Hi, Katie!
The free dining promotion is like having a unicorn wander into your backyard. It's a beautiful and mysterious creature, and it can be a bit tough to snag a room when the free dining promotion is going on.
When Walt Disney World offers the free dining promotion, there has always been a requirement for a minimum night of hotel accommodations as well as a theme park pass purchase. The plan may only be offered at select resorts and on specific room types as well, and it cannot be added to an exisiting reservation - a new reservation has to be booked in a room that has a dining plan.
Disney Vacation Club members using their points are not eligible for the free dining promotion, so if you are using DVC points, you would not be able to add free dining if the promotion becomes available. You can, however, book one of the
Disney Dining Plans to add to your stay. I knokw it's a great way for some people to budget food expenses for their vacation.
Have a great time planning, Katie!