Free Dining packages released for Walt Disney World resort hotel stays 2017

Apr 24, 2017 in "Walt Disney World Resorts"

Posted: Monday April 24, 2017 6:05am EDT by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has released new vacation packages today, including the much requested "Free Dining" offer.

The BOATHOUSE - one of the restaurants available on the Disney Dining Plan

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A notable change for this year's Free Dining offer is that Value and Moderate resort stays only qualify for the Quick Service Dining Plan. To get the full Disney Dining Plan, a stay at a Deluxe Resort is required.

Learn more about the Disney Dining Plan.

Free Dining 2017 for Walt Disney World Resorts

August 21 through September 30, 2017
November 14 through November 20, 2017
November 25 through November 27, 2017
December 8 through December 23, 2017

Package Includes

Room
Theme park ticket(s) with Park Hopper or Park Hopper Plus Option
Dining Plan (Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan with Value and Moderate Resort hotel packages; Disney Dining Plan with Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resort hotel packages)

Important Details

The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited.
Advance reservations required.
Tickets and options must be used within 14 days of first use.
Children ages 3 to 9 must choose from the children’s menu, if available.
Some table-service restaurants may have limited or no availability at time of package purchase.

Ticket Requirements

Minimum 2-day Magic Your Way ticket with Park Hopper or Park Hopper Plus Option

Offer Restrictions

Cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion.
Excludes alcoholic beverages and gratuities.
Everyone in the same room must be on the same package.
Offer excludes the following room types: campsites, 3-bedroom villas, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Little Mermaid Standard Rooms and Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows.

Discuss on the Forums

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draybookApr 26, 2017

We qualify as middle class but Free Dining has enabled us to enjoy good meals on property that we might not have tried without it. Yes, the numbers work for us to use this promotion, especially with my appetite and that of our 16 year old son. But to look at "lower income" people as a problem to your dining experience, I just hope that was a joke.

Disney.MikeApr 26, 2017

For my group. 2 adults, DD 10 DD 7 DD 4, the free dining plan and staying at a deluxe resort is cheaper than staying at a value with the rack rate discount (all star suite) and adding the standard DDP. The Boardwalk Inn with free dining is the same price as the all stars suite with rack rate discount and adding in a QS dining plan.

GCTalesApr 26, 2017

It does not save money for some people, but there are plenty of people for whom the free dining promotion saves them money.. look back in the thread to the posts of some of the people where they ran the calcs and it saved them money. I have had trips where it saved me money and trips where the room discount was a better deal.

RustySporkApr 26, 2017

FTFY :joyfull:

DisneyJoeApr 26, 2017

It isn't a room discount, you pay rack rate and get the dining plan free

ryguyApr 26, 2017

I haven't seen any reasonable room rates for this offer, its a scam. Between no October, only deluxe resorts for the standard dining this a joke. I vote for Disney just eliminating this offer in its current state. I don't use the food plan, but I feel bad for the people who like to use this promotion.

RustySporkApr 25, 2017

Nah, that's where the best deals are (for TWDC).

GlasgowApr 25, 2017

Too bad there is no standard room availability for the Free Dining discount for any resort that we want to stay at (as verified today on the website). Choosing the $18k suite slightly defeats the purpose of said discount .. just my opinion.

RustySporkApr 25, 2017

Unless you have 17 kids in tow, the dining plan often doesn't make sense. Especially true now that only the Deluxe resorts get regular dining and you have to add the park hopper to the ticket. Generally, the room discount is the better option especially if you're buying your tickets from a third party.

Horizons '83Apr 25, 2017

Fair enough, when we run the numbers the deal doesn't make sense for just me and my wife. Unfortunately not enough to entice us to stay at a Disney Hotel but we will most likely stay at the Swan or Dolphin.

Master YodaApr 25, 2017

I have been told the same. A TS credit gets them X regardless of what it is. The same is true for a QS and snack credit.

LuvtheGoofApr 25, 2017

I have been told by more than one manager that they are paid a set amount for people on the dining plan - not what the menu price is.

Tom P.Apr 25, 2017

Here's the big question, and I am seeing conflicting information: When a customer visits a Disney owned-and-operated restaurant and uses a dining plan credit, does the restaurant get paid the menu price of the item or do they get paid a fixed amount per credit that does not change regardless of what the customer orders? The answer to that, to my mind, would determine who is right in their arguments about what impact the dining plan has.

larryzApr 25, 2017

You have to do the math to see if it's worth it. Four adults in one room, if you were going to buy your tickets with hoppers as a package anyway -- and assuming you will use all the dining and snack credits -- likely worth it. http://www.marketwatch.com/story/is-the-free-food-offer-at-walt-disney-world-really-worth-it-2017-04-25