Walt Disney World Releases Update on Disney Dining Plan and Free Dining Cancellations; Character Dining Temporarily Suspended

Jessica Figueroa

Walt Disney World Releases Update on Disney Dining Plan and Free Dining Cancellations; Character Dining Temporarily Suspended

Jessica Figueroa

Walt Disney World Releases Update on Disney Dining Plan and Free Dining Cancellations; Character Dining Temporarily Suspended

In light of recent cancellations, Disney is now reaching out to guests who had either purchased the Disney Dining Plan or booked a Free Dining offer for their upcoming trip. It’s also worth noting that while character dining was still available right up until the full closure of Walt Disney World on March 20, it will not be available upon reopening. Additionally, select third-party restaurants (like many Disney Springs locations, for example) may still be honoring reservations. You can check out the full details issued by Disney below.

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For resort hotel guests who purchased the Disney Dining Plan:

As we plan for the reopening of our Disney Resort Hotels and Theme Parks, we are keeping the wellbeing of our Guests and Cast in mind. And we’re here to help you as we introduce new measures focused on delivering an enjoyable and magical experience for everyone who visits. Unfortunately, these new measures have also required us to cancel any dining reservations, experience reservations and FastPass+ selections you may have made.

As a result of physical distancing, capacity in restaurants and availability of dining experiences is very limited and certain experiences such as Character dining cannot be provided. Because of this, we have also made the difficult decision to cancel and temporarily no longer offer Disney dining plans. We recognize the inconvenience this poses and we’re deeply sorry.

We will be modifying your package to remove the dining plan. The price of the package will be adjusted accordingly and your modified package and price will be provided in a new confirmation. You will receive a refund of the difference in the package price if you have already paid in full or a reduction in amount due if you have not yet made final payment. There’s nothing you need to do at this time. We will be contacting you shortly with more details about the process to secure new reservations, including our new dining and experience reservation window which will accommodate selections up to 60 days prior to arrival to allow for planning closer to your visit.

At this time, while systems update, we are temporarily suspending all modifications. However, you have the option of canceling your entire reservation at any time. We’re putting a great deal of thought into helping you return to the magic and appreciate your patience. For more information, please visit disneyworld.com, call 407-W-DISNEY (934-7639), or contact your travel professional or Member Services.

For resort hotel guests who booked a Free Disney Dining Plan package:

We will be modifying your package to remove the dining plan. As an accommodation, the price of the package will be adjusted to reflect a 35% savings on the room portion. This modified package and price will be provided in a new confirmation. You will receive a refund of the difference in the package price if you have already paid in full or a reduction in amount due if you have not yet made final payment. There’s nothing you need to do at this time. We will be contacting you shortly with more details about the process to secure new reservations, including our new dining and experience reservation window which will accommodate selections up to 60 days prior to arrival to allow for planning closer to your visit.

At this time, while systems update, we are temporarily suspending all modifications. However, you have the option of canceling your entire reservation at any time.We’re putting a great deal of thought into helping you return to the magic and appreciate your patience. For more information, please visit disneyworld.com, call 407-W-DISNEY (934-7639), or contact your travel professional or Member Services.

Select third party operated restaurants and certain other experiences may not be cancelled.

9 thoughts on “Walt Disney World Releases Update on Disney Dining Plan and Free Dining Cancellations; Character Dining Temporarily Suspended”

  1. At this time, for our trip in October, nothing has changed. The WDW site still shows the dining plan but more important we are trying to confirm cancellation of our V&As reservation.

    Time will tell…

  2. Ugh! What’s the point of offering free dining to entice people to rebook their vacations and then turning around and taking it away? This is incredibly frustrating. I hope by the time I go in September they have new packages available. I’d been looking forward to not worrying about what I spent on food.

  3. So are they still using the character dining facilities without characters? Or are those locations closed all together?

  4. I had a studio with free dining due to a May cancelation. A 35% discount will not even get close to free dining for 5 people!! Totally free like Disney screwed us on this discount!

  5. This is getting very frustrating and stressful waiting for emails. I booked in January for the free dining and still have not gotten any type of correspondence. My trip is for July 7

  6. Hi Jessica
    I’m hearing Disney is not offering the 35% off anymore? I have reservations for July 7 with the free dining plan offered in January. Can you confirm any information for me please.
    Thank yoi

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