Free Dining at Disneyworld

Who doesn't love free food? Disney has announced an extension of the current free dining plan through the middle of December. We have had the privilege of doing this in September and it was awesome. Most people new to the Disney experience might think this to be no big deal but food at Disney is ridiculously expensive. You do typically end up paying rack room rates for the accomodation to get this deal but for a family of four: two adults, a junior(still costs as an adult), and a child this is about $130 per day. To pay out of pocket it is $40 per day for each adult and $10 a day for each child and everyone in the room must buy this option unless they are under 3 years of age! This doesn't include tip however which for us was about $15-$20 at a typical table service meal. What does free dining get me for the money well here are the basics from disneyfamilyvacationtips.

Quick service free dining usually accompanies the value resort plan and includes: 2 quick service meals and 2 snacks per day for each person in your room. This option is good if you want faster meal options but are limited to typical theme park dining such as burgers, sandwiches, pizza, etc. If you do your research well and it will be covered in a future post there are some real hidden gems in the quick service category. Your meal will include one entree or one complete Combo meal, dessert (lunch/dinner) or One juice (breakfast) & One single non-alcoholic beverage. The snack range from items such as frozen ice-cream novelty, box of popcorn, single piece of whole fruit, medium fountain soft drink but pretty much anything $4 or less is included with a few minor exceptions. Disneyfamilvacationtips says we have never done this option, but it is not bad for first time park goers with small children.

Typical dining plan is what we have always done and we do this even when we have not gotten it for free because it simply makes life easier. For this option you get 1 table service meal, one quick service meal, and one snack per day per person. One table-service meal (including entree and dessert (lunch or dinner only), or full buffet, 1 juice (breakfast only), non-alcoholic beverage; dessert not available at breakfast). 1 child table-service meal includes 1 appetizer, 1 entree, 1 dessert (lunch or dinner only) and 1 single serving non-alcoholic beverage, or 1 full buffet. The counter service and snacks are the same as the quick dining option but you only get one of each. The benefit to this is there are some exceptional dining options available at Disneyworld and you get the pleasure of enjoying them and on this promotion it is free! There is so much food it is absurd especially if you are like us and have a light eating 10 year old who get an adult meal and typically eats 1/3 of the plate. Disneyfamilyvacationtips says go with this option even if it is not free to eliminate hastle and to have most of your food pre-paid before you arrive at Disneyworld.

There are also dining options such as deluxe dining premium dining, and platinum dining which all escalate in price, options, and food. These all include your choice of up to three table service meals per day, three quick service meals per day, or any combination of three meals. Plus two snack and an resort refillable mug. The premium and platinum also offer this as well as things such as spa treatments, reserved show seating, unlimited use of recreation (including golf), and even unlimited admission to theme park tours. Disneyfamilyvacationtips says this might be so much to offer you would have to stay a month to really enjoy all the privileges but it sure would be fun to try.

So what am I getting at with the free dining is it is a good deal if you use it wisely and enjoy eating. $150 for a weeks worth of good food at Disney is a good deal and if you don't believe me find some of the menus available online and look at the corresponding prices. It is a monster deal if you have two adults and two teens! Disneyfamilyvacationtips says whenever there is free dining and you can go do it!