Skip to main content

The Disney Dining Plan - Everything You Need to Know



The Dining Plan offers the convenience and peace of mind of pre-paying for my meals and snacks. You are able to choose from two popular options: either the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan or the Disney Dining Plan. Both plans are a great value for families who love to dine at Disney, especially with children.

Space 220 Restaurant
Below is a list of the table service restaurants on Disney Property where you can use your Dining Plan credits. You can use it at restaurants located in the Disney theme parks, Disney Springs, and at the Resorts. The table service, or "sit down", restaurants either use 1 or 2 credits per person. A restaurant that requires 2 table service credits per person are called Signature Dining. These are fine dining or hard to get reservations. 

When you include the Dining Plan in your vacation package, everyone in the room must have the same type of theme park ticket option and dining plan. For a child under the age of 3 — they may share from an adult plate at no charge. Guests ages 3-9 must order from a children’s menu where available.

Let your Kingdom Konsultant agent know if you'd like to include the Dining Plan when you get a complimentary Disney quote or have any questions regarding how it works. We here at Kingdom Konsultant Travel help our clients book dining reservations when their booking windows open at 6:00 a.m. on the 60 day mark, too, if the thought of it makes you nervous. We're here to help you navigate your Disney vacation planning. 

What do you get with the Standard Dining Plan?

Each person on this meal plan will receive credits for the following, per night:
  • One table service entrée, dessert (lunch and dinner only), OR full buffet;
    • Guests under 21 years of age can choose one non-alcoholic beverage -(i.e. Artisanal Milk Shakes,  Fresh Smoothies, Premium Hot Chocolates, or Soda, Coffee or Tea — where offered).
    • Guests 21 and older can can choose either one non-alcoholic beverage (including specialty beverages where offered) or one single serving mixed cocktail, beer, or wine (where offered) 
  • One quick service meal, including entrée OR combo meal
    • Guests under 21 years of age can choose one non-alcoholic beverage (i.e. Artisanal Milk Shakes,  Fresh Smoothies, Premium Hot Chocolates, or Soda, Coffee or Tea — where offered)
    • Guests 21 and older can can choose either one non-alcoholic beverage (including specialty beverages where offered) or one single serving mixed cocktail, beer, or wine (where offered) 
  • One snack/non-alcoholic drink
  • One Resort refillable drink mug per person, per package
Topolino's Terrace Breakfast

What do you get with the Quick Service Dining Plan?

This plan includes counter service (e.g. fast food) meals and snacks at most quick service dining locations. The Quick Service Dining Plan includes the following, per Person (ages 3 and up), per Night: 
  • Two Quick Service meals (entrée or combo meal at lunch and dinner and a beverage); 
    • Guests under 21 years of age can choose one non-alcoholic beverage (i.e. Artisanal Milk Shakes,  Fresh Smoothies, Premium Hot Chocolates, or Soda, Coffee or Tea — where offered).
    • Guests 21 and older can can choose either one non-alcoholic beverage (including specialty beverages where offered) or one single serving mixed cocktail, beer, or wine 
  • One snack/nonalcoholic drink
  • One Resort Refillable drink mug per person, per package
Mickey Pretzel - a must-have snack!

What's Not Included in Either Dining Plan

  • Items that are more than a single serving (such as a box of doughnuts or a jar of peanut butter)
  • Items (such as popcorn or drinks) that are served in a souvenir container
  • Items considered to be merchandise (such as bottle toppers, glow cubes and bottle straps)
  • Gratuities
  • Extra items ordered like appetizers or drinks

Gratuities

  • Gratuities are not included, except for the following: dinner shows and Cinderella’s Royal Table.
  • An additional form of payment is needed if you add gratuity and have not provided a credit card at check-in 
  • An 18% gratuity will automatically be added to your bill for parties of 6 or more.
Satuli Canteen - A Favorite Quick Service Meal

How to Use Your Dining Plan

Show one of the following to your server at table service locations or cashier at quick service locations to use your credits. Be sure to have the PIN number set up on your profile to use the credits or charge overages to.
You can redeem your meals and snacks in any order during your stay, until the number of meals and snacks associated with your package has been depleted. All unused meals and snacks and the ability to use your Resort-refillable mug expire at midnight on your checkout date.

How to Keep Track of your Credits

Your dining plan usage is electronically linked to your reservation. Keep track of your remaining meals and snacks in 3 ways:
  • My Disney Experience app.
  • Check your dining receipts. Remaining meals and snacks are printed on them.
  • Ask your Resort Concierge or Guest Relations 
  • As a reminder, unused meals and snacks will roll over day to day. 
Flying Fish - Signature Dining

What Will Change in 2024?

