We’ve acquired loads 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 frequent 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 much like Free Dining, however is definitely very totally different. It additionally doesn’t assist that Walt Disney World’s particular supply information just isn’t completely clear (see Summer & Fall 2023 Discount: ‘Free’ Dining Card Up to $150 Per Night for dates & particulars) and provided that call-center Cast Members have been confused.
With that in thoughts, we’ve combed by the official phrases & circumstances of the “Stay, Play and Enjoy a Disney Dining Promo Card” supply web page. In addition to that, we’ve truly used these Disney Dining Cards ourselves many instances 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 now have solutions to ceaselessly requested reader questions–and different ones we anticipate being frequent as soon as company truly begin utilizing the Disney Dining Card. However, we now have 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 share of all company have been utilizing the Disney Dining Card (in all probability beneath 3%). Later this 12 months, a excessive share will likely be utilizing them, which can virtually actually necessitate some adjustments. Keep this in thoughts when studying these solutions–they’re all based mostly 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 previous adage: there is no such thing as a 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 accommodations. This means, extra probably 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 virtually actually will–particularly in August and September 2023, which can probably be the 2 slowest months of this 12 months. June and July 2023 are a probably totally different story, and it’s completely doable basic public reductions is not going to be provided 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 good higher adage at ya for this one: solely a Sith offers in absolutes.
One of probably 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 most effective deal ever and others derided Free Dining as truly being a rip-off. Both have been unsuitable. 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 will 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 very true with particular presents which are extra variable, and might range based mostly on celebration measurement, resort/room class, journey dates, and so forth. (On the spectrum, room-only reductions are probably the most simple and Free Dining is the least–that is about center of the pack.)
In quick, you completely must do the maths on the Disney Dining Card particular supply based mostly by yourself circumstances, and the room-only low cost that’s probably (based mostly on previous precedent) to be launched to 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 route.
How is that this worse than Free Dining?
For one, there’s not likely any option to “hack” it. What so many Walt Disney World followers cherished in regards to the Dining Plan (and by extension, Free Dining) was that they have been the in-group who knew learn how to leverage the DDP to their benefit and truly come out forward. We used to have voluminous sources about ‘best uses’ of Disney Dining Plan credit, and it was doable to get far more bang to your buck with the DDP than its face worth.
The minority of Disney Dining Plan energy customers have 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 virtually like bank cards–some folks leverage them to their benefit and get great advantages at low or no value; that’s backed by the overwhelming majority of people that pay way more in curiosity than they get in rewards. Same thought, totally different circumstances.
For one other factor, this low cost is per room moderately than per individual. 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 loads of them–can 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 presents benefits in budgeting and comfort. For our half, we now have strongly argued towards this, contending that nothing is extra handy than merely paying as you go; when you don’t wish to fear about budgeting, buy (discounted!) Disney Gift Cards earlier than the journey.
This promo is basically 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 need to 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 worth will virtually 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, when you benefit from this promo, you lose that lock, and pay the present ticket costs. The finish result’s that your package deal worth will increase. Most of you must nonetheless come out forward when factoring within the Disney Dining Card, however some is not going to.
Is the whole Disney Dining Card promo quantity capped at $750?
No.
That may come as a shock provided that the particular supply highlights on Disneyworld.com touts that this presents “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 supply 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 supply 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 will surmise that the restrict is a minimum of $1,001. Unfortunately, we can’t decide what the utmost truly is, since Walt Disney World has not printed that data anyplace–and it doesn’t seem even on confirmed reservations.
Anecdotally, we’ve heard studies from journey brokers that that is restricted to 10-night reservations. Normally, the restrict can 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 likely be despatched to you through electronic mail once you verify in at your Walt Disney World Resort resort.
If you don’t obtain it, verify 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 electronic mail or a printed copy of the e-mail when buying meals and drinks at collaborating places. Additionally, it can save you your card to your telephone’s pockets (Apple Wallet or Google Wallet) to make use of at choose places.
