2024 Free Dining at Disney World Dates & Info
The Free Disney Dining Plan is a great Walt Disney World vacation package discount. This covers info, tips for booking, current dates, predictions & rumors for future dates around Halloween & Christmas, and answers to questions including whether this deal is “worth it.” (Updated April 11, 2024.)
Let’s start with the good news, which is that Walt Disney World has brought back the paid Disney Dining Plan (DDP) in 2024! If you’re unfamiliar with the DDP, we’d direct you to our comprehensive Guide to the 2024 Disney Dining Plan. That covers the basics, what the DDP includes, whether the Disney Dining Plan (paid) is worth the money, and much more.
Free Dining is now available for travel dates from July 1 through December 21, 2024 thanks to a ‘second wave’ of the special offer released in April. If those dates don’t work for your vacation–as discussed below in the rumors & speculation section–we’re hopeful that there’s another wave of Free Dining for 2024. If you want to be notified immediately when more 2024 discounts are released, sign up here for our FREE Walt Disney World newsletter.
We’ve consistently notified our subscribers when Free Dining and other Walt Disney World deals are going to drop. Either in advance of their release or on the day they go live at ~7 a.m., which typically gives you a 2+ hour head start on Disney’s official announcement. That may not seem like much, but it makes a huge difference when booking–it means that you won’t have to wait on hold for hours on the phone or in a long virtual queue online.
In the last several months, Walt Disney World has released over a dozen different discounts, including some that run all the way through October 2024. There are even targeted deals available through December 25, 2024. This is a huge change as compared to 2021-2022, when many dates didn’t have discounts at all due to revenge travel and guest spending being so strong. That coupled with capacity is why the Disney Dining Plan took so long to return in the first place. Those are both non-factors now, and things are more or less back to 2019 norms.
This is all relevant to the return of Free Dining in 2024 because the deal is not offered out of corporate benevolence, but as an aggressive move to help boost resort occupancy numbers. That wasn’t necessary for the last couple of years due to pent-up demand. However, that has changed significantly in the span of about a year, and now Walt Disney World is pulling several “levers” to try to incentivize demand in 2024.
On that note, here are some predictions about subsequent waves of 2024 Free Dining at Walt Disney World…
2024 Free Dining Forecast & Rumors
In the last year or so, Walt Disney World has released a couple of different discounts that we’d categorize as Free Dining “adjacent.” They are the same types of promos and are meant to appeal to those would’ve been inclined to book Free Dining, but they generally are not as good. The most notable examples are the “Free” Disney Dining Card Deal for 2024 and the 50% Off Tickets & Dining Plans Discount for Kids in Spring & Summer 2024.
These discounts can be very good for some families, but they are not the “real” Free Dining. For many Walt Disney World vacation planners, the above offers are still a better offer than percentage savings on a room. For almost everyone, they’re inferior to the full Free Dining. So a step in the right direction, but not still more like “Diet” Free Dining than the original formula.
The good news is that, as mentioned above, Free Dining is now available for the following arrival dates:
- July 1 to July 31, 2024
- September 1 to September 7, 2024
- December 9 to December 21, 2024
You can book the deal directly via Walt Disney World’s official site here.
Rather than doing the work yourself, we’d recommend requesting a FREE no obligation quote from Be Our Guest Vacations, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and having those travel agents book for you. They’ll assist you with the planning process, help you choose the most economical dates, best add-ons, etc.
Equally as important, they’ll help you with discount comparison shopping. There are a ton of different discounts currently available for Walt Disney World in 2024, and that number is only going to grow! So what you see now isn’t necessarily everything that’ll be available for your travel dates.
Some of you have asked about the likelihood of Free Dining for additional dates in 2024. We’ll start with the bad news, which is that there’s almost zero chance of Free Dining for travel dates before July 2024. I guess there’s an outside possibility if hotel occupancy numbers remain really soft and Walt Disney World gets desperate.
I’d put the chances of that at under 1%, though. Disney is pretty good at forecasting resort occupancy, and if the numbers or projections were bad between now and June 2024, the company would’ve already offered Free Dining for those dates. Suffice to say, if you’re traveling before the start of the current wave of 2024 Free Dining dates, you should book a different special offer ASAP.
About the only reason there’s even a ~1% chance of Free Dining before July 2024 is in the event of a sudden recession or cataclysmic economic occurrence that results in Walt Disney World needing to act aggressively ASAP to shore up business. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen, as such a scenario would obviously have negative real world implications far beyond Free Dining.
