience that I need to call if wish to make changes. If I called right at 7am (which is 4am for me), how long would I be on hold for as I need to go to work. Or is it best to make a new reservation and then cancel old one. I have a travel agent but in the same time zone as me and does not get to work that early
If you have a travel agent, they are the ones who have to modify it. Important to book with a good agent who is willing to wake up early to do what’s best for their clients.
your article mentions the release for free dining as early as 2, 3, 4 am….what time zone is that?
Eastern time zone, where Disney World is located.
I asked Disney about the times and they said that all offers go live at the same time so its fair to everyone…and thats at 7am when the phones open up? Have you personally booked at those earlier times?
We booked our free dining last year the day it came out online before 7 AM.
I have booked my last 4 years around 3am, Florida time = 1am Alberta time Canada.
Florida, USA time zone!
So has free dining be offered this year yet? We are going in Sept and staying at beach club so we should be eligible. With 4 kids and 2 adults free dining would be great!
Not yet! Usually comes out in April.
This blog seems to imply the rooms for free dining run out the same day they are offered and if I don’t log in at 4am I can’t get the deal…am I reading this wrong?
That is often the case, although I also do mention that you should keep checking because openings pop up as travel agent holds expire.
we are wanting to book soon to go to Disney 16/12-2/1 I have a few questions if you could help me out… have I understood correctly that if we book now we can modify to try and get free dining? free dining historically is only available until 22/12 so I’m guessing it’d stop there and we’d only have free dining for 6 days? could we carry any unused credits into further days? Also we were favouring french quarter, should we choose a different moderate if we are hoping for free dining, you said in your article it’s rarely offered here?… Read more »
Yes, you can try to modify to get Free Dining, but sometimes it’s just easier to book a whole new reservation and cancel the old one. If you check in during the promotion dates, you can get Free Dining for your whole trip. If French Quarter is excluded, you might consider Port Orleans Riverside which is similar but much larger.
My family is booked for 12/20-12/30, and my sister and daughter booked a reservation together to split the deposit and share the room. We are hopeful our trip falls in the free dining window based upon historical dates. However, my daughter is arriving either late 12/22 or early 12/23 due to work.
Is there any issue with getting free dining if both parties don’t arrive on the same day but do arrive within the free dining window?
What does “booking period” mean in this instance? If I book my room far in advance, now for a September trip and then free dining is announced but I didn’t book inside the “booking period” does my reservation still qualify?
As long as you modify your reservation to use the promotion during the booking period, it will work.
We have the Vacation Club and book through that. And we usually get tickets through our work discount Tickets at Work. Does this still allow for the free dining promotion? I didn’t see it addressed in the article.
Since Free Dining is a package promotion that includes booking a room through Disney (but not Disney Vacation Club) with tickets and the Disney Dining Plan, you won’t be able to get it in your situation.
Hi I booked 8/5 & 6 @ music can I still get free dining?
what are the dates for 2018? We’re planning on going on January and staying in Grand Floridian
Hi got a first time trip planned for November 30-December 13.
If we stay at the Pop hotel we will only get free dining from December 8-13 because that is when the blackout dates are done for that week.
any tips on making the most of it during the free dining?
Thinking of upgrading for the free days but just getting the quick service for the first week. Any information would be great!
Thanks
Does anyone know if you can trade 2 quick service meals for one table meal? thanks
No, you can’t.
Does anyone know if you can use tickets previously purchased from Disney and get free dining? I was thinking they could be “re-packaged” so we could get free dining, but I was told I need to buy new tickets.
It’s out! We managed to snag it for a 2 adult room at All Star Music (we’re doing a budget girls reunion trip), but had to make some rearangements. I had a reservation made for our room and tickets from September 13-19, but ended up cancelling that trip and making the Free Dining trip from the 14-19 and using the Enchanted Room rate for a room only reservation on the 13th since our original trip was unavailable. It was quick and easy to upgrade to the regular Disney Dining Plan from the Quick Service. The phone lines are jammed, I… Read more »
Is it true that desserts have been removed from disney dining lunch? Also, at table service restaurants how many credits/meals is a large pizza (example tony’s town square)? Just wondering if a family of four can order 2 pizzas and use 2 meals instead of 4 meals.
I believe that when sharing meals such as a pizza they still deduct the number of people sharing, not just the number of pizzas. 2 Pizzas between 4 people would still cost 4 table service credits. Someone can correct me if I’m wrong.
Pizza for one please!
Hi I am looking to book next August 2018 , have been offered free breakfast at the All stars, which is great. We have just been advised we can upgrade £24 a day each,too 2 quick meals snacks does anyone know,do we still get our breakfast free as well. If anyone can help me please,as want to book at the end of this week please.
