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Free dining for 2020 UK bookings announced

So, it is that time of year again. Disney have released details of the free dining offers for UK guests and packages go on sale on 25th April 2019 for stays in 2020.

However there are some differences this time.

Normally the offers are available all for stays all year round except for Easter and Christmas. However, this time they can only be booked for stays up until 3 October 2020. This does unfortunately meant that you cannot get free dining for stays during October half term. This is the first time Disney have done this – we have done October half term on the free dining offer before – and it is not clear exactly why things have changed this time round.

Another big difference is that they have restricted some resorts and room types that can be booked under the offer.

So here are the details.

When can you book?

25th April to 2 July 2019

When can you stay?

1 January 2020 to 29th March 2020 or 13 April 2020 to 3 October 2020

What do you need to book?

Free dining is only available when you book a package. This means booking your accommodation and park tickets together. ‘Package’ does not include flights and you can book these separately at a different time. You also need to book a minimum of 5 nights stay.

What do you get?

This all depends on where you stay. ALL package bookings will get a $200 gift card which you collect from The World of Disney in Disney Springs. The specific dining package depends on your resort level.

Value resorts:

These resorts don’t get one of the dining plans but instead get a ‘free breakfast’ offer. This is slightly confusing though as you don’t have to use it for breakfast. It is basically a quick service meal credit and you can use it at any quick service location at any time during the day. The following resorts are offering this deal.

Disney’s All-Star Resorts, Disney’s Pop Century (excluding pool view rooms), Disney’s Art of Animation (excluding Little Mermaid standard rooms).

Moderate resorts:

These resorts get the quick service dining plan. For the first time Disney have put restrictions on which rooms you can use this for and this might cause problems for some – like us – you book the rooms with a 5th bed at Port Orleans Riverside. The following resorts are offering this deal.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort (excluding water view rooms), Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside (excluding standard view and standard view 5th sleeper rooms) and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter.

Deluxe resorts and Deluxe villa resorts:

These resorts get the Disney dining plan. This also includes room restrictions, along with some resort restrictions. Noticeable exclusions from the offer are the Contemporary and Polynesian resorts. The following resorts are offering this deal.

Deluxe Resorts: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (excluding pool view rooms), Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.

Deluxe Villa Resorts: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village, Disney’s Beach Club Villas, Disney’s Boardwalk Villas, The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa and Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.

 

As always you can pay to upgrade your dining plan – so you can stay at a moderate resort, but pay extra to get the DDP. Do work out the numbers though because sometimes it is cheaper to upgrade the resort instead.

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Dining Plans at WDW

Of course lots of us love staying in the ‘Disney bubble’ (I know we do) but if you do you have to face one awful reality – eating on site is more expensive than eating off site!

Disney give many different dining options, from snacks and quick service meals, to buffets, character meals, and signature dining. We are all different and we all have different tastes – and budgets – so advising on dining is a tricky one. One thing I would always recommend is costing it out before you go and deciding on whether or not to purchase one of the dining plans.

Dining plans allow you to purchase credits in advance that can be used in restaurants throughout Walt Disney World. At certain times of the year they are also offered as ‘free dining’ offers. The important thing to note is that dining plans can only be purchased if you are staying on site.

All plans are worked out on the basis of the number of nights you are staying. So stay 7 nights and you get what is listed below x 7 for each guest. Each plan also includes 1 resort mug per person which can be refilled with soda/coffee at any resort.

So, what are they?

Quick Service Dining Plan (QDSP): This is the basic plan and gives you the following:

2 x Quick Service meals (main plus drink)
2 x snack credits

Disney Dining Plan (DDP): This is what people tend to think of when they think of the dining plans and is their most popular plan. You get the following:

1 x Quick service meal (main plus drink)
1 x Table Service meal (main, dessert, drink)
2 x snack credits

Deluxe Disney Dining Plan (DDDP): This is the top one and be warned, it includes a LOT of food.

3 x Table Sercice meal (main, dessert, drink)
2 x snack credits

Which one is for you?

Well that all depends on how much food you want and WHERE you want to eat.

Fast food: this is a bit misleading, but this is what is classified as quick service. It is counter service food where you order at the counter and seat yourself. However, if you are now thinking ‘oh, McDonald’s food’ you couldn’t be far wrong. Yes, you can get burgers and fries, but there are SO many more options – especially at Epcot where you can get international food. You do not tip at these locations

Waiter service restaurants: these are your table service meals. You are seated, order from the waiter and the food is brought to you. On the plan you do not get starters, but you can order and pay for these in addition to using your credits. Some restaurants are classed as signature dining and require you to use 2 table service credits. You do need to tip here.

Buffets: these are also classed as table service meals. You are also required to tip here.

Character meals: these are all classed as table service meals and can be either waiter service or buffet. If you are planning on doing a lot of character meals this might make the DDP or DDDP better options for you.