Updated 2.27.2020
When we post photos of the amazing food we’re enjoying while on vacation at Walt Disney World, many of our friends and family are surprised at the gourmet offerings featured at the parks and resorts. It definitely isn’t all chicken nuggets and corn dogs, but those food types are readily available too because sometimes you need a little fried goodness. There are also farm-to-table, fresh options as well as restaurants helmed by some of the world’s top chefs.
Disney makes it easy for you to sample typical theme park food and more discerning palate pleasers with the Disney Dining Plan. Today on the blog, we’re breaking down the Disney Dining Plan to help you decide if the vacation add-on is for you!
Disney Dining Plan Overview
The Disney Dining Plan (DDP) is an option that can be added to a standalone Disney resort reservation and/or a Disney resort/ticket package. It allows visitors to prepay for their meals before setting foot on Disney property. Talk about convenient! The DDP is very popular as it makes your vacation feel all-inclusive and aids in the budgeting process. In addition, there are instances where the DDP can save you money!
To accommodate varying guest eating preferences, there are four levels available with the DDP: the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan, the Disney Dining Plan, the Disney Dining Plan Plus and the Deluxe Dining Plan. When you add one of the dining plans, you will receive a certain amount of credits for snacks and different meal types that are pre-loaded onto your My Disney Experience account and Magic Band. The credits are given to you in one lump sum - meaning you don’t have to use a certain allotment per day - and expire at midnight on your checkout day.
Although the cost of the meals is included, gratuity is not at the majority of table-service restaurants - so please be sure to take care of your server! The tip is included in the price at Cinderella's Royal Table, Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue and Spirit of Aloha Luau. Gratuity will be automatically added for parties of six or more. Furthermore, each of the dining plans comes with a refillable mug for each person that can be used at any of the resorts (but not at the parks). You can get your mug at the food court area of your resort. They make a great souvenir!
Lastly, children ages three- to nine-years-old are required to order from the children’s menu when a kids’ menu is offered at restaurants. Additionally, only guests older than three years of age are eligible for the dining plan. How will you feed your little one on the dining plan? He or she can eat off your plate, or you can pay out of pocket for his/her own meal. At buffets, children under three can have their own plate.
New in 2020: quick-service credits have been separated into adult and child tiers. They are no longer interchangeable as they had been in the past.
Guests can also convert one quick-service credit into three snack credits if they are converted in the same transaction. This is especially helpful at places like Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival.
Great snack credit usage!
Quick-Service Dining Plan
For families with light eaters or who don’t want to spend time eating when there are attractions to be tackled, you may want to consider the quick-service dining plan. It comes with two quick-service meals and two snacks per person per night of the trip. A meal includes an entree and a drink, including specialty non-alcoholic drinks and wine, beer and cocktails where available for guests 21 and older. Quick-service dining locations do not require reservations (with the exception of Be Our Guest breakfast) and can be found throughout the parks, resorts and Disney Springs. At these eateries, you will order from a counter with your food brought to your table where you have sat yourself. Some of our favorite quick-service restaurants are Backlot Express at Hollywood Studios and Flame Tree BBQ at Animal Kingdom.
Dining Plan
For longer stays and for guests who want to take the time to enjoy a nice meal, the (regular) Dining Plan is for you! This is the most popular selection for our clients. It comes with one quick- service meal, one table-service meal and two snacks per person per night of the trip. Table-service meals include any sit down meal and character meals and include one entree (plus dessert for lunch and dinner) or one full buffet or family style meal, as well as a non-alcoholic beverage and wine, beer and cocktails for guests 21 and older. There are more than 50 table-service restaurants from which to choose; these restaurants require reservations and do tend to fill up at the most popular spots. Cinderella’s Royal Table, signature dining experiences- think Jiko at Animal Kingdom Lodge and California Grill at the Contemporary, dinner at Be Our Guest, themed dinner shows with live entertainment, private in-room dining and pizza delivery require redemption of two-dining credits. A tip: if you’re using two table-service credits on one day, eat only quick-service meals on another day to ensure that you don’t exceed the number of credits before your trip ends!
One of the best dining experiences at Walt Disney World - California Grill
Dining Plan Plus
New for 2020, Disney released Dining Plan Plus which includes two snacks and two meals that can be used interchangeably as quick-service AND table-service meals. This option is ideal for visitors who are looking for balance between maximizing park time and enjoying leisurely meals at sit-down restaurants which can eat up park time. To learn more, read our full blog on the Dining Plan Plus here.
Deluxe Dining Plan
Calling all major foodies and guests who want the ultimate in dining flexibility! The Deluxe Dining Plan is for you. It comes with two snacks and three credits that can be used at a quick-service or table-service restaurant per person per night. The table-service meals also include an appetizer for each person. Guests shouldn’t run out of credits with this plan!
Snacks
If you’ve read our blog before, you know that we love snacking our way around Walt Disney World. Sometimes they can be used to fill in for a quick meal when you’re on the go, and helping to save a table-service credit for a special meal! Snacks include a single serving of frozen ice cream novelty, popsicle or fruit bar, whole piece of fruit, bottled water or soda, fountain drinks, tea, hot chocolate and coffee - including in-park Starbucks, and one scoop of popcorn. If you find yourself with snack credits remaining, you can use them to purchase Mickey-shaped Rice Krispy treats, character cookies and candy to take home for friends and co-workers… or for yourself!
How to Use the Dining Plan
So you’ve added one of the dining plans to your Walt Disney World package. You’ve started your vacation, and you’re ready to get eating. How in the world do you actually use the dining plan? It’s super easy. At a quick-service or kiosk counter, just have the Disney Cast Member scan your Magic Band for a snack or quick-service credit to be redeemed. If you’re using Mobile Ordering, you can select Dining Plan as your payment option. So just grab and go when you arrive at the quick-service eatery.
Dole Whip Floats ready to go in Adventureland!
When eating at a table-service restaurant, we like to inform our server before ordering that we’re on a dining plan. Then when it’s time to pay, he or she will scan your Magic Band to redeem the table-service credits. You can then add gratuity with your payment method of choice.
How do you keep track of your dining credits? Your dining receipt will show the number of credits you’ve redeemed and how many are remaining. You can also check in with your resort’s concierge or guest relations. Your My Disney Experience account is a quick and convenient way to make sure you’re on track with dining credits. Under My Plans, click on “View Room Details” then click “Check on Dining Plan.”
Is the Dining Plan Worth It?
It depends. As every family’s park touring style and vacation preferences are different, so are their eating styles. If you like paying for your meals in advance, yes! If your kids want to eat with Mickey and the Gang, then yes! If your daughter wants to meet the princesses, absolutely! If you want to experience the best of Disney dining, go for it!
If you are unsure, your Beyond Imagination Vacations planner can help you decide if one of the dining plans is right for you. As you plan, your agent will inquire about your family’s eating preferences at home and while on vacation and make a recommendation for the best option for your family. He or she can also provide tips and tricks to maximize the value of the dining plan. For example, you wouldn’t want to use a snack credit on a carton of OJ, but you would want to use a snack credit on a Dole Whip Float!
Read about Beyond Imagination Vacations travel planner Stephanie Orlowski’s experience in this blog post.