Question about free dining please

[Ziggie]

I've read through some of the threads here regarding "free" dining, but I'm overwhelmed by the amount of information. I understand that you need to purchase at least one park ticket and stay a minimum of 3 nights.

But can someone please help me with...

1) What exactly is free dining? What does it include?

2) Is free dining good for your length of stay? Meaning, if you're staying 4 days/nights... do you eat for free during that entire time?

3) I've heard there is an upgraded package (for $30/pp is it?) that allows you to eat an entree with a non-alcoholic beverage. Is that a one time charge or are you charged that every day for your length of stay?

Thanks to everyone who can help me sort this out

 

[jtlover]

Free dining is for the number of nights you stay in a Disney hotel. It includes one snack, table service and counter service meal each.

If you stay 3 nights and are there 4 days you get 3 days of food, it is up to you when you take them but they expire at midnight of the day you check out of the hotel.

The upgrade package is per person each day, so as above would be 3 x $30 each. There is a lot of food so IMHO I wouldnt personally upgrade.

Just make sure you book ADRs before you go so as not to be disappointed if there are restaurants you really want to eat in

 

[Ziggie]

Free dining is for the number of nights you stay in a Disney hotel. It includes one snack, table service and counter service meal each.

If you stay 3 nights and are there 4 days you get 3 days of food, it is up to you when you take them but they expire at midnight of the day you check out of the hotel.

The upgrade package is per person each day, so as above would be 3 x $30 each. There is a lot of food so IMHO I wouldnt personally upgrade.

Just make sure you book ADRs before you go so as not to be disappointed if there are restaurants you really want to eat in

jt, thanks so much!

May I ask... do I only need to buy one park ticket per person (in my party?) Or do you have to buy a park ticket everyday to qualify?

Also, is "table service" like Cape May for instance? Or Whispering Canyon?

 

[tinaluis]

Free Dining is for stays from 8/24 - 9/20 and includes 1 table service meal (like Cape May or Whispering Canyon Cafe), one counter service meal and one snack per person per night. It must be purchased as part of a package with a minimum 3 night stay and each person must purchase AT LEAST a one day park ticket.

 

[Ziggie]

Free Dining is for stays from 8/24 - 9/20 and includes 1 table service meal (like Cape May or Whispering Canyon Cafe), one counter service meal and one snack per person per night. It must be purchased as part of a package with a minimum 3 night stay and each person must purchase AT LEAST a one day park ticket.

Thank you tinaluis!

 

[vdarrell]

We are staying in Dec. will they be offering free dining during that month? We hve already booked.

 

[tinaluis]

We are staying in Dec. will they be offering free dining during that month? We hve already booked.

Free dining has only been offered in August/September.

 

[Seahunt]

Here's some mousesavers "free dining" info:

"FREE Dining" Vacation Package
The most popular Disney vacation package promotion is back! You can get FREE dining when you book a full price Walt Disney World vacation package for check-ins most nights 8/24/08-9/20/08. As long as you check in by September 20, you get FREE dining for the entire stay!

Purchase at least 3 consecutive hotel nights at an official Walt Disney World resort, plus at least a one-day theme park ticket, and you will get the regular Dining Plan for FREE, for the length of your stay. (Or you can upgrade to the Deluxe Dining Plan by paying the price difference -- see below.)

Essentially you get the Magic Your Way Plus Dining package for the price of a regular Magic Your Way package. To qualify, you must purchase a regularly priced Magic Your Way package consisting of at least a 3-night stay at an official Walt Disney World resort hotel, PLUS at least a 1-day Magic Your Way Base Ticket.

This deal saves a family of four (2 adults, two kids ages 3-9) $95.96 per day -- the cost of adding the regular Dining Plan to a basic vacation package.

There's a new twist for 2008: you can choose the regular Dining Plan (one counter service meal, one table service meal and one snack, per person, per day) at no extra charge, or upgrade to the Deluxe Dining Plan for just $32 per adult per night and $10 per child age 3-9 per night. (This represents the usual price difference between the two plans.) The Deluxe Dining Plan includes three meals a day at your choice of table service or counter service locations. You get an appetizer with your table service meals on this plan. The Deluxe Dining Plan also includes two snacks per day and one refillable mug per person. You can eat like royalty!

You can also add the "Wine & Dine" Plan to either package, at full price.

If you have enjoyed this offer in the past, be aware of a few changes: in 2008, Disney no longer includes an appetizer with table service meals on the regular Dining Plan. Gratuities are no longer included at table service meals, but they are included at the dinner shows (Hoop Dee Doo, Spirit of Aloha Luau and Mickey’s Backyard BBQ) as well as with Room Service and Grand Gathering Experiences.

Some important advice if you book a "FREE Dining" package:

Be sure to set up Advance Dining Reservations as soon as possible. In past years all of the table service restaurants have been completely full during the "FREE Dining" promotion period. It was almost impossible to get a table for a full-service meal on a walk-up basis. To ensure that you will be able to enjoy all the benefits of the Dining Plan, you really need to pre-reserve every single table service meal during your stay.

Consider buying trip insurance, because you will be traveling during peak hurricane season. Hurricanes don't often pass through Orlando, which is far inland, but it does happen: Orlando was hit in 2004 and 2005. Also, hurricanes can seriously impact air travel plans.

You must book this offer by 6/22/08. The number of packages available is limited. Suites are excluded from this offer. No group rates or other discounts apply.

Note: You get credits based on number of nights stayed. Some "Signature" restaurants and dinner shows use up 2 Table Service credits instead of 1 - here's a link to the list of restuarants and what credit used:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-dining-plan.htm#rest

 

[Ziggie]

Thanks everyone so much for helping me with my questions!