Free Dining is BACK!!

Happy Tuesday, Everyone!  Disney has made an exciting announcement today–FREE DINING IS BACK!!  I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Disney has released another free dining promotion for 2019.  It is fairly unusual for Disney to release this many free dining promotions in one calendar year.  I suspect Disney is not seeing the reservations for Fall and Winter this year  they’d expected.

If you’ve been thinking about planning a trip to Disney this fall or winter for the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, Mickey’s Not-so-Scary Halloween Party, or to enjoy the winter holiday magic at Walt Disney World, NOW IS THE TIME TO BOOK.

Free Dining is BACK

The Details

Guests booking a five night/six day Walt Disney Travel Company package at a Disney resort, along with a Park Hopper park ticket are eligible to add free dining to their package.

Package must be booked BY SEPTEMBER 29, 2019.

This offer applies to packages for guests arriving during the following windows:

      • September 1 through September 18, 2019
      • November 17 – November 27, 2019
      • December 8 – December 23, 2019

Surprisingly, if you look at the dates above, you can see that you would be able to book a trip that includes Thanksgiving (as long as you arrive by November 28) or Christmas (as long as you arrive by December 23).  That’s CRAZY unusual for a free dining promotion!

Disney at the Holidays
Magic Kingdom Train Station  (Photo: Brooke Hudson)

Guest who book stays in Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts or Disney Deluxe Resorts will be eligible for the Free Disney Dining Plan.  Guests booking visits in Disney Moderate Resorts or Disney Value Resorts will be eligible for the Free Quick Service Dining Plan.  Note: Not ALL resorts are included in this promotion and availability for this promotion IS LIMITED.

Resorts Included In Free Dining Promotion

Free Dining is BACk
Old Key West Resort                                            (Photo: Brooke Hudson)
Eligible Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts
      • Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
      • Copper Creek Villas and Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
      • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
      • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
      • Disney’s Beach Club Villas
      • Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
      • Disney’s Old Key West Resort
      • Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
      • Disney’s Riviera Resort (after it opens, December 16, 2019)
      • Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Eligible Disney Deluxe Resorts
      • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
      • 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
Eligible Disney Moderate Resorts
      • Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
      • Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
      • The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Eligible Disney Value Resorts
      • Disney’s Art of Animation Resort (Family Suites Only)
      • Disney’s All Star Music Resort (September Dates Excluded)
      • Disney’s All Star Sports Resort (September Dates Excluded)
      • Disney’s Pop Century Resort (September Dates Excluded)

The Fine Print

The number of rooms available for this promotion is LIMITED.

Everyone in the same room must be on the same package.

Minimum 4 night length of stay; minimum four day theme park tickets with Park Hopper or Park Hopper Plus option.

Cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion

The following room types are excluded:  Three bedroom villas, campsites, Cabins at Copper Creek Villas and Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Bungalows at Polynesian Villas and Bungalows, Little Mermaid Standard Rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.

Table service restaurants may have limited or no availability at the time of package purchase.  Meal reservation availability is not guaranteed with this promotion.

Children ages 3 – 9 must choose from the children’s menu, if there is a children’s menu available at the chosen restaurant.

Gratuities are not included.

Free dining is BACK
Character Meals ARE included in the Disney Dining Plan!      (Photo: Brooke Hudson)

Guests staying in Value or Moderate Resorts will be eligible for the Quick Service Dining Plan.  Guests Staying in Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resorts will be eligible for the Disney Dining Plan.  Guests wishing to upgrade from the Quick Service Dining Plan to the Disney Dining Plan may do so by paying the difference between the two plans for each guest on the reservation.

Don’t Care About Free Dining?  Here’s ANOTHER Great Offer from Disney

Disney's Riviera Resort Disney vacation planning Disney trip planning tips top reasons to visit Disney
Disney’s Riviera Resort  (Artist Rendering:Disney)

Disney also released an up to 20% off promotion for rooms at select Disney Resorts.  Reservations must be booked by September 29, 2019.  Most nights between September 1 and September 28 are included.  Most Sunday through Thursday nights between September 29 and November 7 are included.

The up to 20% off on rooms at select Disney Resorts may also be booked by December 24, 2019 for stays most nights, November 10-December 24.

