The Free Disney Eating Plan is a good Walt Disney World trip package deal low cost. This covers information, suggestions for reserving, present dates, predictions & rumors for future dates round Halloween & Christmas, and solutions to questions together with whether or not this deal is “value it.” (Up to date March 12, 2025.)
In the event you’re unfamiliar with the Disney Eating Plan (DDP), we’d direct you to our complete Information to the 2025 Disney Eating Plan. That covers the fundamentals, what the DDP consists of, the way it’s modified since returning final 12 months, and extra. It additionally breaks down the worth of the Disney Eating Plan and whether or not the paid model is definitely worth the cash, and rather more.
The excellent news is that Free Eating has already returned as soon as this 12 months, for journey dates in Summer season 2025. The unhealthy information is that the particular supply is not out there to guide for the primary half of the 12 months. The opposite excellent news is that–as mentioned beneath within the rumors & hypothesis part–we’re anticipating a second wave of Free Eating for the second half of 2025. If you wish to be notified instantly when extra 2025 reductions are launched, join right here for our FREE Walt Disney World e-newsletter.
We’ve constantly notified our subscribers when Free Eating and different Walt Disney World offers are going to drop. Both prematurely of their launch or on the day they go reside at ~7 a.m., which usually offers you a 2+ hour head begin on Disney’s official announcement. That won’t look like a lot, nevertheless it makes an enormous distinction when reserving–it signifies that you gained’t have to attend on maintain for hours on the cellphone or in an extended digital queue on-line.
Within the final a number of months, Walt Disney World has launched over a dozen totally different reductions, together with some that run by way of Summer season 2025. There are even focused offers out there by way of December 24, 2025. This can be a big change as in comparison with 2021-2022, when many dates didn’t have reductions in any respect attributable to revenge journey and visitor spending being so sturdy. That coupled with capability is why the Disney Eating Plan took so lengthy to return within the first place. These are each non-factors now, and issues are roughly again to 2019 norms.
That is all related to the return of Free Eating in 2025 as a result of the deal isn’t supplied out of company benevolence, however as an aggressive transfer to assist enhance resort occupancy numbers. That wasn’t mandatory for the final couple of years attributable to pent-up demand. Nevertheless, that has modified considerably, and now Walt Disney World is pulling a number of “levers” to attempt to incentivize demand. With Epic Universe opening in Summer season 2025, we’re solely anticipating this development of elevated discounting to speed up.
As all the time, we’d suggest requesting a FREE no obligation quote from Be Our Visitor Holidays, an Approved Disney Trip Planner and having these journey brokers guide for you. They’ll help you with the planning course of, enable you to select probably the most economical dates, greatest add-ons, and many others.
Equally as vital, they’ll enable you to with low cost comparability procuring. There are a ton of various reductions presently out there for Walt Disney World in 2025, and that quantity is barely going to develop! So what you see now isn’t essentially every little thing that’ll be out there in your journey dates.
On that observe, listed here are some predictions about 2025 Free Eating at Walt Disney World…
2025 Free Eating Forecast & Rumors
As famous above, Free Eating was beforehand launched for Might 27 by way of June 26, and July 7 by way of August 6, 2025. This promo was solely bookable by way of mid-February, and is not out there. Nevertheless, there are a few curious issues to notice in regards to the first wave of 2025 Free Eating.
The primary is that it was solely bookable for roughly one month. The second is that it was solely supplied by way of August 6, which is correct round when faculties begin going again into session and earlier than the early fall low season begins. These are two atypically brief timeframes for Free Eating.
The excellent news is that we have now our first tease of the second wave of Free Eating as of March 12, 2025. Have a look:
On its official rewards web site, Disney Visa introduced in the present day {that a} new supply for Walt Disney World Resort is coming quickly: “Test again within the coming weeks to get a style of what we have now in retailer this summer season.” (Emphasis added.)
There’s all the time the likelihood that is one thing else, however given final 12 months’s precedent and timing and the “style” wordplay, we’d put the possibilities of this being Free Eating at about 90% or larger. It additionally traces up with our predicted launch date for the second wave of Free Eating (see beneath).
The largest questions at this level are whether or not there can be a companion Free Eating supply for most people with Disney Visa cardmembers merely receiving a wider vary of dates, or if Free Eating that is unique to Disney Visa. Regardless, we anticipate a number of different offers to be launched on the identical date as Free Eating.
This is smart, as Walt Disney World wants to supply reductions to fill resort rooms. Park attendance and resort occupancy are each down. Executives have expressly said as a lot throughout earnings calls, and the corporate expects this ‘demand moderation’ to proceed by way of at the very least the primary half of 2025.
