Free Dining is Now Available for 2020!
Walt Disney World has released the Free Dining Plan discount for select dates in June, July, August, and September 2020, including around Independence Day, plus the off-season. Here we offer info, tips & tricks, and thoughts on booking this discount.
We’ll cover all the details of Summer 2020 Free Dining at Walt Disney World here, what we recommend doing, and offer some speculation as to why this is occurring. There’s a lot to digest here (but at the same time…not so much) and we’ll break down all of that.
When we updated the ‘news & rumors’ section of our 2020 Free Disney Dining Plan Promotion page yesterday, we predicted that this wouldn’t be a full release of Free Dining today, instead anticipating that something smaller and more symbolic would be released. I’m the first to admit when I’m wrong, and that was partially the case here. But I’m also somewhat right…
Before we get to that, let’s start with a look at the dates for the Summer 2020 Free Dining Deal:
- June 27 through June 28, 2020
- July 5 through July 7, 2020
- August 29 through September 8, 2020
This offer must be booked by January 16, 2020, and it follows the normal rules of Free Dining (which are covered in full detail here, along with comprehensive analysis and Free Dining tips). Most notably, Value and Moderate Resort guests receive the Quick Service Disney Dining Plan, while Deluxe and Deluxe Villa guests receive the standard Disney Dining Plan.
Another thing to note is that this offer excludes 3-bedroom villas, campsites, Cabins at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Wilderness Lodge, Bungalows at Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, Disney’s All Star Movies Resort, and Little Mermaid Rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.
2020 Free Dining Analysis
First is the obvious. Walt Disney World is offering Free Dining for four months…but only a total of like 16 days. In fairness, these are simply the required arrival dates, so as long as you can kick off your trip during these dates, you’ll receive the discount for the entire course of your vacation (within limits).
Second, contrary to what we predicted, this is not “Free Dining Lite” or “Half-Free Dining” as we’ve come to call Walt Disney World’s other marketing gimmicks that trade on the name recognition of the Free Dining offer. This is the real deal–full Free Dining.
The second part of that is why we were wrong with our prediction. The first part is why we were right (and I’m not just trying to save face here–I’m wrong all the time). As we predicted, this is “something smaller and more symbolic to give a light nudge to travel planners who are on the fence.”
While it’s the real deal, it’s a gutted version of that in terms of dates. To anyone on the fence starting to plan a summer trip but wanting to hold out until discounts are released, it basically sends the message: “this is all you’re getting from now through September, book within the next two weeks or forget about it.”
From that perspective, it’s a really savvy move by Walt Disney World. They get the splashy announcement of Free Dining, with an offer that’s the real thing, and a discount encompassing several months of the calendar. When the “Special Offers” page loads, it looks pretty good…at first.
Upon closer inspection, you see very limited dates for this June through September 2020 Free Disney Dining Plan deal. You’re thus forced to either squeeze your Walt Disney World vacation into those dates or book other dates with an alternative offer. One way or the other, most planners are moving on.
Another thing we’d caution here before you get too excited is that availability for some resorts and dates is undoubtedly very limited. Our expectation once we’re able to do extensive spot checking of hotel availability is that there won’t be a ton of options. What is available will likely go quickly as several months worth of Walt Disney World bargain hunters scramble to all fit their summer travel within the narrow confines of this offer.
My guess is that what I’m going to find once I start searches is that entire room categories, certain dates, etc., are already sold out from day one. (If you’d be willing to help me crowd-source this data, I’d love to hear via the comments what dates and resorts you were able–or were not able–to book!)
We’d also expect that the phone lines will be jammed all day today and the website will experience long waits. That “We’re Almost into Orbit” screen is a nice move (just like the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance virtual queue, it’ll probably frustrate some of you, but it’s far better than the alternative of the site just crashing all day) that’ll hopefully work as intended. We’d expect those waits (which were 10 minutes or less at 4 am) to skyrocket once more people are awake on the East Coast.
This shouldn’t come as a huge surprise, as it’s more or less par for the course on Walt Disney World discount release day. Things will only get worse as more people wake up and try to book (which is a huge reason why we recommend just using a travel agent). This is to say you will want to book ASAP for the best chance at scoring the resort and room you want, I’d highly recommend getting something locked-in right now.
