It’s amazing how two simple words can perk up the ears of any Disney expert. Every once in a while, Disney releases new deals and discounts for upcoming vacations. Maybe you’re looking out for a sweet hotel discount. Maybe you’re hoping for a special vacation package offer. Well, there is one special deal that’s been SUPER rare over the past few years. Ever heard of a little thing called free dining?

Stay calm, everyone. It’s really happening. Disney is bringing free dining BACK in 2025, and this time, ANYONE can take advantage of the offer. You may remember free dining made its long-awaited return in early 2024 for a select group of people, but since then, it’s been all quiet on the dining front. Well, the wait is over! We’re here to tell you everything you need to know about this deal, so let’s hop to it.

Back in the day (we’re talking pre-pandemic), free dining offers were pretty common. Typically, based on our research, the free dining deal is one of the ONLY ways to save money when dining in Disney World. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t often save money if you pay for the Disney Dining Plan. But the FREE version? That’s another story…

Free Dining Offer

Disney is offering a new deal, and bookings are available starting January 2nd, 2025. You can get a FREE Disney Dining Plan with the purchase of select Disney World vacation packages for hotel stays this summer!

Between January 2nd and February 10th, Disney is offering a free dining plan with the purchase of a non-discounted 3-night, 3-day (at minimum) Disney vacation package that includes a room at a select Disney Resort hotel and a ticket with a Park Hopper option. This means you only have roughly a one-month window to book a trip.

The deal will apply to vacations starting May 27th through June 26th and July 7th through August 6th, 2025. Note that if you want free dining, you must purchase a non-discounted vacation package. That means no hotel discounts!

Disney Dining Plan

Currently, Disney has two versions of the Disney Dining Plan for different budgets and planning styles. The Dining Plan is an optional add-on to your Disney World trip (but you must book a stay at a Disney-owned-and-operated hotel). Once you purchase the Dining Plan, you have basically pre-paid for your meals. Then, on vacation, you simply:

1. Head to a restaurant on the list of participating locations
2. EAT!
3. Scan your MagicBand, Key to the World card, or Disney MagicMobile pass

At the end of the meal, the credits for your food will be deducted from your pre-paid meal or snack allotment, so you don’t pay while you’re at the restaurant. (Note: Gratuity is not included at table-service meals.)

Our Disney Dining Plan FAQ will answer your biggest questions!

Remember how we said there are two Dining Plans? Currently, you can use the Quick Service Disney Dining Plan or the Standard Disney Dining Plan.

With the Quick Service Disney Dining Plan, you get the following (per person, per night):

• 2 Quick Service Meals
• 1 Snack

Further, with each Quick Service Meal Entitlement, you’ll receive:

• 1 Entrée (including any accompanying sides)
• 1 Beverage (includes specialty drinks such as milkshakes and alcoholic beverages where available for guests using an Adult Quick Service Credit)

With the Standard Disney Dining Plan, you get the following (per person, per night):

• 1 Table Service Meal
• 1 Quick Service Meal
• 1 Snack

Additionally, with each Standard Dining Plan Meal Entitlement, you’ll receive:

• 1 Entrée (with accompanying sides)
• 1 Dessert (Lunch and Dinner Only)
• 1 Beverage (Includes Specialty Beverages and Alcoholic Drinks)

OR

• 1 Family Style or Buffet Meal (Includes all-you-care-to-eat food and standard drinks.)
• You can also order an alcoholic or specialty beverage

Without Disney’s new free dining offer, you’ll pay over $50 per adult per day for the Quick Service Dining Plan and over $95 per adult per day for the Standard Dining Plan.

Here’s the full list of prices for 2025 Dining Plans:

Quick Service Disney Dining Plan:

• $59.14 per night per adult (ages 10 and up)
• $24.70 per night per child (age 3-9)

Standard Disney Dining Plan:

• $97.70 per night per adult (ages 10 and up)
• $30.78 per night per child (age 3-9)

The number of meals and snacks is based on the number of nights you stay in Disney World.

Is the Disney Dining Plan Worth It?

This depends on how much food you and your family usually eat on vacation. Our best suggestion is to crunch the numbers. We have a full chapter on deciding whether the Dining Plan is worth it for your family in our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book.  You can get your own copy here!

Additionally, we also have a guide entirely focused on the Disney Dining Plan! The DFB Guide to Maximizing the Disney Dining Plan breaks down each plan and its pros and cons.

Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your Disney World trip alone? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation.

Disney Dining Plan Resources

Full Disney Dining Plan FAQ — everything you need to know about the Disney Dining Plans.

How to Maximize Your Disney Dining Plan Credits!

Why You SHOULD Buy the Disney Dining Plan

Why You Should NOT Buy the Disney Dining Plan

More Disney Dining Information and FAQs

For more Disney dining information, including details on dining discounts, restaurants, menus, and more, visit our Disney Dining Reference Page.

In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more.

Disney Dining Plan at Walt Disney World Resort