On prime of that, the parks and resorts at the moment are seeing higher-spending Canadians cancelling their Florida holidays. There’s motive to imagine declining shopper confidence and financial nervousness will end in a tourism downturn within the close to future. A number of main airways simply lower their forecasts attributable to smooth demand.
To handle this, Walt Disney World has been releasing extra reductions. They’re doing it out of necessity. That is one thing we’ve documented, and we’ve repeatedly identified that they’re pulling from the 2019 playbook for reductions. That 2019 playbook included Free Eating.
The elephant within the room is Epic Common opening down the street at Common Orlando. There’s debate over whether or not this third gate will eat into Walt Disney World attendance or a “rising tide lifts all boats.”
That’s a separate dialog from resort bookings. We totally anticipate Epic Universe to adversely impression Walt Disney World resort occupancy. That’s what actually issues in terms of the probability of Free Eating.
Common Orlando is already trying to push individuals wanting to go to Epic Universe in the direction of trip packages (it labored on us!), they usually seem to have been fairly profitable at that. There are incentives for friends to remain on-site to extra simply entry Epic Universe, and package deal costs are low cost as in comparison with WDW. Past that, Common Orlando has rolled out its personal ‘Free Eating’ supply for 2025.
Given all of this, we totally anticipate a second wave of Free Eating for dates which are later in 2025.
The primary motive Walt Disney World wouldn’t but launch reductions for past August 2025 relate to resort occupancy numbers. The corporate is basically good at projecting resort bookings, nevertheless it’s similar to a climate forecast–extra correct as dates draw nearer and fewer correct additional into the long run. Walt Disney World solely desires to supply reductions as essential to fill resort rooms, in order that they launch reductions in phases.
Probably the most dependable set of dates for Free Eating are normally in August to late September 2025. These dates are the slowest of the 12 months at Walt Disney World, and have been the most typical and constant for Free Eating. Anticipate a second wave of Free Eating to embody these dates throughout Fall 2025. It additionally would possibly embody parts of October, minus vacation weeks and fall break.
A scattering of November and/or December dates might be out there once more, and there’s more likely to be a stretch in December after (however not together with) the primary week and working till as late as December 20, 2025.
This rolling nature of Walt Disney World particular gives isn’t actually a prediction–it’s what occurs constantly 12 months in and 12 months out. The corporate usually releases its first batch of reductions in early January, subsequent set in late March or early April, and one other throughout the summer season. Apart from the early January launch, none of those dates are actually set in stone–they’ve been inconsistent in the previous few years.
Primarily based on latest tendencies–when offers have been launched earlier–it might make sense for the following wave of Free Eating to be launched round April 8, 2025. Now we have a low diploma of confidence in that date, although. If we glance again to prior years, anytime between March 18, 2025 and April 15, 2025 would make sense.
Traditionally, Free Eating has been launched in April greater than another month, and the second wave of Free Eating was launched proper round then final 12 months. However, I wouldn’t guess in opposition to March. Walt Disney World has been releasing reductions sooner than regular and there’s the stress of Epic Universe.
Along with encompassing totally different date ranges, the following waves may supply totally different visitor eligibility. It’s attainable future waves of Free Eating can be out there to most people–or solely Disney+ subscribers or Disney Visa Cardholders.
Clearly, that is solely a prediction–the precise dates and particulars of future waves of 2025 Free Eating may fluctuate a little bit or lot, and it’s totally attainable that nothing is launched in any respect! However we extremely, extremely doubt it.
If something, the alternative is extra possible: that Walt Disney World releases a higher or extra aggressive model of Free Eating for its second wave. It’s totally attainable there are three waves, with the second being supplied to most people for August and September 2025 journey dates, and a 3rd being focused at Disney+ subscribers or Disney Visa cardholders for October by way of December 2025 journey dates.
Once more, we need to emphasize that that is not a rumor–it’s merely us analyzing resort bookings and previous precedent on reductions, and making an informed guess. August and September normally have one of the best reductions of the 12 months since demand is lowest, and we’d anticipate that to be doubly true within the 12 months when Epic Universe is opening at Common and nothing new is opening at Walt Disney World. October by way of December are normally busier, therefore the potential concentrating on of Free Eating throughout these dates.
Disney additionally likes excessive ranges of per visitor spending numbers, and no different particular supply helps obtain these excessive per caps like Free Eating. Regardless of “free” being within the title, it’s an advantageous promo from Disney’s perspective as a result of it locks friends into full-price lodges and tickets. It additionally retains friends on-site for probably the most half, since they’ve “free” meals at Walt Disney World. No different low cost accomplishes all of those vital objectives for the corporate.
Both means, can be intently monitoring the 2025 Free Eating scenario, holding our ears open for extra information a few return of Free Eating. Ought to one thing–something–be launched or rumored, we’ll ship you an alert in case you join our FREE Walt Disney World e-newsletter.
