Disney Dining Plan 101: How Does It Work?

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The Disney Dining plan comes in various packages, and can be added to any Walt Disney World Resort hotel stay. With that said, there are a few caveats and rules to the dining plan. It can be a little confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. This should help you decide if the dining plan is right for your Disney vacation.

Disney Dining Plan

If you are in the planning stages of a Disney vacation this is the post for you. I cannot tell you how many conversations I have had with friends asking about the dining plan. I have never found it confusing, but I seem to be in the minority. Let’s take a closer look at the Disney Dining Plan, and if it’s right for your vacation.

Who Can Have The Dining Plan?

If you book a Walt Disney World vacation you have the option to add the Disney Dining Plan, there are however a few caveats to that.

• Everyone on the reservation MUST have the dining plan, the only exception is children under 3. It doesn’t matter that your five year old won’t eat anything but chicken tenders, you have to pay for the plan for all guests.
• You can only add the plan if you are staying in a Disney Resort, this does not include Swan & Dolphin or Good Neighbor Hotels.
• You pay for the plan per night of your stay, this means if it is a 5 night vacation you pay for that. You cannot just add one day of the dining plan to your reservation.
• It can be added to Military Rate rooms and DVC Rentals, inquire when booking your room.

Are There Different Dining Plans?

There are three different dining plans to choose from at various price points. The cost listed below is per person, per night.

First, let me break down the Disney lingo for you. A quick service meal is grab and go,wherein you order and then pick up your food and seat yourself. A table service meal is a sit down meal that could be a character buffet, or simply a nicer dining experience where you have a server for the duration.

1. Quick Service Plan: $52.50/Adult (Ages 10+), $23.79/Child (Ages 3-9) 

• Sample Breakfast
  • 1 entree or 1 complete combo meal
  • 1 non-alcoholic beverage (or alcoholic for 21+ guests)
• Sample Lunch and Dinner
  • 1 entree or 1 complete combo meal
  • 1 non-alcoholic beverage (or alcoholic for 21+ guests)
  • Children ages 3-9 must order from the Children’s Menu 
• 2 Snacks
• 1 Refillable Resort Mug

2. Disney Dining Plan: $75.51/Adult (Ages 10+), $27.99/Child (Ages 3-9) 

• 1 Table Service Meal
  • 1 entree
  • 1 dessert (You may substitute your dessert for a fruit plate, side salad, or cup of soup)
  • 1 non-alcoholic beverage (or alcoholic for 21+ guests)
  • OR 1 full buffet
• 1 Quick-Service Meal
  • 1 entree
  • 1 non-alcoholic beverage (or alcoholic for 21+ guests)
• 2 Snacks
• 1 Resort-Refillable Drink Mug Per Person

This plan is the most popular among families that would like to do a lot of character dining during their visit. These experiences can be costly and this is a great value. The table service restaurants book up 180 days in advance, so be sure to plan accordingly. 

3. Deluxe Dining Plan: $116.26/Adult (Ages 10+), $43.50/Child (Ages 3-9) 

• 3 Table Service Meals
  Choose from select Walt Disney World Resort table-service restaurants for all 3 of your meals. Children ages 3-9 must order from a Children’s Menu where available. Each table service meal includes:
  • 1 entree
  • 1 appetizer
  • 1 dessert (lunch and dinner only)
  • 1 non-alcoholic beverage (or alcoholic for 21+ guests)
  • OR 1 full buffet
• 2 Snacks
• 1 Resort-Refillable Drink Mug Per Person

How Do I Use The Dining Plan? 

When you purchase the plan of your choice you are allocated credits. The number of credits you have depends on the number of nights of your stay. So, if you’re there for five nights and you’re on the Quick Service Plan, that means you have a total of 10 quick service credits and 10 snack credits to use for the duration of your trip. The credits are automatically linked to your Magic Band, you will scan that when it’s time to pay.

You do not have to use them all per day, they roll over into the next day and are good until midnight of the day you check-out. For example, if you arrive in Disney at 6 p.m. and only use one meal and one snack the other two will carry over into the rest of your vacation. You can track your dining credits in the My Disney Experience app.

Dining Tip: You can purchase souvenirs for home with snack credits such as lollipops, cookies and candies. 

You also do not have to use credits for every snack or meal, don’t waste a snack credit on a soda or bottle of water. Use them for popcorn, ice cream, french fries, bagels, bags of candy, the list goes on and if you are smart about it you will save a ton of money. You can pay cash for the less costly items, and save those dining credits for the more expensive park treats.

Dining Tip: Water is FREE at Walt Disney World, visit and quick service location and ask for a cup. 

Maximize your credits to the fullest, if you are in Disney World during the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival use the snack credits for food from the various kiosks. A $10 item will cost you nothing as a snack credit, and with two per day you can rack up the savings. If you aren’t sure that it is a snack credit, just look for the logo on the menu.

Are All Restaurants Included?

The majority of restaurants in the parks and resorts do participate in the dining plan, including Disney Springs. With that said, some dining is two table service credits as it is a Signature Dining Experience. You will need to weigh the pros and cons of using two credits and if it is a good value for you.

Signature Restaurants:

• Jiko (Animal Kingdom Lodge)
• Flying Fish (Boardwalk Inn)
• Californa Grill (Contemporary Resort)
• Citricos (Grand Floridian)
• Narcoossee’s (Grand Floridian)
• Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show (Polynesian)
• Yachtsman Steakhouse (Yacht and Beach Club)
• Hollywood Brown Derby (Disney Hollywood Studios)
• Le Cellier – (Epcot)
• Cinderella’s Royal Table (Magic Kingdom)
• Monsier Paul (Epcot)
• Tiffins (Animal Kingdom)
• The BOATHOUSE
• Wolfgang Puck Grand Cafe
• Paddlefish
• Morimoto Asia

Can I Use My Refillable Resort Mug In The Parks?

The answer is simply no, you cannot refill your mugs in the park. You can however take it to other resorts and use it.

Are Tips Included?

If you are using a quick service credit there is no need for a tip. If you are using a table service credit, you must leave a tip as it is NOT INCLUDED in the dining plan.

What Isn’t Included? 

•  Some outdoor food carts
• Glow cubes and other items considered merchandise, such as bottle straps, popcorn buckets.
•  Special dining events with special menus at certain table-service restaurants
•  Photo Imaging, except for the photo packages at Cinderella’s Royal Table and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
• Alcohol, unless you choose to have a drink with your meal. Sorry guys, as much as we want them to be Margaritas aren’t a snack credit.

Can You Share With Someone Not On The Plan? 

Absolutely, if you have friends or family visiting or on another reservation without the Dining Plan you can allow them to use your credits. Inquire with your server if it is table service meal, for quick service they will automatically deduct the amount of meals or snacks you have.

I think this about covers the basics of the Disney Dining Plan. You will have to decide if your family will get a good value out of it, or if paying out of pocket is worth it. Dining at Disney can be it’s own attraction, the servings are large and the food is very good. I am a supporter of the dining plan as we have always used our credits to the fullest extent each trip.