Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
At twice the price
-
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News Free Disney Dining Plan Returns for Summer 2025 at Walt Disney World
- Thread starter wdwmagic
- Start date
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
…exactly
Not really, date-wise.
August 23* – October 1, 2016
November 15 – November 21, 2016
November 26 – November 28, 2016
December 10 – December 21, 2016
August 21* – September 30, 2017
November 14 – November 20, 2017
November 25 – November 27, 2017
December 8 – December 23, 2017
August 20* – September 29, 2018
November 24 – November 27, 2018
December 7 – December 23, 2018
July 5-September 30, 2019
...
May 27 – June 26, 2025
July 7 – August 6, 2025
I'd call 2019 an outlier since "free" dining was basically a bone thrown to try and maximize resort profits.
They used to only require the rack rate room, if memory serves, and they added the "must purchase park hoppers" in later in the 2010's. But that was a long time ago and I could be totally wrong.
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
It used to be to fill out excess inventory…which makes total sense from a business standpoint
Now they let rack rooms stay open…like right now…to maintain the price demands…
Because how can you get the rooms filled at the level needed AND sell a $400 per day line skip for Kilimanjaro to the first fish at the top of the pond to go for the hook (the first to be filleted and char broiled)?
nickys
Premium Member
Did you miss this in the article?
“Deluxe Resort bookings include the Disney Dining Plan, while Moderate and Value Resorts come with the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan.”
JD80
Well-Known Member
Shouldn't have said summer months, but end of summer.
The offer usually started in August. Main difference now is that you get alcohol but one less snack. Value for kids under 9 is very good. Value for 10-20 year olds is completely awful. You need to drink to make it worthwhile.
clearly lol
The announcement that DDP was returning in 2025 was way before any characterization of crowds for the Summer of 2025.
Fall and early Winter will probably never see 'free' DDP again since that's the new crowded season. I would guess.
Brian
Well-Known Member
I'm frankly shocked that it took decades for folks to realize that Florida is miserable, if not insufferable, in the summer.
Jrb1979
Well-Known Member
Summer worked for decades as that's when the kids are out of school. For decades many didn't want to take their kids out of school in winter months.
Yes it's hot and humid in Florida in the summer but it get hot and humid in the the north too in the summer.
Free Disney Dining Plan Returns for 2025: Full List of Eligible Resorts and Dates
Free Disney Dining Plan Returns for 2025: Full List of Eligible Resorts and Dates
Free Disney Dining Plan Returns for 2025: Full List of Eligible Resorts and Dates
www.wdwmagic.com
Ricky Spanish
Well-Known Member
Just checked.
”Free” dining will cost us $53pp per day if I update my current summer WDW trip.
No Thanks
”Free” dining will cost us $53pp per day if I update my current summer WDW trip.
No Thanks
ItsMeShirley
New Member
no matter what dates are selected, there is no option for free dining for the cabins at Fort Wilderness.
Free Disney Dining Plan Returns for Summer 2025 at Walt Disney World
Free Disney Dining Plan Returns for Summer 2025 at Walt Disney World
JD80
Well-Known Member
Figured I'd share some math.
I just added Free Dining (quick service) to my AoA stay later this year in July. No change in price.
Party: 6 People - 3 Adults, 3 Kids (2x ages 10+)
Duration: 9 Nights, 8 Hoppers
Rack Rate: $593
Room Discount Savings: $119 per night
Value of QSDP: $325 per night (Assuming $60 per adults, $25 per under 10)
Average cost of a QS meal for our party $90 (no soda/tea/coffee) at $15 per person
Average cost of a family snack $48 at $8 per person
Average daily cost of two meals and a snack $228
Assuming I only spend $228 a day on food the following numbers are:
Rack Rate and Daily Food Budget: $7,389
Room Discount and Daily Food Budget: $6,318
Rack Rate and Free QSDP: $5,337
Not taking into consideration alcohol or specialty drinks (which we'd take advantage of), the Free dining offer savings me on average $1000 more than the rack rate discount. I'm not counting the cost of the refillable mug. We'd probably end up getting 2 or 3 for our trip so you can add a flat $50 if you want to the savings.
Free dining does scale with more people in a single room.
I just added Free Dining (quick service) to my AoA stay later this year in July. No change in price.
Party: 6 People - 3 Adults, 3 Kids (2x ages 10+)
Duration: 9 Nights, 8 Hoppers
Rack Rate: $593
Room Discount Savings: $119 per night
Value of QSDP: $325 per night (Assuming $60 per adults, $25 per under 10)
Average cost of a QS meal for our party $90 (no soda/tea/coffee) at $15 per person
Average cost of a family snack $48 at $8 per person
Average daily cost of two meals and a snack $228
Assuming I only spend $228 a day on food the following numbers are:
Rack Rate and Daily Food Budget: $7,389
Room Discount and Daily Food Budget: $6,318
Rack Rate and Free QSDP: $5,337
Not taking into consideration alcohol or specialty drinks (which we'd take advantage of), the Free dining offer savings me on average $1000 more than the rack rate discount. I'm not counting the cost of the refillable mug. We'd probably end up getting 2 or 3 for our trip so you can add a flat $50 if you want to the savings.
Free dining does scale with more people in a single room.
Ayla
Well-Known Member
Right? I don't think Disney Co has caught up with how much more savvy consumers are today.
Free Dining has always used un-discounted hotel rates.
You have to choose between some sort of discount OR Free Dining.
OR, your booking isn't eligible for "Free Dining" which means you're just adding on a Dining Plan that isn't "free."
JD80
Well-Known Member
Free dining costs money because you have to buy hoppers. This has been the case since like at least 2017.
JD80
Well-Known Member
It's the hopper upgrade.