We’ve constantly notified e-mail subscribers when Free Eating and different offers on the day they go reside at ~6 or 7 a.m., which is a 2+ hour head begin on Disney’s official announcement at 9 am. That makes a big distinction when reserving Free Eating–you gained’t have to attend on maintain for hours on the cellphone.
Free Eating FAQ
Free Eating is Walt Disney World’s most intricate promotion, and generally is a big headache to guide. Between restricted availability and navigating a seas of guidelines and restrictions, it’s straightforward to make errors. This part of the publish covers the foundations, phrases and circumstances, and insurance policies that typically govern the Free Eating promotion.
We all the time suggest that Walt Disney World first-timers (or regulars who simply don’t need to cope with the trouble) request a FREE quote from Be Our Visitor Holidays, an Approved Disney Journey Planner. Most legit journey brokers don’t cost for reserving Walt Disney World holidays (and also you don’t pay a premium for them–Disney pays them fee), in order that’s actually the best solution to go.
With this particular supply, Walt Disney World friends reserving trip packages with non-discounted resort lodges and park tickets obtain the DDP for every member of their occasion for no extra cost. For apparent causes (who doesn’t love free meals?!), the promotion is extremely fashionable and a few resorts that provide free eating are inclined to promote out shortly.
Visitors reserving the Free Eating promotion for Worth or Average Resorts will obtain the Fast Service Disney Eating Plan, with friends staying at Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resorts receiving the usual Disney Eating Plan.
There are some room exclusions for the Free Eating promo: 3-bedroom villas, campsites, Cabins at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Wilderness Lodge, Bungalows at Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, and Little Mermaid Rooms at Disney’s Artwork of Animation Resort.
These resorts and room tiers are all not eligible for Free Eating. Moreover, room stock is proscribed throughout all resorts. In observe, because of this once you go to guide, a specific class (normal view, backyard view, and many others.) is probably not out there in your journey dates–or your journey dates is probably not out there at a selected resort in any respect.
To benefit from Free Eating, there’s additionally the requirement that friends buy tickets that embody both a minimal 4-day Park Hopper or the Park Hopper Plus choice. Moreover, a 4-night minimal keep is required with a most keep of fourteen nights.
This implies you possibly can’t buy discounted Walt Disney World tickets from a licensed reseller, which we usually extremely suggest in our Walt Disney World journey planning recommendation. That is one thing to remember when doing the mathematics to find out if “Free Eating” is an effective worth for you.
Relating to Free Eating, doing the mathematics is extremely vital. Different reductions (comparable to a room-only low cost) could be higher for your loved ones. Bear in mind, there isn’t a such factor as a free lunch; you could have forfeit an alternate low cost to qualify for Free Eating. We break down a number of the math in our “Is Free Eating Value It?” publish.
When you’ve got already booked a trip package deal with an arrival date that qualifies for Free Eating, we suggest utilizing the “modify reservation” hyperlink in your reserving to use the promotion to your package deal. That is the quickest and best solution to apply the promotion.
You would possibly see different recommendation that recommends calling to guide Free Eating. That is outdated. In the event you name Walt Disney World’s reservation line, you’ll possible wait on maintain for an hour (or hours) till you’re capable of communicate to an agent. Reserving or modifying your reservation on-line is far faster and simpler.
Even when the web system crashes (which has occurred) or strikes slowly attributable to all of the visitors, it’s simpler to simply preserve attempting on-line. Sadly, reserving on-line isn’t all the time attainable and technical errors do occur…so that you may need to name and wait on maintain.
In case you are questioning which resort to guide for the Free Eating promotion, take a look at our new Finest Walt Disney World Resorts for Free Eating publish. It offers our most well-liked choice for every resort tier. Oh, and don’t neglect to make some ADRs for one of the best and hottest Walt Disney World eating places.
With this Free Eating supply, Worth and Average Resort friends obtain the Fast Service Disney Eating Plan throughout the promotion. Visitors at Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts obtain the usual Disney Eating Plan.
We extremely suggest making Advance Eating Reservations as quickly as attainable. Sure, even earlier than Free Eating is obtainable, in case you can. Everybody gobbles up the nice ADRs shortly for Free Eating dates, so in case you don’t guide early, you may be caught consuming counter service or unpopular eating places at some point of your journey.
To reply another frequent questions: sure, you will need to buy tickets with the supply even when you have already got them (or an Annual Move). No, bookings made with Disney Trip Membership factors usually are not eligible for the supply. No, you can not “stack” this supply with a percentage-off room low cost (at the very least not within the U.S.). For these questioning about different Walt Disney World reductions, take a look at our Present Walt Disney World Low cost Presents publish for what’s presently out there.
