Voice of Travel

For quite a few years now, Disney has offered free dining during select dates, usually from the middle of August through the middle of September.

They’re doing that this year as well, but now it looks like they’ll be extending it!

So if you’ve been thinking about going to Disney between October and next March…you might want to make sure it’s during days that you’ll be able to get free dining – if you plan on staying on Disney’s property that is.

According to Jim Hill Media, here are the dates that you can now get free dining:

• October 2nd – October 8th, 2011
• October 23rd – November 5th, 2011
• November 13th – November 19th, 2011
• November 27th – December 3rd, 2011
• December 11th – December 17th, 2011
• January 8th – January 14th, 2012
• January 22nd – February 4th, 2012
• February 12th – February 18th, 2012
• March 4th – March 10th, 2012
• March 25th – March 31st, 2012

As you can see, this is a lot of dates!

If you haven’t had free dining before, and aren’t sure what it is…it’s pretty simple.

If you’re staying on Disney property, and get at least 2-day park passes, you’ll get to eat for free. Now, it does matter where you stay as to exactly what you get.

If you’re staying at a value resort, you’ll get the Quick Service Dining Plan, and at all other resorts, you’ll get the regular Disney Dining Plan.

The Quick Service Dining Plan gives you 2 quick service meals and 1 snack per person, per night of your stay. You’ll also get a resort refillable drink mug per person. There is a long list of restaurants that you can use your dining credits at.

The regular Disney Dining Plan gives you 1 quick service meal, 1 snack, and 1 table service meal for each night of your stay.

If you’re staying at a value resort but would prefer the regular Disney Dining Plan, don’t worry. You can pay the difference and upgrade to the regular plan, it’s not a problem.

I can tell you from experience, that this is a lot of food! If you bring something from home to eat for breakfast, or even consider using some snack credits for bakery items as breakfast, you won’t want to buy any other food throughout the day! At least that’s how it has been for me on my trips using the free dining plan.

I’ve taken advantage of this, and if you want to get the chance to order whatever you’d like at some great restaurants, I suggest going during free dining.