With that in mind, we previously predicted that Free Dining would be released in between two and three waves, with the first promos being released in early January and late March or April. As it turns out, both were correct. But that doesn’t necessarily close the door on Free Dining being released again in 2024.
At this point, it wouldn’t be completely surprising if there’s a third wave of Free Dining, just as was the case in 2019. Normally, special offers occur on a timeline–and the second wave of Free Dining includes travel dates in December–the 12th month of the year. That alone would seem to close the door on a third wave of Free Dining.
However, Walt Disney World has been toying with discounts this year, pulling and reinstating them in a ‘Disney Vault’ style strategy to create a false sense of urgency. This approach seems to have three goals: getting people to book earlier, for longer durations, and to fill unsold rooms relatively last minute.
The only reason I could see a third wave this year is if Walt Disney World occupancy targets end up falling short of expectations for August through November, and they need to scramble to offer something last minute. Given the dates for the second wave of Free Dining and this strategy, there’s a definite possibility of a third wave of Free Dining.
The best month of eligibility being the closest one (July 2024), skipping August entirely and having limited dates in September–the two slowest months of the year–and then having availability again in December is suggestive of this approach. To be clear, this doesn’t meant that it definitely will happen. Whereas we thought a second wave was all but certain, a third wave is about 50/50.
It just doesn’t seem like the dates have been chosen on the basis of actual occupancy projections. It looks more like there’s near-term urgency to fill rooms in July, which is fast-approaching, followed by a desire to entice in December. Another wave of Free Dining for August through September (and maybe bits of October and November) doesn’t seem the least bit far-fetched. But it’s equally possible they’ll stick to room-only deals for those timeframes, or roll with another novel discount.
For those wondering (since it’s a common question), the main reason Walt Disney World would not yet release discounts for October 2024 and beyond also relates to resort occupancy numbers. Again, the company is really good at projecting hotel bookings, but it’s just like a weather forecast–more accurate as dates draw nearer and less accurate further into the future. Walt Disney World only wants to offer discounts as necessary to fill hotel rooms, so they release discounts in phases.
This rolling nature of Walt Disney World special offers isn’t really a prediction–it’s what happens consistently year in and year out. The company typically releases its first batch of discounts in early January, next set in late March or early April, and another during the summer (our guess would be June 18, 2024 for the next special offer release). Aside from the early January release, none of these dates are really set in stone–they’ve been inconsistent in the last few years.
What we also know is that Walt Disney World has been following the familiar formula of 2019 discounts. It might seem odd that they’d go back 5 years to replicate a special offer strategy, but that’s precisely what’s happening. That’s in part because things have been abnormal at Walt Disney World for a while–2024 is the first year of Free Dining since then–and in part because the post-pent-up demand economic environment is very similar to 2019.
If you look back to the 2019 playbook, there were three waves of the discount released–to different groups (general public vs. Disney Visa) and different date ranges. Back then, the third wave of Free Dining–which was the one that included dates for September, November and December–was released in mid-July.
It’s possible that Walt Disney World will replicate that strategy exactly, releasing a second wave of Free Dining in early April and then the final set of dates in the summer. It’s possible these offers will be targeted, either to Disney+ subscribers or Disney Visa cardholders, meaning Free Dining might not be offered to the general public at all.
In any case, there’s a reasonable chance of another wave of Free Dining for additional travel dates between July and December 2024. If that turns out to be accurate, I’d also bet on it being released before the beginning of July 2024. Even though Walt Disney World is pulling from the 2019 playbook, they’re doing it earlier and more aggressively. It’s hard to see them waiting until that late in the summer for another round of Free Dining.
Obviously, this is only a prediction–the actual dates could vary a little or lot, and it’s entirely possible that nothing is released at all!
Again, we want to emphasize that this is not a rumor–it’s simply us analyzing resort bookings and past precedent on discounts, and making an educated guess. Walt Disney World could go another direction entirely, as the company has stated repeatedly that they want to reduce discounting.
However, Disney also likes high levels of per guest spending numbers, and no other special offer helps achieve these high per caps like Free Dining. Despite “free” being in the name, it’s an advantageous promo from Disney’s perspective because it locks guests into full-price hotels and tickets. It also keeps guests on-site for the most part, since they have “free” meals at Walt Disney World. No other discount accomplishes all of these important goals for the company.