For particulars about which tier of the Disney Eating Plan consists of or for suggestions about which eating places to guide to maximise your use of the DDP, please see our complete Disney Eating Plan Overview Web page.
Be aware that the Free Disney Eating Plan promotion is all the time primarily based upon arrival dates. For instance, if Free Eating runs June 27 to June 28 and also you arrive on June 28 and keep till July 5, you are eligible for Free Eating–though it’s blocked out for July 5 arrivals. (You didn’t arrive on July 5 in that state of affairs–you arrived in June.)
Nevertheless, if it’s supplied those self same dates and also you arrive on June 26 and keep for a similar dates, you usually are not eligible for Free Eating, though extra of your keep falls throughout an “eligible” interval than the primary instance’s. The work-around for that is doing a cut up keep, with the ineligible arrival nights a part of one trip and a second trip beginning on the first legitimate “arrival” date and persevering with thereafter. Once more, arrival dates are what issues with Free Eating.
Within the part beneath, we have now historic Free Eating dates for the previous few years. The remainder of what follows is historic details about the Free Disney Eating Plan promotion…
Historic Data
The next isn’t pertinent to present bookings, however we have now discovered that readers discover it helpful to have particulars about previous Free Eating promos when planning for the long run and what to anticipate. Be aware that the dates are fairly constant from 12 months to 12 months, with slight shifts for holidays, weekends, and particular occasions, or different issues that could be excluded from the Free Disney Eating Plan promotion.
Final 12 months, there was no early reserving window for Disney Visa cardholders, however there was an expanded date vary (see beneath). The 2 years earlier than, Disney Visa cardholders did have an early reserving window. Precise dates are listed beneath. Most years, most people is ready to guide Free Eating packages 5 days after Disney Visa cardholders can guide.
In years previous, Free Eating has been introduced in late April, with reserving opening first for Disney Visa bank card holders and most people a number of days later. The final couple of years, there was no early window for Disney Visa cardholders.
Listed below are the Walt Disney World Free Eating dates that have been out there from 2013-2020 for historic reference…
2025 Free Eating Dates:
- Might 27 by way of June 26
- July 7 by way of August 6
- ???
2024 Free Eating Dates:
- July 1 to September 30 (Disney+ Subscribers)
- July 1 to July 31 (Disney Visa)
- September 1 to September 7 (Disney Visa)
- December 9 to December 21 (Disney Visa)
2020 Free Eating Dates (Cancelled):
- June 27 by way of June 28
- July 5 by way of July 7
- August 29 by way of September 8
2019 Free Eating Dates:
- July 5 – September 30*
- September 1 by way of September 18**
- November 17 by way of November 27**
- December 8 by way of December 23**
*First and second wave of Free Eating
**Third wave of Free Eating
2018 Free Eating Dates:
- August 20* — September 29
- November 24 — 27
- December 7 — 23
*Disney Visa Cardholders may guide for arrival dates starting August 2.
2017 Free Eating Dates:
- August 21* – September 30
- November 14 – 20
- November 25 – 27
- December 8 – 23
*Disney Visa Cardholders may guide for arrival dates starting August 13.
2016 Free Eating Dates:
- August 23* by way of October 1
- November 15 by way of 21
- November 26 by way of 28
- December 10 by way of 21
*Disney Visa Cardholders may guide for arrival dates starting August 14.
2015 Free Eating Dates:
- August 28 by way of October 2
- October 25 by way of October 31
- November 8 by way of November 19
- December 15 by way of December 21
2014 Free Eating Dates:
- August 31 – October 3
- October 26 – November 1
- November 9 – November 20
- December 12 – December 23
2013 Free Eating Dates
- September 2 to September 25
- September 29 to October 2
- October 18 to November 2
- November 11 to November 23
- December 12 to December 22
Different Free Eating Posts & Assets
In the event you plan on getting the Disney Eating Plan take a look at these different Walt Disney World posts:
Need extra eating suggestions? Try our 101 Scrumptious Walt Disney World Eating Ideas. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations. Planning different points of a Walt Disney World journey? Study lodges on our Walt Disney World Resorts Evaluations web page. To save cash on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a novel take a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, one of the best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every little thing you want to know!
Your Ideas
Do you suppose Free Eating can be launched once more in April 2025? Or will a rising tide raise all ships and end in Walt Disney World not “needing” to get that aggressive with offers due to Epic Universe? Are you a fan of the “free” eating promotion? Have any suggestions totally free eating rookies? In the event you’ve booked Free Eating, what did you concentrate on your expertise with the deal? In the event you have been unable to get it, the place/when have been you unsuccessful? Tell us what you consider the promotion and whether or not you’re planning on benefiting from it within the feedback!
