Top 5 Restaurants for Free Dining at Walt Disney World (Updated)

Free Dining is already back at Walt Disney World with select dates returning this summer. For those unfamiliar Free Dining is a regular promotion Disney has throughout the year to book hotels during quieter times. Its when qualifying guests get a Disney Dining Plan included in the price of their stay. Dining Plan tiers are based on what hotel you stay at. Not all plans include dining at table service restaurants. However, meal credits can be used outside of the hotels and in most restaurants around Walt Disney World. Including the parks and Disney Springs. The best Free Dining restaurants offer an elevated experience without costing an extra meal credit.

[Tweet “Want to find out the best place to use your FREE Disney Dining Credits? Then, see our top 5 choices now!”]

Some fine dining and signature restaurants cost an extra meal credit which means you have to get creative with your snack credits or pay extra out of pocket to make the plan work. In other cases, you will find a gem of a restaurant that only costs 1 meal credit. Surprisingly, buffets (even character buffets usually only cost 1 credit. So, they tend to be a very good value on the plan. Aside from that, these are the best free dining restaurants to try when you visit Walt Disney World this summer.

Storybook Dining with Snow White

At Wilderness Lodge, the signature dining restaurant Artist Point has been transformed into an enchanted forest. It’s now a one of a kind Snow Shite themed dining experience.  The table service restaurant serves an exciting menu inspired by the film.

Plus, it offers character interactions with Snow White, the evil queen, and Dopey. It’s one of Disney’s most immersive dining experiences with a strong cohesive narrative that ranks it high among the best free dining restaurants in Walt Disney World.

The Wave of American Flavors

At the Contemporary resort, there are some fantastic meal choices. The two credit California Grill is well worth it, and Chef Mickey’s is one of the best character dining options, but among the best free dining restaurants is the lesser-known but high-quality experience at The Wave… of American Flavors. This tucked-away restaurant is only one meal credit but it serves up amazing food as well as a high-value breakfast buffet that surpasses Chef Mickey’s in quality.

Coral Reef

This restaurant in Epcot is both highly rated and underrated. Most people in Epcot understandably want to dine at the World Showcase, but they are missing out on some Future World gems. One of our favorite places that is consistently good is Coral Reef at the Seas Pavilion. The food quality, service, and atmosphere come together for an elevated, one-of-a-kind dining experience with an excellent view of the aquarium.

Art Smith’s Homecomin’

At Disney Springs you will find a plethora of excellent dining locations, especially on the Landing. There is dining for everybody from families with young kids to couples on a date night. Some restaurants will not include the Disney dining plan, while others will cost you the dining extra credit, but one of the best free dining restaurants, Art Smith’s Homecomin’, is consistently good and more than worth the one meal credit. If you love southern cookin’ and a warm atmosphere, this is the place for you.

Sanaa

Animal Kingdom Lodge is not easy to get to unless you are staying there. it is a little bit cut off from the rest of Walt Disney World. However, it is a beautiful resort and worth making time for. There is a wide variety of cultural experiences, animal viewing areas and some of the best dining at Walt Disney World. Like the Contemporary, Animal Kingdom Lodge has an excellent signature dining restaurant that is worth the 2 meal credits and a fantastic buffet that only costs 1. However, the best value is Sanaa at the Kidani village, which only costs 1 credit and is just as full of flavor. You also get a view of the animals grazing on the savannah.

There you have the updated list for all foodies looking to enjoy FREE Dining at Walt Disney World.

Plan your next Magical Vacation by clicking the Logo image below: