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Fans of the Disney Parks know it well: the involuntary cringe that comes when it’s time to shell out for meals during your visit.
If you’re considering a visit this summer, here’s a cool cost-saving option: As Hip2Save first reported, Disney World is offering a great deal on their food packages. During a few select dates in 2020, guests score a free dining plan that covers food and non-alcoholic drinks when they book a full-price, five-night/six-day vacation package (including a ticket with Park Hopper option) at one of the nearby Disney resorts.
Sounds fantastic! There’s a lot of fine print to parse, however. We’ll start with the dates: Arrivals on June 27-28, July 5-7 and Aug. 29-Sept. 8 are eligible for the deal.
The next hoop to jump through is choosing the right resort for your stay. There are four tiers of resort, and the dining package you get from this free dining promotion depends on which tier you’re staying in. Guests of the Disney Deluxe Villa Resort Hotels and Deluxe Resort Hotels get the Disney Dining Plan.
These hotels include Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Polynesian Villas and Bungalows, Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Yacht Club Resort and others.
The Disney Dining Plan includes one meal at a quick-service restaurant, one table-service meal and two snacks or two non-alcoholic beverages per person, per day. Special “Character Dining” meals count under this plan as a table-service meal, too. The Mouse for Less reports this meal plan generally costs about $78 for adults and $30.50 for children per day.
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The second tier of accommodations — the Moderate Resort Hotels and Value Resort Hotels — come with a free Quick-Service Dining Plan on the special dates. This group includes places like the Caribbean Beach Resort, Port Orleans Resort, All-Star Sports Resort and Pop Century Resort.
The Quick-Service package includes two meals per day at one of Disney’s counter-service joints, plus two drinks or two snacks. This package normally has a value of $55 for adults and $26 for kids per day.
A set number of rooms have been set aside to take advantage of this deal, and certain room types are excluded from the promotion, so check all the rules and regulations thoroughly when you book.
Here’s the Disney site with further details and info on how to reserve your room. This offer is only available through Jan. 16, so time is of the essence. Enjoy!
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