Well folks, the day we have all been waiting for is FINALLY here… Disney Dining Plans have returned as of January 9, 2024!! That’s right, after nearly 4 YEARS Disney World has brought back their dining plans since the dreaded Covid closures in March 2020. 🤯
I figured since it’s been such a long time since Dining plans have been available, this week I wanted to take a deep dive into the two Dining plan options, what’s included with each and how to decide if this is the right thing for your family to include with your Disney World Vacation package
Types of Plans
First let’s take a deep dive into the two different dining plans options. Regardless of the type of plan, you will get credits for each member of your family (ages 3 and up) staying in your room for each NIGHT of your trip. So if you are staying for 6 nights, each person would get the credits listed below x’s 6. You can use those credits however you like throughout your trip. So if you want to use 3 quick service credits in one day per person, you can do that!
When you decide you want to add the dining plan, you’ll need to decide whether the “Quick Service Dining Plan” or the full “Disney Dining Plan” is right for your family.
Quick Service Dining Plan
The quick service Dining plan includes the following per night of your trip.
2 Quick Service meals (each credit includes an entree and drink)
1 Snack
A Refillable drink Mug (can be refilled at any Disney World Resort)
So if you were staying for 6 nights, each person would have 12 quick service meal credits and 6 snack credits to use throughout your trip. Now what exactly is a “quick service” meal you ask? Well these locations are spread throughout Disney World property and are the restaurants where no prior reservations are taken. Typically at these locations, you can mobile order ahead through your MyDisneyExperience app OR you can stand in line to order your food. You’ll wait for your food to be done then you will take your tray and find a table to sit.
Some of my favorite quick service locations by park are listed below…
Magic Kingdom: Casey’s Corner or Pecos Bill
Hollywood Studios: Backlot Express or ABC Commissary
Animal Kingdom: Flame Tree BBQ and Satu’li Canteen
Epcot: Connections Cafe and Regal Eagle Smokehouse
What classifies as a snack credit truly varies. But they often are indicated with a “symbol” behind it at many of the food cart kiosks. You can even use your snack credits in many of the bakeries and gift shops as well!
This plan is perfect for a family who doesn’t want to pre schedule and pre plan meals. And for families with littles who may not want to spend 1 - 1.5 hours at a sit down Table service meal, because they just want to get back to their valuable park time!
Disney Dining Plan
The full Disney Dining Plan includes the following PER NIGHT of your trip:
1 Table Service Credit (each credit includes an entree, drink and dessert)
1 Quick Service Credit (each credit includes an entree and drink)
1 Snack Credit
A refillable Drink mug per person
This plan is for you if you are a family who loves their sit down, longer dining experiences and Character meals! And you are all about the food on your trips! A Table Service meal is any restaurant that requires a reservation ahead of time. This also includes your Character meals. Note that these meals may take anywhere from 1 - 1.5 hours to eat.
Something else to note is that some table service restaurants are considered “signature dining experiences” in those cases, if you choose to use your Dining plan, they will cost you 2 Table Service Credits. Below is a list of the current restaurants that would cost you 2 table service credits for one meal. (Note this list is subject to change, so you can check your MDE app for the latest updates)
Signature Dining Locations - 2 Table Service Credits
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Is the Dining Plan Right for your Family?
This is often the most asked question we get, and honestly it truly depends on your family. One of the biggest advantages to getting a dining plan is you are able to pre-pay for most of your meals. So often, families are unsure or concerned about how much they will be spending on food during their trip. So by adding the dining plan ahead of time, it takes away some of those “unknown” costs because you have already budgeted and paid for it.
On the other hand, if you are like my family with little ones, my boys are 3 and 5, or have picky eaters. It may be a bit harder to justify the cost, because your family may not actually eat or need that much food. Or maybe where you tend to eat isn’t going to make the dining plan worth your while.If you are on the fence and still confused about if it’s worth it, we have a little break down for you that you can see what some out of pocket costs vs having the dining plan may look like. Simply click here to see our Disney dining guide price breakdowns.
So what do you think? Is your family team Dining Plan or team wing it on your own? Either way, don’t miss out on all the incredible and unique food that Disney World has to offer!
Happy Dining!
Your Bibbidi Bobbidi Bestie,
Tara
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