It's the calm before the storm. In a few days, Disney is rumored to be releasing it's free dining plans for the Fall. It's a wonderful time of year for discount-loving Disney goers who have experience with this promotion, but what about the rest of us? It can be complicated and rather confusing if you don't understand the ends and outs of the promotion. Well, I'm here to help! Here is a quick rundown of everything you need to know about the famous Disney Dining Plan Promotion.
What is the Disney Dining Plan?
First you need to understand what the Disney Dining Plan is. The Disney Dining Plan is an optional add-on that guests staying at a Walt Disney Resort can purchase as part of a vacation package. Essentially, it give you the ability to pre-purchase your meals. Disney claims that you can save up to 15% off of your park and resort dining. It is great for families who want to budget ahead of time what they will spend at the parks for meals. There three tiers of the Disney Dining Plan:
All dining plans come with a refillable mug to be used at your resort food court. Dining Plans are for everyone ages 3 and up. Those under 3 will eat off your plate or you can purchase a meal for them.
Quick Service Plan- 2 quick service meals, and 2 snacks per person per night of your stay.
Plus Dining Plan*- 1 quick service meal, 1 table service meal and 2 snacks per person per night of your stay.
Deluxe Dining Plan- 3 meals and 2 snacks per person, per night of your stay.
New for 2018 vacation packages! Guests have several new beverage options available including non-alcoholic specialty beverages and, for Guests 21 and older, beer, wine and cocktails.
Ok, now that you understand what the Disney Dining Plan is, it's time to understand the Free Dining Promotion.
Disney's Free Dining Promotion
The Free Dining Promotion is based on the level of the Walt Disney World Resort Hotel you book. In the past, the following hotels received the following free dining plans:
Disney Value Resorts - Free Quick Service Dining Plan
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Disney's All-Star Movies Resort
Disney's All-Star Music Resort
Disney's All-Star Sports Resort
Disney's Pop Century Resort
Disney Moderate Resorts - Free Quick Service Dining Plan
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside
The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort
Disney Deluxe Resorts - Free Disney Dining Plan
Disney's Beach Club Resort
Disney's BoardWalk Inn
Disney's Contemporary Resort
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Disney's Yacht Club Resort
Additional Information & Tips
If you are unhappy with the Disney Dining Plan at your selected resort hotel don't worry, you can upgrade your plan for an additional charge.
The Free Disney Dining Plan Promotion is typically a Fall promotion, but can show up during the Summer as well.
Get up early. Promotions are usually released in the wee hours of the morning.
Free Dining may not be the best promotion available from Disney. Often time, you can save more by booking a discounted room and adding dining onto your plan.
You will have competition. Thousands of people will be trying to get this promotion on the day it hits. Expect very long wait times on the phone and quirky websites.
Set your expectations. There are only a limited number of rooms available in the promotion. Prepare yourself, you may not get it.
In the past, a Park Hopper ticket of three days or more was required.
Book your reservation ahead of time. It's much easier to modify a reservation than to create a new one on Free Dining Day.
Consider using an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. They know the promotions inside and out. They will be able to give you the best advice on what promotion works best for you. Best of all, their services are free of charge. Can they guarantee you will get the free dining promotion? No, but I can assure you they will do their best to try. If you would like an expert to help you, Submit Here and receive a quote.
Don't be disappointed. Even if you don't get the coveted "free dining", you're still going to Walt Disney World and that in and of itself is amazing! Don't be unhappy about what you didn't get, be happy about the fact you are headed to the Most Magical Place On Earth!
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