We booked a lunch ADR on 8/25. I didn't see it announced anywhere, but DS was playing around with the computer so I told him to try, and we got it. It did say there were no characters, so I called WDW Dine and talked to a CM. She confirmed that yes, lunch is being offered for the
Free Dining period and yes, there will be characters.
I am so psyched to go! I was trying for weeks to get something earlier than the 8:20 p.m. ADR I had. If I got an on-line ADR during my trip dates, it was for crazy times like 7:00 a.m. or 9:30 p.m. Lunch at 1:30 is so much better. We'll have breakfast in our room, Chef M's for lunch, and go back to the MK at night for hopefully the MSEP and Summer Nightastic fireworks. If we need another meal, we'll have counter service.