How to qualify for free dining?

[Tribe]

I can't find the answer to my question. Thanks in advance for any help.
If free dining is offered, how does a family qualify?
Just by being booked at a disney hotel? Any minimum # of nights?
Do we also need MYW tickets? I plan on buying these separately through AAA, not as part of a hotel package.
Can 5 to a room qualify? (I have seen some hotels say that max occupancy is 5)

 

[smitch425]

I can't find the answer to my question. Thanks in advance for any help.
If free dining is offered, how does a family qualify?
Just by being booked at a disney hotel? Any minimum # of nights?
Do we also need MYW tickets? I plan on buying these separately through AAA, not as part of a hotel package.
Can 5 to a room qualify? (I have seen some hotels say that max occupancy is 5)

The requirements are that you stay at a Disney hotel for a minimum of 3 nights (maximum of 14 nights), you must buy a package with a minimum of a 2 day base ticket for everyone on the reservation ages 3 and up, and you must pay rack rate (full price) for your room. All guest ages 3 and up included on the reservation will get free dining. So if you are staying at a suite at Art of Animation, for example, where the maximum occupancy is 6 people, all 6 would get free dining. Also, you must check in on a covered date for the promotion. Your vacation can extend past the promo dates, but it must begin on a covered date. If you check in on a covered date, you can get free dining for up to 14 nights.

 

[Cafeen]

The free dining plan discount does require a minimum of a 3 night stay at an available resort (availability is limited to the discount code, even if the resort has normal availability, they may be sold out of discount rooms), a 2 day park ticket purchase (must be purchased as part of the package), and you must check in within the dates offered (package stays only care about the check-in date, so if you check in on the last day of a package promotion, it's good for the entire stay, unlike room discount promotions).

So, as long as the resort you're planning to stay at has availability under the discount code, it doesn't matter which resort. But yes, you will need to purchase tickets through Disney as part of a package (which then, also follows the package rules of $200 deposit and balance due 45 days out from check-in.)

 

[loricdietzel]

And if you book online you need to go through the "specials" section and click on free dining. It won't just automatically be added to your package even if you qualify. I am assuming you would need to request/mention it if you called or used a TA.

 

[Tribe]

Thanks a lot. That clears it up. God bless.

 

[merina888]

It would be worth it to talk with your TA at AAA. We had ours price free Dining versus a room discount and she told us that we came out better with free dining.