Disney Announces the Return of Disney Dining Plans for Vacations Beginning January 9, 2024!
Exciting news for all you foodies out there – Disney Dining Plans are back at Walt Disney World! Guests can once again purchase dining plans to enjoy prepaid meals at a variety of dining locations throughout the parks and resorts. For many, the plans offer great convenience and value, allowing visitors to indulge in delicious meals without worrying about the cost. Two plans are offered – the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan or the Disney Dining Plan.
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Planning a Disney World vacation in 2024? Be sure to check out our guide to all that the Walt Disney World Resort has to offer this year including the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the return of the Disney Dining Plan, and more!
What is a Disney Dining Plan?
Many park-goers were excited to see Disney Dining Plans return to Walt Disney World in 2024. Essentially, these dining plans allow guests to add dining to their Disney World vacation packages. Depending on how many nights you book, every person in your party (ages 3 and up) will receive a certain number of meals and/or snacks to use at any time during your vacation.
It’s a great option for those who want a more all-inclusive feel to their vacation without having to worry about paying for meals once in the parks. It can also be a great money saver depending on how you choose to use your meal credits.
Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan
This is a great option for those who prefer fast and easy meals in the park. With over 100 quick-service locations throughout the parks, guests will have a wide variety of options that don’t require a reservation. The number of meals you receive will depend on how many nights you stay at your resort. Everyone in your party (ages 3 and up) will receive the following:
- Two quick-service meals per night of your package
- One snack or nonalcoholic drink per night of your package
- One resort-refillable drink mug
*Mugs are eligible for refills from self-service beverage islands at any Disney Resort hotel Quick-Service location.
Example: If you purchase a 4-night package with a Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan, each guest (ages 3 and up) would receive 8 quick-service meals and 4 snacks or nonalcoholic beverages… along with a resort-refillable drink mug. Meals and snacks can be used at any time during your 4-night stay.
Important Information
- Beverages are included with each meal. (Guests under 21 years of age may choose from a variety of nonalcoholic beverages, and guests 21 and older may substitute for beer, wine, or cocktails.)
- Children ages 3 to 9 must order from a children’s menu, where available.
- Your plan must be purchased for the entire length of your stay and for the entire party (ages 3 and up).
- Meals are nontransferable between party members and expire at midnight on the day of your checkout.
- Unused meals and snacks will roll over day to day and expire at midnight on the day of your checkout.
More info on the Quick-Service Dining Plan…
Disney Dining Plan
This option is for those who enjoy both quick-service and table-service restaurants throughout Walt Disney World, including character dining locations. The number of meals you receive will depend on how many nights you stay at your resort. Everyone in your party (ages 3 and up) will receive the following:
- One table-service meal per night of your package
- One quick-service meal per night of your package
- One snack or nonalcoholic drink per night of your package
- One resort-refillable drink mug
*Mugs are eligible for refills from self-service beverage islands at any Disney Resort hotel Quick-Service location.
Example: If you purchase a 4-night package with a Disney Dining Plan, each guest (ages 3 and up) would receive 4 table-service meals, 4 quick-service meals, and 4 snacks or nonalcoholic beverages… along with a resort-refillable drink mug. Meals and snacks can be used at any time during your 4-night stay.
Important Information
- Beverages are included with each meal. (Guests under 21 years of age may choose from a variety of nonalcoholic beverages, and guests 21 and older may substitute for beer, wine, or cocktails.)
- Reservations at table-service restaurants are highly recommended and are subject to availability.
- Children ages 3 to 9 must order from a children’s menu, where available.
- Your plan must be purchased for the entire length of your stay and for the entire party (ages 3 and up).
- Meals are nontransferable between party members and expire at midnight on the day of your checkout.
- Unused meals and snacks will roll over day to day and expire at midnight on the day of your checkout.