Either way, will be closely monitoring the 2024 Free Dining situation, keeping our ears open for more news about a return of Free Dining. Should something–anything–be released or rumored, we’ll send you an alert if you sign up for our FREE Walt Disney World newsletter.
We’ve consistently notified email subscribers when Free Dining and other deals on the day they go live at ~6 or 7 a.m., which is a 2+ hour head start on Disney’s official announcement at 9 am. That makes a huge difference when booking Free Dining–you won’t have to wait on hold for hours on the phone.
Free Dining FAQ
Free Dining is Walt Disney World’s most complicated promotion, 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. This section of the post covers the rules, terms and conditions, and policies that generally govern the Free Dining promotion.
We always 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. Most legit travel agents do not 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.
With this special offer, Walt Disney World guests booking vacation packages with non-discounted resort hotels and park tickets receive the DDP 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 Dining 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.
There are some room exclusions for the Free Dining promo: 3-bedroom villas, campsites, Cabins at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Wilderness Lodge, Bungalows at Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, and Little Mermaid Rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.
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.
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.
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 DDP, 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 June 27 to June 28 and you arrive on June 28 and stay until July 5, you are eligible for Free Dining–even though it’s blocked out for July 5 arrivals. (You didn’t arrive on July 5 in that scenario–you arrived in June.)
However, if it’s offered those same dates and you arrive on June 26 and stay for the same dates, 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.
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 current bookings, 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, 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 2013-2020 for historical reference…
2020 Free Dining Dates (Cancelled):
- June 27 through June 28
- July 5 through July 7
- August 29 through September 8
2019 Free Dining Dates:
- July 5 – September 30*
- September 1 through September 18**
- November 17 through November 27**
- December 8 through December 23**
*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
Do you think a third wave of Free Dining will be released in June 2024, or will it take longer before Walt Disney World “needs” to get that aggressive with deals? Are you a fan of the “free” dining promotion? Have any tips for free dining rookies? If you’ve booked Free Dining, what did you think about your experience with the deal? 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!
I see you’ve listed Wilderness Lodge in the room exclusions for 2018. Does this include Boulder Villas?
I am unable to modify my reservation. When free dining comes available would I be better of booking a new reservation or calling them. I am staying at Boardwalk and unsure how quickly they go. I am 3 hours behind them
Curious to see if anyone has experienced the below:
I have a reservation for August that I have had booked since January. The change reservation link does not work. If I click on it, it spins and brings me right back to the ‘My Reservation’ homepage. I have called and talked to web support twice and they have not been able to provide me with an explanation or get it fixed. They say just to call for any changes…which isn’t ideal regarding free dining. It is a split stay reservation and I can modify the other one without any issues.
In anticipation of the free dining offer I booked an identical package under my husband’s account in hopes of being able to modify online instead of having to call. The only problem is that this reservation is subject to the nightly parking fees where as my original one is not.
Has anyone experienced anything like this and have an advice on what to do about it? Right now I plan on attempting to modify the newest reservation and calling Disney a few days later to explain the situation and hopefully get the parking fees waived with the cancellation of the original reservation but I welcome any other suggestions.
This sounds silly but did you try a different search engine or use the incognito mode? When I tried booking a trip it wouldn’t go through with google, but did with Firefox. Not the exact same issue, but may be worth a try.
I did. Different search engines and different computers. It only started after I did a modification to the number of days of tickets. WDW customer service assured me that I should still be able to make additional changes but it just isn’t working. Frustrating for sure…but not the end of the world.
I have had the same problem! When I first booked the trip, I called and was told they could not see a reason why my reservation was not “modifiable” I just asked for similar advice re: free dining release. I feel I will never get through by phone…
I have the same issue. Have you tried from your mobile phone? It allows me to make modifications on the phone by going to disney.com and then going through to the my reservations section. I can’t modify from any regular desktop or laptop computer. They obviously have a bug in their software they can’t seem to fix
If I’ve already booked for mid August at a value resort, and I currently have the regular dining plan as part of my package, what will happen to that dining plan reservation if free dining is announced
for that timeframe? Will I automatically be changed to free quick service dining plan with the added fee for regular dining? Or will I stay as paying full price for the dining plan? If I call to change it, will they have to unhook my resort room and then rebook it, with the risk of them not having the room available once we “release” it?
If you want to keep the regular dining they will just charge you the difference per person per day.
Sweet! Thank you, Marie!
