Walt Disney World Dining Plans 101

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*Updated on 9/1/2020

**Disney Dining Plans have currently been suspended until further notice during Walt Disney World’s phased reopening.

One of the benefits of staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel during your vacation is the ability to add a dining plan to your package.  Dining plans allow guests to have the ability to make their vacation experience virtually as all-inclusive as possible.

Dining Plan Options

Every guest booked under the same vacation package must choose the same dining plan.  There are currently four different dining plans from which guests (ages 3+) may choose:

  • Quick-Service Dining Plan: $55.00 per Adult / $26.00 per Child (3 to 9) per night
  • Disney Dining Plan: $78.01 per Adult / $30.51 per Child (3 to 9) per night
  • Disney Dining Plan Plus: $94.60 per Adult / $35.00 per Child (3 to 9) per night
  • Deluxe Dining Plan: $119.00 per Adult / $47.50 per Child (3 to 9) per night

All dining plans include 2 snacks per night of stay and a resort refillable drink mug per person (ages 3+). In addition to the above, each of the dining plans includes:

  • Quick-Service Dining Plan: 2 Quick-Service meals per person per night of stay
  • Disney Dining Plan: 1 Table-Service meal per person per night of stay and 1 Quick-Service meal per person per night of stay
  • Disney Dining Plan Plus: 2 meals per person per night of stay (Any combination of Table-Service and Quick-Service Meals)
  • Deluxe Dining Plan: 3 Meals (Quick-Service or Table-Service) per person per night of stay

The ability to use your refillable drink mug as well as any unused meal and snack credits will expire at midnight on your check-out date no matter which dining plan is purchased.

Guests are allotted a certain number of credits per night of stay, these are all readily available to be used at the time of check-in.  For example, it would be acceptable for a guest who purchased a Quick-Service Dining Plan to use 3 quick-service credits in one day.

Although not every on-site food establishment accepts the dining plan credits, there is an abundance of choices guests have to use their plan at the theme parks, hotels, and even Disney Springs.

What’s Included

Quick-Service Dining

Quick-service dining locations are usually restaurants where guests would stop at a counter or register to order their food and then find a seat.  With the exception of Be Our Guest (Breakfast and Lunch) and Pizzafari Family Style Dining (dinner), reservations are not accepted nor required. Each quick-service meal includes:

  • 1 Entrée
  • 1 Single serving non-alcoholic or select alcoholic beverage (where available, for guests 21 and over)
Ribs at Yak and Yeti

Table-Service Dining

Table-service locations are similar to most standard full-service restaurants. Walt Disney World Resort has over 50 Table-Service restaurants where dining credits are accepted.   The following is included in a Table-Service credit: 

Breakfast

  • 1 Entrée
  • 1 Single serving nonalcoholic or select alcoholic beverage (where available, for guests 21 and over)

-OR-

  • 1 Full Buffet or Family-Style Meal

Lunch/ Dinner

  • 1 Appetizer (Deluxe Dining Plan Only)
  • 1 Entrée
  • 1 Dessert
  • 1 Single serving non-alcoholic or select alcoholic beverage (where available, for guests 21 and over)

-OR-

  • 1 Full Buffet or Family-Style Meal

(Only the Disney Dining Plan and the Deluxe Dining Plan include table-service dining credits.)

Minnie Mouse Cupcake

Snacks

Snack credits can be used at Quick-Service restaurants, most Outdoor Carts, and select merchandise locations. Snacks may include a single serving of items like popcorn, bottled beverages, whole fruit, and ice cream novelty treats. No matter which dining plan is used, each guest on the plan is allotted 2 snacks per night of stay.

What’s not Included

As all-inclusive as the 3 different dining plan options are, there are a few items that they do not include.  These include things like gratuities for Table-Service wait staff, certain prix fixe menus and snacks served in souvenir containers.

Guests Enjoying a Table Service Meal at Walt Disney World
Photo Courtesy Disney

Using Your Dining Plan

To redeem a meal or snack credit, do the following:

  1. Present your MagicBand to your server or cashier
  2. Specify the number of meals or snacks which you wish to redeem
  3. Enjoy!

If a guest is dining with another party that is also utilizing a dining plan, each party should notify their server which meals should be redeemed under each MagicBand.

How to Keep Track of Your Dining Credits

Guests can track their usage using their My Disney Experience app.  You can also review your receipts as the remaining entitlements will be printed on the bottom, or by asking the Resort Concierge or Guest Relations.

A tasty dessert at Walt Disney World
Photo Courtesy Disney.

Additional Meal Types Your Credits Can Be Used For

Table-Service dining credits on the Disney Dining Plan and Deluxe Dining Plan may be redeemed when dining at some of these special Table-Service locations.

Character Dining

Character Dining allows Guests to dine with some of their favorite characters.  From Mickey Mouse to Disney Princesses and everything in between. These are a great way to add a little extra magic to a vacation.

Merchandise and photo imaging products are not included when using a dining plan.  

Signature Dining Restaurants

Signature Dining Restaurants are fine dining establishments that offer a wide selection of cuisines ranging from traditional African, Indian, and Mediterranean to premium steaks and fresh seafood.  Signature Dining restaurants require 2 table-service meal entitlements to be redeemed per person. 

Dinner Shows

The Disney Dining Plan and Deluxe Dining Plan may be used towards Dinner Shows.  Family-style dining with live entertainment can be had at any one of these experiences.  Plan entitlements may be used towards Category 2 and Category 3 seating at all Dinner Shows and Category 1 seating for the 8:30 PM Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue show.  

Dinner shows require tickets and advance reservations.  A total of 2 entitlements will be redeemed for each person attending the Dinner Show.

Private In-Room Dining

Guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels have the option of enjoying Private In-Room Dining.  A total of 2 entitlements will be redeemed for each meal plan balance.

Pizza Delivery

A total of 2 adult entitlements will be redeemed for each Pizza Delivery Meal. (Gratuities are included.)  This includes: 

  • 1 Pizza Entrée Item
  • 2 Dessert
  • 2 Single serving non-alcoholic or Alcoholic Beverage (where available, for Guests 21 and over)

If you need help planning your perfect vacation, contact our friends at Key to the World Travel® for a free, no-obligation quote for your next trip. Click here.

Written by Adjunct Professor Nicole Newgas, edited by Professor Jess Evans.

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