Walt Disney World Dining Plans 101

Dessert offerings at Tusker House inside Disney's Animal Kingdom

For some people, dining is a big part of the vacation experience. For others, it is just a hurdle to get past on the way to the next attraction. No matter how you approach dining on vacation, everyone has to eat at some point!

Luckily, Walt Disney World offers over 100 dining locations. Even better, they have made dining convenient with a variety of dining plans to fit every vacation style.

 

The three main dining plans are available to all Walt Disney World resort guests who purchase a Magic Your Way package, including room and tickets. These plans are pre-purchased, and paid for with the rest of your vacation package. Those who book a room-only reservation with an Annual Passholder or Military discount may add a dining plan as well. 

There are the three main benefits from adding a dining plan: convenience, savings, and freedom.

1.  Purchasing your food with the dining plan is a breeze. Your meal credits are preloaded on your MagicBand, and will be deducted at time of purchase. There is no need to mess with your wallet, fumbling for cash or a credit card: simply tap your band, and you’re on your way!

2. The dining plans often offer a great savings versus paying out of pocket. Nothing beats the feeling of seeing a receipt with a balance of $0.00, on a meal that would have been quite costly out of pocket! At table service meals, gratuity is not included.

3.  Most of us are guilty of shying away from a meal that we really would enjoy, simply because it is one of the higher priced menu items. With the dining plan, there’s no need to worry! Most items are included as part of the plans. You are given an allotment of meal credits, not a dollar limit- so you can go ahead and splurge on that steak that you might not go for at home.

Dining plans:

• Dining credits are flexible and may be used however you would like. You may use more credits one day, and less another. They are valid from the moment you check in, until midnight on your final night.

2014 Refillable Mug Design

• The majority of restaurants require one dining credit per person, per meal. Some table service locations require two table service credits per person, per meal such as signature dining (fine dining) locations, as well as Cinderella’s Royal Table, inside Cinderella’s Castle in the Magic Kingdom.

• All dining plans include a Refillable Resort Beverage Mug. These may be used for unlimited drink refills for the duration of your stay. It can be refilled at your resort, and all resorts on property. They cannot be used in the parks.

• Reservations are highly recommended at table service meals. The window to book these reservations will open at 180 days before your check-in day. The most popular locations fill up extremely quickly.

Magic Your Way plus Quick Service Dining Plan

This is the least expensive dining plan - great for the on-the-go family who does not wish to be tied down to a certain reservation time. Not doing table service meals doesn’t mean that your choices are limited: Disney’s quick service locations feature a wide variety of food options for every taste or dietary need. 

This plan includes the following credits, per person, per night:

• Two quick service meals (non-alcoholic drink, entrée, and dessert at lunch and dinner)
• One snack

For arrivals in 2014, the cost of the Quick Service Dining plan, per night, is:
$41.99 per adult, $16.03 per child age 3-9.

To see the official 2014 Quick Service Dining Plan brochure, click here.

Magic Your Way Plus Dining Plan

This is the most popular dining plan. It is great for those who wish to maximize their park experience, while still taking time each day to sit down for one meal. Table service credits may be used on Character meals, which are a great way to get pictures and autographs with your favorite characters without waiting in line. Many of the Character meals are buffet or family style, all you can eat. These are an especially great option for families with children under the age of 3; with your paid meal, the child eats free from the buffet!

This plan includes the following credits, per person, per night:

•  One table service meal (non-alcoholic drink, entrée, and dessert at lunch and dinner. Or one full buffet or family style meal)
• One quick service meal (non-alcoholic drink, entrée, and dessert at lunch and dinner)
• One snack

For arrivals in 2014, the cost of the Plus Dining plan, per night, is:
$60.64 per adult, $19.23 per child age 3-9.

To see the official 2014 Plus Dining Plan brochure,  click here.

Magic Your Way Package Plus Deluxe Dining Plan

This plan is great for those who value the dining experience as much as the park experience. The Deluxe Dining Plan allows guests to eat three full meals per day, or focus on signature dining- which are fine dining locations which take two credits per person, per meal. The great thing about this plan is that the distinction between Quick Service and Table Service meals has been removed: you have the option and flexibility to eat however you wish.  

This plan includes the following credits, per person, per night:

• Three table service or quick service meals (non-alcoholic drink, entrée, and appetizer and dessert at lunch and dinner. Or one full buffet or family style meal)
• Two snacks

For arrivals in 2014, the cost of the Deluxe Dining plan, per night, is:
$109.53 per adult, $29.86 per child age 3-9.

To see the official 2014 Deluxe  Dining Plan brochure, click here.

No matter what your dining style is on vacation, adding a Disney Dining Plan to your vacation package is one way to enhance your vacation experience. 

Carissa