2019-2020 Disney World Free Dining Dates & Tips
Free Disney Dining Plan is a Walt Disney World deal that’s often a great vacation package discount. Here, we’ll cover promotion info, tips for booking, remaining 2019 Free Dining dates, 2020 bounceback dates, rumors, and answers to frequently asked questions including whether Free Dining is “worth it.” (Last updated August 1, 2019.)
For 2019, Free Dining is once again available to book. As we cover in our Free Dining is Back (Again) at Walt Disney World for Fall & Holiday 2019 Dates, this is the third wave of the Free Disney Dining Plan promotion for the year. This is entirely unprecedented. Additionally, on August 1, 2019, the 2020 Free Dining Bounceback offer was released, which bodes well for the general public discount. (We’ll discuss what this means a bit later in the post.)
Given this, it’s entirely possible that we’ll see a Free Dining offer for January 2020 and beyond sooner rather than later. If you want to be notified immediately when deals are released, sign up here for our FREE Disney newsletter here. We’ve consistently notified our subscribers when Free Dining and other deals drop on the day they go live at ~6 or 7 a.m., which gives you a 2+ hour head start on Disney’s official announcement. That makes a huge difference when booking–plus you won’t have to wait on hold for hours on the phone…
The good news is that two deals for next year have already been released! Most recently, the 2020 Free Dining Bounceback Offer went live for travel dates for May 2020 through December 24, 2020. As we cover in that post, this bounce-back offer is far and away the easiest and best way to book Free Dining, and we highly recommend taking advantage if you can!
Before that, the 2020 Free Dining at Walt Disney World for UK Residents deal was released. Despite the name, this is available to all residents of the European Union. We’re guessing most people reading this aren’t residents of the EU, so that doesn’t do you much good.
However, it’s reassuring that there’s Free Dining at all for 2020, and both of these offers suggest that future Free Dining deals are likely on the way for the US general public. Given that Walt Disney World only discounts rooms to bump up occupancy, this obviously could change. This is especially true if Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is a huge hit and positive word of mouth drives bookings for 2020, but given the tepid response to Star Wars Land at Disneyland, we’re starting to think this may not be the case.
2020 Walt Disney World Vacation Packages have been released, and we have analysis about their pricing and what it means for future discounts (among other things). This covers a variety of topics, from the Disney Skyliner gondolas impact on pricing to just how much certain hotels have increased (or decreased) in price to room availability (or lack thereof) for select 2020 travel dates.
Beyond that, there aren’t any credible rumors about 2020 Free Dining release or travel dates for the general public. The bounceback and UK dates are useful to a degree, but those almost always differ from what the U.S. general public receives. Speculating a bit, we’d expect earlier travel dates once again, akin to the 2019 promo. We’d also anticipate more exclusions in terms of resorts and room categories.
Speaking of which, other important details, exclusions, and restrictions are as follows in our Free Dining FAQ below. Free Dining is Walt Disney World’s most complicated promotions, and can be a huge headache to book. Between limited availability and navigating a seas of rules and restrictions, it’s easy to make mistakes.
Consequently, we recommend that Walt Disney World first-timers (or regulars who just don’t want to deal with the hassle) request a FREE quote from Be Our Guest Vacations, an Authorized Disney Travel Planner. No legit travel agents charge for booking Walt Disney World vacations (and you don’t pay a premium for them–Disney pays them commission), so that’s really the easiest way to go.
Other important details, exclusions, and restrictions are as follows in our Free Dining FAQ…
Free Dining FAQ
This section of the post covers the rules, terms and conditions, and policies that generally govern the Free Dining promotion. While slight rule modifications have been made in previous years, we would expect these rules to more or less hold true for the 2020 Free Dining promotion, once it’s released.
With this special offer, Walt Disney World guests booking vacation packages with non-discounted resort hotels and park tickets receive the Disney Dining Plan for each member of their party for no additional charge. For obvious reasons (who doesn’t love free food?!), the promotion is incredibly popular and some resorts that offer free dining tend to sell out quickly.
Guests booking the Free Disney Dining Plan promotion for Value or Moderate Resorts will receive the Quick Service Disney Dining Plan, with guests staying at Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resorts receiving the standard Disney Dining Plan. Upgrading is possible to the standard Disney Dining Plan or Deluxe Disney Dining Plan by paying the difference in cost.