You have to have it changed. It won’t change by itself. If your package at the resort you picked qualifies for the discount you can go under that reservation online, go to change reservation, then under vacation offer go to change. If free dining is listed then you can change your currant reservation. If it isn’t listed you will have to book another package and cancel your currant. I advice doing what you can online because the morning the offer is available the wait will be hours.
Wow, thank you do much Jaci! That’s good info. I’ll have to keep my eye on the updates so I can get in there and change it as soon as it switches over.
You will have to contact them to get it adjusted for the new price by either calling them or doing it through your reservations on the dis experience app.
If not, you wont get the discounted price.
Contemporary is excluded, am I reading this right? I can’t understand why, as the rooms are not cheap. So disappointing as this is our favorite resort due to location.
Does anyone know if when they release the U.S dates whether the UK get the same deal for this year. It seems like the UK tend to get free dining deals a year in advance but i am travelling in late September 2018 and have the option of booking with a friends CM discount on the resort booking and then add dining plan, but it actually works out cheaper to do free dining plan via a full price resort booking if it’s available. Don’t want to wait and potentially miss out on my resort of choice if the UK will only get 2019 dates… any advice please?
Wonder why All Star Movies is always excluded from free dining offer?
If we arrive in November 23 and the FREE Disney dining begins on November 24 can we begin using it on that day???
No! If the dining promotion is for Nov. 24 thru 27, to qualify yo have to arrive on those DATES. U will have free dining for your whole stay, if you score the promotion when U book.
You can split your stay in order to qualify for the promotion. You can book the hotel only for the 23rd and then book a package starting the 24th for the rest of your stay and you’ll qualify
This “Free Dinning” offer blows my mind in its complexity of clauses and sem clauses for value for money.
I have a question that I hope someone’s can help me with.
I will be booking in the next few days through DVC rental store – to a resort that should qualify.
Given that I using someone else’ DVC points will I be able to book free dining or do I have to rely on them? Or I should it not possible at all?
No, free dining is not available through renting DVC points, given that this is an offer you need to book directly through the Disney website. We had the same problem as you, wanting to book through DVC rental AND get free dining. Unfortunately this is not possible.
Thanks for the info. I guess it is a case of having your Disney cake AND eating it 😀
You will not be eligible for free dining. You can’t use DVC points (rented or owned) – it needs to be a package deal for resort + tickets booked directly through Disney.
I read the article about the rumor from South America and I thought it said something about needing park hopper PLUS tickets… Do you know anything about that?
How will the new parking fees affect when changing your reservation to free dining?
Thanks for keeping us informed! Anxiously awaiting more news! Traveling 12/9 for our first trip!
This is off topic, but I can’t figure out where to post and figured this article will get the most traffic 🙂 Anyone that can answer or point me to more info would be appreciated. My kids will be 5 and 7 when we go in December and we had thought about bringing a stroller – partially for the kids (even though they are really too big for it) and partially to hold our stuff. We’ve been to Disneyland once and it was crucial given their age at the time but also to bring food/drinks and extra clothes in. We’re staying at Pop so we’d have to take it on the bus which I hear can be a pain, but we’d have it for the walk back to the room. We plan on going back to the hotel mid-day. We drink a lot of water and I’m not sure getting a cup from a quick service each time will be very efficient, but if we don’t have the stroller our bags will be quite heavy. If we brought a stroller could we park it centrally in each land and only grab it as we move to another? I thought I read somewhere about cast members moving strollers around? We also have camel packs with small pockets we could utilize. Just don’t want to wear the kids out with bags and lots of walking if we don’t have to … any input or a point in the right direction is appreciated!
Thanks!
In response to Jessica…YES they do MOVE the strollers as you heard already. I would still take a stroller! However, not sure how easy or hard your stroller is to open & close, but Orlando Stroller Rentals is a great place to rent them. They drop the stroller off at your resort & you return it at your resort at the end of your trip! Also, the City Mini GT Single Strollers are the easiest ever to open & close. There’s a tab in the seat that you pull up & boom it’s open, or pull it & boom it’s closed! They are very lightweight & will accommodate a child 49″ tall & up to 65 lbs. There is storage underneath & on the back of the stroller. And…it comes with a rain cover that you can use & return with the stroller! I have used them twice now & will be using them again on our November trip. Cost is $45 for 1-3 nights, $65 for 4-7 nights, etc. Check out their website & decide for yourself but it’s very easy, the strollers are super clean & the strollers are comfortable & easy to handle! Have a fun trip!
Thanks Kathy! We will definitely look into renting from them!
