Can you explain how free dining works?

[drcpn7]

Do you get coupon like items? I see you get a counter service, a snack,and a sit down meal. But what if you only would perfer counter ones? We usually don't eat a lot in the parks, due to the heat and wanting to do everything we can...enjoy the rides, parades and shop. What about character breakfasts or dinners? Are those included?
And is it only at the parks....if we want to stay a day at the resort and hang by the pool, then are we on our own to eat? Sorry so many questions....just wondering if it is worth it......thanks,

 

[twinspluscade]

Do you get coupon like items? I see you get a counter service, a snack,and a sit down meal. But what if you only would perfer counter ones? We usually don't eat a lot in the parks, due to the heat and wanting to do everything we can...enjoy the rides, parades and shop. What about character breakfasts or dinners? Are those included?
And is it only at the parks....if we want to stay a day at the resort and hang by the pool, then are we on our own to eat? Sorry so many questions....just wondering if it is worth it......thanks,

"Free dining" is the regular Disney dining plan--only you get it for free . If you click above on the Disney Dining Plan forum, it will tell you all you need to know--they have a sticky of DDP faqs.

Oh, also the free dining is just for August 26-September 22, so if your trip isn't during that time=no free dining (but you can buy the dining plan).

 

[Lynne M]

Here's a great FAQ on the dining plan:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1305783

To briefly answer some of your questions:

The free dining plan works exactly the same way as the 'paid' dining plan does - the only difference is there's no charge for it.

You'll have dining 'credits' on your room key. You'll just hand the key to your server (or cashier, as a CS) when it's time to pay for the meal, and they'll deduct the appropriate credits.

You'll have 1 CS, 1 TS, and 1 snack for each member of your party, for each day of your trip. The credits are pooled, so it really doesn't matter how you use them - you can have three table service meals on one day of your trip , two counter service and 5 snacks on the next day, it's up to you.

The FAQ will contain a link to the list of participating restaurants, but yes, you can use them at your resort, or any resort. Character meals are included. In fact, the vast majority of eateries on property are included. Very few exceptions.

 

[bicker]

Folks should recognize the free dining promotion for what it is: It is simply a discount on your hotel room, provided to you in the form of not having to pay for the Dining Plan.

 

[El&Asmom]

Folks should recognize the free dining promotion for what it is: It is simply a discount on your hotel room, provided to you in the form of not having to pay for the Dining Plan.

Upfront I agree. We pay rack rate for a room during value season to get the DDP free.
What you don't take into account is what the dining plan saves you over paying for food and just getting a discount on your room.
Many people may not get the dining plan if they had to pay for it. (we would)
The dining plan saves tons of money if you like to eat well at DW. It also alows people to try restaurants that you may not have eaten at if you had to pay OOP.

 

[ptrbryant]

I know if you're using DVC points, you can still get the DP, but do you have any option for the free DP?

Karla B.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I know if you're using DVC points, you can still get the DP, but do you have any option for the free DP?

Karla B.

No. In order to be eligible for the Free Dining Promotion, you need to reserve (and pay for) a package that includes a Disney resort room and the same ticket for each person on your reservation, minimum one day.

 

[bicker]

What you don't take into account is what the dining plan saves you over paying for food and just getting a discount on your room.

I'm not really sure I can say that. Here's the analysis I did, basically comparing the cost of the Dining Plan to what we would have paid for meals otherwise.

http://brianandrobbie.com/DiningPlanEstimatedCostsNoAppyNoDessert.htm

In 2007 dollars, we saved about $6 per person per night.

 

[Pumbaa_]

bicker, I assume that was a total for 4 people?

Most people would argue they do much better because they factor in the appy and dessert item, and purchasing the most expensive thing on the menu. But how often do you really do that?

 

[bicker]

Precisely (on both accounts). We compared the cost of the Dining Plan to what we would have spent if we didn't have the Dining Plan -- not to how much we could make the Dining Plan worth if we chose our food based on how much "fake money" we could spend. Still worth-it, but, as you would expect from a well-run business, just barely worth-it. The whole point of promotions is to make more profit, not to give away stuff.