If you were familiar with the Dining Plans from pre-2020, there are a few changes, in addition to the price. According to the Disney World website, we will no longer be able to swap a quick service credit for three snack credits. Also, the Disney Dining Plan includes one snack credit per night, instead of two.

Where Can I Use The Dining Plan?

Magic Kingdom — Table Service Meal Locations
The following Table Service restaurants require 1 Table Service credit per person

Cinderella's Royal Table

The following Table Service restaurants require 2 Table Service credits per person:

Disney’s Animal Kingdom — Table Service Meal Locations
The following Table Service restaurants require 1 Table Service credit per person:

The following Table Service restaurants requires 2 Table Service credits per person:

Disney’s Hollywood Studios — Table Service Meal Locations
The following Table Service restaurants require 1 Table Service credit per person:

The following Table Service restaurants requires 2 Table Service credits per person:

EPCOT — Table Service Meal Locations
The following Table Service restaurants require 1 Table Service credit per person:

The following Table Service restaurants requires 2 Table Service credits per person:

Disney Springs — Table Service Meal Locations
The following Table Service restaurants require 1 Table Service credit per person:

The following Table Service restaurants requires 2 Table Service credits per person:

Disney Resort Restaurants
The following Table Service restaurants require 1 Table Service credit per person:

The following Table Service restaurants requires 2 Table Service credits per person:

'Ohana Best Friends Breakfast

Disney World Character Dining
The following character meals require 1 Table Service credit per person:

  • Chef Mickey’s – Disney's Contemporary Resort
  • ‘Ohana Best Friends Breakfast featuring Lilo & Stitch – Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
  • Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast at Cape May Cafe – Disney's Beach Club Resort
  • A Buffet with Character at The Crystal Palace – Magic Kingdom
  • Chip ‘N’ Dale’s Harvest Feast at The Garden Grill – Epcot
  • Disney Junior Play ‘n Dine Breakfast at Hollywood & Vine – Disney's Hollywood Studios 
  • Minnie’s Seasonal Dine at Hollywood & Vine – Disney's Hollywood Studios (Lunch and Dinner)
  • Donald’s Dining Safari at Tusker House – Disney's Animal Kingdom
  • Mickey & Friends Breakfast at Topolino’s Terrace – Disney's Riviera Resort
  • 1900 Park Fare - Disney's Grand Floridian Resort *Opening 4/10/24

The following character meals require 2 Table Service credits per person:

  • Fairytale Dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table – Magic Kingdom
  • Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall – Epcot
  • Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White – Disney's Wilderness Lodge

Dining Packages 
Reserved seating for fireworks or a popular show or parade typically accept the Dining Plan. We are awaiting confirmation that the following Dining Packages will accept the Dining Plan in 2024:

  • Fantasmic! Dining Package — Disney’s Hollywood Studios
  • Candlelight Processional Dining Packages — EPCOT (during EPCOT Festival of the Holidays only) 
  • Disney on Broadway Concert Series Dining Packages — EPCOT (during EPCOT Festival of the Arts only)
  • Garden Rocks Concert Series Dining Packages — EPCOT (during EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival only)
  • Eat to the Beat Concert Series Dining Packages — EPCOT (during EPCOT Food and Wine Festival only)

Pizza - At Participating Resort Food Courts
Pizza includes the following for TWO QUICK SERVICE meal credits:

  • 1 Large Pizza
  • 2 Single-serving Nonalcoholic Beverages (or Alcoholic Beverages, for Guests 21 and older)

Docking Bay 7 

Should I Get the Dining Plan?

Are you going to eat more than $95 in per day? I have! That's somewhat unbelievable until you get to the parks and see the prices.

Disney is not inexpensive. You will easily spend this much each day if you maximize your credits. Do you want to think about food cost on vacation?  If not, then the Dining Plan is for you.

Be sure to find the most expensive (and most delicious) options at quick service locations, especially, so that you get your money’s worth. Don’t go for the salad, go for the barbecue ribs and chicken combo at Flame Tree Barbecue at Animal Kingdom for example. Go to some typically expensive sit down restaurants like ‘Ohana for dinner, Boma’s Dinner Buffet, and Space 220. Use 2 credits on Cinderella's Royal Table one day, and then the next day eat only quick service! It's as flexible as you want it to be!

If you don't drink any alcohol, are vegan, or often skip meals, I would not recommend adding the Dining Plan. 

What About Toddlers Under 3?

