Couponing to Disney

I’m sitting here on eggshells, anxiously awaiting any news about the uber popular Free Dining promotion at Walt Disney World. The Free Dining promotion is easily the most popular discount Disney offers, and has definitely developed a bit of a following, with some people planning their vacation exclusively around it.

In the past, Free Dining dates have been released in April, so of course the internet is all abuzz that it could be any day now. And while it’s exciting to think we could be mere days away from planning a complimentary meal at our favorite Disney Restaurant, we should all be aware that when it comes to Free Dining, there are definitely some facts we need to separate from fiction.

FICTION: There is Free Dining every year.

FACT: Free Dining was a promotion developed to entice more onsite guests during the slower seasons. In the past few years, on site stays are in record high numbers and I think we can all agree, there is really no such thing as a slow season anymore. Events, like spring tournaments and RunDisney races, new attractions appearing constantly at the parks, and evolving school calendars have shifted attendance numbers. While the bust times stay busy, the slow times seems to be getting busier every year.

Free Dining has done it’s job. It is not a guarantee Disney will offer it in the future. If Free Dining does continue, we can expect to see more limitations and conditions, making it an even more difficult promotion to get.

FICTION: Free Dining is 100% free.

FACT: The Free Dining promotion includes free meals and snacks for every recipient, at absolutely no charge. Feel too good to be true? It might be.

When you opt for the Free Dining promotion, you opt OUT of ay other discounts or promotions. This means you are paying rack, or full price, rates for rooms and tickets. Free Dining can only be booked with a package, which means you book food, room, and tickets together, forgoing any discounted tickets from licensed places like Undercover Tourist.

Speaking of tickets, if you were planning on doing base, you are outta luck. One of the stipulations with Free Dining is that your tickets must be Park Hoppers, which only adds to the price. While we’re talking about price, there are different tiers of the Free Dining promotion. Value and Moderate resorts get the Quick Service dining plan, which includes two quick service meals and two snack a say. If you’re staying at a Deluxe resort you’ll have the Disney Dining Plan, which includes one table service, one quick service, and two snacks. If you’re wanting to hobnob with characters but staying at a Value, you can upgrade to the Disney Dining Plan, but that’s going to cost you some more dollars.

While Free Dining can provide some great savings, make sure you are looking at all the discount options and chatting with your TA about which way you can save the most.

FICTION: Everyone who wants it will get Free Dining.

FACT: There are limited rooms at each resort that are Free Dining eligible. Less rooms than there are people who want Free Dining. Even if your TA is up at 3am, ready to score you Free dining, it may not happen. Even if you are up at 3am, ready to call and online chat with Disney directly, it may not happen. This doesn’t mean you should give up trying to score Free dining, but just know, there is a reason it’s the most popular promotion. Everyone wants it.

The good news is, Disney will usually release a room discount alongside Free Dining. So even if you don’t get the coveted dining promotion, there’s a good chance you’ll pay less for your room. Depending on the tier of resort you booked, that can add up to be a pretty great consolation prize.

FICTION: Your TA needs a reminder that you want Free Dining the morning it is released. And another one at lunch time. And a third one a few hours after that.

FACT: Chances are, you’ve already communicated with your TA your desire to have the Free Dining promotion added to your reservation. If you’re working with the amazing Kari O’Dell, official travel specialist of Couponing to Disney, she’s already contacted you to understand your preferences for discounts.

Kari, and her team, are ready to rock and roll as soon as Free Dining is released. They will be up before the sun, working on everyone’s reservations to make this the vacation of your dreams. Emailing her, or any TA, to check on your reservation is only going to take them away from the primary task at hand: scoring your discount!

If you do need to email Kari and her team, know that you’ll probably receive an automated message, since they’re so hard at work on discount days, but don’t worry. They’ll get back to you as soon as they’ve worked their magic.

FICTION: Free Dining is the only way you’ll enjoy your vacation and without it all hope is lost.

FACT: Ok, I am guilty of this one. I get so worked up about every single detail of my trip being the way I imagined it, that I forget I’m planning a DISNEY vacation. There will be magic everywhere. We here at Couponing to Disney are in the business of funding vacations through coupons, hard work, and wishes. Even without Free Dining, we fully believe that if you dream it, you can do it.

Have you done Free Dining? Are you hoping to do it this year? Tell me your thoughts in the comments!

Kristen B. is wife to the best Prince around, mama to the spunkiest little princesses, and lover of all things Disney. She started her savings journey three years ago and is now dedicated to making her family’s wishes come true one coupon at a time. She is so excited to take her love of saving to the next level and share her journey with you! Click here to catch up on Kristen’s Savings and join in on your own savings adventure!