The Disney Dining Plan is returning for the 2024 Walt Disney World Resort vacation packages. There have been some changes though and you may be asking yourself – is it worth it? Or, how do I use this? Luckily, we share some tips for maximizing the Disney Dining Plan to help you.
What is the Dining Plan?
The dining plans at the Walt Disney World Resort are a way to pre-pay for many of your meals during your Disney vacation. These are only available for guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel and can be added to your Walt Disney World vacation package. While they are an optional add-on, the meal plans give you an all-inclusive feel to your vacation.
When you arrive at your resort hotel and complete check-in, there is a meal plan “bank” for the length of your stay. Here, all of the dining credits are visible for your whole travel party. Use these credits at many locations throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. Examples include table-service restaurants, quick-service restaurants, and snack stands. You don’t have to worry about going hungry during your vacation because there are so many choices! Plus, the best part is that it’s all paid for in advance!
There are two different meal plans to choose from. The best one for your visit will depend on how you would like to eat throughout your visit to the theme parks.
Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan
The Quick-Service Dining Plan is great for those who want to be on the go! You get the benefits of pre-paying for your dining throughout your vacation but you do not have to make any dining reservations or do much planning for your meals.
The Quick-Service Dining Plan has the following inclusions:
- 2 quick-service meals
- 1 snack or non-alcoholic drink
- 1 resort-refillable drink mug
This is the allotment for each guest for each night of their stay. As a reminder, if you look in the My Disney Experience app, there is a “bank” of credits for the length of your vacation. Plus, if you would like to enjoy any table-service dining, you are still able to do so. This is just paid out of pocket when you dine.
Disney Dining Plan
The Disney Dining Plan is similar to the Quick-Service Dining Plan but includes the option for table-service dining. Many restaurants throughout the Walt Disney World Resort accept the dining plans. This even includes several character dining locations and signature dining.
The Disney Dining Plan has the following inclusions:
- 1 Table-service meal
- 1 Quick-Service meal
- 1 snack or non-alcoholic beverage
- 1 resort-refillable drink mug
There are a few important things to remember about this dining plan. First, many character meals and signature dining experiences accept the dining plan credits. Please note, though, that some meals do require 2 credits to eat there.
What Is Included?
Once you’ve added a meal plan to your vacation package, you may wonder what is included with the credits and how many credits you get.
First, the number of credits you receive with the dining plans is based on the length of your stay, specifically the number of nights. For example, if two adults opt to purchase the Disney Dining Plan and stay for 5 nights, they will have 10 table-service credits, 10 quick-service credits, 10 snacks, and 2 resort-refillable mugs. You are not required to use a certain number of credits each day. Use them at your leisure because they are valid until midnight on the day you check out of your resort hotel. In addition, the resort-refillable mugs can be refilled at the drink stations at ANY Walt Disney World Resort hotel.
Table-Service Meals
If you want to enjoy a table-service meal at one of the many fabulous restaurants, the following are included for included:
- 1 Entrée
- 1 Non-alcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage for guests 21 and older)
OR
- 1 Full Buffet or Family-Style Meal
- 1 Non-alcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage for guests 21 and older)
During brunch, lunch, or dinner, each guest will receive the following:
- 1 Entrée
- 1 Dessert
- 1 Non-alcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage for guests 21 and older)
OR
- 1 Full Buffet or Family-Style Meal
- 1 Non-alcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage for guests 21 and older)
Please note that gratuities are not included with either dining plan. If you plan to enjoy table-service dining, plan accordingly.
Quick-Service Meals
When you redeem one of your quick-service credits, you will receive the following at breakfast, lunch, or dinner:
- 1 Entrée
- 1 Non-alcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage for guests 21 and older)
Snacks & Beverages
What is a snack when you are using one of the dining plans? Well, there are MANY snack options. In the past, it was easy to look at the menus at any quick-service restaurant, most outdoor carts, and even some merchandise locations. If you saw a symbol for the Disney Dining Plan, that item counts as a snack. The options are always subject to change so stay tuned for more details about snack inclusions.