The Disney Dining Plan will now includes alcoholic and specialty drinks! If you enjoy beer, wine, or cocktails, this adds a ton of potential value to the Disney Dining Plan and, by extension, Free Dining. Even if you don’t drink, having the ability to order these specialty drinks is nice.
There are some room exclusions for the Free Dining promo this year, including all of the following: All Star Movies, Port Orleans French Quarter, Fort Wilderness campsites, Art of Animation Little Mermaid Rooms, Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian, Cabins at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Bungalows at Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, and all 3-bedroom Villas.
These resorts and room tiers are all not eligible for Free Dining. Additionally, room inventory is limited across all resorts. In practice, this means that when you go to book, a particular category (standard view, garden view, etc.) may not be available for your travel dates–or your travel dates may not be available at a specific resort at all.
To take advantage of Free Dining, there’s also the requirement that guests purchase tickets that include either a minimum 4-day Park Hopper or the Park Hopper Plus option. Additionally, a 4-night minimum stay is required with a maximum stay of fourteen nights.
This means you can’t purchase discounted Walt Disney World tickets from an authorized reseller, which we normally highly recommend in our Walt Disney World trip planning advice. This is something to keep in mind when doing the math to determine if “Free Dining” is a good value for you.
When it comes to Free Dining, doing the math is incredibly important. Other discounts (such as a room-only discount) might be better for your family. Remember, there is no such thing as a free lunch; you have forfeit an alternate discount to qualify for Free Dining. We break down some of the math in our “Is Free Dining Worth It?” post.
If you have already booked a vacation package with an arrival date that qualifies for Free Dining, we recommend using the “modify reservation” link in your booking to apply the promotion to your package. This is the quickest and easiest way to apply the promotion.
You might see other advice that recommends calling to book Free Dining. This is outdated. If you call Walt Disney World’s reservation line, you will likely wait on hold for an hour (or hours) until you’re able to speak to an agent. Booking or modifying your reservation online is far quicker and easier.
Even if the online system crashes (which has happened) or moves slowly due to all the traffic, it’s easier to just keep trying online. Unfortunately, booking online isn’t always possible and technical errors do happen…so you might have to call and wait on hold.
If you are wondering which hotel to book for the Free Dining promotion, check out our new Best Walt Disney World Hotels for Free Dining post. It gives our preferred option for each resort tier. Oh, and don’t forget to make some ADRs for the best and most popular Walt Disney World restaurants. (We haven’t updated that post for 2019 yet, but Storybook Dining at Artist Point should absolutely make the list.)
With this Free Dining offer, Value and Moderate Resort guests receive the Quick Service Disney Dining Plan during the promotion. Guests at Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts receive the standard Disney Dining Plan. Upgrading to higher tiers is possible for an additional charge.
We highly recommend making Advance Dining Reservations as soon as possible. Yes, even before Free Dining is offered, if you can. Everyone gobbles up the good ADRs quickly for Free Dining dates, so if you don’t book early, you will be stuck eating counter service or unpopular restaurants for the duration of your trip.
To answer some other common questions: yes, you must purchase tickets with the offer even if you already have them (or an Annual Pass). No, bookings made with Disney Vacation Club points are not eligible for the offer. No, you cannot “stack” this offer with a percentage-off room discount (at least not in the U.S.). For those wondering about other Walt Disney World discounts, check out our Current Walt Disney World Discount Offers post for what’s presently available.
For details about which tier of the Disney Dining Plan includes or for recommendations about which restaurants to book to maximize your use of the Disney Dining Plan, please see our comprehensive Disney Dining Plan Overview Page.
Note that the Free Disney Dining Plan promotion is always based upon arrival dates. For example, if Free Dining runs August 20 to September 29 and you arrive on September 29 and stay until October 7, you are eligible for Free Dining–even though it’s blocked out for October arrivals. (You didn’t arrive in October in that scenario–you arrived in September.)
However, if it’s offered November 24 to 27 and you arrive on November 23 and stay until November 27, you are not eligible for Free Dining, even though more of your stay falls during an “eligible” period than the first example’s. The work-around for this is doing a split stay, with the ineligible arrival nights part of one vacation and a second vacation starting at the first valid “arrival” date and continuing thereafter. Again, arrival dates are what matters with Free Dining.
