Kids will be able to eat for free at Disney World next year. Here’s how.

Kids can get free dining at Walt Disney World next year.

The Florida resort revealed the new perk on Monday, along with a limited extension of this year’s free water park promotion and other details that may impact when and how travelers visit.

Guests staying at Disney Resorts Collection hotels this year can get free Disney water park entry on their check-in date. The 2025 benefit has been so popular that Disney will operate both of its water parks simultaneously this summer, a first since before the pandemic, and bring back the free entry perk next summer.

The announcements come as Disney World prepares to open its booking calendar for most of next year.

Here’s what travelers considering Disney World vacations should know.

How to get free dining at Disney

Next year, guests who purchase Disney Dining Plans for the adults in their party will get free Disney Dining Plans for kids in the same group.

Only children ages 3 to 9 are considered kids for pricing purposes at Disney World and many other theme parks. Kids under the age of 3 may enter parks and eat from their parents’ or guardians’ plates for free.

Dining Plans are only available to guests staying at Disney Resorts Collection hotels and typically must be purchased for everyone in the same party, for the duration of their stay.

In the past, only non-discounted stays qualified for free dining promotions, but next year, guests will be able to couple that benefit with other promotions.

What’s included in a free Disney Dining Plan?

There are two types of Disney Dining Plans. Whichever one guests chose, they would qualify for the equivalent kids plan for free for children staying with them.

The Disney Dining Plan includes:

• 1 table-service meal per night of stay

• 1 quick-service meal per night of stay

• 1 snack or nonalcoholic drink per night of stay

• 1 refillable resort tumbler

The Disney Quick Service Dining Plan includes:

• 2 quick-service meals per night of stay

• 1 snack or nonalcoholic drink per night of stay

• 1 refillable resort tumblerWill you have to pay to park at Disney water parks?

What are the benefits of staying in a Disney hotel?

All guests staying at Disney resort hotels qualify for early theme park entry, free parking, early access to Disney dining reservations, early access to booking Lightning Lanes, and discounts on select Magic Bands+ ahead of their stay.

Additionally, guests staying at Disney’s deluxe resorts and villas qualify for extended evening theme park hours on select nights in certain parks.

While guests have gotten used to early and extended evening park access, those benefits are actually decided on annually and have been extended for next year.

Additionally, next year guests will be eligible for free Disney Dining plans for kids and next summer they will be able to visit a Disney water park for free on their check-in date, subject to availability.

How far in advance do Disney reservations open?

Reservations for most 2026 Disney World vacations will open on Tuesday, April 22.

Booking will be available through October, with November and December reservations and pricing coming at a later date, as they did for this year.

Disney theme park ticket prices vary by date and park, but the range of prices will stay flat through October 2026.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Disney World announces free Dining Plans for kids in 2026