by The Free Disney Dining Plan offer is one of Walt Disney World’s most wanted deals. But does this deal live up to the hype?
Anything free is best, right? Well, that’s what Disney wants you to believe. Experienced Disney travelers also know that once the free dining deal drops, everyone bounces on the best rates. After all, who wouldn’t want to eat for free during their vacation, right? Well, though the Disney Dining Plan can be the best offer you’ll get this year, it may not always work for your traveling party.
The True Cost of the Free Disney Dining Plan
To get the free Disney Dining Plan, guests often need to purchase a Park Hopper on top of their hotel reservation. However, Walt Disney World runs deals pretty much year round with ticket and hotel offers. Comparing the two is always a must.
Here’s how the Free Disney Dining compares to a standard rate:
Free Disney Dining Deal
5 nights at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort (Pirate Room Standard)
Family of 4: 2 Adults, 1 Child over 10, 1 Child 3-9
Tickets: 4-Day Park Hopper
Free Dining: Quick-Service
TOTAL: about $4,200.00
No deals
5 nights at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort (Pirate Room Standard)
Family of 4: 2 Adults, 1 Child over 10, 1 Child 3-9
Tickets: 4-Day park-to-park
Free Dining: None
TOTAL: about $3,800.00
The difference is just $100 per person more for a park hopper AND free dining each day. Who wouldn’t want to take advantage of this, right? Adding quick-service dining would normally cost about another $900.00 for this travel. That’s a huge savings, right? Well, compared to standard ticket prices, yes, the free dining plan is the way to go. However, a couple of factors could change this.
What to Consider Before Booking the Free Disney Dining Plan Deal
- Do you have to stay with Disney? – Disney Springs offers several popular hotels at much lower rates than Disney. Rates often start at $85 a night, which is insanely cheap for name brand hotels. If you’re not partial to staying at a Disney brand hotel, check out surrounding hotels.
- Can you find other deals? – Disney offers discounted room options all of the time. These can save up to 35% per night! We list current deals on our discount page: https://magicguidebooks.com/deals
- Do you need park hoppers? – A 4-Day Magic Ticket gets guests into one park per day starting around $84 day. Combine this with a discounted hotel room, and you could save a lot of money.
- Do you have an Annual Pass? – Since the free Disney Dining Plan requires a purchase of park hopper tickets, it doesn’t work with a Walt Disney World Annual Passport. If your family has APs, just book a discounted room offer and add on the dining plan or pay for your food separately.
- How much do you eat? – The Disney Dining Plan comes with A LOT of food. That’s two full meals per day with sodas, snacks, and alcohol for adults over 21. Also consider that Disney is pricing kids 10 and older the same as they do adults. Not all 10 year olds eat like adults and not all adults drink alcohol. If you’re not taking advantage of all of these, then a free Disney Dining Plan may not be right for you.
Now, if you’re like us and you love staying on property, typically park hop, and love devouring Disney food, then this deal is for you! We’ve saved over $200 per guest even when compared to discounted hotel rooms because we all eat so much. Just make sure that you book your restaurant reservations ASAP as these often sell out when Free Dining is in effect.
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