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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
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    Roseville, CA (2,925 miles away)
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    Default Free Dining 2020.........Is Free Dining Still a Thing

    Hey Friends -

    So, it has been 13 years since we have vacationed at WDW....however, I have my big 5-0 coming up and my baby is graduating high school so we are thinking about doing a 2020 trip. I would like to do it in January (my bday month) or in Sept/Oct timeframe.

    Question is this.....do they still offer a Free Dining package during certain times of the year?? Does anyone know when those times might be in 2020??

    Thanks for any help you can provide!!

    Hndrdprcnt
    John (aka HndrdPrcnt)

    DL CM 1987 - 1994
    CM WDW Trips 87,89,90,92
    CBR 1994
    Beach Club 1998
    All Stars 2000
    POP Sept 25-Oct 2 2006

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
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    I am going to guess that they won't be offering any discounts in the foreseeable future due to the opening of Galaxy's Edge.
    I'll meet you at the Rainbow Bridge.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
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    Even if there IS a "free dining" offer when you go, it is nowhere near as good as it was in the early days.

    Different levels of dining based on the resort you are staying at...I know Value Resorts only get the Counter Service Plan anymore. I don't know if even the Moderates get the Standard Table Service Plan now.

    No more appetizer or tip included in the offer, just entree, dessert and drink (but you ARE allowed one 'adult' beverage where available.)

    There are other offers that would be better in the long run.
    -Bud

    Walt Disney World:
    9/03 - CBR
    1/09 - BWV
    9/05; 2/07; 12/07; 9/08; 9/09; 9/10; 9/11; 12/13; 12/17; 4/18; 10/18, 4/23 - PC
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    10/22 - ASMU

    Disneyland: 12/15 - Paradise Pier Hotel

    Next up: ???

  5. #4
    Join Date
    May 2011
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    Quote Originally Posted by PopPhan View Post
    Even if there IS a "free dining" offer when you go, it is nowhere near as good as it was in the early days.

    Different levels of dining based on the resort you are staying at...I know Value Resorts only get the Counter Service Plan anymore. I don't know if even the Moderates get the Standard Table Service Plan now.

    No more appetizer or tip included in the offer, just entree, dessert and drink (but you ARE allowed one 'adult' beverage where available.)

    There are other offers that would be better in the long run.
    This is true. I booked our vacation with a 25% room discount and I saved more than I would have if I received free dining. It is worth it to take time to do the math. Whatever you decide, I hope it's a magical stay with plenty of pixie dust!!
    Debbie
    Feb 87- off site/Nov 98-Poly
    98- Disney Magic Inaugural Cruise
    Jul 03-off site
    Sept 05/Aug. 11/Nov '20 -Pop Nov 08-POR
    Aug 09/May 10-ASMu
    Nov. 09-Disneyland/California Adv.
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    Oct. 18 POP
    Aug 19- Movies

  6. #5
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    My guess is that they won't completely do away with "free" dining as it is still a very solid promotional tool. However, what they will continue to do, is to lessen its impact by restricting it to fewer resorts and to minimize the value (Value/Mod resorts only get the CS dining plan while Deluxe resorts get the full DDP). I think free dining is generally only offered in the fall for periods that could include parts of Sept, Oct, Nov & Dec (there are lots of black out dates). Not sure if they still offer it, but we did a Feb trip in 2015 that was on the Stay, Play Dine promotion. Not as good as free dining, but still a reasonable discount at the time.

    Best thing to do, check out the internet and look at the historical listing of discounts and release dates. Will give you a very good idea.
    Last edited by Imalismom; 07-30-2019 at 01:29 PM. Reason: mention of a competitor website

  7. #6
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    I have found that if I research the prices of the meals I want, I can get Disney gift cards in that amount, and use those. Last time I had the dining plan, I was hurrying from place to eat TO place to eat... plus, trying to get the snack credit used up also. Plus, without the dining plan, it opens up resort discounts that usually save me a lot more money.
    Ali's Mom
    Senior Imagineer

  8. #7
    Join Date
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    They don't even have free pickles at Pecos Bill anymore.
    ===================

    2016 POR
    2015 CS
    2014 WDW-Offsite
    2014 Disneyland-offsite
    2014 CBR
    2013 Dolphin
    2012 POR
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    1998 Dixie Landings
    1990's, Dixie Landings, Misc Offsite

  9. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by texas211 View Post
    They don't even have free pickles at Pecos Bill anymore.
    First it was the cheese sauce, now the pickles... What will they take next?

    (I'm not being facetious. As unhealthy as that cheese sauce is, my family still LOVES it.)
    Genna
    Always Enjoy the
    ¸.•*¨)¸.•*¨)¸.•*¨Magic¸.•*¨)¸.•*¨)¸.•*¨

    "Now approaching, Mickey's Star Traders"

    If You Can Read This...
    ...Thank The Phoenicians!



  10. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by magicofdisney View Post
    First it was the cheese sauce, now the pickles... What will they take next?

    (I'm not being facetious. As unhealthy as that cheese sauce is, my family still LOVES it.)
    It'll be like the 70s, must pay to use the head.
    ===================

    2016 POR
    2015 CS
    2014 WDW-Offsite
    2014 Disneyland-offsite
    2014 CBR
    2013 Dolphin
    2012 POR
    2012 WDW-Offsite
    2011 ASMusic, POR

    1998 Dixie Landings
    1990's, Dixie Landings, Misc Offsite

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