Before the global health crisis, the Free Disney Dining Plan had been a consistent offer from Disney World having been first being offered back in 2005. With many people considering a Disney World Vacation the big question is Will There Be Free Disney Dining Plan Offers in 2024?
In this article we are going to look at if there will be Free Disney Dining Plan Offers in 2024.
With more vacation offers being made available, hopefully this will mean Disney World returns to the popular free Disney dining plan offer with its vacation packages? You can currently pay for the Disney Dining plan which is a start I guess!
Will There Be Free Disney Dining Plan Offers in 2024?
The Disney Dining Plan was suspended in 2020 due to the Global Health Crisis. If capacity and bookings at Walt Disney World continue to drop, I would expect to see such offers such as the Free Disney Dining Plan return too along with other discounts.
The Dining Plan was suspended in 2020 but during 2019 free dining was offered twice:
The last dates used for the Free Disney dining plan offer:
- For dates July 5th to September 30th 2019 – booking January and February.
- For dates September 1st to September 18th 2019, November 17th to November 27th 2019 and December 8th to December 23rd 2019 – booking July through to September.
More on Disney Dining
- Disney Dining and Food Budget Calculator
- Is the Disney Dining Plan Worth It
- Disney World Without the Dining Plan
- Disney Dining Plan Tips
- What is Disney Dining Credit
What is the Free Disney Dining Plan Offer?
If you decide to stay at a Disney World Resort and book at the correct time of year you can get the Disney Dining Plan for free (we usually do this) if not you can normally pay for it if needed. In the past a minimum stay has been required to qualify for the Free Dining Plan. In reality and if the Dining Plan does make a comeback you will be looking at booking a Disney World Vacation Package to qualify for free dining. There are four types of Dining plan:
Disney Dining Plan (per day of your stay):
- 1 Table service meal credit, 1 quick service meal
- 1 non-alcoholic/alcoholic drink per meal
- 1 snack credits.
- Plus, you get a refillable mug to use at your resort.
Why Disney Might Bring Back the Free Dining Plan
At the time of writing Walt Disney World has only offered Disney Dining Credit to UK Guests booking a vacation in 2024. The Walt Disney Company have seen a decrease of bookings for 2023 with inflation very high across the world and recessions being predicted in major countries. This might finally see the free Dining Plan offer make a comeback to encourage guests to book vacations in 2024 and 2025.
1. Disney Still Make Money From Free Dining
There are a lot of guests that know how to use the Dining Plan efficiently. But to get value for money but there is also a lot that don’t who:
- Use snack credits for low value items such as a bottle of water or a piece of fruit – a win for Disney.
- Don’t use all their meal or snack credits during their vacation – this is a big win for Disney.
- Eat lower value meal options at table service restaurants – another win for Disney.
With the free Disney Dining plan and paid packages having not been around since 2020, this might mean a lot of new guests will make the mistakes above. This all be wins for Disney.
If come 2024 Walt Disney World Resort is nowhere near full capacity then we could see Free Dining Plan Offers made available.
2. Free Disney Dining Plan Offers Will Encourage People Back to Disney World in 2024
During previous times of financial struggles for people all over the world (such as the 2008 recession) Disney increased special offers to bring guests back during low demand periods. This has certainly also been a tactic in recent years too with the Dining Plan being offered for free to encourage guests to visit during quieter times of the year.
Again, this tactic could very easily be used to encourage guests back to Disney World in 2024 and 2025. Especially if the cost of living and inflation is still high.
3. Free Dining is Very Popular
What we do have to remember though is that the Free Dining Plan is very popular with a lot of Disney World Guests. We have used the Free Dining Plan four years in a row as part of our Vacation Package and we really like it. Yes, some would argue that it is expensive, but I actually like knowing I have covered that cost up front especially when it has been offered for free.
4. People Are Waiting for This Offer to Return
There will be a lot of people waiting for this offer to return before they consider booking a Disney World Vacation. Believe me Disney will know this too.
I honestly believe the Free Dining Plan offer will make a return. Hopefully come spring or summer 2023 we may see more normal offerings become available for Disney World vacation packages. Fingers crossed it does happen.
Keep Updated on What’s Happening with the Disney Dining Plan
To stay up to date with any new changes involving the Disney Dining Plan be sure to sign up to our Newsletter Here. You’ll also get our free 10-page Disney World Parks Guide too when you sign up.
Hopefully, the Free Dining Plan Will Return
We are certainly looking forward to getting back to Disney World. Fingers crossed that we get to enjoy the Dining Plan again too when we do get back home. If you have enjoyed this article, please feel free to share it on social media, you can also pin the image below too.
Thanks for stopping by.
Darren
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