We’ve acquired plenty of questions in regards to the ‘free’ Dining Card deal that Walt Disney World launched for choose dates in Summer and Fall 2023. This FAQ solutions these widespread inquiries about eligibility, worth for cash, how and the place to make use of it, comparisons to (actual) Free Dining, and way more.
It’s comprehensible that there’s confusion, as this sounds just like Free Dining, however is definitely very totally different. It additionally doesn’t assist that Walt Disney World’s particular provide data will not be solely clear (see Summer & Fall 2023 Discount: ‘Free’ Dining Card Up to $150 Per Night for dates & particulars) and on condition that call-center Cast Members have been confused.
With that in thoughts, we’ve combed by means of the official phrases & circumstances of the “Stay, Play and Enjoy a Disney Dining Promo Card” provide web page. In addition to that, we’ve truly used these Disney Dining Cards ourselves many occasions up to now–each the bodily and digital variations–and have realized about their quirks within the course of. (This is definitely nothing new!)
Based upon all of that, we’ve got solutions to often requested reader questions–and different ones we anticipate being widespread as soon as visitors truly begin utilizing the Disney Dining Card. However, we’ve got to warning that how this has labored up to now isn’t essentially predictive of what’ll occur beginning in Summer 2023 with the Disney Dining Cards.
Previously, a really small proportion of all visitors had been utilizing the Disney Dining Card (most likely beneath 3%). Later this 12 months, a excessive proportion will probably be utilizing them, which is able to nearly actually necessitate some modifications. Keep this in thoughts when studying these solutions–they’re all primarily based on a mixture of hypothesis and previous precedent, with no assure that it holds true for 2023.
Is this free Dining Card truly free?
Of course not. Remember the outdated adage: there isn’t any such factor as a free lunch.
Here, that’s true each actually and figuratively. In order to qualify for this Disney Dining Card promo, you’re required to e book a trip package deal with sure parameters–full priced tickets and motels. This means, extra seemingly than not, you’ll be forfeiting an alternate low cost to qualify for this.
Although these haven’t but been launched for many dates, they nearly actually will–particularly in August and September 2023, which is able to seemingly be the 2 slowest months of this 12 months. June and July 2023 are a probably totally different story, and it’s solely attainable basic public reductions won’t be supplied these two months, that means minimal opportunity-cost for this Disney Dining Card promo. Time will inform!
Is this a nasty deal?
I’ll throw a fair higher adage at ya for this one: solely a Sith offers in absolutes.
One of essentially the most irritating issues for me across the (regular) Free Dining discourse was that it so typically lacked nuance. Some Walt Disney World followers claimed it was the very best deal ever and others derided Free Dining as truly being a rip-off. Both had been incorrect. At the very least, they need to’ve appended “for my family” to the top of their very-subjective assessments.
For the final 12 years, I’ve analyzed each single Walt Disney World low cost that has been launched. What I’ve found throughout that point is that each deal could be “good” or “bad.” Even ones that I’ve criticized as being subpar by historic requirements have been nice for some planners who in any other case would’ve paid rack charges for his or her trip.
This is particularly true with particular affords which are extra variable, and may range primarily based on get together measurement, resort/room class, journey dates, and so forth. (On the spectrum, room-only reductions are essentially the most simple and Free Dining is the least–that is about center of the pack.)
In quick, you completely must do the mathematics on the Disney Dining Card particular provide primarily based by yourself circumstances, and the room-only low cost that’s seemingly (primarily based on previous precedent) to be launched on your journey dates. This might be an terrible or superior deal, relying upon your circumstances and body of reference. For most, it’ll be pretty common–however you would be an outlier in both path.
How is that this worse than Free Dining?
For one, there’s not likely any approach to “hack” it. What so many Walt Disney World followers liked in regards to the Dining Plan (and by extension, Free Dining) was that they had been the in-group who knew the right way to leverage the DDP to their benefit and really come out forward. We used to have voluminous sources about ‘best uses’ of Disney Dining Plan credit, and it was attainable to get far more bang on your buck with the DDP than its face worth.
