New Disney Dining Voucher Has Limits

But for those flexible with their feedings, it's a great deal

- by Bob McLain, December 10, 2010

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What do you want for nothing?

Well, as long as you can come up with park admission, Disney is giving you 30% off an early lunch or an early dinner at a small selection of its quick-service locations. The promotion starts on December 19 and ends in Disney World on January 1 and in Disneyland on January 3.

If you happen to be hungry at the right place and during the right time, you'll love this deal. For the rest of us, however, the restrictions might cause indigestion.

The voucher is good only for meals eaten before noon and between 3:00 and 4:30 PM. At Disney World, only one venue (Epcot's Sunshine Seasons) opens early at 9:00 AM. The others open between 10:00 and 11:15 AM, leaving a narrow window indeed for you to use the voucher in the morning and an equally narrow window in the afternoon.

Pam Brandon, Disney Parks Food Writer, had this to say:

"Just think - you'll save money and alleviate wait times when you dine in these off-peak hours during one of the busiest seasons at the Disney theme parks."

I did think and what I thought is that the off-peak hours are going to get very, very busy because of the voucher, extending wait times and ensuring that the participating quick-service locations are packed to the gills with voucher-waving guests.

I'm sure Cast Members look forward to dealing with folks like the HuffnPuff Family from Detroit who arrive at 12:01 PM and argue that Disney's clock is fast...

The best way to get your voucher is to print it from Disney's website (direct links are below under 'Stuff Not to Skip') but if you forget and find yourself in a park without a voucher, you'll be able to lay hands on one pretty easily. Disney's official announcement has details, along with a list of participating locations.

Disney didn't have to (and rarely does) offer any dining voucher and I don't mean to bite the hand that might feed me at a 30% discount. Even with the limitations, it's a fantastic deal because it's free. Just make sure you're aware of the limitations.

Don't stop there! More Tidings Await...