Disney Dining Plans: How they work and are they worth the cost?
Most people want to know 2 things: How do they work? Are they worth the cost? Let’s get started…
Everyday I get questions about the Disney dining plans. They are the most challenging component of a Walt Disney World package. Most people want to know 2 things: How do they work? And are they worth the cost?
Grand Floridian Cafe at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
Well, in my experience at a travel advisor, those who purchase a dining plan find at least one of the following features appealing:
The all-inclusive nature of the dining plan
Ability to dine at the most popular Walt Disney World restaurants without worrying about costs adding up.
Transparent pricing - having a better idea of what the trip will cost well in advance.
I find that dining at Walt Disney World is the one vacation expense people do not sufficiently plan for.
Aside from being on vacation and having to eat all your meals in restaurants, you’re also a captive audience. Yeah, food costs a little more than if you were at home.
Why Disney offers dining plans
Disney’s goal is simple: the dining plans allow Disney to compete with the all-inclusive, family-friendly resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico.
Family cruises are extremely popular right now and of course, nearly everything is included in your cruise.
Introducing the 2024 Disney Dining Plans
Disney World currently has 2 dining plans:
Basic Disney Dining Plan (most popular)
Quick Service Dining Plan
California Grill at DIsney’s Contemporary Resort
Basic Disney Dining Plan:
Dining plans are per person and based on the number of package nights.
For each package night, each person will receive:
1 table service meal credit
1 quick service meal credit
1 snack or beverage credit
1 Resort-refillable mug per person in your package. Mugs are refilled at the self-service beverage station at your hotel's quick-service locations for the duration of the stay.
If you’re planning to do at least one Disney character meal, the Basic Disney Dining Plan is a great value. Most character meals cost 1 table service credit.
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe at Magic Kingdom
Disney Quick Service Dining Plan:
For each package night, each person will receive:
2 quick-service meal credits
1 snack or beverage credit
1 Resort-refillable mug per person in your package. Mugs are refilled at the self-service beverage station at your hotel's quick-service locations for the duration of the stay.
How the dining plans work
You prepay for the majority of your meals in the form of credits.
For example, if you book a 6-night vacation package with the Quick Service Dining Plan, everyone listed on your reservation will receive:
12 quick service credits
6 snack or beverage credits
If you include the Regular Disney Dining Plan on a 6-night package, everyone on the reservation will receive:
6 table service meal credits
6 quick service meal credits
6 snack or beverage credits
Now here’s the important part.
All of your dining and snack credits will be deposited into one account when you check in to your hotel.
You will track your credits using the Disney World mobile app. Credits can be used at any time during your stay, even on your check-out day.
When ordering at any Disney restaurant, Cast Members will ask if you are using your dining plan credits. You’ll then tap your MagicBand, phone, or Key to the World Card to have the restaurant deduct your credits.
Cost of the Disney Dining Plans at Walt Disney World
The cost of the Basic Disney Dining Plan is
$94.20 per night, per person (ages 10+)
$29.69 per night, per person (ages 3-9).
The cost of the Quick-Service Dining Plan is
$57.01 per night for adults (age 10+)
$23.83 per night for children (ages 3 to 9.)
Children ages 3-9 will order from the kid’s menu when available
How to save money with a Disney Dining Plan
The dining plans offer a lot of value, so they are not just about saving money these days.
Today, it’s more about convenience and transparent pricing.
Purchasing a dining plan probably won’t cost you more money than paying out of pocket. The dining plans cost about what you would spend if you paid out of pocket.
See, Disney’s profit is built into the menu prices at the restaurants. Disney doesn’t double-dip by making a profit on the menu and then again on the dining plan.
Remember, Disney’s goal is to capture families who like the idea of all-inclusive travel, not necessarily making record profits dining.
Now, I know some of you are going to try and stick it to the Mouse with the dining plan and try to come out ahead. Great! I think it would be a fun challenge!
Here are my best tips for the Disney dining plan:
Dine at the Epcot table service restaurants.
Book character meals, as they are super expensive! You can break even on the cost of the dining plan with just one character meal.
Table service credits are a better value when used at dinner because menu prices are higher than at breakfast and lunch. Plus dessert is included.
