Walt Disney World (WDW) is once again offering its "Free Dining" special promotion this fall, for select dates between August 14 and December 21, 2010. Disney has also released Free Dining on select nights in 2011, though Sept. 29, 2011. WDW's Free Dining allows guests who book a Magic Your Way vacation package, which at a minimum includes an on-site stay at a WDW hotel and theme-park tickets, to receive the Disney Dining Plan at no additional charge.
2010 and 2011 Disney Free Dining Details
In 2010 and 2011, WDW offers tiered Free Dining options. Guests who book stays at one of the Disney Value Resorts – the All-Star hotels and Pop Century – receive the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan. Guests who book stays at a Disney Moderate, Deluxe, or Deluxe Villas Resort receive the standard Disney Dining Plan (formally called Magic Your Way Plus Dining or DDP for short).
Guests who book at a Disney Value Resort but would prefer to eat under a different Disney Dining Plan – the standard DDP, Deluxe Dining Plan, or Platinum Dining Plan – may upgrade for the price difference between the Quick Service Dining Plan and the DDP or another dining plan. Guests may not downgrade from the standard DDP to Quick Service.
Disney Free Dining Restrictions
Disney Free Dining may not be combined with other group rates, discounts or promotions. Because Free Dining is part of a Magic Your Way vacation package, it is subject to the rules and restriction of the Walt Disney Travel Company (WDTC) packages. Among the WDTC's policies is that guests must pay a $200 deposit, per room, when the package is booked.
When and where available, Disney Free Dining vacation packages requires hotel stays at an official Disney World hotel of at least three consecutive nights and the purchase at least a 2-day Magic Your Way theme-park ticket for each guest staying in the room (ages 3 and up).
Most suites are excluded from this offer; Family Suites at the All-Star Value Resorts, however, may book Disney Free Dining. Also excluded are the campsites at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, although the Fort Wilderness cabins are eligible.
Annual Passholders may take advantage of Disney Free Dining, but they are required to purchase a package with a minimum of two-day Magic Your Way tickets for each hotel room guest, ages 3 and up. Passholders can trade in and save their unused Magic Your Way tickets, which do not expire, and apply them to the renewal costs of their annual passes.
Walt Disney World Free Dining Tips
Unsurprisingly, Disney Free Dining is very popular. WDW has offered a version of Free Dining since 2006, with the special offer used to encourage travel to the Orlando theme parks during slow periods. The promotion thus is anticipated by and something of an expectation for many guests who travel regularly to WDW.
As part of a strategy to lock in a preferred resort during the Disney Free Dining package, many guests will book their rooms or Magic Your Way vacation packages in advance, then shift to Magic Your Way with Free Dining packages immediately after the promotion is announced. This strategy is recommended for those who can plan a trip well in advance and who keep abreast of announcements for Disney Free Dining, visiting Walt Disney World “special offers” or online resources such as Mousesavers or the DISboards.
Demand for these restaurants is high. During the Free Dining promotional period, table-service restaurants are very busy. Guests who wish to use the standard Disney Dining Plan or above, all of which include table-service credits, should made Advance Dining Reservations as soon as possible.
Guests who check in before the published blockout dates or on the last date of a promotion are eligible for Free Dining for their entire length of stay (up to 14 nights).
2010 and 2011 Free Dining Dates – Book a Walt Disney World Package
Disney Free Dining is available for guests arriving during the following dates:
2010 Valid Dates: Aug. 15 – Oct. 7, Oct. 22 – Oct. 28, Nov. 12 - Nov. 18, Nov. 27 – Dec. 2 and Dec. 10 – Dec. 21, 2010.
2011 Valid Dates: Jan. 1 – Jan. 5, Jan. 9 – Jan. 13, Jan. 21 – Feb. 3, Feb. 25 – March 3, May 27 – June 2 and Aug. 19 – Sept. 29, 2011.
A limited number of packages is available for this special offer. Guests must book their Magic Your Way vacation package with Free Dining vacation package by Dec. 20, 2010. Visit Walt Disney World Resort or call 407-W-DISNEY (407-939-7675) to book. Guests should call 407- WDW-DINE (407-939-3463) or use the online Advance Dining Reservations to secure times for dining at table-service restaurants.
Author's note: The booking dates for Disney's 2011 "Free Dining" has passed. A second "Free Dining" offer for 2011 has not yet been released, if it will be. This article will be updated if another discount is published.
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- 2011 Walt Disney World Discounts: Summer Savings on Hotel Rooms
- Walt Disney World Discounts for Select Groups
- 2010 – 2011 Military Discounts for Walt Disney World Resorts
Debra Peterson - A freelance writer and scholar, Debra Peterson specializes in Disney Studies, with particular interests in Walt Disney World and ...