Hi Michelle, You’re looking at the UK free dining deal, which is a little different to the one in this article. “Free Breakfast” consists of one quick service credit each per day, but as far as I know there are no time restrictions on using it, so it could be you’re evening meal (I think!). By upgrading you would gain 1 extra quick service credit, 2 snack credits and a refillable resort mug for fizzy drinks. If you have kids I would recommend ordering 1 adult meal between two, saving you a credit. I personally wouldn’t upgrade, as I don’t… Read more »
Hi. First of all your site is amazing and has been very helpful. Second, I would like to know if only by booking the room I am eligible for the free dining when it comes out or do I need to buy the package? Also, how do I buy only the tickets I need and not for all the days I am staying.
The Free Dining deal is for room and parkhopper ticket packages. A minimum of a 2 day parkhopper pass must be purchased to get the deal, but other than that you can choose how many days you want and choose which days to use them.
There was a Free Dining plan in some Spring dates earlier this year for non-US residents, with both value and moderate resorts being related to the quick service plan. Does someone know what plan will be provided for moderate resorts on 2017 Fall’s free Dining plan promotion ? Table or quick service?
Hi, Chris – that was not the typical Free Dining offer. If you’re talking about the same one I’m thinking of, that one was just 1 Quick Service meal per day. The regular Free Dining promotion is as I’ve described above – Value Resorts get the Quick Service Dining Plan, and everybody else gets the Regular Dining Plan.
For the fall Free Dining promotion they did assign the moderate resorts to the Quick Service plans, so you’d need to upgrade (about $20/person/night) to the table service if you wanted that option (we did it, since we wanted a lot of character dining).
What about memory maker makes it more difficult? I have a reservation booked in December with Memory Maker and Dining Plan and plan to call to ask for free dining promotion when/if it become available. Should I try to remove Memory Maker for now?
Does anyone happen to know why they discontinued the premium dining plan?
I’ve book my hotel and park tickets for a time that I hope free dining is offered…should I also go ahead and book a dining plan? Also, is there a H&V breakfast that also includes Fantasmic?
I believe you do already need the dining plan on your reservation.
Value resort get free quick service dining plan
Moderate and deluxe get free Disney dining plan
Not this year! Moderates only get the quick service dining package (but can upgrade for a fee to the regular dining plan).
You don’t have to have it before the special is announced. Just have to add it then.
Hi there, we are military and I currently have a trip booked for 12/10-12/17/2017. We are staying at Coronado Springs and we have the Disney dining plan. We are getting the military discount on our room(35%). My question is if when the free dining comes out and if it’s during my dates can I drop the military discount on my room and utilize free dining instead? It would be a bigger savings. We usually get our tickets through shades of green. This may be a stretch I just thought I’d ask!
Yes, if you call and the room you are in is eligible for free dining, you should be able to adjust. I would go ahead and try to get your tickets on base ahead of time and not wait until you get there because you will not be able to book fastpasses if you haven’t bought the tickets. If you purchase them on base and at least have a confirmation number, you should be able to book them 60 days out.
Why is it more difficult to add the free dining if you’ve already booked a resort with memory maker?
I’m not sure; it’s just another one of the those quirky Disney tech things.
Wondering how it works if I book my dining now, planning on going during free disney dining and then making sure I get the room booked right away, how you you link them?
Any dining reservations you make will stay tied to you, even if you cancel your WDW trip completely.
If I stay at a Disney resort in Downtown Disney, would I qualify for free dining? Or would I have to stay at one of the main resorts?
If we have free dining but still need to pay oop for a few meals what would be the best way to do this? Pay oop for the 2 credit meals or pay for the lowest costing meal?
Pay for the meal with the least value for a credit. If that happens to be a 2 credit meal, go with that one.
We booked back in December with the offer of four nights free and 25% off park tickets. Can we add free Dining when it’s announced or not as we’ve already used a promotion?
You can only have one discount offer, but do the math and see which one is better, but don’t get rid of your current discount unless you can for sure get free dining.
You made some very valid and important points Shannon. I agree pretty much totally an all you say. My wife and I have vacationed at WDW five times. We’re planning another in 2018. The most valid point you make is that NOTHING is for free. Traveling from the UK makes things a little more complicated. In the fact that we have to think about the exchange rate as well. The first time we came over we used and paid for the Disney Dining Plan. That being said we had very little knowledge of the prices in Fl. Plus also we… Read more »
I am planning a trip to WDW for Dic. 8-15 2017 and started considering the DDP mostly because it seems like a way to travel with less hassle in terms of handling money. However, I came across this promotion and have a few questions. I know my check in date is not within the days of the offer in past years, but I wouldn’t mind changing my dates for the 10th of December if need be. The question is, if I book a reservation now for the 8th and let’s say the offer comes out for December 10-20 2017, will… Read more »
We’ve already reserved rooms at 2 resorts using DVC point rentals and purchased discount park hopper tickets (not directly from Disney). Is there any way we can take advantage of the Free Dining promotion when it is offered? I’m not quite understanding what exactly has to be purchased together for the promo. Thanks!
Free Dining requires you to book a package that includes a room and tickets. You won’t qualify for it when it comes out, but you can always pay for the dining plan to be added to your DVC reservation if you’d like.
So, I’d like to make sure I understand correctly. If I book our trip BEFORE the free dining promotion is announced, i’ll be able to add it after the fact? I was worried that if I booked now, I wouldn’t be able to take advantage of the deal when it was announced next month.