Use your snack credits at Starbucks inside the parks.
Order a glass of beer or wine with your meal when included.
Teppan Edo at Epcot
Are the Disney dining plans worth the cost?
The Disney Dining Plans for Light Eaters
The Disney dining plans are not about eating a lot, they are about simplifying your vacation and bundling your expenses into one package.
And for the salad lovers, keep in mind that fresh salads at Walt Disney World cost more than entrees.
For example, at Sunshine Seasons inside Epcot, the Rotisserie Chicken Club Sandwich is $11 and the Power Salad with Grilled Chicken is $13.
Paying out of pocket vs. a Disney Dining Plan
The trend among travelers today is that they want to relax and indulge a little but they don’t want a big bill looming over them at the end of the vacation.
The Disney dining plans give travelers a better understanding of what the trip will cost, well in advance, and it helps them develop a budget around that.
A family of 4 could expect to pay $125-$145 at a table service restaurant an $55 to $65 at quick service restaurants.
Character meals range from about $45 to $55 per person.
Are tips included with the Disney Dining Plans?
No, but you won’t have to pay sales tax. At table service restaurants, a gratuity of 15% to 20% of the total bill is customary.
Even though you’re not paying out of pocket, total is still provided so you can determine what to leave for a tip.
Keeping track of your dining plan credits
Each time you redeem meal credits, the number of remaining entitlements will be printed on a receipt for you. You can also view your remaining credits in the My Disney Experience app.
Where to redeem dining plan credits
Almost every Walt Disney World restaurant accepts the Disney dining plans and most menu items are in included.
Do I need to make dining reservations in advance?
Yes, restaurants at Walt Disney World are extremely popular. Dining reservations become available to you 60-days prior to your check in date.
Are character meals included with the dining plans?
Yes, most character meals count as one table service credit but there are a few, like Cinderella’s Royal Table that costs 2 table service credits.
Hoop Dee Doo Musical Review is included as well.
Using 2 table service credits for Disney World Signature restaurants
There is a small number of fine dining restaurants at Walt Disney World known as Signature Restaurants. Dining at restaurants like California Grill or Be Our Guest Restaurant will cost 2 table service credits because they are upgrade experiences.
Generally speaking, you would be better off paying out of pocket that using 2 credits. Signature restaurants are expensive, but not 2-table service credits expensive.
Can I use 2 quick service credits for 1 table service meal?
No. Quick service meal entitlements can only be used on quick service dining.
For over 12 years Darren Wittko has been helping people save money at Walt Disney World as both, a travel writer and a travel advisor with Magical Vacations Travel. He’s featured in the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World as a Best of the Best Disney Travel Agent. Darren resides in Celebration, FL.
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The Ganachery: A Disney Springs Must-Do for Chocolate Lovers
Chocolate fans are in for a treat at The Ganachery at Disney Springs.
Chocolate fans are in for a treat at The Ganachery, a one-of-a-kind chocolate shop, at Disney Springs. Located in The Landing, this charming jewel-box shop is reminiscent of an apothecary in another era.
The Ganachery features 16 different kinds of handcrafted ganache (a rich mixture of chocolate and cream) infused with exotic spices and flavors from around the world.
These chocolates fall into four flavor profiles: spices, such as chipotle and cinnamon, classic, such as coffee and caramel; trendy, such as Egyptian sea salt and matcha yuzu; and floral/fruit, such as mint and raspberry.
Plus, nine varieties of custom-made chocolate bars (not made in-house) celebrate Disney’s iconic destinations and the “Fab Five” (Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto and Donald Duck).
