One of the most frequently asked questions we receive from clients is whether they should add the Disney Dining Plan to their Walt Disney World Resort vacation package. A hotel stay and park tickets are no-brainers - you need somewhere to sleep, and you need entry into the theme parks. But to include the Disney Dining Plan? That’s a little more complicated to answer.
As a general overview, Disney offers three dining plan options: the Quick Service Dining Plan (one quick-service meal, two snacks per guest per night), the Dining Plan (one quick-service meal, one table-service meal and two snacks per guest per night) and the Deluxe Dining Plan (three meals to be used at quick- or table-service restaurants and two snacks per guest per night). The dining credits are pre-loaded onto your My Disney Experience account/Magic Bands and are distributed in one lump sum - meaning you don’t have to use a certain allotment per day - and expire at midnight on your checkout day. One thing to note: you must stay at an on-site Disney hotel to be eligible for the Disney Dining Plan.
To read more details about the Disney Dining Plan, check out this blog post.
Some questions to consider when debating whether to add one of the Disney Dining Plans: How long is your Walt Disney World Resort visit? Are your kids light eaters? Do you enjoy a sit-down, fine dining experience while on vacation? Are you planning to experience any character meals? All will lead to the answer of whether the Disney Dining Plan is right plan for your trip, and which of the three tiers.
Beyond Imagination Vacations travel planner Stephanie Orlowski recently visited Walt Disney World Resort with the Disney Dining Plan on her hotel + ticket package. The cost of adding the mid-tier Dining Plan (one quick-service, one table-service and two snacks) was $624 over the course of four nights for two adults - her and her husband. Below, Stephanie breaks down what snacks, meals and adult beverages they ordered at restaurants in the parks and hotel. Did it total more than $624? Was the Dining Plan worth it? Here’s exactly what they ordered and how much it cost on the menu:
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
ABC Commissary - Quick-Service
Menu Order + Cost:
2 Land and Sea Platter with Fries - $15.99 each
1 Yuengling beer - $8.75
1 Happy Daze cocktail - $12.00
Total = $52.73
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Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Sweet Snack at Art of Animation’s Landscape of Flavors
Landscape of Flavors - Snack
Menu Order + Cost:
1 “I’m Nemo” Cheesecake -$5.99
Total = $5.99
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Magic Kingdom
Be Our Guest - Breakfast Quick-Service
Menu Order + Cost:
1 Vegetable Quiche - $29.00
1 Scrambled Egg Whites - $29.00
2 Mimosas - $11.00 each
(Breakfast comes with assorted pastries, fountain drinks, juice or coffee)
Total = $80
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Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort
Scat Cat’s Club Café - Snack
Menu Order + Cost:
1 order of Beignets -$5.32
Total = $5.32
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Magic Kingdom
Meeting Winnie the Pooh at The Crystal Palace (Kids under three years of age do not need to be on the Dining Plan)
The Crystal Palace - Table-Service
Menu Order + Cost:
Dinner buffet x2 - $110
1 Angry Orchard beer - $9.25
1 Kai Alai Pale Ale beer -$10
Total= $129.25
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Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Use the Disney Dining Plan for a refreshing libation at Animal Kingdom
How cute! Simba-shaped pretzel at Animal Kingdom
Thirsty River Bar & Trek Snacks - Snack
Menu Order + Cost:
Simba-shaped Pretzel w/Cheese - $6.79
Total = $6.79
Flame Tree Barbeque - Quick-Service
Menu Order + Cost
1 Rib, Chicken and Pulled Pork Sampler - $18.99
1 Smokehouse Chicken Salad - $10.99
1 Safari Amber beer - $10
1 Mandarin Orange Vodka Lemonade cocktail - $11
Total = $50.98
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Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Cape May Café - Table-Service
Menu Order + Cost
Dinner Seafood Buffet x2 - $110
1 Watermelon Margarita - $14
1 Dukes Brown Ale beer - $9.25
Total: $133.25
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Epcot
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
Menu Order + Cost
Breakfast Buffet x2 - $106
1 Bloody Mary - $11
1 Mimosa - $13
Total: $130.00
Festival of the Arts/El Artista Hambriento - Snack
Menu Order + Cost
Agave Pork Belly - $7.50
Festival of the Arts/Mosaic Canteen Pavilion - Snack
Mediterranean Flatbread from the Mosaic Canteen in Epcot’s Morocco pavillion
Menu Order + Cost
Mediterranean Flatbread with Zaatar, Olive Oil Artichoke, Olives, Mozzarella and Feta Cheese - $8.00
Total = $15.50
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Disney Springs
Baby Back Ribs at Polite Pig at Disney Springs
Polite Pig - Quick-Service
Menu Order + Cost
Cedar Plank Salmon - $22.00
Baby Back Ribs - $23.00
Ravenous Pig Red Drum Amber Ale beer - $9
Seasonal Slushie (berry bourbon) - $11
Total = $65
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Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Chef Mickeys - Table-Service
Menu Order + Cost
Breakfast Buffet x2 - $100
1 Bloody Mary - $15
1 Cold Brew - $13
Total = $128
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Magic Kingdom
Gift Shop
Menu Order + Cost
Goofy Sour Gummies - $6.29
Total Cost = $6.29
Plaza Ice Cream Parlor - Snack
The Disney Dining Plan is the cherry on top of any Walt Disney World Resort vacation!
Menu Order + Cost
1 Apple Blossom Sundae - $7.49
1 Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich - $6.99
Total Cost = $14.48
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Disney’s Polynesian Resort
Moana Mercantile Souvenir Shop - Snack
Menu Order + Cost
2 Bottles of Soda Pop - $9
1 Orange juice - $4.99
4 Pretzels with Hummus - $19
1 Yogurt - $4.75
Total = $37.74
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GRAND TOTAL = $862.02 + Tax
As a reminder, Stephanie and her husband paid $624 to add the Disney Dining Plan to their four-night hotel + ticket vacation. The value of what they ordered at Walt Disney World restaurants, gift shops and kiosks totaled MORE THAN the cost of the dining plan. Not to mention, their table-service meals included character experiences, and the dining plan gave their vacation an all-inclusive feel. Just swipe your MagicBands and enjoy your meal!
Will the Disney Dining Plan be right for you? Contact Stephanie so that she can help you determine which plan is best for your vacation experience!
