FREE dining plan for kids in 2026 is valid for DVC point stays

[RivShore]

My understanding is that the DDP is linked to a stay, not to a park ticket.

Right! I was just wondering if room and tickets were required to get the "deal".

 

[pinkxray]

Typically my kid turns 10 in January!

Great news for families though!

My son just turned 10. It stinks we are missing out on the half price tickets this summer and now this. We end up not getting WDW tickets this summer and bought Universal seasonal APs instead.


It is very nice that dvc is included. We will probably take advantage of DD8 being free next year. Makes it a little easier to pay $60 for a character meal for DS10, if we aren’t paying for DD.

 

[Narcoossee11]

How many 'free' kids do you get?1 adult gets 1 child ?
2 adults + 3 kids for example

 

[atots]

Great!
Can anybody please tell me how much the two plans would cost for 2 adults + 1 kid + 1 infant for 9 days? Thank you all!

I'm looking at all 9 nights for 2 adults (plus 2 FREE kids ages 3-9). Including tax 9 x 2 x $98.59=$1,774.62.

 

[atots]

How many 'free' kids do you get?1 adult gets 1 child ?
2 adults + 3 kids for example

I have 2 adults and it let me do 2 kids free (ages 4 and 7 at time of travel). I assume #3 would be free too. it just says you need to pay for all adults on your reservation, no fine print I could find capping kids.

 

[atots]

Any ticket purchase required?

No, it let me add it to just my DVC reservation. I haven't purchased any park tickets yet. It says only a room is required to get it. To book a normal cash room package online, you need to add tickets but it says you can call to add to the hotel if buying without tickets.

 

[lanejudy]

the children entered, are they under 3 or between 3-9?

The offer is for ages 3-9. Generally under 3 eats free "off the parent's plate" - though if you order a separate item off the menu for the little one you will be charged. Like tickets, I don't think you can purchase DDP for under 3.

 

[atots]

Rookie questions…
1) you buy DDP for a reservation length or for arbitrary # of days?
2) what happens if that reservation needs to change (e.g., 3 nights at PIT is now 5 nights at CCV)?
3) what happens if you have to cancel the trip altogether? DDP refunds right?

I clearly need to learn how to reply to multiple people in one post...

I am looking at a split stay 5 nights then 4 nights. I have a spreadsheet going and planned to front load our trip with all the character dining, get the resort mug and only buy the DDP for the first part of the stay. From my estimates and not even including alcohol, it should save me about $400. 2 adults, 2 kids that qualify Even better than water park on check in day.

 

[Girlstar30]

How do you add this to a dvc stay?

 

[atots]

How do you add this to a dvc stay?

If you're in my dashboard, scroll down to see your existing reservations, click on the dates of your reservation to expand the options, below the modify and start check in buttons, there's a button for purchase dining plan.

I did read that after you add it, you won't be able to change your reservation anymore online (and having to call member services to change it or call anyone fills me with dread lol). So now I'm waiting until after I try to move my reservation at the 7-month window to add it.

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

Anyone else think this could be an I.T. error? If I was thinking about adding the dining plan to a 2026 ressie I'd probably do it sooner rather than later.

 

[Hubalorian]

I clearly need to learn how to reply to multiple people in one post...

I am looking at a split stay 5 nights then 4 nights. I have a spreadsheet going and planned to front load our trip with all the character dining, get the resort mug and only buy the DDP for the first part of the stay. From my estimates and not even including alcohol, it should save me about $400. 2 adults, 2 kids that qualify Even better than water park on check in day.

Keep in mind you will need to use all credits (TS. QS, Snack, etc) by 11:59 PM on the day you check out

 

[Boosterman]

Anyone else think this could be an I.T. error? If I was thinking about adding the dining plan to a 2026 ressie I'd probably do it sooner rather than later.

I thought about it in the morning but given that it has persisted this long makes me want to think it is not an IT mistake.

 

[Sandisw]

It doesn’t appear to be. It appears to be a perk like the free water park. It applies to everyone who books an onsite hotel.

Thst is why cash guests will be eligible for future promotions with this!

 

[Girlstar30]

If you're in my dashboard, scroll down to see your existing reservations, click on the dates of your reservation to expand the options, below the modify and start check in buttons, there's a button for purchase dining plan.

I did read that after you add it, you won't be able to change your reservation anymore online (and having to call member services to change it or call anyone fills me with dread lol). So now I'm waiting until after I try to move my reservation at the 7-month window to add it.

Thank you so much

 

[MarkNC2Disney]

https://dvcnews.com/dvc-program-men...in-2026?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

“DVC owners will receive one free child's plan for each full-price adult purchase.“

 

[sethschroeder]

Dining Plan = Convenience, not a discount.
Kids Eat Free is a huuuuuuge perk. Think about $35-$45 per kid, per character meal.

I just tried again today to try and make it work this summer as I really want to pay for the convenience but it just can't work. We are talking about like $1500 more for our 2 week trip by doing the DDP compared to paying out of pocket. The $1500 doesn't even cover tips either.

I might run the numbers again because I would pay $500 or something extra but its hard to drop that much extra and its not even fully inclusive of everything.

Think this discount shows Disney views their future outlook to be poor.

 

[Tatebeck]

Its nice for those that can use it, but as we don't have kids yet I wish they would have done something like BOGO on all dining plans so parents got their kids for free and couples get one of theirs free too but oh well.

 

[MISCdisney21]

3 kids in age range- was hoping all 3 could be free with 2 adults but I’ll still do some calculations and maybe it’s worth it. Kids could get some character meals this way.

 

[TheThousandthSoul]

I just tried again today to try and make it work this summer as I really want to pay for the convenience but it just can't work. We are talking about like $1500 more for our 2 week trip by doing the DDP compared to paying out of pocket. The $1500 doesn't even cover tips either.

I might run the numbers again because I would pay $500 or something extra but its hard to drop that much extra and its not even fully inclusive of everything.

Think this discount shows Disney views their future outlook to be poor.

Gosh. I get that a 2-week dining plan would be helluva expensive.