20% Discount Tier

20% discount is available for rooms at select Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts and select Disney Deluxe Resorts, most nights September 1 – September 28, most nights November 10 – December 24.  This discount is also available for most Sunday through Thursday nights, September 29 – November 7.  (Note Stays beginning September 1 – November 7 MUST be booked by September 29, 2019.  Stays beginning November 10 – December 24 MUST be booked by December 24, 2019.)

      • Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
      • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
      • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
      • Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
      • Disney’s Old Key West Resort
      • Disney’s Riviera Resort (for stays beginning Dec. 16 or later)
      • Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
      • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
      • Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
      • Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
      • Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
15% Discount Tier

15% discount is available for rooms at select Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts, select Disney Deluxe Resorts and select Disney Moderate Resorts.  Discount available most nights September 1 – September 28 and November 10 – December 24.  This discount is also available for most Sunday through Thursday nights, September 29 – November 7.  (Note Stays beginning September 1 – November 7 MUST be booked by September 29, 2019.  Stays beginning November 10 – December 24 MUST be booked by December 24, 2019.)

      • Disney’s Beach Club Villas
      • Disney’s Beach Club Resort
      • Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
      • The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
      • Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
10% Discount Tier

10% discount is available for rooms at select Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts, select Disney Deluxe Resorts, select Disney Moderate Resorts and select Value Resorts.  Discount available most nights September 1 – September 28 and November 10 – December 24.  This discount is also available for most Sunday through Thursday nights, September 29 – November 7.  (Note Stays beginning September 1 – November 7 MUST be booked by September 29, 2019.  Stays beginning November 10 – December 24 MUST be booked by December 24, 2019.)

      • Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
      • Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
      • Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows – Studios Only
      • Disney’s Contemporary Resort
      • Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
      • Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
      • Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
      • Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
      • Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Family Suites Only
      • Disney’s All Star Movies Resort (November 10 – December 24 only)
      • Disney’s All Star Music Resort (November 10 – December 24 only)
      • Disney’s All Star Sports Resort (November 10 – December 24 only)
      • Disney’s Pop Century Resort(November 10 – December 24 only)

The Fine Print for this Room Only Discount

The number of rooms available for this promotion is limited.

Additional per adult charges may apply if there are more than two adults per room.

This offer can’t be combined with any other discount or promotion.

Theme park admission is NOT included.

The following room types are excluded:  Three bedroom villas, campsites, Cabins at Copper Creek Villas and Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Bungalows at Polynesian Villas and Bungalows.

Length of stay requirements may apply.

Florida Resident?

Florida Resident Disney Discount
Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Florida residents can save up to 25% at select Disney resorts from September 1 to December 24 when they book by December 24, 2019.  Note: the number of rooms available for this offer is limited.  Proof of Florida residency will be required at check in.

25% Discount Tier

25% discount is available for rooms at select Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts and select Disney Deluxe Resorts, mostly Sunday through Thursday nights; dropping to 10% for Fridays and Saturdays.

      • Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
      • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
      • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
      • Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
      • Disney’s Old Key West Resort
      • Disney’s Riviera Resort (for stays beginning Dec. 16 or later)
      • Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
      • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
      • Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
      • Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
      • Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
20% Discount Tier

20% discount is available for rooms at select Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts and select Disney Deluxe Resorts, mostly Sunday through Thursday nights; dropping to 10% for Fridays and Saturdays.

      • Disney’s Beach Club Villas
      • Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Moderate Resorts are participating too.  Moderate Resorts listed below are offering a 20% discount for Florida residents for most nights, September 1 – October 3 and November 10 through December 24.  Most Sunday through Thursday nights, October 6 – November 7 are also included.

      • Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
      • The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
      • Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
      • Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter (15% Discount)
      • Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside (15% Discount)
15% Discount Tier

15% discount is available for rooms at select Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts and select Disney Deluxe Resorts, mostly Sunday through Thursday nights; dropping to 10% for Fridays and Saturdays.

      • Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
      • Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows – Studios Only
      • Disney’s Contemporary Resort
      • Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
      • Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • The Value Resorts listed below are offering a 15% discount for Florida residents for most nights, September 1 – October 3 and November 10 through December 24.  Most Sunday through Thursday nights, October 6 – November 7 are also included.
  • 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

The Fine Print for Florida Residents

Proof of Florida residency is required at check in.