Since long waits in the virtual queue are a definite possibility for many of you, we’ll share the full promo page below. This is what you can expect to see once you’re able to click on the “Savor a FREE Delicious Deal This Summer” promo.
As for why Free Dining is being offered for these dates, the answer is always hotel occupancy. The better question is probably why, by offering Free Dining on June 28, 2020, Walt Disney World is giving the discount to tourists taking week-long vacations leading up to the Independence Day holiday?
I don’t think that’s supremely interesting, but not much about this is. My guess there would be that the weeks around Independence Day are not nearly as busy as the reputation might suggest. To the contrary, many Americans might actively avoid those weeks because of the reputation that these are the peak of the busy summer season. (At least at Walt Disney World, they aren’t.) That belief coupled with a spike in rack rates that weekend might necessitate some discounting.
As for why more dates aren’t being offered, I think we pretty adequately address that in our main Free Dining post. It’s a big year for Walt Disney World. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is proving to be a smash hit, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway opens soon–and with similarly high expectations, and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is also coming this summer.
It’d be something of a warning sign if Walt Disney World had the ‘hype train(s)’ from all of those big new additions and still had to offer aggressive discounts. The limited dates and availability for this Summer 2020 Free Dining offer suggest occupancy is looking good, but some dates could be better. (This honestly feels more like something we’d normally see for a Targeted PIN Code Walt Disney World Discount, and not a general public release.)
The question on many of your minds is whether we’ll see multiple waves of 2020 Free Dining like we did last year. I think that’s highly likely, especially because the booking window is so limited for this release and the deal only runs until early September 2020. While October is pretty much always excluded, the entirety of September–the slowest month of the year at Walt Disney World–is not.
Another release later this spring–or even this summer–with more dates running at least through the end of September 2020, seems like a given. As for November and December 2020? I wouldn’t have predicted Free Dining for those dates last year after the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge was announced. Yet, they ended up being offered. As for 2020, it’s too early to say. The vast majority of guests have yet to book Christmas 2020 travel, so there’s no telling what occupancy looks like.
Ultimately, we’ll keep you posted about subsequent 2020 Free Dining releases. In the here and now, you should take advantage of this promotion ASAP if you’re thinking about Summer 2020 vacation to Walt Disney World and there’s any way to make these dates work for you. Between limited dates and limited room inventory, this promotion will book up fast. It’s not going to get any better than this for these travel dates, so there’s really no reason to hesitate.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. 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
What do you think about these new Walt Disney World discounts? Surprised to see Free Dining for Summer 2020? Think we could see even more Free Dining for Fall/Christmas 2020 dates? Have you booked this deals? Do you agree or disagree with our analysis? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Darn. I missed this offer. Posting comment to hopefully get email notification if there’s another free dining promotion.
Is there a free dining plan for the week of Christmas starting the 22nd of December
Will they have eating plans for the first week of December 2020
Really, 2 days in June. Disney keeps getting worse when it comes to things like this
Hi Tom, I know the free eating date booking window has closed so just asking this question in the event more dates are released. Can you book eat free when staying as a DVC member?
Thanks
Nic
Hi Nic,
No. The Free Dining promotion requires that you buy a package in order to get a free dining plan. You’ll be charged rack rate for the rooms and full price for park tickets.
Thanks Karen
Hi anyone know of free dining from August 20th for two weeks
August 29th – Sept 8th or whatever it says up there.
Hi tom, I would like to still book free dining in october or November. Do you know if there is anyway to do that and when it is available.
I would like to book a trip for the week of Thanksgiving. I wanted to make sure if I book it now, will I be eligible for free dining during this time if I book my reservation as a package deal? I checked and it appears they do free dining during Thanksgiving but I only see quick-service or Disney dining. I wanted to get the deluxe dining plan if I could. So, my main two questions are can I add a dining plan after I book even if I book a package AND can I upgrade any free dining plan if it is released after I book? Thanks so much!
Well they never have free dining the week of Thanksgiving. So if you want free dining, that will probably not happen. If you pick a week before or after, that is possible. If you want deluxe, you would have to upgrade. Basic dining plan will be offered to deluxe hotels and quick service for moderate and value.
Sorry, but the part where “they never have free dining the week of Thanksgiving” isn’t accurate. There was free dining available in November (2019) for check-in dates of 11/17-11/27, so if you checked in as late as the day before Thanksgiving, you would have FD for your whole trip 2017 it was also available if you checked in a few days before Thanksgiving. I do think availability is better for Free Dining for the summer months than Nov. and Dec. And who knows what Disney will decide to offer for FD dates for the rest of the year, if anything. It will depend on room bookings.
