Hi Melissa,
Thanks for sending your question to us here on the Disney Parks Moms Panel! Visiting Walt Disney World during one of the free dining promotions is a favorite for my family. Delicious food AND great savings? I'm in!
Free dining has been super popular in past years, but we never quite know when (or if) it might be available again in the future until official information is announced. My best advice is to keep an eye on the
Special Offers page of the website in the coming months for the latest and greatest deals. There are already some fantastic savings available for travel this spring and summer (and even the fall for members of the U.S. military). That being said, if release dates for past years are any clue, I'd expect more fall offers to arrive sometime around early May. Hopefully, free dining will be on the list, but there may be other room discounts or other deals that will also offer some great savings.
My favorite unofficial source of information for past deals, which can give you an idea of what might be available next year, is www.mousesavers.com. Just search for "historical Walt Disney World discounts" and you'll be able to find a page listing past release dates for free dining and other special offers.
In the meantime, I wouldn't wait to make your reservation so that you're sure to get exactly the Disney Resort hotel, room and dates you want for your vacation. You'll be able to call to modify your reservation if any deals are announced that work for you.
Wishing you pixie-dusted planning, Melissa!
Have a magical day,
Beth