This offer can’t be combined with any other promotion or discount.

This offer does not include theme park admission.

Additional per adult charges may apply if more than two adults are staying in the room.

The following room types are excluded:  Three bedroom villas, campsites, Cabins at Copper Creek Villas and Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Bungalows at Polynesian Villas and Bungalows.

Length of stay requirements may apply.

Free Dining, Room Only and Florida Residents, Oh MY!!!

So, in a nutshell, there are a lot of discount offers available for you if you are considering taking a trip to Disney World this Fall or Winter.  There is a LOT to think about, and it can be overwhelming to figure out which discount (or which meal plan, for that matter) is best for you and your family.

That’s where working with a Disney Travel Agent (like me!) can help.  It doesn’t cost YOU anything, and I can take care of all the headaches you don’t have time or desire to take on.  I can help determine which package is best for you, and I can help with your trip planning as well!  I can even help with meal reservations and Fast Pass bookings.  Working with me will save you time, headaches, aggravation AND money.

Reach out today, brooke@disneycastledreaming.com.  I’d love to help you plan your next Disney dream vacation.

Happy Dreaming,

Brooke

 

Disney Launches Free Dining Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
Ready to Plan Your Disney Vacation!

P.S. – If you’d like to read more on the difference between the dining plans, and what you should consider when deciding if Free Dining is right for you, please check out the following posts:

FREE DINING for Disney Visa Cardmembers

Disney Launched Free Dining!

FREE DINING for Disney Visa Cardmembers

The good news?  Disney has released a new limited time offer featuring free dining for Disney Visa Cardholders.  The not-as-good news?  It is an EXTREMELY limited promotion, and features a very short travel window.  However, if you are a Disney Visa Cardmember, and you are available to travel August 1 – 21, 2019, you might want to JUMP on this new free dining promotion.

A couple of things to be aware of: Any time Disney offers a big promotion, they are offering it to stimulate travel to the parks during a certain period.  This USUALLY means projected park attendance and resort reservation bookings are lower than Disney wants them to be for that time period.  While this doesn’t necessarily mean light crowds, it most likely means LIGHTER crowds.  Of course, if tons of people take advantage of the promotion, crowds could be CRAZY by the dates of travel.  But generally speaking, Disney offers promotions for periods where they are projecting attendance to be down.

Disney Tomorrowland crowd

This particular travel window closes before Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on August 29, 2019.  However, there are still a lot of great reasons to visit Disney World this year.  Click here to check out my top five reasons to visit Disney World in 2019.

Free Dining for Disney Cardmembers

You can get free dining when you purchase a four-night/five-day Walt Disney resort and theme park ticket package that includes the Park Hopper option.  If you book your package at a Value or Moderate resort, you will receive the Quick Service Dining Plan.  If you book your package for a Deluxe or Deluxe Villa resort, you will receive the regular Dining Plan.

Disney Free Dining Promotion

You MUST book your vacation by June 16, 2019 to take advantage of this offer.

Your vacation must begin between August 1 and August 21, 2019.

You MUST book your vacation using your Disney Visa card.

Theme park tickets purchased with this package are valid for admission beginning the day of check-in, and must be used within a limited period of time, depending on length of stay and ticket.

Here are the resorts that are eligible for this promotion, along with which Dining Plan you would get if you booked your vacation at that resort.

Disney's Art of Animation Family Suite
Disney’s Art of Animation Family Suite (Photo: Disney Parks)

Select Disney Value Resort Hotels – FREE Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan

  • Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
  • Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
  • Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Family Suites Only
  • Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Select Disney Moderate Resort Hotels – FREE Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan

  • The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
  • Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
  • Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
  • Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
Disney Contemporary Resort California Grill
The California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort  (Photo: Brooke Hudson)

Select Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels – FREE Disney Dining Plan

  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • 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

Select Disney Deluxe Villa Resort Hotels – FREE Disney Dining Plan

  • Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
  • Disney’s Beach Club Villas
  • Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
  • Disney’s Old Key West Resort
  • Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
  • Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

Quick Service Dining Plan vs. Dining Plan

If you book your package at a Value or Moderate Resort hotel, you will receive the Quick Service Dining Plan for free with your package.  The Quick Service Dining Plan includes two quick service meals and two snacks per person in your room, for each night of your stay.  Several beverage options are available–including non-alcoholic specialty beverages and beer, wine and cocktails for those guests who are 21 or older.