My mistake Karen. I always think just of that day and not the week. Yes, they did have free dining last year during that week. The rooms rates are just higher during that time. They may bring free dining during that time again. It is just a matter of what hotel you wish to stay at.
Tom, you are amazing! Thanks for all your work! Any more info or predictions on free dining in November? We hope to go the 9th thru the 13th.(4 nights)
If you book a hotel can you book the free Disney dining plan later if it comes out, we are going end October beginning of November
Reservations can sometimes be modified to take advantage of a promotion, but Free Dining hasn’t been available for October arrival dates in many years.
How about November? We hope to come the 9th through the 13th.
Tom, we are thinking of booking out trip forMay do you think they will offer any discounts. If we book thru one of your planners and a discount applies after our booking will Disney honor? Just a short trip taking my granddaughter along with husband.
I booked a garden view room at Port Orleans – French Quarter yesterday for my son and I traveling August 30 through September 5. It will be nice to have the free dining again. This is my fourth time booking during a free dining promotion. We have stayed at many Disney properties, but this will be our first visit to the French Quarter – looking forward to it!
Hi Tom,
My wife and I have plans to see all the Christmas decorations at Disney this year for the first time.
We booked the Polynesian for December 4th to the 10th for our 45 anniversary. In your opinion do you think this would qualify for free dining?
My wife and I enjoy reading your blogs, I can’t imagine the effort, and time it take to gather the information.
Keep up the great work.
Frank and Mary
Hi. Just a reader here, but I’ve often traveled during December to WDW and had free dining. With our previous trips, the arrival date was the tricky part. It was usually, if I remember correctly, the second week in December or later, but ends the weekend before Christmas, for arrival dates. For example, 2019 free dining was arriving December 8 thru the 23. They seem to follow a pattern up till now, so if they continue, I would hazard a guess and say the 4th maybe too early, BUT who knows? I was always told anyway that they only have certain rooms and blocks of time for those rooms at certain resorts put aside during free dining by the last customer service agent I talked to. For example, I could’ve stayed 5 nights at Wilderness lodge in mid-December with free dining in 2019, but not 4 nights. They do not want any room to set empty for even a single night when they put it up for availability for free dining. This makes WDW very different from your normal holiday inn or whatever. They know they have a package promotion and will squeeze you into staying longer or shorter (when they say), which makes it a win- kind of win situation. If one has very flexible dates, you can save thousands. If not, maybe. I hope your trip works out. The beginning or middle of December is an awesome time to visit!!
Dumbo, I would definitely book something- you can always cancel – just make sure you know the latest cancellation date – and if May comes up, that’s even better!
Free dining does not seem to apply to UK guests when I contacted Disney. Does anyone know if the offer will be extended to the UK I am looking to travel in September 2020?
Hi, I’m from Australia. You can get the package if it comes out for your dates. You just have to book on the us site. I do believe that uk won’t get a free dining until 2021. I am always looking between the 2 sites uk and us for the best deals. Hope it works out for you.
I was waiting for offers in early May. Should I just give up waiting for special offers on May (usually low season), since the newly released free offer starts from June ~ Sep?
We just managed to book this afternoon- couldn’t do it through the website. Had to call and speak with a cart member. We booked Art of Animation Family Suite and upgraded to Standard Dining. All the Deluxe hotels were booked already. On the bright side, looking forward to the Skyliner!
Upgrading to standard – I usually don’t even purchase a plan – but when the plan is free, I think the upgrade is worthwhile- especially now there are so many wonderful plant-based options- the one at California Grill is epic! But yes, WDW counter service is also pretty epic too, lol – I guess it it does depend somewhat on whether or not one wants to be anchored to a seat for an appreciable amount of time when the attractions are calling!
Hi,
I’m looking to book a holiday in may. Do you think the dining plan will be it soon? We’ve always had the free dining plan but need to get it hooked ASAP! Any hints and tips???? Thank you xx
Highly unlikely free dining will be in May.
It costs me $250 or so more to pay for dining and go in May than it would getting it “free” in June or August.