Some examples in the past included:
- Hand-scooped ice cream
- Single-serving box of popcorn
- Cup of soup
- Mickey Pretzel
- Dole Whip
It’s also important to remember that there are many examples of nonalcoholic beverages that can be redeemed using a snack credit or with your meal for guests aged 10 and older. These include specialty beverages, milkshakes, fresh smoothies, and more.
What’s Not Included
There are some things that are not included in the dining plans as well. For example, any items that are considered merchandise such as glow cubes or bottle toppers are extra. Items that are more than a single serving, such as a box of donuts, are also not included.
Recommendations
Quick-Service and Snacks
There are many quick-service restaurants where you can redeem your dining plan during your visit. One of the best things that you can do to save time is to use the mobile order option in the My Disney Experience app. This will save you time and you can also plan ahead if you would like to.
Although the options are always subject to change with the upcoming return of the dining plans, there were some fantastic ways to use snack credits in the past. A “snack” was very broadly defined and could include a variety of options from ice cream to a cup of soup or a Mickey Pretzel!
Some of our top recommendations include:
- Dole Whip
- Gaston’s Cinnamon Roll
- Cheeseburger Egg Rolls
- Jack-Jack’s Num Num Cookie
- Scoops of Ice Cream
- Mickey Pretzel
- select options at Festival Kitchens at EPCOT
Stay tuned for more information regarding the snack credits!
Table-Service Restaurants
There are many incredible table-service restaurants at the Walt Disney World Resort. Many of these are included with the Disney Dining Plan. You can enjoy a delicious meal for 1 credit for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Some examples of restaurants include:
- La Hacienda de San Angel
- Liberty Tree Tavern
- Roundup Rodeo BBQ
- Yak and Yeti Restaurant
- Steakhouse 71
In addition to the “regular” restaurants throughout the parks and resorts, there are several character meals that can be enjoyed for 1 table-service credit.
Some of these restaurants include:
- Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (Breakfast only)
- Garden Grill
- ‘Ohana
- Topolino’s Terrace
It’s also possible to enjoy a signature dining experience using your Disney Dining Plan, using two table-service credits. In addition, some character meals also require two credits.
Some examples of these signature dining experiences or character meals include:
- Cinderella’s Royal Table
- Storybook Dining at Artist Point
- California Grill
- Le Cellier
Sometimes it is a better value to pay out of pocket for signature dining experiences and character meals to make the most of your dining credits. It’s also important to remember that dining reservations are highly recommended and can be made up to 60 days prior to check-in at your Walt Disney World Resort hotel.
Is a Dining Plan Worth It?
The Disney Dining Plan is often a very good value. This is especially the case if you are traveling with children or if you want to enjoy any character meals.
Why is it worth it? Well, to start, it can save you money, especially if you are traveling with kids. Did you know that you can save up to 20% on dining for kids ages 3 to 9? Plus, if you look at the price per night for the dining plan and everything you get with it, it’s easy to see those savings when you add the cost of a table-service meal, a quick-service meal, and a snack! It’s even better because when you choose a character dining experience, not only are you saving money but oftentimes, you get to see at least four different characters in one meal! That saves time searching for them in the parks too!
In addition, you get an all-inclusive feel when you add one of the dining plans to your vacation package. A vacation is an investment and you may want to budget accordingly for all of your expenses. When you add the dining plan, you don’t have any extra surprises trying to get everyone fed during your trip! Keep in mind that gratuities are not included for table-service restaurants. However, it’s easy to add that expense instead of trying to figure out pricing for food for the length of your trip!
Are you considering a trip? Having a travel advisor means someone there to have your back in any occurrence. There is no additional cost to you and you have peace of mind knowing that your vacation is in good hands.
Contact your Key to the World Travel® advisor for your next trip, or send us a quote request to get started.