What Are the Disney Dining Plans? A Guide to Costs, Benefits, and Value
Disney World is known for its magical experiences, thrilling rides, and, of course, its diverse dining options. Disney offers dining plans to help guests manage their dining budgets and experience various meals.
Currently, two main dining plans are available: the Quick Service Dining Plan and the Disney Dining Plan. However, the big question is: are they worth it? The answer may depend on how you define "worth it."
So, what are the Disney dining plans? In this blog post, we’ll explore the two dining plans, their features, and whether they offer good value based on different definitions of “worth it.”
What Are the Disney Dining Plans and How Do They Work?
Disney dining plans allow guests to prepay for meals and snacks. They offer a structured way to dine throughout their trip. Each plan includes a set number of meal credits per night of stay. It becomes easier to plan and enjoy a variety of dining options.
Both dining plans use meal credits—which can be redeemed at select Disney restaurants. You’ll receive a combination of quick-service, table-service, and snack credits based on your chosen plan. Each guest on the reservation gets the same plan; credits must be used before checkout. A refillable mug is also included for unlimited refills at Disney resort beverage stations.
Quick Service Dining Plan
The Disney Dining Plan includes:
2 Quick-Service Meals Per Night of Stay: 2 meals at any quick-service restaurant.
1 Snack or Nonalcoholic Beverage Per Night of Stay: A snack from various locations around Disney World..
1 Refillable Mug: Unlimited refills at the beverage stations in the resort hotels.
Disney Dining Plan
The Disney Dining Plan Plus offers more flexibility and includes:
1 Quick-Service Meals Per Night of Stay: 1 meal at any quick-service restaurant.
1 Table-Service Meal (per night of stay): Enjoy 1 meal at participating table-service restaurants (most are covered by 1 credit, though some are not part of the dining plan; a few may require 2 credits instead of 1).
1 Snack or Nonalcoholic Beverage Per Night of Stay: A snack from various locations around Disney World..
1 Refillable Mug: Unlimited refills at the beverage stations in the resort hotels.
Cost of Dining Plans
As of 2024, the cost for these plans is:
Quick Service Dining Plan: Approximately $78.01 per adult and $30.51 per child (ages 3-9) per night.
Disney Dining Plan: Approximately $94.61 per adult and $36.01 per child (ages 3-9) per night.
Factors to Consider When Deciding if a Dining Plan is Worth It
Financial Value
If you want to get the most value for your money, the worth of a dining plan depends on how much food you consume. It also depends on the type of food you choose.
Quantity of Food: To make the dining plan financially worthwhile, you need to eat a lot. If you enjoy hearty meals and don’t mind eating multiple courses, the dining plan can offer good value.
Variety of Food: If you love trying different foods and dining experiences, you can enjoy character breakfasts and fine dining at Disney’s signature restaurants. This approach helps you maximize the dining plan’s value.
Alcoholic Beverages: One of the significant benefits of the dining plans is that they include alcoholic drinks. The plan can be very cost-effective for adults who plan to enjoy a beer, wine, or cocktail with each meal.
Financial Drawbacks
Dietary Restrictions: If you have strict dietary needs or preferences that limit your dining choices, you may find it challenging to get your money’s worth.
Light Eaters: If you don’t eat large meals or prefer smaller portions, you might waste both food and money.
Magic Kingdom Visits: Magic Kingdom is a dry park. This means no alcohol is served (except in a few select dining locations that require advanced reservations). Spending a lot of time here can reduce the value of the dining plan since you won’t be able to take full advantage of the inclusion of alcoholic beverages.
Guests Aged 10-20: Guests in this age range are charged the adult rate for dining plans. However, they cannot consume alcohol, which makes it harder to justify the cost.
Convenience and Peace of Mind
The “worth it” factor for many families isn’t just about financial savings. It’s about convenience, budgeting, and reducing stress during their vacation.
Budgeting Upfront: With dining plans, you can prepay for your meals. It can be easier to budget and spread out the cost of your vacation over time.
Less Financial Decision-Making: Having a dining plan means you won’t have to worry about meal prices while you’re on vacation. This can help you relax and enjoy your trip more. Decision fatigue is real, and the dining plans are a great way to avoid it.
Being the “Yes” Parent: With the dining plan, you’re more likely to say “yes” to that extra snack or character dining experience without worrying about the cost. This can enhance the overall magic of your Disney experience.
Convenience Drawbacks
Flexibility: The dining plan can feel restrictive if you prefer spontaneous dining choices or like to eat offsite.
Unused Credits: If you don’t use all your meal and snack credits, you lose potential value.
Comparing the Dining Plans
Quick Service Dining Plan
The Quick Service Dining Plan is great for those who plan to enjoy quick service meals throughout the day. It’s perfect for those wanting to eat quickly and return to the rides!
Pros
Budget-Friendly: Easier to budget for dining expenses.
Fast and Convenient: Quick Service does not take up much time, especially with mobile ordering! Get back to those rides and experiences as fast as you can!
Cons
Service Level: With the quick service dining plan, you won’t be served at a table during your vacation. This also means no free refills on sodas!
Rest Time: Sitting down at a table in the air conditioning provides a chance to relax after a hectic day in the parks. Quick service dining offers many options outside or in covered open areas. Hence, finding a table can be difficult during peak times.
Disney Dining Plan
The Disney Dining Plan offers more flexibility, allowing you to have both a quick and table service meal each day. This is ideal for food enthusiasts who want to sample a broader range of Disney’s culinary offerings.
Pros
Flexibility: Choose between quick-service and table-service, up to an average of 1 each per day.
Dining Experiences: Excellent for foodies who want to thoroughly explore Disney’s dining options.
Convenience: Provides a stress-free dining experience.
Cons
Cost: Higher price point means consuming more to get your money’s worth.
Time-Consuming: Table-service meals can take up a significant portion of your day.
Strategies for Maximizing Value
Plan Your Meals
Plan your meals ahead of time to get the most out of your dining plan. Make dining reservations (ADR) as soon as possible, as popular restaurants fill up quickly. Choose restaurants that offer more expensive meals to maximize the value of your plan.
Snack Wisely
Use your snack credits for high-value items like specialty drinks, cupcakes, and festival foods. Avoid spending them on inexpensive items like bottled water or popcorn.
Take Advantage of Alcohol
If you’re an adult who enjoys alcohol, use your drink credits for alcoholic beverages. These can significantly increase the plan’s value.
Consider Character Dining
Character dining experiences are expensive. Using your table-service credits for these meals can provide great value, especially for families with children.
Conclusion: Is the Disney Dining Plan Worth It?
Ultimately, whether the Disney Dining Plan is worth it depends on your preferences and priorities. If you love trying new dishes and enjoy alcoholic drinks with your meals, the dining plans offer excellent value. They also let you prepay for meals, reducing financial decisions during your vacation.
However, if you have dietary restrictions, prefer smaller portions, or don’t plan to drink alcohol, you may struggle to get your money’s worth. Additionally, guests spending a lot of time in Magic Kingdom or those with children aged 10-20 may not find the dining plans cost-effective.
Regardless of your dining preferences, planning and budgeting ahead of time can help you make the most of your Disney World experience. Consider booking your trip through byHannahVacations for personalized assistance and expert advice.
Our experienced travel planners can help you choose the best options for your family. Let’s plan a magical Disney vacation tailored to your needs. Contact us today to start planning your dream Disney adventure!