What is Free Dining?

[Camping Mom]

Is it what is says it is??? It can't be really free...nothing at Disney is free!! What is this all about? Thanks.

[Mommy2boys]

They have offered free dining the last few years, and yes...it was free.

[wendy*darling]

"Free Dining" has been offered for the past couple of years (since 2005) in the late summer/early fall.
When it is offered, guests who are purchasing a Magic Your Way Package can add the Disney Dining Plan (DDP) to their Package at no extra cost.

That means that everyone in your on-property resort room must participate in the package. Everyone buys park passes and everyone gets the DDP for the same number of nights as your resort stay.

What it also means is that you are paying "rack rates" for your room. If you had a AAA discount, for example, you would not be able to use it with the MYW Package.

The DDP gives each person in your party the following for each night of your stay:

• 1 TS credit (table service restaurant meal including an entree, a dessert and a non-alcoholic beverage)
• 1 CS credit (Counter Service meal that includes a combo meal, with dessert, and a beverage)
• 1 Snack (the list of snacks seems to vary, but it is mostly any single serving item under $4)

You can use the credits in any order you choose during your vacation. You do not have to use one of each on every day.

The DDP can be a good deal- especially when it's free!

[Mickey91]

You get the basic Disney Dining Plan. You have to book a special package that includes free dining. It is usually offered for the last week of Aug thru the next to last week of Sept. The booking period usually starts around the 1st or 2nd week of April and continues through the beginning of June. I highly recommend making your reservations and ADRS now as there is low availability by the time this deal comes out. When you see the offer, simply call your travel agent or the Disney reservation center and ask them to give you that deal. There will be a code you will need to give them. If you get the free dining, you will receive for each night of stay at a Disney Resort:
1 Counter Service Meal (Entree, non-alcoholic beverage, dessert)
1 Snack
1 Table Service Meal (Entree, non-alcoholic beverage, dessert) You will be responsible for paying your tip and for any alcoholic beverages or appetizers.

Hope this helps!

[JPL]

What it also means is that you are paying "rack rates" for your room. If you had a AAA discount, for example, you would not be able to use it with the MYW Package.

Just a note depending on the available room discounts available "free dining" can actually cost you more in added room costs than you will save dining this is especially true when you are travelling with 2 people. All I can suggest is do the Math before you make any decision.

[TBY2225]

We have gotten free dining the last 2 years and will be doing it with the bounce back plan again this year. We have saved lots of money on our family of 4. Even when comparing to room or other discounts, I think it is the best of the discounts Disney offers. Even with the best room discount, we saved on average $50 a day but got well over $600 one year and $900 the next year in free food! When you add the $50 savings to what you would have to spend OOP for food. It really makes since to us!