The minority of Disney Dining Plan energy customers had been far outweighed by those that got here out behind–not utilizing all of their credit, not consuming steak for each meal, or in any other case the DDP for low-value redemptions. Think of the Disney Dining Plan nearly like bank cards–some folks leverage them to their benefit and get super advantages at low or no value; that’s backed by the overwhelming majority of people that pay much more in curiosity than they get in rewards. Same thought, totally different circumstances.
For one other factor, this low cost is per room quite than per particular person. That put households of 3-4 in a single room at a definite benefit with Free Dining, and people events will–with out query–be worse off with the Disney Dining Card promo. Even giant events who did a horrible job maximizing their use of credit–and wasted plenty of them–could be higher off with Free Dining as in comparison with this.
How is that this higher than ‘real’ Free Dining?
It’s extra versatile.
For years, there was fierce debate about whether or not the Disney Dining Plan affords benefits in budgeting and comfort. For our half, we’ve got strongly argued towards this, contending that nothing is extra handy than merely paying as you go; if you happen to don’t wish to fear about budgeting, buy (discounted!) Disney Gift Cards earlier than the journey.
This promo is actually that. This card can be utilized for no matter you wish to eat (assuming you wish to eat meals and never, for instance, a tasty Spirit Jersey). You don’t should comport your eating habits with the parameters of the Disney Dining Plan to make it “work” for you.
Why is my previously-booked trip package deal dearer with the ‘free’ Disney Dining Card promo?
Anyone who already booked their 2023 Walt Disney World trip with tickets earlier than December 8, 2022 is in for an disagreeable shock. Your package deal value will nearly actually INCREASE when making use of this “discount!”
That’s as a result of this Disney Dining Card promo requires the acquisition of park tickets–and costs went up just about throughout the board on December 8. If you booked earlier than then, you locked-in cheaper ticket costs. However, if you happen to make the most of this promo, you lose that lock, and pay the present ticket costs. The finish result’s that your package deal value will increase. Most of you need to nonetheless come out forward when factoring within the Disney Dining Card, however some won’t.
Is the whole Disney Dining Card promo quantity capped at $750?
No.
That would possibly come as a shock on condition that the particular provide highlights on Disneyworld.com touts that this affords “up to” a $750 Disney Dining Promo Card. However, that’s not truly the utmost. Walt Disney World has been actually bizarre about the way it promotes these offers, typically (shockingly) underselling them.
Due to the particular provide highlights, even some name middle Cast Members have been confused by the utmost quantity, stating that it’s $750. They are incorrect.
What is the cap on the Disney Dining Cards?
Officially, there may be not one listed within the phrases and circumstances. The provide particulars solely state this: “One Disney Dining Promo Card per room—valid for room-and-ticket packages that include up to $1,000 on a Disney Dining Promo Card. If a package includes more than $1,000 on a Disney Dining Promo Card, the value will be distributed across more than one Disney Dining Promo Card.”
From that, we are able to surmise that the restrict is at least $1,001. Unfortunately, we can’t decide what the utmost truly is, since Walt Disney World has not printed that info wherever–and it doesn’t seem even on confirmed reservations.
Anecdotally, we’ve heard reviews from journey brokers that that is restricted to 10-night reservations. Normally, the restrict could be 14-night stays. So…we have no idea the true most, simply that it’s not $750.
How do you get the Disney Dining Card?
The digital Disney Dining Promo Card will probably be despatched to you by way of e-mail once you test in at your Walt Disney World Resort resort.
If you don’t obtain it, test your spam folder. We’ve had many emails–together with these digital Dining Cards–from Disney get caught by spam. Failing that, inquire at your resort’s entrance desk. (Do it in-person, not over the telephone.)
How is the Disney Dining Card redeemed?
Simply current your digital Disney Dining Promo Card e-mail or a printed copy of the e-mail when buying meals and drinks at taking part areas. Additionally, it can save you your card to your telephone’s pockets (Apple Wallet or Google Wallet) to make use of at choose areas.
In our expertise, the very best apply for redeeming the Disney Dining Card at counter service and different point-of-sale (POS) areas is by way of Apple or Google Wallet. At desk service eating places, printing out the present card is good. (However, that could be difficult because it received’t be emailed till check-in!)