Stroller parking is at various attractions, not a few central losations, I guess you could leave it parked at a particular spot for awhile. Cast would move strollers to pack more in a parking spot, they wonT move them about. Packs and bags are ok to use, security will search them before you enter a park.
Have a plan! Don’t Stress! Have Fun!
Thanks Mike! Definitely planning, hoping not to stress and will definitely have fun! So excited yet so far away 😀
You can take your own stroller- that’s what most do- you have a corral where u park your stroller from ride to ride- the imagineers move strollers only to organize the flow or if someone leaves it where it shouldn’t. Be. They still leave the stroller in the vicinity you are in.
Back oaks are ok- they just will be searched upon entering the park-
Strollers on the bus? No worries!
Enjoy – I’ll be there in Dec too 🙂
Thanks Susan. Unfortunately we don’t own a stroller anymore, but it is probably cheaper for us to buy a used city mini and then sell it after, than to rent for the 10 days. Not as convenient in many regards, but I’d rather splurge in other areas 🙂
Definitely take a stroller! Save the kids energy. My advice is to take your own stroller. Find a way to mark it so you can quickly find it. We used a yellow flower and red tape on handles. I would carry valuables (wallet, phone, camera) with you on rides, but the rest of your stuff can be left in the stroller. Have fun!
More than just saving the kids’ energy and storing all our belongings, I like bringing a stroller just to know where my kids are at all times and making sure we won’t lose them in the crowd!
Thanks for the advice! That is a good point, my 5 yo can wander, but it’s my 7 yo that will complain about walking and I don’t think I’m willing to do a double stroller so they’ll just have to take turns!
I’m curious if the free dining offer for fall 2018 will be for the whole family or just for “kids only” similar to the summer offer that is out right now.
Is there any reason to believe that this will hold true for fall free dining offer?
Does anyone know; will the fall resort room discounts be offered on the same day as the free dining discounts?
Any idea if there will be a room discount offered for November? According to the rumors it looks like “free” dining is out for us.
I’d love to know this too. If these rumors are right, it looks like for the first time in YEARS our Nov dates are no longer in FD. Hoping we hear some magical news soon like “oops there’s another week or so earlier in Nov as well!” LOL But if not a room only discount would be any other thing to check on.
We were planning on staying at Wilderness Lodge too lol! So fingers crossed that’s wrong too.
IS FREE DINING COMING TO DISNEY WORLD OR NOT??? Some info must have been leaked by NOW! Can you call Josh, and tell him to ask the Sharman at the end of Navi River Journey, or SOMETHING!
Seriously I need to know U G H !!!
Me too Ashley!
Rumors are starting but I don’t know if they are at all valid.
What have you heard
I’d have to look back at the dates I heard, I just remember there was NO Nov dates until Nov 24, which seriously hits us cause we’ve gotten it for last few years coming week before T-giving. And some other weird stuff like Movies being included… I’m taking it all with a grain of salt because I have zero idea if it’s legit. (I’m ‘wishing upon a star’ that the Nov dates are wrong 🙁
I am curious about September 1st. I am so anxious
Do you think that the offer for free dining for kids being announced will affect anything?
No
WDW IS very good at assisting customers with Online or phone with dining
No worries
Do you all think the “free dining” offer for fall 2018 will be for kids only also (similar to summer offer of kids dining free)?
Yes! Disney is all about kids !
Thanks Susan, But, this article does not indicate that the free dining offer will be for kids only?
I’m curious if the free dining offer for fall 2018 will be for the whole family or for “kids only” similar to the summer offer that is out right now
Can you get the free dining at the Swan and Dolphin Resorts?
Unfortunately no. Although they are on Disney property they are not owned by Disney.
Any word?
I have been calling every day. Nothing yet 🙁
I got a email from my travel agent requesting a strategic plan because it seems like it is going to be very limited this year or not happen at all. It actually made me really scared because I never received that in the past. I really look forward to free dining and hope I dont see it go away. An by this time we usually see a good amount of updates and this yea silence. Crossing my fingers
I think you may be right 🙁
The dates have been announced on the 4th Monday in April the past 3 years, so this year would be April 23rd. I think this may be the last yr, esp after Stars Wars opens.
Can you add the free dining plan to an already booked reservation by modifying the reservation online?
Yes
With the park hopper
Modify your reservation once free dining is announced
It’s quite easy to do 🙂
Do you mind providing a step by step of that how and where can we edit that online and how does the park hopper help?