Kid’s under 3 cannot purchase a Dining Plan. At buffets, they’ll get their own plate for free, while at other locations, they’ll have to eat off yours. If they are big eaters, and you don't want to share, you have to purchase a meal for them out of pocket. It's in your best interest to eat at buffets or family style restaurants with a big eater under 3. 

Can I Use Credits At Festivals?

Yes! Use your snack credits during the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival or Flower and Garden Festival. You can use your snack credit at almost every booth during the Fests. It’s a good way to truly maximize your credits. You'll see a purple "DDP" Disney Dining Plan symbol next to the items you can use a credit for. If you zoom into the menu below, you can see the purple symbols at the end of each item. Look what you can get with 1 snack credit!

Epcot festival booths have the best snacks!

What is the Resort Refillable Mug?

Refillable Resort Mugs

You will get a free refillable resort mug which can be used on unlimited soda, tea, coffee, and water.  You can pick one up at your resort food court after check in.  (these will be Coca-Cola products), and hot chocolate. Mugs may be used at any Disney-owned resort on property. They are not refillable at the Parks. The RFID chip in the mug will not once you leave Disney, nor will it work on your next vacation. You can use the sinks next to the pop dispensers to wash out your mug. These make great souvenirs too! I use mine all the time at home. 

Use all your snack credits!

What Happens to My Leftover Credits?

Use any remaining snack credits on pre-packaged goods to take home. I recommend you buy some prepackaged snacks like cookies, popcorn, rice crispy treats, pretzels, or fudge, just to name a few. My kids love the little Mickey-shaped cheese crackers. These make perfect snacks for the plane or car ride, or for gifts. Remaining meal credits will be void after leaving Disney. 

If you still have questions regarding the Dining Plan, or if you are ready to book your Disney vacation, reach out to us at Kingdom Konsultants for expert help and personalized itinerary planning! 

Happy Eating,

Agent Summer 

Summer Squires

Summer is a Mom of 4 who has been helping other parents plan memorable and affordable family vacations for 9 years! Contact her today at Summer@kingdomkonsultant.com.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Cruising with a Baby: A Complete Guide

You took a baby on a cruise!? Yep, and I'd do it again knowing what I know now. So, say goodbye to months of research - Everything you need to know is here!! One of the biggest challenges of traveling with a baby is planning what you need to bring. I wanted to share what worked for us, and hopefully help others who are planning their cruise! Remember, babies can only cruise after their 6-month birthday on sailings from the U.S. If you are going transatlantic, or have more than three days out at sea, they must be 12 months old by the first day of your cruise. Pre-Cruise   We flew to the cruise port, and I couldn’t bring all the food and snacks I needed, so I placed an Instacart order for pick up near the port. I chose Publix in Cocoa Beach which is a few miles from Port Canaveral. I placed the order a few days before we left home, and set the pickup time to 11:00 a.m. I ordered formula, a box of diapers, swim diapers, bottle brush, dish soap, baby food, and baby snacks. I also broug

Complete Guide to Disney's Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point

Disney's new Bahamian island destination, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point is a pristine, secluded paradise reserved exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests. The cruise port is located on the island of Eleuthera (pronounced uh-loo-tr-uh) at it's southern tip, amidst a nature preserve called Lighthouse Point. Far from any towns, Lookout Cay feels like a tropical oasis that is separated from the outside world by mangrove forests. The landscaping is gorgeous with flowers like plumerias, and tall swaying palm trees. Whether you want to just kick back and relax or go for a thrilling banana boat ride, this port has something for everyone. There are family friendly areas as well as those reserved specifically for adults. Expert Tip: If you want a view of the island from your stateroom, be sure to book a starboard (right) side stateroom. Disney Magic docked at Lookout Cay After disembarking your Disney Cruise ship, you'll cross the pier to the island on foot. (It looks longer in

The Villas at the Disneyland Hotel Review

I love staying at the Disneyland Hotel so when I got the opportunity to stay at the new Villas at the Disneyland Hotel during opening weekend, I couldn’t pass it up. Because it was opening weekend, we were greeted in the entrance way of the lobby with balloons and many photo opportunities. When we arrived, there was a mural of the Haunted Mansion. I love how the seats in the main lobby were designed like the teacups in the parks. You can check in using the Disneyland app, drop your bags with bell services and head into the parks or use the amenities why you wait until your room is ready. When your room is ready, the resort will send you a text and you can use the Disneyland app on your mobile device to unlock the room. We dropped off our bags and went straight to the parks. We received a text around 1PM that our room was ready. In the new Discovery Tower (the Villas), you'll find that the lobby is very spacious with many places to sit while you read or wait for your family. Th