Disney World Free Dining

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Though Walt Disney World suspended the Disney Dining Plan program upon reopening in 2020 following the temporary closure of the Resort, the Disney Dining Plan is NOW AVAILABLE FOR BOOKING for Disney World vacation stays starting JANUARY 9, 2024!

PLEASE NOTE: This page specifically covers the FREE DINING promotion, which is not currently available. Please visit THIS PAGE for all current Disney Dining Plan information.

For several years Disney has run a promotion during certain times of the year that offers the Disney Dining Plan to guests for FREE with the purchase of a paid Walt Disney World Vacation Package (Disney World Resort hotel room and theme park tickets).

The Disney Dining Plan allows guests to pre-pay for their meals and then use the “credits” when dining at Disney World. The credits are encoded on your MagicBand / MagicBand+, Disney MagicMobile pass, or RFID-enabled Key to the World card, which is also your room key.

When paying for food at a Disney restaurant, your server will scan your MagicBand or Key to the World card. Simply inform him or her that you are paying with Dining Plan credits instead of paying with cash. Dining Plan credits will be deducted from your account.

Free Dining

What is Free Dining?

Free Dining is exactly what it sounds like – you receive a Disney Dining Plan for free when you purchase a Walt Disney World Vacation Package at full price. Guests staying at a Moderate or Deluxe Resort hotel typically receive the Standard Disney Dining Plan, while guests at Value Resort hotels typically receive the Quick Service Dining Plan (with the option to upgrade, if desired). The free dining offer cannot be combined with any other offers so you will be paying full “rack rates” for your resort hotel room. Also, a minimum stay is required when you take advantage of the free dining offer. You must be staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel in order to purchase a Disney Dining Plan (including the free dining offer).

When is Free Dining Offered?

Disney World’s Free Dining 2020 offer was available for the following dates: June 27-28; July 5-7; August 29-September 8. You can find all the details on our Free Dining Offer page. In 2019, the Free Dining Offer had TWO releases — one for summer and early fall (released in January 2019), and another for the later fall and winter months (released in July 2019).

2019 differed from previous years, which had typically seen the release of one Free Dining offer in the early spring. For instance, in 2018 it was announced in late April for dates in late summer, fall, and early winter (before the holiday season). The dates normally began in late August and ran through September, October, most of November (excluding Thanksgiving week), and the early part of December (excluding the week of Christmas).

Historically, free dining has not previously been offered in the summer months. When free dining originally hit the scene, it was a way to get guests to visit Disney World during the “off” season, and summer is not considered an “off” season. However, as you can see from above, a new pattern appears to be emerging. We will continue to update this page and our current Free Dining Offer page as further information becomes available.

Is Free Dining a Good Deal?

The short answer is yes, it is usually a good deal, especially when the prices on the Disney Dining Plan see an increase, so a free dining offer will likely save you money. Just remember that you’ll be paying the “rack rate” (non-discounted rate) for your hotel room so that will be the most expensive component of your trip. Check out our Disney Dining Plan FAQ page for more information on the Disney Dining Plan. And keep an eye on the Disney Food Blog for news about this year’s Free Dining Offer!

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