Disney Dining Plans: Yes or No?
- Cara Conte
- Apr 29, 2019
- 5 min read
Walt Disney World has so incredibly much to offer for you during your stay, and one of the best things about WDW is the food! There are an overabundance of restaurants and cuisine to choose from while staying at the Walt Disney World Resort, so there truly is something for everyone! If you've dined at Walt Disney World before, you may recall your server asking if you're on any Disney Dining Plans. For those who aren't familiar with the dining plans, they are a prepaid service that you may add on to your vacation package, allowing you to make reservations at your restaurant of choice, and all you have to do is show up and eat! Although it may seem like a no-brainer to add a Disney Dining Plan to your vacation package for pure convenience, many people opt-out of adding it on to their package, simply because they are not sure they are going to get their money's worth. Are you booking your vacation package and not sure if you should add on a dining plan, or just deciding between which one to choose? Here is an overview of each dining plan - and what's included in each!
The first Disney Dining Plan is going to be the most basic of the plans - the Quick-Service Dining Plan. This plan is going to be best for families that are on-the-go throughout the day and night during the parks, and who aren't going to prioritize dining on their trip. For each guest in your party ages 3 and over, the Quick-Service dining plan includes two Quick-Service meals and two snacks per day. Each guest will also receive a refillable souvenir mug, which can be refilled with soft drinks at any Quick-Service dining location in the parks or at a resort. You may use the meals on this plan for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and the meals include one entrée and one nonalcoholic beverage (or one alcoholic beverage if you're over 21). Alcoholic beverages have never been included in the dining plans before, and we all know how expensive cocktails can be (especially in the Disney parks), so this makes the meal plans more worth it if you're someone who likes to enjoy Disney's specialty cocktails! Snacks on the meal plan can be considered anything from a box of popcorn to a bottle of water! The Quick-Service Meal plan costs about $50 per adult per night, and about $25 per child ages 3-9 per night.
The next level of dining plans is the Disney Dining Plan. This is going to be the most practical choice of meal plans, as you get a little bit of everything you need when purchasing this plan. The Disney Dining Plan includes one Quick-Service meal, one Table-Service meal, and two snacks, per guest (ages 3 and over), per day. Also included are the refillable mugs mentioned in the Quick-Service Dining Plan, and one entrée, one full buffet, or family-style meal. There are several buffets throughout property (a lot of which are Character Dining), along with restaurants that offer family-style meals, such as 'Ohana at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. Also included in this plan is the one nonalcoholic beverage (or one alcoholic beverage if you're over 21). The plan is eligible to use for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I like to think that if you're going to choose a Dining Plan, that this one is going to be the one that is most worth your money. You get to experience the great Quick-Service food that Disney has to offer, along with a wide array of their phenomenal full-service restaurants. I suggest this plan to anyone who is thinking about adding on a Dining Plan, because I think it makes most sense to have a quick breakfast in your room or at your resort (and use your snacks to redeem which ever you choose to have for breakfast), get a Quick-Service lunch at one of the locations in the parks or at your resort, and make a reservation for a nice Table-Service dinner either at a park or resort! You get the best of both worlds, and the extra money ends up being totally worth it. The Disney Dining Plan costs about $75 per adult per night, and about $30 per child ages 3-9, per night.
Pro tip: Don't forget to use your snacks! Many people forget that water bottles, frozen ice cream, and bags of chips count towards snacks on your meal plan! If you're not sure how many snacks you have left to redeem, you're able to tap your Magic Band at any merchandise or food and beverage location to see how many snacks you have left. Don't waste your money paying for extra snacks that you've already paid for! If you find that you're at the end of your trip and you're left with a ton of snacks to redeem, purchase snacks that can be used as souvenirs!
The highest level of Disney Dining Plans is going to be the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan. This plan may seem like an excessive amount of food, and you may find yourself stuffing your face just because you simply have to eat all of what you paid for! If you're a total foodie and want to visit Walt Disney World simply for the food, then this is most likely the plan for you. But if you're an average eater, then I wouldn't recommend this plan. The Disney Deluxe Dining Plan includes three meals and two snacks. All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) are eligible for either a Quick-Service or Table-Service meal. Also included in the Disney Deluxe Dining plan are all buffet, family-style, and beverage options mentioned in the plans above. Private in-room dining is also available to use as an option in the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan. One may think to themselves "Well I eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at home, so why not get this plan?" Your thinking is definitely logical, but let me tell you, it is a lot of food! These meals aren't just your bowls of cereal and sandwiches. They're a full meal, drinks and sides included. It can be a lot of food to force down in a day, not to mention several days in a row! If you think you can handle it and it's worth it for you, I'm not stopping you! The Disney Deluxe Dining Plan costs about $$115 per adult per night, and about $45 per child ages 3-9, per night.
Remember, a meal plan is not required during your stay at WDW! The best way to determine which plan is right for you (or if any plan is right for you), is to calculate about how much you would typically spend on food and drinks during your stay, and compare it to your meal plan of choice. At first, it may not seem worth it because of the initial large amount, but I do find that for the most part, it evens out! It also comes down to whether or not you want to prepay for your meals, or if you would like the option to pay as you go. Gratuity for Table-Service restaurants is not included in your Dining Plan, unless you have a party of 6 or more, in which an 18% gratuity will be added to your check. Reservations are always recommended for Table-Service restaurants, which you are able to book up to 180 days in advance! Something to keep in mind when choosing a meal plan is that all guests in your party must have the same Dining Plan. For more help choosing your Disney Dining Plan and for help reservations, email us at pixietravelco@gmail.com or visit bit.ly/PlanWitPixie today!
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