I have a couple of questions unrelated to the “free” dining plan, but related to the dining plan in general. We have a trip planned Feb. 1-8, booked with a room discount, and we purchased the dining plan. Our last trip the same time period last year. As we’ve been looking for dining options on the Disney website, there are many restaurants that do not come up as eligible for the dining plan, though they are listed on a 2020 dining plan pdf. I saw another comment on this post that says that is a common at the turn of the new year, and previous DP restaurants are still eligible. Can someone else confirm that? (One example is the Polite Pig at DS) Also, in searching for information about the restaurants eligible for the dining plan, I read on another blog that the “loophole” for quick service meals has been closed (we were informed by WDW cast members at QS restaurants years ago that kids can order adult QS meals). Is there someone who can confirm whether this is true? Thank you in advance for info you can offer.
Has anyone noticed that some of the usual Epcot dining plan accepting restaurants are currently saying “dining plans not accepted”? When did this change happen? Or is there just some error? These are restaurants that my family has used the dining plan at before (Teppan Edo, Via Napoli, and more).
I would check to see whether or not the “missing” restaurants require 2 meal credits.
Yes, it’s the new year. It happens every year. While they work out the contracts. It’ll be all good in a few days.
You’d think the contracts would be worked out in sept/oct, but what do I know… lol 🙂 seems like an inconvenience to the guests more than anything.
I got free dining at the Pop. Can someone please advise if paying to upgrade from the QUick Dining to the Standard Dining is worth it? It’s just my 23 old daughter and I traveling.
We have used Quick Dining in the past and liked it but I always wonder if the Standard is really better and worth it?
I also booked Pop and I went ahead and upgraded. I think it really depends on where you want to eat – for example, my husband and I would like to eat at the California Grill, and, although that restaurant requires 2 meal credits, but I still think I will be getting good value. I also like the Crystal Palace – so there’s another credit.
We upgrade to the standard dining plan. We usually go to WDW in the summer, so it’s nice to take a break and have a table service meal once a day in air-conditioning. It’s really a personal preference,though. Take a look at the menus and reviews and see if the table service restaurants appeal to you. It’s only really worth it if you’ll be using all the TS credits. If you just want to try 1 or 2 sit-down meals, you could pay for those out-of pocket.
We upgrade to standard when we get the free dining. We think it is worth the cost. It definitely allows us to go to sit down restaurants that we would never be able to go to and pay for ‘out of pocket’. If you don’t wish to go to many sit down restaurants it may not make sense but if you go to one or two it adds up quickly. Just crunch the numbers and see if it works better to upgrade for you. A lunch at Sana’a and a dinner at Be our guest could add up to $300 or more . The upgrade would be helpful in the long run. Enjoy your trip.
My problem with the Standard Dining Plan is that you become rather “restaurant-centric” in that you will need to make reservations for the full service restaurants, and you will find yourself having to commit considerable time to a meal, rather than to enjoying other aspects of the park. And you might find that there is WAY too much food to be eaten on the Standard…heck, even the QS is almost too much for my group! If you really like steak for every meal, then Standard might be the way to go. Otherwise, stick with QS. If there is a particular full-service restaurant you’d like to try, make your reservation and pay for it out of pocket. You’ll probably come out ahead.
You get drinks included as adults on the Disney dining plan to. That’s why I upgraded. Still saved me $$$. I upgraded mine so I could go to Ohana, Topolino’s for breakfast (so good), and several others: fantastic at Mama Meleose’s. I think it’s worth it. Good luck.
You get drinks included with the quick serve dining plan as well.
I was finally able to get free dining at Beach Club with water view. It actually opened up. I guess someone cancelled a hold or a reservation. Thank goodness
Did you have to have water view for free dining or was it just because that’s what was available? And, did they require a certain number of days booked to obtain the free dining?
No. I was just trying to get Beach Club. I like Garden or Water view. It just happened that Standard was not available. So either I wait till it shows up later or keep checking. I kept checking and Water view came up so I took it. There was no set amount of days. We planned to be at Disney for 11 days. It just happened to come about the way I wanted it. You do need to stay at Disney for 5 days I believe to qualify for free dining.
It’s a 4 night minimum stay to get Free Dining, even though the promo is advertised as “5 nights/6 days.”
Hey Tom… We booked the first moment I laid my eyes on our email and were able to sneak the Pop Century with the free Disney dining for seven fun filled days at Disney World from June 27 through July 3!!