You will still be able to add it when it becomes available if there are still spots available at your hotel. Having the hotel booked in advance doesn’t give you a secured spot for free dining, you’ll still be competing with everyone else once the promotion is released, but booking now in no way prevents you from taking advantage of the promotion:)
We are planning to go in Sept 2017 and someone had told me that if you are a disney visa card member you can take advantage of free dining a day or two earlier than the rest of the world. Do you know if that is true?
Yes that is true. We have done it several times now.
So does Disney Visa notify you? How will we know when the promotion is released?
We currently have reservations at the Bay Lake Contemporary in September. I have park tickets, DDP & Memory maker on the reservation. Do I need to change anything? EEEeeek!! This is our first trip to Disney, and I’m getting so excited/overwhelmed!! I think I’m becoming a Disney-addict!
I would like to know as well how you get alerted if you’re a Disney Visa cardholder. This is my first time and I feel like I’m going to miss the boat on the free dining!
Hey
I plan on taking my family in the fall so the dinning plan sounds great. My question is when and how so I know when the dates are up for that so I can change my reservation? is there a email list to get on or do I have to keep checking the website daily?
You pretty much just have to check regularly. Keep in mind the promotion often comes out in April or May, so you don’t need to get on top of this just yet.
Your other option is to use a travel agent. Contact a reputable travel planner specializing in Disney destinations about your trip and tell him/her you’re interested in free dining. Then you agent will do the work for you!
We are about to book November 26 at Port Orleans Riverside for 10 days in hopes they may offer the dates again after Thanksgiving. Any opinions on the downside of doing this? I believe we can edit our reservation to another hotel, dates, etc. We would really like to stay at POR but our priority is free dining…to the point we are fine staying at the POP and upgrading to the table service plan. Would love thoughts of others who booked dates prior to announcement. I totally know it is a risk but doesn’t feel risky since we can change… Read more »
I know for last year, the free dining promotion was only available at Port Orleans Riverside for The end of August and the beginning of September, but if you are okay with modifying the resort you’re staying at, then you should be good:)
Does the free dining apply if youre an Annual Pass Holder?
The dining plan is part of a package deal and requires that you purchase park tickets as well – so it probably would not be worth it, unless you were able to apply the price paid for your tickets to AP renewals come time.
Is it best to book something now, even though we don’t know the free dining dates? Once the dates are released, can we change our dates? and if we book something, and then free dining happens to be during our trip, will Disney adjust our price? Thanks!
I have a vacation booked for Sept 2017 at the carribean beach resort for 5 people. Is free dining at this resoort ony offered at upgrated rooms. The pirate rooms at the carribean beach resort only sleep 4 people. Is it required for the reseravation to be at one of the pirate rooms? Also, do we need to add the park hopper or water park fun and mre tickets?
No you don’t need to be in the pirate rooms to get the free Dining Plan. You do need to have the park hopper tickets.
No you do not need to purchase any “special” rooms to get the dining plan. Caribbean Beach is considered a moderate resort, so if you are lucky enough to get the free dining plan, you’ll be getting the regular dining plan.
Also you DO NOT need to get park hoppers to enjoy the dining plan. I’ve been to Disney dozens of times with the meal plan and have never once had park hoppers or water fun and more, but the dining plan will certainly be available if you choose to get the park hoppers or water fun packages.
Free Dining has recently had the requirement that you upgrade your tickets, and availability has often been only in the upgraded rooms. If you’re paying for the Disney Dining Plan, tickets and room types are a moot point; if you’re using a promotion, you have to work within the restrictions of that promo to get the deal.
We have sites at Fort Wilderness are there any discounted dining plans with campsites
The campsites normally aren’t included for the free dining promotion.
We’re booked for dec 5-12 2017. It’s looking like historically free dinning starts on the 10th. Would we be eligible for free dinning the whole trip or just the last 2 days? I am willing to move the dates so we are eligible. Only other question is are the parks typically more busier during free dinning? TIA 🙂
The date of you check in and needs to fall between the free dinning dates. So if this year is the same as last year. You would not be able to get free dinning even for the last 2 days of your stay. Because you would need to check out then check back in under a new reservation on the 10th and you would have to stay a minimum amount of days with park hopper tickets. It’s probably best to move your dates.
I was there last summer and I received a bounce back offer and the first date I could book was December 8th, 2017. The first week of December was blocked off. I have no idea if the regular free dining promotion will be the same.
Hi there, I was wondering if I could upgrade my Disiney dining plan upon arrival. I have an existing ” magic your way” package already booked. So can I upgrade my current dining plan? If anyone knows I would appreciate the feedback! Thanks!!
Normally Disney require that you modify your DDP at least 48 hours before check-in
I just called about the fee dining..
I was told you have to have a discount code to get the free dining. I booked my vacation before the deadline .
Does anyone have the offer details from the Disney web page . Since the offer is over.
So any ideas yet when free dinning will be announced? Makes planning easier if we knew.
Should be announced at the end of April