Free Dining Plan Promotion at Walt Disney World Resort for 2009

In late March 2009, Disney released their usual Free Dining Promotion for visits in late August - September. Then everyone was surprised and delighted when Disney released a Free Dining Plan Promotion will apply to guests who booked a Magic Your Way Package at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel for stays of three nights or longer between September 29th - December 17th, 2009.

Here were the details of that special promotion (now expired):

Book a Walt Disney World Magic Your Way package at a Disney Value Resort (the All-Star or Pop Century resorts) and receive the Quick Service Dining Plan at no additional cost. The Quick Service Dining Plan provides two counter-service meals and 2 snacks (up to $4 value) per person, per night of stay. A family of four (2 adults, 2 children) will save $77.96 per night of stay. Each person over age 3 also receives a refillable mug good for sodas, tea, and coffee at your resort food court with the quick service plan. Guests staying at a value resort can upgrade to the Standard Dining Plan for an additional $10 per night per person over age 10 and an additional $2 per night per child aged 3 - 9.

Book a Walt Disney World Magic Your Way package at a Disney Moderate or Deluxe Resort and receive the Plus / Standard Dining Plan at no additional cost. The Standard Dining Plan provides one table service meal credit, one counter-service meal credit, and 1 snack (up to $4 value) per person, per night of stay. A family of four (2 adults, 2 children) will save $101.96 per night of stay. It is possible to upgrade to the Deluxe Dining Plan by paying the difference between the Standard Dining Plan and the Deluxe Dining Plan.

It may be possible to add this promotion to your existing reservation. If it cannot be added to your existing reservation, ask if the package is available in a different room category or at a different resort. The savings may make it worth switching resorts.

* You have until September 26, 2009 to make your reservations.

* Travel dates: September 29th through December 17th, 2009.

* Your package must include at least 3 nights consecutive stay at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel and you must purchase at least a 1 day Magic Your Way Base ticket for every person over age 3 in the party.

* A refundable deposit of $200 will be due within 7 days of booking your reservation. The balance will be due 45 days prior to arrival.

* Dining reservations can be booked 90 days prior to arrival.

* Disney is offering the standard "Plus Dining" free of charge to guests taking advantage of this wonderful promotion. This has a nightly value of $39.99 per person over age 9 and a $10.99 value for children ages 3 - 9. A family over 4 will save over $100 for each night of their stay.

* This promotion is good for stays of up to 10 nights.

* Cannot be combined with any other promotion or discount.

There are usually a limited number of these packages available and certain locations always fill more quickly than others. The Polynesian and Contemporary deluxe resorts are always quick to fill and Disney's Pop Century hotel is always the value resort that fills first. Among the moderate resorts, Coronado Springs is now booking quickly because the resort has changed to queen sized beds - the other moderate resorts still have double beds. Port Orleans Riverside is the most reasonably priced resort that can accomodate a family of five.

If you know your travel dates and want us to put a room on hold, please fill out the form at http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/quoterequest.php I will need the names of everyone in your party, and the ages of the kids, in order to make the reservation.

UK residents can take advantage of thie American free dining promotion by booking though a US-based travel agency like Build A Better Mouse Trip.

Virgin Holidays is also offering a special free dining promotion for UK residents. This offers a wider selection of dates than the American promotion but it looks like resort selections may be limited to moderate and deluxe resorts. It doesn't appear that Disney's value resorts are included in the UK offer.