Hi Michelle!
Welcome to planDisney.
It's always a pleasure to assist my fellow guests from the UK, and with the exciting announcement of the
Free Dining & Drinks being offered as part of a package for us in 2025, I completely understand there are a lot of questions about this.
This special offer is available for booking with the Walt Disney Travel Company International for select dates in 2025. A dining plan can only be added to a package - that is a Disney hotel resort
and ticket package. So you could add it to your first reservation at
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge which includes your park tickets, but it cannot be added to your 2nd hotel reservation at
Disney's Contemporary Resort as that is for the hotel only. I know how disappointing this is because I ran into a similar situation myself on a previous trip.
As you haven't made your booking yet, I would definitely consider staying at just one of your choice of hotels - they are both fabulous, so I understand it might be difficult to choose and I completely understand that this is not ideal! I love the idea of a split-stay, but to have the Disney Dining Plan for your entire holiday would save you so much expense!
Staying at a deluxe resort hotel qualifies you for the
Disney Dining Plan, which you will receive when you check-in to your hotel, and it is valid until midnight of your check-out day. If you choose a split-stay, you'll receive your dining plan on check-in to the first hotel, and it will be valid until midnight of your check-out day from that first hotel, after which time any remaining meals and snacks will expire.
The Resort Refillable Mug that you each receive at the beginning of your holiday as part of the dining plan will be valid for 14 days, so you can continue to use that for the whole of your holiday. You may refill these mugs at any Disney Resort hotel - you'll find the beverage stations close to the quick-service locations.
If you need further clarification about the Disney dining plans, or anything else, please come back and visit us again.
You can also send me a direct question if you wish. We will be happy to help you plan your magical holiday to Walt Disney World!
Sue