Disney Dining Plan Free Dining

If you book your package at a Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resort, you will receive the Disney Dining plan with your package for free.  The Disney Dining Plan includes one quick service meal, one table service meal and two snacks per person in your room, for each night of your stay.  You can use table service credits for Character Dining and other special dining experiences.  Several beverage options are available–including non-alcoholic specialty beverages and beer, wine and cocktails for those guests who are 21 or older.

The Fine Print

This offer cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion.

An additional charge may apply if you have more than two adults per room (any one over the age of 9) in a Disney Value, Moderate, Deluxe, or Deluxe Villa Resorts.

This offer excludes the following room types:  3 bedroom villas, campsites, Cabins at Copper Creed Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Bungalows at Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, and The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.

Children ages 3 -9 MUST order from the Children’s Menu, if there is a Children’s Menu available.

Disney Free Dining for Disney Visa Cardmembers

Everyone in the same room must be on the same package.

Must use a valid Disney Visa Card or a Disney Rewards Redemption Card to pay the deposit.  The Disney Visa Cardmember must stay in the room.

Availability at table service restaurants is not guaranteed.  Advance reservations are recommended and availability is not guaranteed.

Gratuities are not included.

Food For Thought

Many Disney vacationers LOVE the Disney Dining Plan. They love being able to budget and essentially “prepay” for the majority of their meals before their trip, and know that they won’t need to spend a whole lot of money

Disney Character Breakfast Crystal Palace
Character Breakfast at the Crystal Palace at the Magic Kingdom  (Photo: Brooke Hudson)

on food during their vacation. If you fall into this category, and are already a fan of the Disney Dining Plan or the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan, and are already accustomed to making Advanced Dining Reservations 180 days before your trip, you are likely a good candidate for the Free Dining Promotion.

Conversely, if you tend to order in groceries, and eat a lot of meals in your room, or pack picnic lunches for your family to enjoy at the parks, you are most likely NOT a good candidate for the Free Dining Promotion.

It’s important to think about how your family dines on a Disney vacation. Do you eat in table service (sit down) restaurants for most meals? Or, do you eat primarily quick service meals? Do you do many character meals? What about sharing meals? Does your family like to snack? Are you big Mickey Bar or Popcorn fans? Are you comfortable planning your meals in advance?

Disney's Chef Mickey Character Breakfast
Chef Mickey Character Breakfast at Disney’s Contemporary Resort  (Photo: Brooke Hudson)

While the promotion is called “Free” Dining, it’s also important to recognize that by getting the dining package for “free”, you are paying full price for your room and park tickets. You are saving a LOT of money on meals, so it is a substantial savings in many, many cases–but again, it’s really important to evaluate how YOU and YOUR family vacations.

If you tend to eat more meals in the room, or pack picnic lunches, you likely will get a bigger savings from a room or package discount that does NOT include free dining.

I Can Help Make Planning Your Trip Easier!

One of the advantages of working with an authorized Disney Vacation Planner is that we have access to ALL the available discounts out there at any one time, whether Disney is actively promoting them or not. We can run comparisons for you to determine what you’ll save by booking your trip with one promotion or another. There is no cost to you to work with an authorized Disney Vacation planner to plan your vacation, and often, we have access to discounts or resort information that is not available to the general public. Working with an authorized Disney Vacation Planner will always save you headaches and aggravation, and will usually save you money as well!

Walt Disney World Entrance

In addition, we have the ability to monitor our reservations and as new promotions are released, update those reservations when it will save our customers money. For example, for all my clients that have reservations booked with me for later this year, we’ve already looked at the free dining promotion to see if it makes sense for them–and where it did, we’ve made the changes.

I don’t just love planning Disney vacations, I am obsessed with making every vacation the best it can possibly be.  Planning a great Disney vacation takes time and energy and PLANNING.  For a lot of busy people, that sounds like too much work.  If that’s you, let me do it for you!  Email me today to learn more.

To get more information, please reach out today: brooke@disneycastledreaming.com.

Happy Dreaming!

Brooke

Disney Launches Free Dining Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
Ready to Plan Your Disney Vacation!