In our expertise, the most effective follow for redeeming the Disney Dining Card at counter service and different point-of-sale (POS) places is through Apple or Google Wallet. At desk service eating places, printing out the present card is good. (However, that is likely to 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 keeping 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 is no such thing as a accompanying record of places which are truly eligible, we’ve discovered that each 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 so on. This additionally means you ought to have the ability to use the Disney Dining Card on non-edible gadgets from these places, akin to popcorn buckets and sippers. (No assure that this may proceed to be true, nevertheless 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 is not going to be the case come mid-2023, when a excessive share of company are utilizing this, and Cast Members will presumably be skilled on it.
Where are the most effective locations to make use of the Disney Dining Card?
Pretty easy: any eating places that supply the most effective worth when paying out of pocket. This just isn’t just like the Disney Dining Plan or Free Dining, that necessitated a variety of sources for acquiring probably the most bang to your buck resulting from convoluted redemption guidelines. This is rather like paying money–your Disney Dining Card goes furthest at eating places that supply the most effective worth for cash.
Of course, that’s not likely an easy reply when you’re new to Walt Disney World and thus have no idea which eating places are extra pretty priced than others. Accordingly, when you’re thinking about ‘best value’ eating posts, please tell us within the feedback. We’ll engaged on placing collectively a listing or two.
Which places do NOT settle for the Disney Dining Card?
According to Walt Disney World, places which are unable to simply accept the Disney Dining Promo Card embrace, however should not restricted to:
- Merchandise places and sweet kitchens
- Dining places at Walt Disney World Swan Hotel, Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel and Walt Disney World Swan Reserve Hotel
- Dining places at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort
- Dining places at Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels
- Dining places at Walt Disney World Official Hotels at Bonnet Creek
- Dining places at Walt Disney World Gateway Hotels
With that stated, we now have 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 celebration places 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 notice 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 doable that Walt Disney World has negotiated with extra working contributors in EPCOT, Disney Springs, and past so that they settle for the Disney Dining Card now that it’ll be extra mainstream. There’s actually no cause in every single place that accepts Disney present playing cards can’t additionally settle for this. Nevertheless, you may 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, provided 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 problem 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 answer, nevertheless it’s the most suitable choice from an ease and safety perspective.
Given how widespread the utilization of those Disney Dining Cards will likely 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 follow–and one a lot 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 to your order through 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 presents a bonus for Walt Disney World regulars who’re additionally lighter eaters and received’t use your entire 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 just isn’t 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 supply. 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 circumstances, 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 cause, DVC homeowners appear to suppose they’re entitled to double-dip on reductions regardless of having locked-in theirs up-front. These complaints at all times occurred with Free Dining, too.
As DVC Members ourselves, we’re sympathetic to loads of complaints about this system–particularly in the previous few years. Availability, Member Services, call-center wait instances, the dearth of Annual Passes, and so on. are all reliable gripes. This just isn’t.
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 superb learn that explains why the Dining Plan is integral to Walt Disney World and presents 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 positively should not a substitute for the Disney Dining Plan. At the top of the day, each the DDP and these playing cards serve the very same goal: to lock folks into spending $X on their trip, thus buoying per visitor spending numbers. (They additionally maintain folks on-site, one other key goal.)
Right now, it’s extra advantageous for Walt Disney World to supply one thing simple like this Disney Dining Card. However, this may virtually actually not supplant the Disney Dining Plan long-term for one easy cause: 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 company is not going to use it to full benefit. Not all company drink alcohol, eat steak, love snacking, and so on. For most, the varied Disney Dining Plans supply means 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 continues to be way more versatile and malleable to pure consuming conduct than the DDP. It received’t be as wasteful for company 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 sooner or later, simply not fairly but.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Learn about accommodations 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 put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips put up takes a singular have a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most effective place to begin is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for all the pieces that you must know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Have any questions in regards to the “Stay, Play and Enjoy a Disney Dining Promo Card” particular supply for Summer & Fall 2023 that this FAQ didn’t reply? Other ideas or factors to deal with? 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 fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!