Last week, Disney announced its 2020 Free Dining promo for ALL kids (ages 3 to 9) .
Free Dining
That got us thinking… could Disney be releasing its actual 2020 Free Dining packages soon?
For years now, Disney has run a special offer giving guests a free Disney Dining Plan with their purchase of various vacation packages. Free Dining basically means you’re paying zero for your food, and is super popular!
Not only is this a great way to plan ahead and budget, but it also has the potential to save you beaucoup bucks…if it’s done right. It’s also one of the many ways that Disney draws in guests each year!
BUT…the million dollar question is always: WHEN is Disney going to announce Free Dining??
Read about how to how to maximize your Disney Dining Plan credits here!
Enchanted Rose
When Will Disney Announce Free Dining for 2020?
Let’s break it down and see if we can figure out some potential timeframes:
2019’s Free Dining promotion was announced in early January for guests booking trips in the late summer to mid-fall when crowds generally tend to thin out at Disney World. This was UNPRECEDENTED. We’d seen Free Dining announced in April for years, and were expecting it in April again! But, alas, January 2nd was the sweet spot for Free Dining in 2019.
But THEN…the plot THICKENED! In July this year, Disney released a SECOND unprecedented round of free dining dates for the late fall to winter season — even extending free dining stays over Thanksgiving and Christmas, some of the BUSIEST times to visit Disney World!
Mickey Waffles at The Plaza Restaurant
So we expected April 2019 based on previous years, but we got January and July?!? Well, we think the double Free Dining in 2019 had a lot to do with Galaxy’s Edge. Disney expected massive crowds in the Fall for the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and may have run the Free Dining promotion in late Summer to pull in guests earlier, ideally alleviating some of the Fall crowds.
But perhaps those expected Fall crowds didn’t materialize — at least not on the booking engines — and so Disney ran the Free Dining promotion again for Fall and Winter to bolster lagging hotel sales during that timeframe.
What does that mean for 2020? Could Disney totally be flipping the script on us again and release its 2020 Free Dining at any moment? If this year’s taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected! So we’re gonna be ready in early January for an announcement!
Here Are Three Things You Need To Do To Snag 2020 Free Dining As Soon As It’s Announced!
FYI, y’all, free dining goes FAST! Yep, it sells out very quickly, so you want to be able to jump on it and take advantage ASAP.
House-Made Flatbread at Grand Floridian
Here are a few steps to take to give yourself the best possible chance of scoring Free Dining for 2020:
1. Sign up for DFB Newsletter and DFB Social Media Channels for Breaking News
We watch Disney World’s Special Offers page closely and we’ll have all the latest info about 2020 Free Dining as soon as you can book it, including details on the travel dates, restrictions, and more! You can stay in the Free Dining know by subscribing to our newsletter as well as following our Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook accounts!
Click here to subscribe to the DFB Newsletter!
2. Look for Disney Visa Cardholder Access
In the past, Disney Visa Cardholders have been the first to get access to Free Dining before it is announced to the general public. If you’re a Disney Visa Cardholder keep an eye on your inbox for that Free Dining email!
Arendelle Aqua Cake
Check out one of the most recent times Free Dining was announced for Visa Cardholders!
3. Book your Disney World Trip NOW with a Travel Agent so they can update your reservation FOR YOU when Free Dining is released
With the limited number of rooms available for Free Disney World Dining, it wouldn’t hurt to reserve your spot now and have your reservation updated if and when Free Dining becomes available. Our friends at Small World Vacations are happy to help you start making your Free Dining dreams a reality! They’ll save you the time and stress of hanging on the busy phone line while everyone is trying to book their free dining when it’s announced, and they can even save you some moola, too!
DON'T DO IT ALONE!
Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise.
Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!)
So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you 🙂
Stay tuned as we’ll be reporting all the latest 2020 Free Dining news and any updates as soon as we hear anything!
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Do you look forward to the Free Dining packages each year? When do you speculate Disney will be releasing their 2020 dates? Let us know in the comments below!
TRENDING NOW
Flights are getting delayed today!
Now is a great time to grab those last-minute gifts from Amazon since some really...
Get that last-minute holiday shopping done now!
A brand-new Stanley collection has just landed at Target!
Disney's new timeline gives us a better idea when this EPCOT icon will be up-and-running...
We've gotta talk about the one thing that astonished us about Disney World's newest hotel!
Shrinkflation strikes again.
If you're near Disneyland, you might be able to get a little something free this...
A lot is changing in 2025, and if you're visiting in January, here's why you...
Let's talk about what the Loungefly Organizer is and why everyone is grabbing one for...
Visiting Disney World in January? Be prepared to see a LOT of rides closed as...
This special Magic Kingdom parade is changing tomorrow and we have all the details.
Buckle up! Hollywood Studios is changing in the new year!
The owners of Gideon's Bakehouse are opening a new concept in Orlando and we've got...
Don't fall victim to these Disney packing trends! Pack these items instead!
When you stay at a Disney World hotel, there are quite a few RULES in...
Check out the full recipe for how to make Jack-Jack's Num Num Cookies! YUM.
We found some GREAT Amazon deals for Disney fans!
Keep these laws in mind when you make your next Disney World trip!
As we're getting into the last months of the year, we're starting to see hotel...
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
Very interested in free dining dates for 2020.
We’re currently planning a Disney Trip for early December 2020. What do you think our odds are of getting Free DDP.
Also if we book our hotel now, and the deal is release before we go can we add it on. Would we need to pay the difference between what we paid and what the deal price is?
Thanks ABunches for the information!
Can’t wait to save some money!
In my experience, Disney World is even more crowded during free dining events. Personally I tend not to book Disney vacations during those times. That’s just my opinion. Your mileage may vary!
Our family really depends on free dining. We used it last year and it was great. Hoping to use it again in 2020.
JViddt, hard to say about Free Dining in 2020. This year was strange in that first Disney released Free Dining for a span of dates that were off a bit from years past, then Disney released a second round of Free Dining for fall and winter dates. If you do book your Resort now and it’s included in the Free Dining offer in 2020, you’ll want to call Disney to add Free Dining and if there’s a difference in price, they’ll talk to you about how to handle that.
Betty, we are, too! 🙂
Free dining means higher package prices. Nothings free!
This is very really unique helpful information.I learn so much from you as well! Thank you so much for sharing your helpful information. Keep it up.
We are planning a trip to Disney mid January. They already have free dining for kids. Do you think they will open it up to adults?
Carol, it would be unusual to see Free Dining at the start of 2020, but we never rule anything out!