Exciting News! Walt Disney World has announced the return of the Free Dining Plan discount for select travel dates starting in Summer 2025.
This is always the deal that guests look for as it can be a great saving.
It isn’t entirely unexpected. Disney is going to have increasing competition from Universal Orlando with the much anticipated opening of Epic Universe on 22 May 2025.
No one knows yet what the impact of the brand new Universal Orlando theme park will have. But Disney is obviously trying to make sure that there are incentives to not only visit the Disney Parks, but to stay on property in the resort hotels.
So what are the details of the deal?
Starting January 2, 2025, you can book a Walt Disney World vacation package that includes a free Disney Dining Plan for select travel dates, just in time for summer.
To qualify, you’ll need to purchase a non-discounted 3-night, 3-day (or longer) package through the Walt Disney Travel Company.
This package must include a stay at a select Walt Disney World Resort hotel and theme park tickets with the Park Hopper option.
Eligible Travel Dates:
- May 27 to June 26, 2025
- July 7 to August 6, 2025
Additionally, beginning January 2, 2025, Walt Disney World will release other discounts, including deals on select resort hotel rooms.
We’ll have the full scoop on the Free Disney Dining Plan offer on the morning of January 2, 2025. For now, there’s no official word on participating resorts, excluded room types, or which dining plan tiers will apply to Value, Moderate, Deluxe, or Villa Resorts.
That said, it’s likely the offer will follow the same rules as previous years. While there’s always the chance for surprises, don’t expect anything drastically different—Disney typically sticks to its tried-and-true formula.
This is an earlier start compared to previous offers, which in 2024, began in July. Also the offers in 2024 were only for Disney + subscribers and Disney Visa card holders.
What to Expect:
- July availability may be limited. As summer crowds build, fewer rooms tend to be released for special offers later in the season.
- Additional discounts are likely. Disney tells us that on January 2, there will be additional offers.Based on past trends, expect room-only deals for the general public, Annual Passholders, and Florida residents. Other offers, like “Stay Longer & Save More,” Disney+ subscriber deals, or Disney Visa promotions, could also appear.
So, with these additional discounts most likely being offered, you do have to work out which is the best deal.
It isn’t just a no brainer – the Free Dining Offer might not be the best deal for everyone.
You need to look at whether a Room Only Deal, or any other deal that is also being offered, is the best option for you.
It is complicated and if you want the best savings you really do have to compare the deals. Free Dining isn’t always the best way.
If you want expert help in navigating these offers and finding out the best one for you our advice is to use a travel agent to help.
We highly recommend getting a FREE no obligation quote from The Vacationeer They are Disney Authorized Diamond Level Vacation Planners.
Alison Meacham is the founder of EverythingMouse Disney Blog. For over 15 years she has shared her love of Disney Parks, Disney Cruises and Universal Orlando. In over 30 years of Disney Travel she has spent countless months in Disney Parks and has sailed on over 45 cruises. A British native and now a United States resident she splits her time between California, Florida and the UK. And spends a serious amount of time sailing the seven seas. She helps over 200,000 people per month follow their Disney travel dreams.