Guests staying at a Walt Disney World Value and Moderate Resorts receive the Quick Service Dining Plan during the Free Dining promotion, but are able to upgrade to the (standard) Disney Dining Plan or the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan if they pay the difference. Guests staying at Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resorts receive the standard Disney Dining Plan and may upgrade to the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan by paying the difference, too.
The upgrade cost to go from the Quick Service Disney Dining Plan to the standard Disney Dining Plan for Free Dining is $22.99 per adult and $4.00 per child per night. The upgrade cost from the standard Disney Dining Plan to the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan is $40.67 per adult and $14.24 per child per night. To upgrade from the Quick Service Disney Dining Plan to the Deluxe one, add the two upgrade costs together.
In the section below, we have historical Free Dining dates for the last few years. The rest of what follows is historical information about the Free Disney Dining Plan promotion…
Historical Information
The following is not pertinent to 2020 or any years beyond, but we have found that readers find it useful to have details about past Free Dining promos when planning for the future and what to expect. Note that the dates are pretty consistent from year to year, with slight shifts for holidays, weekends, and special events (like Pop Warner), or other things that may be excluded from the Free Disney Dining Plan promotion.
Last year, there was no early booking window for Disney Visa cardholders, but there was an expanded date range (see below). The two years before, Disney Visa cardholders did have an early booking window. Exact dates are listed below. Most years, the general public is able to book Free Dining packages 5 days after Disney Visa cardholders can book.
In years past, Free Dining has been announced in late April, with booking opening first for Disney Visa credit card holders and the general public a few days later. The last couple of years, there was no early window for Disney Visa cardholders.
Here are the Walt Disney World Free Dining dates that were available from 2013-2019 for historical reference…
2019 Free Dining Dates:
- July 5 – September 30, 2019*
- September 1 through September 18, 2019**
- November 17 through November 27, 2019**
- December 8 through December 23, 2019**
*First and second wave of Free Dining
**Third wave of Free Dining
2018 Free Dining Dates:
- August 20* – September 29
- November 24 – 27
- December 7 – 23
*Disney Visa Cardholders could book for arrival dates beginning August 2.
2017 Free Dining Dates:
- August 21* – September 30
- November 14 – 20
- November 25 – 27
- December 8 – 23
*Disney Visa Cardholders could book for arrival dates beginning August 13.
2016 Free Dining Dates:
- August 23* through October 1
- November 15 through 21
- November 26 through 28
- December 10 through 21
*Disney Visa Cardholders could book for arrival dates beginning August 14.
2015 Free Dining Dates:
- August 28 through October 2
- October 25 through October 31
- November 8 through November 19
- December 15 through December 21
2014 Free Dining Dates:
- August 31 – October 3
- October 26 – November 1
- November 9 – November 20
- December 12 – December 23
2013 Free Dining Dates
- September 2 to September 25
- September 29 to October 2
- October 18 to November 2
- November 11 to November 23
- December 12 to December 22
Other Free Dining Posts & Resources
If you plan on getting the Disney Dining Plan check out these other Walt Disney World posts:
- Disney Dining Plan Tips & Info
- Top 10 Disney Dining Tips
- Top 10 Counter Service Restaurants
- Top 10 Table Service Restaurants
- Top 10 Themed Table Service Restaurants
- Magic Kingdom Counter Service Restaurant Rankings
- Best-Value Table Service Restaurants on the Disney Dining Plan
- Best-Value Counter Service Restaurants on the Disney Dining Plan
- Best-Value Character Meals on the Disney Dining Plan
- Best-Value Snacks on the Disney Dining Plan
- Drinking Around Epcot’s World Showcase Tips
- Snacking Around Epcot’s World Showcase Tips
Want more dining tips? Check out our 101 Delicious Walt Disney World Dining Tips. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. Planning other aspects of a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
Your Thoughts
Now, let’s hear from you. Are you a fan of the “free” dining promotion? Have any tips for free dining rookies? If you booked Free Dining, which resort and travel dates were you able to secure? If you were unable to get it, where/when were you unsuccessful? Let us know what you think of the promotion and whether you’re planning on taking advantage of it in the comments!
Hi I was wondering if you can explain the 2020 bounce back promo? I was also wondering if there is going to be a regular free dining program available for the 2020 season?
Upgrading from free Quick Service to Disney Dining?
