Disney Dining Plans can be one of the most confusing parts about your Disney dining planning; hopefully this primer will help!
What are Disney World Dining Plans?
Disney has set up two versions of the Disney Dining Plan for different budgets and dining tastes. Plans are an optional add-on to your Disney World trip (including a stay at a Disney owned-and-operated hotel), so that all you have to do when you get to Disney World is:
- Head to a restaurant on the list of participating locations;
- EAT!;
- And scan your MagicBand, Key to the World card, or Disney MagicMobile pass.
The credits for the meal will be deducted from your pre-paid meal or snack allotment, so you don’t pay while you’re at the restaurant. (Note: Gratuity is not included on table-service meals.)
Read our Disney Dining Plan FAQ here — it will answer many of your questions!
Disney Dining Plans set the number of Quick Service and Table Service restaurant meals and snacks* that you’re allowed to have during your trip. (Some visitors love the ease of the program, others feel a bit too hemmed in by the rules.)
*Snack examples include, but are NOT LIMITED to: 1 frozen ice cream novelty, cup of soup, counter-service menu side items, caramel apple, popsicle, fruit bar, box of popcorn, single-serving bag of snacks, single piece of whole fruit, 20-oz. bottle of co*ke, Diet co*ke, Sprite or Dasani water, 20-oz. fountain soft drink, 12-oz. coffee, hot chocolate or hot tea, single-serving prepackaged milk or juice. Snack credits are accepted for most food items at EPCOT’s seasonal Festivals.
Look for the purple “DDP Snack Credit logo” on price signage and menus!
NOTE: When you book a Dining Plan, everyone in the room must be booked on the same vacation package and must be using the same type of theme park ticket options. You can’t purchase the dining plan for a child under the age of 3 — Children under 3 years old may share from an adult plate at no charge, or a meal may be purchased from the menu for them. Guests ages 3-9 must order from a children’s menu where available.
Detailed Information And Disney Dining Plan Prices
Disney Quick Service Dining Plan
Disney Standard Dining Plan
2024 Disney Dining Plan Restaurants Can Be Found Here
Dining Plans for Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members
Dining Plans with Military Discounts
Please Note: The following Disney Dining Plans are not returning for 2024:
- Disney Dining Plan Plus
- Disney Deluxe Dining Plan
Is the Disney Dining Plan Worth The Money?
This depends completely on how you and your family usually eat while on vacation. The best suggestion is to crunch the numbers. We have a full chapter on deciding whether the Dining Plan is worth it for your family in our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book.
The DFB Guide to Dining in Disney World
The chapter includes sample budget scenarios for a family on vacation for a week with or without the Dining plan, a look at how hotel discounts can impact your bottom line when it comes to purchasing the Disney Dining Plan, whether Disney’s Free Dining Plan promotions offer the best value, and more. You can get your own copy here!
Additionally, we also have a guide entirely focused on the Disney Dining Plan!
The DFB Guide to Maximizing the Disney Dining Plan breaks down each plan and its pros and cons, and comes complete with example days and cost analysis done for you.
What’s “Free Dining“?
From time to time, Disney will announce special resort reservation promotions that offer a free Disney Dining Plan with your Disney World Resort booking and theme park ticket purchase. Dubbed “Free Dining” by Disney fans, these promotions are typically available (when offered) during the lower-crowd times in Disney World, like Winter and late Summer/early Fall (we have seen dates available in the summer through September 30.)
Booking the free dining promotion cannot be combined with hotel room discounts or other incentives, so getting free dining may not automatically be your most cost-effective option. It pays to crunch the numbers here as well.
If a free dining promotion is not offered during your vacation dates, you may get lucky and receive a “free dining code” in the mail or email from Disney. To potentially get one, you would need to be signed up with your email to receive special offers and discounts through Disney’s website.
Click here to read more about the Disney World Free Dining Offer, including any current promotions.
Beverage Options with the Disney Dining Plan
Guests 21 and older can can choose either one non-alcoholic beverage (including specialty beverages where offered) or one single serving mixed co*cktail, beer, or wine (where offered) with their meal entitlement. See more details on alcoholic options here.
Guests under 21 years of age can choose one non-alcoholic beverage, including specialty beverages for guests 10 years old and over where offered with their meal entitlement. Non-alcoholic specialty beverages include Artisanal Milkshakes, Fresh Smoothies, Premium Hot Chocolate, Soda, Coffee, or tea. See more details on non-alcoholic options here.
Disney Dining Plan Resources
Full Disney Dining Plan FAQ — everything you need to know about the Disney Dining Plans.
How to Maximize Your Disney Dining Plan Credits!
Why You SHOULD Buy the Disney Dining Plan
Why You Should NOT Buy the Disney Dining Plan
More Disney Dining Information and FAQs
For more Disney dining information, including details on dining discounts, restaurants, menus, and more, visit our Disney Dining Reference Page.
What About Disneyland Dining Plans?
In the past, Disneyland offered pre-paid dining plans and meal vouchers. At present, these are not available.
Discontinued Dining Plan Packages
Disney Premium Package Dining Plan–NOTE: The Premium Dining Plan was discontinued in 2017.
Disney Platinum Package Dining Plan – NOTE: The Platinum Dining Plan was discontinued in 2017.
Disney Dining Plan Plus — NOTE: The Dining Plan Plus was discontinued when the return of the Disney Dining Plan was announced in 2023.
Disney Deluxe Dining Plan — NOTE: The Dining Plan Plus was discontinued when the return of the Disney Dining Plan was announced in 2023.
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