Where can the Disney Dining Card be used?
The digital Disney Dining Card can be utilized to buy meals, snacks, treats and drinks at “select participating dining locations” in line with Walt Disney World. “Enjoy a tasty bite on the go from quick-service venues, food carts, kiosks and more. Or, sit down to a leisurely meal at a table-service restaurant (advance reservations are highly recommended).”
While there isn’t any accompanying record of areas which are truly eligible, we’ve discovered that every one Disney-owned venues which are centered on meals (that means not merchandise with meals additionally bought) settle for the Disney Dining Card. Every EPCOT pageant sales space, counter service restaurant, desk service restaurant, and many others. This additionally means you ought to be capable to use the Disney Dining Card on non-edible objects from these areas, corresponding to popcorn buckets and sippers. (No assure that this may proceed to be true, however it has been up to now!)
Although not ineligible, per se, we’ve discovered that about 5% of kiosks have hassle with the Disney Dining Card. However, this was up to now when it was not often used (and a few Cast Members had by no means seen one earlier than). That won’t be the case come mid-2023, when a excessive proportion of visitors are utilizing this, and Cast Members will presumably be skilled on it.
Where are the very best locations to make use of the Disney Dining Card?
Pretty easy: any eating places that provide the very best worth when paying out of pocket. This will not be just like the Disney Dining Plan or Free Dining, that necessitated a variety of sources for acquiring essentially the most bang on your buck as a result of convoluted redemption guidelines. This is rather like paying money–your Disney Dining Card goes furthest at eating places that provide the very best worth for cash.
Of course, that’s not likely an easy reply if you happen to’re new to Walt Disney World and thus have no idea which eating places are extra pretty priced than others. Accordingly, if you happen to’re enthusiastic about ‘best value’ eating posts, please tell us within the feedback. We’ll engaged on placing collectively a listing or two.
Which areas do NOT settle for the Disney Dining Card?
According to Walt Disney World, areas which are unable to just accept the Disney Dining Promo Card embrace, however are usually not restricted to:
- Merchandise areas and sweet kitchens
- Dining areas at Walt Disney World Swan Hotel, Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel and Walt Disney World Swan Reserve Hotel
- Dining areas at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort
- Dining areas at Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels
- Dining areas at Walt Disney World Official Hotels at Bonnet Creek
- Dining areas at Walt Disney World Gateway Hotels
With that mentioned, we’ve got had the Disney Dining Card on a number of events up to now (together with final 12 months) and located that there have been further third get together areas that didn’t settle for it. This included a handful of eating places in Disney Springs and perhaps even one or two in EPCOT. (Unfortunately, I didn’t make observe of which of them as a result of I by no means anticipated to be writing about such a distinct segment providing.)
However, it’s attainable that Walt Disney World has negotiated with extra working individuals in EPCOT, Disney Springs, and past in order that they settle for the Disney Dining Card now that it’ll be extra mainstream. There’s actually no motive in every single place that accepts Disney present playing cards can’t additionally settle for this. Nevertheless, you would possibly wish to ask eating places in World Showcase and Disney Springs in the event that they settle for the Disney Dining Card earlier than you’re seated or order.
How does this Disney Dining Card work at desk service eating places, on condition that it’s digital and never bodily?
When utilizing the Disney Dining Card up to now, we’ve needed to hand off our telephone to the server at desk service eating places. To keep away from having a difficulty or offering our telephone passcode, we’ve first taken a screenshot of the Disney Dining Card and made that our lockscreen. This is a extremely imperfect resolution, however it’s the most suitable choice from an ease and safety perspective.
Given how widespread the utilization of those Disney Dining Cards will probably be in 2023, it could be good if Walt Disney World would equip all eating places with handheld POS machines. When you concentrate on it, giving your bank card to somebody who then disappears from view is a reasonably poor apply–and one many of the remainder of the world deserted years in the past. (The United States lastly switched to chipped bank cards, hopefully that is subsequent!)
Can the Disney Dining Card be used with Mobile Order?
Yes.
