The return of the Walt Disney World Dining Plan is so exciting, but is it really all that great?
The short answer is yes…and maybe not… It really depends on your family and how you do Disney. So let’s take a look at the two options for the Dining Plan and see if either one makes sense for you.
What is the Disney Dining Plan?
The Disney Dining Plan is intended to make meals easy for you during your vacation. When you add the Dining Plan to your vacation package, you prepay for your meals so you won’t have to worry about budgeting for food while you’re in the parks. Then you use credits toward meals and snacks any time during your trip. Plus, if you utilize the plan well, you can save a lot of money on your food!
What are the Disney Dining Plan options?
The Disney Dining Plan is $94.28/adult, $29.70/child, and it includes:
- 1 table service meal per night per person
- 1 quick-service meal per night per person
- 1 snack or nonalcoholic drink per night per person
- 1 resort refillable mug per person
The Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan is $57.01/adult, $23.83/child, and it includes:
- 2 quick-service meals per night per person
- 1 snack or nonalcoholic drink per night per person
- 1 resort refillable mug per person
Keep in mind that anyone ages 10 and older are considered in the adult pricing, and the number of meals and snacks included are based upon the number of nights booked during your vacation. So if you are staying at a Disney World resort for 6 nights, you will receive 12 meal credits and 6 snack credits per person. Unused credits can roll over to other days in your trip, but all of the credits must be used (or they expire) by the end of your vacation.
Also, beverages are included in your meals. For guests over the age of 21, you can substitute your beverage with wine, beer, or a cocktail.
If you already know you want to add the Dining Plan to your vacation, contact your Smart Moms Travel Vacation Planner today! If you’re not working with a Vacation Planner and you’re ready to plan your vacation, fill out this form and I’ll be in touch!
So what does this actually look like during a vacation?
Since the Dining Plan ended a few years ago, I’ve used gift cards for my vacation budgeting: 1 for table service meals, 1 for quick service meals and snacks, and 1 for souvenirs. Then my debit/credit card was used for anything extra. While this has worked well for the time being, it’s a lot of cards to keep up with.
With the Dining Plan, all I’ll have to do is scan my MagicBand to “pay” for my favorite Corn Dog Nuggets at Casey’s Corner or that delicious Stack Burger from Steakhouse 71. So easy! (Don’t forget to tip your cast members! Gratuities aren’t included in the plan.) If I lose track of how many meals or snacks I have left, the MyDisneyExperience app will keep track for me!
Now, my daughter and I like to snack in the parks (especially during the EPCOT festivals!), so I’m anticipating needing to buy a few extra snacks, so I may hold on to one of those gift cards, but having less to worry about makes vacation a lot easier!
I’m also really excited about the refillable resort mugs! Each resort has beverage stations where you can refill these cups with fountain drinks, coffee, tea, or water. We’ve purchased a couple of these cups over the past few trips because it’s nice to drink some pop by the pool or enjoy a larger cup of coffee in the morning. The refillable cup is so convenient, and it makes a nice souvenir! But if I can save $20 and not have to purchase the cup on its own, I’m all for that!
But is the Dining Plan right for you?
Let’s see! Which of these items sound most like you and your family?
LIST A:
- I don’t want to worry about my budget.
- We have someone with food allergies.
- We usually eat 2 meals a day.
- Make my vacation as easy as possible.
- I like to enjoy an alcoholic beverage with my meal.
- We love character meals.
- We drink pop, coffee, tea, and water.
- I want an all-inclusive vacation.
LIST B:
- We eat snacks all day.
- We take our own food into the park.
- I’m not sure we’ll have the money available before our trip.
- We eat one big meal and snacks each day.
- We drink mostly water.
- I don’t want to pay for something I’m not going to use.
- Our children are picky eaters.
If more items in List B sound like your family, then maybe the Dining Plan isn’t right for you. You don’t want to spend money on something you’re not going to use, so I encourage you to look at some restaurant menus in the MyDisneyExperience app to decide if your family will even like the food available.
If more items in List A describe your family, then the Dining Plan is definitely for you! (Especially if you need to be mindful of food allergies! The table service restaurants give great care and caution with food allergies and dietary restrictions, including the opportunity to speak with the chef.) The Dining Plan is going to give you that all-inclusive vacation feel, can help keep your costs down, and you’ll have less to worry about while you’re meeting Mickey and spinning on the teacups!
But what if you’re in the middle and you still don’t know? Here is where some math may come into play (but at least it’s before your vacation and not in the middle of Magic Kingdom when you have tired, hungry children waiting for food!). I’m going to point you, again, to the restaurant menus in the MyDisneyExperience app. I suggest making a loose plan about where you would like to eat, then estimate the out of pocket cost, and compare it to the price of the Dining Plan.
While the return of the Disney Dining Plan is exciting, it may not be for every family. And that’s what I love about Disney World! There is no right or wrong way to do it! Every family can find a way to experience the magic their way!
If you’re ready to experience the magic, I would love to help you! I’m an Authorized Vacation Planner with our sister company, Smart Moms Travel. I can help you book your vacation, add the Dining Plan, and even make your advanced dining reservations for you! My services are free to you, and they are one more way that Disney makes your vacation easier! Just fill out this form to get started!
If you are already working with one of our other wonderful Smart Moms Travel Vacation Planners, start talking with her about adding the Dining Plan to your vacation!