So you should have in place the following:
1. Have a Booked reservation in a mod or deluxe resort
2. Purchase park tickets with hopper through disney only( minimum days required in ticket for dining , it will tell you when you sign up)
3. once dining plan released get in the phone to reservations and move your reservation or do online to the dates corresponding of the free dining
Plan. U will want at least a table service daily. There are different levels so make certain you choose one with snack , counter service and sit down meal.
4. You will use dining credits each time you get a snack , counter service or sit down meal. Disney will give u a receipt each time do you can follow how many credits you have left during your stay. You will have tons of snacks leftover as I always do.
5. Enjoy! I’m expecting around the week of April 23????
You can still get the lowest dining plan if staying in a value resort correct? Your post says Mod/Deluxe only….
Nort sure as we traditionally book in Mod or Deluxe. However , I recommend a plan with one snack, one counter service and one sit down meal per day.
And I can augment your reservation once the siding plan come out
My reservation says only to call in to change or modify reservations. I have full rack rates?
WDW is all about making the customer VERY happy
They will definetly assist you in your plans!
And, I booked a package Movies, tick and park hopper with Disney…do I have to only call in?
Hi Susan I think your confused about my question and the OP’s question I am aware of the previous years requirements as far as dates and park hopper tics needed I am confident my dates qualify and I already have park hopper tickets HOWEVER- once this promotion is released and the possible limited availability I am trying to find the quickest way to add the actual promotion on to MY reservation- I heard of a travel agent saying she had an online capability to JUST physically add on said promotion through the website (not changing the dates I mean the actual promotion) is that not possible for everyone else ? The idea of having to call in gives me anxiety it’ll be all taken up before I can get someone on the phone ALSO the idea of cancelling my almost paid off reservation doesn’t appeal to me either! Ugh this waiting game sucks !!
This year the Value/Moderate have the basic meal plan (snack and QS, no TS). The Deluxe resorts have the DDP (snack, QS and1 TS).
The “quickest” way is to modify your reservation online since the promo comes out very early in the morning before the phone lines open. IF you cannot get it added, then cancel and start over or wait til the phone lines open.
There is a little buzz that it may be announced in the next day or so…..
Andrea-do you know what time in the morning the website will show the free dining plan promotion? Phone lines open at 7am I believe so how much earlier can we get on the computer? Thanks!
From the research I’ve done the time varies. It has been anytime between 2am to 4 am.
I am on the app and don’t see a modify reservation link anywhere. I currently don’t have dining added to my account.
If the free dining gets released and I add dining to my package when it does, will that work? I tried reading all comments and answers. It says if it doesn’t work, create a new reservation. Ok
But essentially, I just have to add dining to my package once free dining is announced ???? Or do I still have to modify reservation?
Where is the modify reservation?
You can move your reservation once free dining is offered to the dates you want. I feel it’s best to already have an existing reservation that way you can change dates
I do that in Sept last fall
It’s easy. No worries!
I have the same question. To confirm there is no way to modify an exsisting reservation to include this promo??… people who are saying cancel and rebook my trip is almost completely paid off will my money be immediately credited back into my account so that I can rebook and obtain this offer? (Doubtful)
Also would that effect my dining reservations that are tied in with my exsisting reservation number??
What I have always done in the past is
1.Log onto My Disney Experience App or on your browser.
2. Open drop down menu click the “my Disney experience tab.
3. Then the “My Reservations and Tickets”
4. Then once the page loads click the “Change Reservation” button
5. Your reservations page should pop up with your current vacation offer you have booked with your package. Below that click “CHANGE”
6. Once free dining is offered you should be able to add it to your current trip. It will have all current offers available for your trip dates.
I hope this helps. This is what I’ve always done in vacations past.
I agree I want to avoid re booking my vacation at all cost our vacation is fully paid for and rebooking would not be financially possible for us.
TIP:: I follow these steps every morning to check for current promotions.
Did you book on your own? Or with a travel agent? If you booked with an agent, it is entirely in their hands. If you booked on your own, you can change the reservation through the my Disney experience app. I am also waiting to hear on free dining;)
I did book on my own. I would imagine if you have a free Disney travel agent she would take the same steps as I did. Or by calling. If you have your log in info for your reservation you should be able to do this on your own. This is my own assumption tho Disney travel agents are always very knowledgeable and I would suggest giving them a shout! I’m sure they can help you with weather or not you can make the change on your own or with there help.
🙂