Individual Pieces
$3.00
Box of Six
$16.00
Box of Nine
$22.00
Box of Sixteen
$38.00
Pops
Minnie Ganache Pop- milk chocolate ganache enrobed in milk chocolate
$6.50
Mickey Ganache Pop - dark chocolate strawberry ganache enrobed in dark chocolate
$6.50
Millennium Falcon Chocolate Pop - solid milk chocolate with crisp pearls
$7.00
Ahsoka Ganache Pop - (Seasonal) plant-based coconut and blueberry swirled ganache enrobed in dark chocolate
$7.50
Milk Chocolate Marshmallows - house-made vanilla bean marshmallows enrobed in milk chocolate
$8.50
Toffee Crunch - house-made buttery toffee enrobed in dark chocolate, toasted pecans, and sea salt
$11.00
Chocolate Pinatas (Seasonal) Chocolate shell filled with treats
$28.00
Made-To-Order Artisan S’mores
$8.50
Ganache Square Flavors
Orange
Caramel Fleur de Sel
Coffee
Chipotle
Cinnamon
Egyptian Sea Salt
Gianduja Italian Hazelnut
Coconut (plant-based)
Raspberry
Passion Fruit
Milk Chocolate
Celebration
Dark Chocolate 65%
Peanut Butter
Mint
Pistachio
New Offerings and Restaurant Updates at Disney Hollywood Studios
New Offerings and Restaurant Updates at Disney Hollywood Studios
Disney Hollywood Studios has delicious new offerings at ABC Commissary and Hollywood & Vine!
ABC Commissary at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, new menu offerings.
Starting now, ABC Commissary is offering a terrific new menu. From sandwiches and rice bowls to tasty tacos and returning favorites, this menu has it all!
Sandwiches/Salads
California Burger (Plant-based) – Seared farm-fresh plant-based burger with Sriracha mustard, balsamic-glazed grilled peppers and onions, a “mayonnaise”-ketchup blend, lettuce, and tomato and served with arugula-farro salad, steak fries, or apple slices
NEW Chicken Club Sandwich – Marinated chicken breast on a toasted brioche bun with bacon, provolone cheese, guacamole, ranch dressing, lettuce, and tomato served with arugula-farro salad, steak fries, or apple slices
NEW Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich – Grilled sourdough toasted with buffalo chicken, Monterey, provolone, cheddar, cream cheese, side of buffalo sauce, and served with arugula-farro salad, steak fries, or apple slices
Mediterranean Salad with Chicken – Chicken breast served over mixed greens with tomatoes, cucumber, pepperoncini, Kalamata olives, and feta tossed in Mediterranean vinaigrette served with hummus and flatbread
Tacos
NEW Pork Carnitas Tacos – Pork carnitas on flour tortillas with salsa verde, pickled onion, and radish served with Mexican rice and black beans
NEW Shrimp Tacos – Sautéed shrimp on flour tortillas with cabbage slaw, chipotle mayo, and mango salsa served with Mexican rice and black beans
Rice Bowls
NEW Curry Rice Bowl with Shrimp – Sautéed shrimp and vegetables with red curry sauce served with Jasmine coconut rice
NEW Plant-based Curry Rice Bowl with Tofu – Pineapple-marinated tofu and sautéed vegetables with red curry sauce served with Jasmine coconut rice
Kid’s Options
NEW Kid’s Pork Taco – Pork carnitas on a flour tortilla served with Mexican rice and black beans
NEW Kid’s Grilled Cheese Sandwich – Grilled American cheese on sourdough served with choice of two sides.
NEW Kid’s Turkey Sandwich – Turkey sandwich served with a choice of two sides.
Kid’s Uncrustable – Uncrustable served with choice of two sides.
For over 12 years Darren Wittko has been helping people save money at Walt Disney World as both, a travel writer and a travel advisor with Magical Vacations Travel. He’s featured in the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World as a Best of the Best Disney Travel Agent. Darren resides in Celebration, FL.
More Updates
Reminder! Important ADR Change on Magic Kingdom Party Nights
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park
Has this ever happened to you? You’re searching for a parking spot at the mall hoping for something close to the entrance. Then there it is, the best spot in the entire complex, no one will be parked closer to the mall than you! Everyone else somehow overlooked it! But then as you get closer you notice there’s a compact car parked in it.
A similar experience can occur when trying to find availability at Magic Kingdom restaurants in the fall - Late August through December. Be Our Guest Restaurant, for example, is the most challenging ADR to get at Walt Disney World. You must be online at 6 am, 180 days in advance and even then you have only 2 minutes book it before it sells out.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom Park
But sometimes you’ll notice a flood of availability appear for dinner reservations at Be Our Guest, Crystal Palace and Liberty Tree Tavern, the 3 most most popular. Especially after 7 pm. How can this be? Is this the parking space syndrome, somehow everyone else overlooked it? Maybe. But chances are the Magic Kingdom is closing early for a party.