Hi there. I am interested in your opinion on whether it is better value to upgrade from the free QSP to the DDP or keep the QSP and pay out of pocket for the table service meals? For the purposes of Disney costs, my family consists of 4 adults.
We find the $23 a day definitely worth it upgrading to have one table service. You are not going to get a sit down meal , dessert, and alcoholic beverage for anywhere near that amount.
We certainly find value in the upgrade
In fact, on our most recent trip we upgraded to the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan and still found great value. We are a family of 4 with 2 kids who are very adventurous eaters. They made the most of menu selections provided in the DDDP. The only draw back was the we spent a lot of time in restraunts.
It will really come down to how you plan to tour. Yes, there is financial value in the upgrade….so long as spending time in table service restraunts will fit into your touring plans.
We are a 2 adults and upgrade to table service everytime. We do character disning and usually 1 firework show so it is well worth it to us. Some table serves are 30.00 and up especially character buffets.
Hi Barbara,
We just returned and had free DDP. Since we still tip on the value of our meals, we saw all of the receipts for the table service & buffet meals. For our family of 4 adults, each meal was always over $200. Our favorite character buffet dinner was 1900 Park Fare — excellent food with fun characters, and that one was worth about $250. Hope that helps!
Thank you everyone. That that is very helpful information.
Do they typically offer the free dining in March? I feel like I went a couple years ago during that time and we received that offer. What I am reading is it is typically offered periods of time from July to December. We pretty much need to go in March. Would you recommend going ahead and booking the reservation even if there is not a special (room or dining) and then we could modify if something becomes available? This way we would already have our room and not be afraid of getting locked out. Also, are you able to change the dates once your have booked the reservation provide the new dates are available?
Question – if I currently have a package (hotel + tickets) and a free dining promotion is released…for an online change reservation/update, do I need to first add a dining plan to my package before I can take advantage of the promotion? Or can I just change reservation and accept the vacation offer without already having a hotel+tickets+dining package? Thanks!
I tried to do this with a Dec 2019 date that I had already had booked. I was supposed to be able to go in and edit my current reservations but it wouldn’t let me. When I called in to see if I could get it switched over, I couldn’t because the # of rooms allotted for that resort for free dining were already gone. My suggestion would be to call in to modify your reservations, that way if that resort is full you can see if another resort is available. Customer Service will help you make all those changes. They were amazing to work with, and that was on the first day that free dining was released, so that says something! We ended up getting a different resort. We ended up making a new reservation and cancelling the old one. They were able to move all of the deposit from the old reservation to the new one. EASY AS PIE!
Thank you! I’ve heard if you’ve bought memory maker, magic bands or signed up for Magical Express you won’t be able to modify online. I can’t personally speak to the validity of that…but I just have the vacation package and reservations on my MDE account and can still see a “change reservation” option. I occasionally go in through that link to see if there are vacation options. I’ve gone ahead and added a dining package just in case it needs to be there IF an offer comes out 🙂 sounds so much easier than waiting hours on the phone! Lol
Do they have buffets at Walt Disney World food
Eyes there are several.
Yes, sorry about the typo.LOL
You can look at the menu of every restaurant:) we always aim for Buffett
Are there offers for Disney Land as well, or just Disney World??
Looking for updates for free dining for 2020
Not sure if the UK is the same as the US but for us Brit’s, POR was excluded, as was AoA little mermaid and anything but standard rooms at Pop. All the all star resorts are included 🙂
A few years ago,
we were offered a free Dining with our vacation package. We did not realize what that meant or what it covered and we declined because we thought for the way we dine, it would not benefit us. We did not know Epcot food and wine small plates were included and this was our reason for going. I have been regretting the decision ever since.
I read a lot of info, but I’m not finding what I’m looking for… Has Disney released any dates for the free dining promotion in December 2019? We visit every year in December (half our family works in education) and typically book on the last eligible day that month. It’s technically the only discount I am aware of during the Christmas / New Year’s timeframe.
We took advantage of the free dining promotion at the end of November for the past few years, so it was disappointing that it’s not being offered again in 2019. The free dining dates for the current year are usually announced in April and this year they did not offer anything in the 4th Qtr. Disney won’t need to offer any special promos to sellout their resorts when Star Wars land is opened, so I’m sure that is why the last free dining for this year ended in Aug/Sept.