You can use the digital Disney Dining Card identical to an everyday ole present card when paying on your order by way of the My Disney Experience app.
Does the per evening quantity expire on the finish of every day?
No.
Does the Disney Dining Card expire on the finish of our keep?
Based on the official phrases and circumstances, it does not seem to run out on the finish of a keep.
This element affords a bonus for Walt Disney World regulars who’re additionally lighter eaters and received’t use the whole Disney Dining Card quantity throughout their keep. This might be a really small variety of folks, although.
When does the Disney Dining Card expire?
Per those self same T&C: The digital Disney Dining Promo Card will not be legitimate after September 30, 2023.
Why can’t Disney Vacation Club Members get the ‘free’ Disney Dining Card?
They can! So lengthy as DVC Members qualify with the parameters of the promotion, they’re eligible to e book this particular provide. Same goes for Annual Passholders, Florida residents, members of D23, Hell’s Angels, and so forth–anybody is eligible.
However, it looks as if these questioning this are literally asking: Why can’t I get a “free” Disney Dining Card with no strings connected? The reply to that’s, as intimated above, that nobody will get a free Disney Dining Card with no strings connected. Again, no such factor as a free lunch. This requires the acquisition of full priced tickets and lodging.
Disney Vacation Club members already save 40% or extra (in some instances, 70% or extra, relying upon after they joined and the way they bought their membership curiosity) on lodging. Without query, DVC Members are getting a greater deal than this Disney Dining Card promo. For no matter motive, DVC homeowners appear to assume they’re entitled to double-dip on reductions regardless of having locked-in theirs up-front. These complaints all the time occurred with Free Dining, too.
As DVC Members ourselves, we’re sympathetic to plenty of complaints about this system–particularly in the previous couple of years. Availability, Member Services, call-center wait occasions, the dearth of Annual Passes, and many others. are all legit gripes. This will not be.
Will Walt Disney World convey again the true Disney Dining Plan?
The Disney Dining Plan is nonetheless “temporarily” suspended at Walt Disney World regardless of assurances that it could return quickly again in mid-2021. In When Will the Disney Dining Plan Return? we forecast timing for its comeback, in addition to our rationale. It’s a very good learn that explains why the Dining Plan is integral to Walt Disney World and affords our prediction as to when it’ll return.
In our view, this low cost has completely no bearing on the return of the Disney Dining Plan. These playing cards are nothing new, and definitely are usually not a alternative for the Disney Dining Plan. At the top of the day, each the DDP and these playing cards serve the very same function: to lock folks into spending $X on their trip, thus buoying per visitor spending numbers. (They additionally maintain folks on-site, one other key function.)
Right now, it’s extra advantageous for Walt Disney World to supply one thing simple like this Disney Dining Card. However, this may nearly actually not supplant the Disney Dining Plan long-term for one easy motive: it’s too easy and simple. The convoluted nature of the Disney Dining Plan is a characteristic, not a bug. (See above comparability to bank cards.)
The Disney Dining Plan has higher “breakage” than present playing cards as a result of the overwhelming majority of visitors won’t use it to full benefit. Not all visitors drink alcohol, eat steak, love snacking, and many others. For most, the varied Disney Dining Plans provide manner an excessive amount of meals. Very few folks eat in ways in which maximize the DDP’s worth. Breakage clearly exists with present playing cards (that’s additionally the entire level!), however the Disney Dining Card remains to be much more versatile and malleable to pure consuming conduct than the DDP. It received’t be as wasteful for visitors and doesn’t have the identical all-inclusive really feel. In quick, Walt Disney World may have a number of incentives to convey again the Disney Dining Plan in some unspecified time in the future, simply not fairly but.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Learn about motels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To lower your expenses on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips submit takes a singular take a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for all the pieces it is advisable know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Have any questions in regards to the “Stay, Play and Enjoy a Disney Dining Promo Card” particular provide for Summer & Fall 2023 that this FAQ didn’t reply? Other ideas or factors to handle? Will your loved ones be reserving or sitting out this Walt Disney World low cost? How does this evaluate to Free Dining for you–is it higher or worse? Do you agree or disagree with our perspective on this? Hearing your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!