Help! Free Dining?

[PrincessBelle87]

I know there are probably countless threads on this, but can anyone quickly tell me what free dining is and how you can get it? The reason I ask is that my friend and I are going a week toward the end of August (not a set date yet) and I've seen several comments about how it will be more crowded because of "free dining". Is this open to the public? My friend's parents are DVC members, so if this is necessary can we just use their membership? Are there any requirements to get this? Thanks so much for your responses! Looking forward to heading back to the World!!!!

 

[marcielm]

Free dining is a discount that is offered to guests that pay rack rate (aka full price) for an on property resort, and purchase park tickets for their stay. The regular dining plan is a value of $41.99/per adult/per night at the resort, and $11.99/per child ages 3-9/per night at the resort.

Depending on the level of resort you chose to stay in, depends on if this is a better deal than a possible room discount that may also be available during the same time frame. Also, there is speculation that Disney may only offer the "quick service dining plan" for free at the value level resorts. The price difference is $10 for adults, and $2 for kids between the two plans/per night.

 

[PrincessBelle87]

Thanks for your quick response! We are mostly likely going to stay at CSR and pay for the 5 days ourselves. Is there a limitation on days you have to stay or number of days in the parks? We were only planning on doing 2 Disney park days and 1 IOA park day. Otherwise we will just be at the resort. Thanks so much!!

 

[marcielm]

Thanks for your quick response! We are mostly likely going to stay at CSR and pay for the 5 days ourselves. Is there a limitation on days you have to stay or number of days in the parks? We were only planning on doing 2 Disney park days and 1 IOA park day. Otherwise we will just be at the resort. Thanks so much!!

I believe last year you had to have the same number of park days as nights... and it might have been 5 nights. I remember AP holders being very frustrated because they use to purchase just a 1 day pass and add the DDP (so they could get it for free) and save the 1 day ticket to upgrade to an AP when their current one expired.

You might also think about if the DDP is really worth it for you guys, if you are planning more time at the resort and less in the parks. Often, folks don't eat quite enough to justify it. A room discount might be a better deal. The DDP includes 1 QS meal, 1 TS meal, and 1 snack for each day. Allears.net has a list of all the resturants, and you can pull up the menus for a pricing idea. If you & your friend think you can share some meals, then it might not be a great deal. Price out how much you think you'd eat in a day, and see if it is more or less than the cost of the DDP.

 

[PrincessBelle87]

You're probably right in that the DDP will not be worth it for us. We actually went March of '09 and debated over and over about getting the plan. We ended up not getting it and actually spent less than what we budgeted (about $200 for 5 days/4 parks days). Plus, we will have a car this time and can bring our own bottled water/snacks with us. I just figured I'd see what all the fuss about Free Dining was. Thanks for your help!