Looks like enough of us wished upon a star because the Disney Dining Plan is finally returning on January 9, 2024. If you’ve never experienced the magic that is the Disney Dining Plan, it’s essentially a pre-paid plan that includes snacks, drinks, and meals, giving your Walt Disney World vacation an all-inclusive feel. Plus, it can end up saving you a lot of money before you even enter the park.
Convenient and flexible, the pre-paid credits on the plan can be used at more than 200 locations across Walt Disney World’s four parks, two water parks, Disney hotels, and select locations at Disney Springs in Orlando. This means you can enjoy a whole culinary tour on top of all the thrills, dining anywhere from Hollywood Studios’ 50’s Prime Time Cafe, José Andrés’ Jaleo tapas restaurant in Disney Springs, and Cinderella’s Royal Table at Magic Kingdom all in one visit (just be sure to book reservations ahead of time).
You can even roll over your credits to the next day of your trip, too, just in case you want two Mickey ice cream bars one day (been there).
What Is the Disney Dining Plan?
Simply put, it’s a pre-paid dining plan you can add to your reservation as part of a Walt Disney World Hotel package. It includes meals, snacks, and drinks at over 200 locations across the Walt Disney World resort’s table service and quick-service restaurants. It operates on a credit-based system, and any unused credits roll over to the next day of your visit.
The meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during your visit. They include options at Character Dining experiences, dinner shows, private in-room dining, and even pizza pick-ups. Depending on your dining preferences, there are two plans available: the classic Disney Dining Plan and the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan.
What’s the Difference Between the Disney Dining Plan and the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan?
As the names suggest, the Disney Dining Plan allows you to use your credits across the full range of dining experiences in the park. The Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan is for quick-service locations only. Both plans include a beverage at each meal (such as sodas and milkshakes for the kids, and beer, wine, and cocktails for adults).
On the Disney Dining Plan, the following is included per each night of your stay (for all guests over the age of 3), and credits can be used at any time during your stay:
- 1 Quick-Service Meal
- 1 Table-Service Meal
- 1 Snack/Nonalcoholic Drink
- 1 Resort-Refillable Drink Mug
So, if you’re staying for four days, you’d have four of each credit, which can then be used for more premium dining options like Be Our Guest, Chef Mickey’s, and fine dining locations like Disney BoardWalk’s Flying Fish.
On the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan, the following is included per each night of your stay (for all guests over the age of 3), and credits can be used at any time during your stay:
- 2 Quick-Service Meals
- 1 Snack/Nonalcoholic Drink
- 1 Resort-Refillable Drink Mug
If you prefer flexibility and don’t need to dine with Cinderella, the Disney Quick-Service Plan might be ideal for you.
Is the Disney Dining Plan Worth It?
The short answer? It depends! As an Orlando native without any children, I’d personally say no to the dining plan (especially since I usually like to bop around the world at EPCOT most of all). But, like anything, it depends on your family size, whether it’s your first time at Disney World, your eating style, and how much you value convenience. As one Redditor wisely said, the plan can be seen more as a budgeting tool than a cost-saving tool, since you won’t be surprised by your spending after your visit.
Crunching some numbers, Disney’s Quick Service Dining Plan will cost (per night of stay) $57.01 per adult and $23.83 per child ages 3 to 9. The classic Disney Dining Plan will cost (per night of stay) $94.28 per adult and $29.69 per child ages 3 to 9.
The cost of the plan has increased since 2020, the last year Disney offered it. Three years ago, the Quick Service Disney Dining Plan was $55 per adult and $26 per child. The Disney Dining Plan was $78.01 per adult and $30.51 per child. So for adults, the Disney Dining Plan has increased by $16, or 21 percent.
In general, Disney snacks, drinks, and entrees from their Quick-Service locations will cost roughly $8 to $15 per item. Table service restaurants can often cost upwards of $60 per person, such as for popular dining experiences like Be Our Guest, Chef Mickey’s, and Cinderella’s Royal Table. It’s worth it if you plan on maximizing all the aspects of the deal.
At the end of the day, it’s really about your eating strategy. If you plan on ordering premium menu items, like elaborate cocktails, fancier entrees, and dinner shows, the dining plans can save you a lot of money compared to paying a la carte.
If you have young kids, it’s also a good deal. You’ll save up to 20 percent on dining for kids ages 3 to 9 when you purchase a dining plan for your family. Plus, it allows you to say yes to more experiences, which can reduce stress during your stay. Disney World can be magical but also stressful, so taking the guesswork out of your meals can be worthwhile.
Here Are a Few More Things to Keep in Mind
- You’ll still need to make reservations for table service restaurants and dinner shows, so plan ahead if these are on your must-do list.
- Fine/signature dining, in-room dining, pizza pick-ups, and dinner shows require double the credits, so two credits will be deducted per person for these experiences.
- Some items are not included, such as items that are more than a single serving (e.g., a box of doughnuts or a jar of peanut butter). Items served in a souvenir container and merchandise (like bottle toppers and glow cubes) are also excluded.
- Gratuities are not included except for dinner shows, Cinderella’s Royal Table, and private in-room dining at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
- The Dining Plan must be purchased for the entire length of stay and for the entire party and is for people ages 3 and up.
- Guests ages 3 to 9 must order from a children’s menu, where available.