A Guide to the Disney Dining Plan

September 10, 2024 by Laura Pitcher

People that go to Walt Disney World regularly, will tell you that dining is a huge part of the experience. (It is me - I am the people that say this) Not only does Disney have incredible food quality and variety, but it also has restaurants with theming that you can’t find anywhere else in the world. Want to eat in the Beast’s West Wing, in a scene straight out of a movie? You can do that. Want to dine among the stars on a space station? That’s an option too!

Planning a trip to Walt Disney World is a huge undertaking - a magical undertaking, but there are still a lot of details to work out. One of those things to consider is if you’re going to purchase your meals in advance, through the Disney Dining Plan. At Be Our Guest Vacations, we’re experts on all things Disney Dining, including the Dining Plan options.

What is the Disney Dining Plan?

The Disney Dining Plan is a pre-paid meal plan available exclusively to guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel who purchase a vacation package that includes park tickets. The plan allows guests to enjoy a variety of dining experiences across Disney parks, resorts, and Disney Springs without worrying about the cost while enjoying their vacation. If you love the feeling of an all-inclusive trip, the Dining Plan might be right for you!

As of 2024, Disney offers two main dining plans:

  1. Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan: On the go and want to ride as many rides as possible, without stopping for a sit-down meal? This might be for you! It includes:
    • 2 Quick-Service meals per night of stay
    • 1 Snack or Non-Alcoholic Beverage per night of stay
    • 1 Resort Refillable Mug per person
  2. Disney Dining Plan: Looking for a mixture of fast casual, and nice sit-down meals? This is your plan!
    • 1 Quick-Service meal per night of stay
    • 1 Table-Service meal per night of stay
    • 1 Snack or Non-Alcoholic Beverage per night of stay
    • 1 Resort Refillable Mug per person

Every meal includes one entrée and one non-alcoholic beverage (or alcoholic beverage for those 21 and over). For children aged 3-9, a kids’ menu option is required when available. Meals at table service restaurants at lunch or dinner will also include a dessert. 

Is the Dining Plan right for you?

The Disney Dining Plan isn’t a one-size-fits-all option. It might be right for your family, or it might not! Below, we’re listing some factors that could help determine if the Disney Dining Plan might be right for you. 

Families planning to do character meals

Character meals can be a GREAT use of the Disney Dining Plan, and offers some of the highest value. There are a lot of character meals that are only one credit per person on the Disney Dining Plan while paying out of pocket can cost upwards of $60 a person. As a mom of a toddler, character meals are LIFE right now for my daughter. And I love getting to watch my child eat with Mickey Mouse, with the peace of mind that it’s already been paid for!

Below, are the character meals that are only one credit on the Disney Dining Plan. 

-Chef Mickey’s at The Contemporary Resort

-Cape May Cafe at Disney’s Beach Club Resort 

-The Crystal Palace in The Magic Kingdom

-Garden Grill in EPCOT

-Hollywood & Vine in Disney’s Hollywood Studios

-Topolino’s Terrace at Disney’s Riviera Resort

-Tusker House at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

-1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort 

Foodies who love eating at Disney 

For food lovers who want to try all of Disney’s best culinary offerings without having to worry about their budget, the Disney Dining Plan offers both convenience and value. Disney foodies (and the team at Be Our Guest Vacations) know the best tips for how to maximize your use of the Disney Dining Plan. For example - are you visiting Walt Disney World when a festival is going on at EPCOT? You can use your snack credits at the food booths, as you eat your way around the world!

Guests who want to budget ahead of time

The Disney Dining Plan is currently only available to guests staying at Disney-owned hotels. It allows you to seamlessly integrate dining into your park days without leaving the property, if you’re planning to stay on-site, the Disney Dining Plan might add an extra layer of convenience to your trip. My favorite part of the Disney Dining Plan is that it allows your vacation to feel all-inclusive. You can budget and spend ahead of time, so you can focus on what’s important - enjoying your vacation, and not worrying about your bank account! 

First-Time Visitors

For anyone who is doing a first-time trip to the parks, I always highly recommend using the Disney Dining Plan. It helps simplify the process, so you can enjoy your vacation. 

How to maximize your value

If you decide the Disney Dining Plan is right for you, here are a few suggestions to get the best value out of it. As a reminder - these tips are all things that Be Our Guest Vacations can help with, and as always, our services are 100% free to you. 

  • Make Dining Reservations Early: Popular table services restaurants fill up fast. At Be Our Guest Vacations, we help you get the reservations you want, at the TIMES you want, so you can use your credits wisely. 
  • Use Snack Credits Well: Our team at Be Our Guest Vacations can help you know the best ways to use your snack credits. For example - do you indulge in a morning quad latte from Starbucks that usually costs upwards of $8? That counts as a snack credit on the Disney Dining Plan! 
  • Don’t Forget the Refillable Mug: The refillable mug included with the plan can be used at your resort for unlimited refills on coffee, tea, and soda. If you’re a big coffee drinker like me and need a caffeine hit several times a day, this is a great way to save money!

We’re here to help 

Be Our Guest Vacations is here to help plan a Disney vacation that’s perfect for your family - and part of that is figuring out if the Disney Dining Plan is the right choice for you. Reach out today to get started!