More info on the Disney Dining Plan…
What is Included (and what isn’t)
Quick-Service Dining
Breakfast, lunch, or dinner will include:
- 1 Entrée
- 1 Nonalcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)
Table-Service Dining
Breakfast will include:
- 1 Entrée, Full Buffet (prix-fixe), OR Family-Style Meal (prix-fixe)
- 1 Nonalcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)
Brunch, lunch, or dinner will include:
- 1 Entrée, Full Buffet (if available), OR Family-Style Meal
- 1 Dessert
- 1 Nonalcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)
Beverages
Guests 21 and older may choose either one nonalcoholic beverage or one-single serving mixed cocktail, beer, or wine (where offered) as part of their meal. A single-serving alcoholic beverage includes items such as:
- Beer or Cider
- Wine or Sangria
- Mixed Drinks and Specialty Cocktails
- Nonalcoholic Beverages
Guests 10 years of age and older can choose one nonalcoholic beverage (including specialty beverages where offered) as part of their meal. A single-serving nonalcoholic beverage includes items such as:
- Milkshakes
- Fresh Smoothies
- Premium Hot Chocolate
- Soda, Coffee, or Tea
Snacks
At Quick-Service restaurants, most Outdoor Carts and select merchandise locations, snacks may include a single serving of items such as:
- Frozen ice cream novelty, popsicle, or fruit bar
- 2 scoops of hand-scooped ice cream
- Popcorn scoop (single-serving box)
- Piece of whole fruit
- Single-serve bag of snacks
- 20-ounce bottle of Coca-Cola® products, including Dasani® water
- 20-ounce fountain soft drink
- Single-serve coffee, hot chocolate, hot tea, milk, or juice
- Cup of soup
- Add on toppings or sauces (such as cheese dipping sauce)
What’s Not Included
- 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)
- Special dining events offered at certain Table-Service locations
Specialty Dining Options
Character Dining
Character Meals are available to those who choose to purchase the Disney Dining Plan, but it will require two Table-Service meal credits per person instead of one. Locations include:
- Fairytale Dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table
- Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (at lunch and dinner only)
- Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White
*Merchandise or photo imaging products that may be offered for sale at Character dining experiences are not included. Gratuities are also not included unless otherwise noted.
Fine/Signature Dining Restaurants
Signature Dining restaurants will also require two Table-Service dining credits per person instead of one. Each meal from a Fine/Signature Dining restaurant on the Disney Dining Plan includes:
- 1 Entrée
- 1 Nonalcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)
- 1 Dessert
*According to Disney, “Guests are expected to dress accordingly in attire that respects the restaurant’s sophisticated and upscale aesthetic. Clothing should be clean, neat, and in good condition. Please, no swimwear.”
Dinner at Be Our Guest Restaurant & Dinner Shows
Be Our Guest Restaurant and Dinner Shows require two Table-Service meal credits per person instead of one. Dinner shows also require advance reservations, and we highly recommend reservations for Be Our Guest Restaurant as well.
Private In-Room Dining
In-Room dining is available at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and requires two Table-Service meal credits instead of one. Meals include:
- 1 Entrée
- 1 Dessert (lunch and dinner)
- 1 Nonalcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)
Pizza Pickup
Select Quick-Service locations will offer a pizza meal in exchange for two Quick-Service meal credits. Meals include:
- 1 Large Pizza
- 2 Single-serving Nonalcoholic Beverages (or Alcoholic Beverages, for Guests 21 and older)
*Valid at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside.
How to Use a Disney Dining Plan
- When dining, you will simply present your Disney Resort ID (MagicBand, Disney MagicMobile Pass, or Key to the World card) to your server or cashier.
- You can redeem your meals or snacks in any order during your resort stay. All unused credits, as well as the ability to use your Resort-refillable mug, expire at midnight on your package reservation checkout date.
- Guests can keep track of their plan usage in one of three ways:
- View the remaining credits in the My Disney Experience app.
- Check your dining receipts as the remaining credits will be printed on them.
- Ask your Resort Concierge or Guest Relations at any time.
- Advance reservations for Table-Service restaurants (including Character Dining and Fine/Signature Dining) are strongly recommended. They are also required for dinner shows.
- Gratuities are not included except for 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 to charge incidentals to your room. (An 18% gratuity will be automatically added to your bill for parties of 6 or more.)
- Dining plans are unavailable for Guests under the age of 3, but they may share from an adult place at no extra charge. You may also purchase an additional meal from the menu.
More details will be announced soon, and we will definitely keep you posted! In the meantime, here are some of our guides for planning your next Walt Disney World vacation!
Disney World Planning Guides
Magic in the Planning offers numerous guides to help you get started in your Disney World vacation planning! Here are some to get you started!
Walt Disney World Resorts:
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Disney Value Resort Hotels
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Disney Moderate Resort Hotels
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Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels
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Disney Deluxe Villas
Walt Disney World Dining:
Walt Disney World Attraction Guides:
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Attraction Guide for Magic Kingdom
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Attraction Guide for Epcot
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Attraction Guide for Hollywood Studios
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Attraction Guide for Animal Kingdom
Planning your Walt Disney World vacation? Be sure to visit my step-by-step guide to help you get started!