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party usually begin at 7 pm. Magic Kingdom will close to day guests and only those who have purchased a party ticket can remain inside the park after 7 pm.
Guests who pay for the party have so many activities to explore, many don’t want to spend their time sitting down at a restaurant, thus wide-open availability at places like Be Our Guest Restaurant and Crystal Palace. They will sell out for sure, just not as fast..
Unfortunately if you’re not a party guest, you cannot stay in the park later than 7 pm even if you have an ADR for a Magic Kingdom restaurant. This can be a moment of frustration for some people and Disney’s website doesn’t make this abundantly clear. For non-party goers the last ADR for Magic Kingdom dining is 5:55 pm.
If you’re already inside the restaurant when the park closes, of course you can stay. But when it’s time to leave, a cast member will escort you to the park’s exit. “You don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here” kind of thing.
In the fall, it’s critical for you to know when Magic Kingdom will be hosting evening parties. There are more now than ever before. If you’re thinking of attending one, go for it! They are tons of fun. But don’t waste time at a restaurant - there’s too much to see and do.
Related:
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party dates
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party dates
From Disney: Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party Dining
Important Change to Disney Dining Reservations
Recently I discovered that the website used to make dining reservations at Walt Disney World opens at approximately 5:45 AM, not 6:00 AM as it had before.
The Dining Reservations website now opens at approximately 5:45 AM.
I first discovered this while trying to make a dining reservation for Be Our Guest Restaurant 180 days in advance. I was online, logged in, and ready to go at 6:00 AM Eastern Time. But in less than a minute, Be Our Guest was already booked to capacity. While Be Our Guest is popular, it didn't seem right to me that it could have sold out so quickly. I later called Disney to ask if there was an error on the website. The booking agent explained to me that the site had opened to guests at 5:45 AM. So, basically I was 15 minutes late to the party.
I confirmed this on the Walt Disney World website as well. In the FAQ section, Disney explains that the website could open prior to 6 AM:
“Reservation availability for select Walt Disney World restaurants typically begins each day at approximately 5:45 AM.”
When making hard-to-get dining reservations, log into your My Disney Experience account a few minutes prior to 5:45 AM. I recommend testing your username and password the night before just to make sure you are able to log in. You don't want to discover that you forgot your password when it's game time. If you have trouble with your account, you can call 407-WDW-HELP and select option 3 for Disney Internet Help.
I also recommend using the website over the mobile app, but have both ready to go just in case. The website tends to be more stable and will operate a little faster than the app.
Muppets Fans Take Note: PizzeRizzo Coming This Fall
First Look: PizzeRizzo Coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios this fall.
PizzeRizzo will open this fall in Muppets Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort. Rizzo The Rat owns and operates the pizzeria, which is located in the former Toy Story Pizza Planet. Here, you'll enjoy a casual Italian-American dining experience in a whole new way, through the eyes of the lovable, wisecracking Muppet.
Walt Disney Imagineering hid hints of Rizzo, his extended family and friends who have visited PizzeRizzo over the years throughout the two-story quick-service location. In addition to the expansive indoor and outdoor seating area, you'll be able to dine in a “cheesy” banquet room, or take five in a special booth designated just for Rizzo’s celebrity friends.
Darren Wittko - Specializes in Disney Destinations with Magical Vacations Travel. He is rated aBest of the Best Disney Travel Agent by readers of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World
Starbucks Opens at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney’s Hollywood Studios welcomes a Starbucks location, The Trolley Car Café. Themed to a classic trolley car along the park's Hollywood Boulevard it will offer yet another unique Starbucks experience for coffee lovers visiting Walt Disney World. This is the fourth location serving Starbucks products at Walt Disney World Resort with another coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios. Locations are already open at Magic Kingdom and Epcot, as well as at Downtown Disney.
Darren Wittko is the creator of Save at Walt Disney World and a Disney Destinations Specialist at Magical Vacations Travel. Voted "best of the best Disney travel agent" by readers of the 2015 Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World.
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin + Swan Reserve Hotel