The most common question……should I buy the Disney Dining Plan (DDP)? Well, there is no cut and dry answer to that. There are a series of denominations that come into play that determine whether or not the DDP is a good fit for you and your vacation party.
- How many people?
- Kids? How old are they?
- How do you run your day?
- Do you eat at a lot of character restaurants?
- Do you and your vacation party eat like birds or do you eat regular meals?
- Would you rather pay for most meals in advance?
- Do you have a kitchen in your room?
- Do you plan on eating breakfast in your room?
Here is why: If you have 10-12 year olds and they do not eat much, you are paying adult prices for children’s meals. If ages 3-9, it is a GREAT deal. The price per day is nothing compared to what you would normally spend for a meal, snacks, refillable mug, etc, for a child. If you eat mainly snacks and bring sandwiches to the parks, you may not want to get the DDP. There are four dining plans to choose from.
The dining plan starts on your check-in day. You will have all entitlements to use however you want on the day of your arrival through to midnight of the day you check-out. All plans are paid in advance with only having to pay tips on the TS meals at the time of dining. Everyone on your room reservation must be on the plan. It is either all or nothing. (Except children under the age of 3.)
Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan
Dine at any of our 100+ Quick-Service locations where you can stop and enjoy 2 casual meals per day. Just order and find a seat. No dining reservations required! This fast and easy meal plan is perfect for Guests who are on-the-go.
Everyone in the party ages 3 and over receives the following:
- 2 Quick-Service Meals (per night of stay)
- 2 Snacks/Nonalcoholic Drinks (per night of stay)
- One Resort-Refillable Drink Mug*
*Refillable mugs are eligible for refills from full-service beverage islands at any Disney Resort hotel Quick-Service location.
Important Information
- Beverages are included with each meal. Guests under 21 years of age may choose from a variety of nonalcoholic beverages. Guests 21 and older and older may substitute for beer, wine and cocktails.
- The specific number of meal options and snacks are determined by the number of nights included in the package stay. However, meals can be rolled over and redeemed in any order throughout the vacation.
View Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan Details
Disney Dining Plan
You will have one Quick-Service meal and one Table-Service meal per day. This option allows you to easily plan your meals for the day. Choose your Quick-Service meal when you’re in a hurry and indulge in a Table-Service or Character Dining experience when it’s time to slow down and savor the moment.
Everyone in the party ages 3 and over receives the following:
- One Quick-Service Meal (per night of stay)
- One Table-Service Meal (per night of stay)
- 2 Snacks/Nonalcoholic Drinks (per night of stay)
- One Resort-Refillable Drink Mug*
*Refillable mugs are eligible for refills from full-service beverage islands at any Disney Resort hotel Quick-Service location.
Important Information
- Beverages are included with each meal. Guests under 21 years of age may choose from a variety of nonalcoholic beverages. Guests 21 and older may substitute for beer, wine and cocktails.
- Reservations at Table-Service restaurants are subject to availability.
- Please note that Signature Dining experiences and some Character Dining locations require 2 Table-Service credits per meal.
- The specific number of meal options and snacks are determined by the number of nights included in the package stay. However, meals can be rolled over and redeemed in any order throughout the vacation.
View Disney Dining Plan Details
Disney Dining Plan Plus – NEW!
Indulge in Table-Service experiences or keep on-the-go with convenient Quick-Service meals and enjoy the flexibility of dining your way each and every day!
Everyone in the party ages 3 and over receives the following:
- 2 Meals – Any combination of Table-Service and Quick-Service (per night of stay)
- 2 Snacks/Nonalcoholic Drinks (per night of stay)
- One Resort-Refillable Drink Mug*
*Refillable mugs are eligible for refills from full-service beverage islands at any Disney Resort hotel Quick-Service location.
Important Information
- Beverages are included with each meal. Guests under 21 years of age may choose from a variety of nonalcoholic beverages. Guests 21 and older may substitute for beer, wine and cocktails.
- Reservations at Table-Service restaurants are subject to availability.
- Please note that Signature Dining experiences and some Character Dining locations require 2 Table-Service credits per meal.
- The specific number of meal options and snacks are determined by the number of nights included in the package stay. However, meals can be rolled over and redeemed in any order throughout the vacation.
View Disney Dining Plan Plus Details
Disney Deluxe Dining Plan
Take advantage of even more flexibility with 3 daily meal credits to enjoy any combination of Quick-Service, Table-Service, Signature Dining locations and Dinner Shows.
Everyone in the party ages 3 and over receives the following:
- 3 Meals – Any combination of Table-Service and Quick-Service (per night of stay)
- 2 Snacks/Nonalcoholic Drinks (per night of stay)
- One Resort-Refillable Drink Mug*
*Refillable mugs are eligible for refills from full-service beverage islands at any Disney Resort hotel Quick-Service location.
Important Information
- Beverages are included with each meal. Guests under 21 years of age may choose from a variety of nonalcoholic beverages. Guests 21 and older may substitute for beer, wine and cocktails.
- Reservations at Table-Service restaurants are subject to availability.
- Please note that Signature Dining experiences and some Character Dining locations require 2 Table-Service credits per meal.
- The specific number of meal options and snacks are determined by the number of nights included in the package stay. However, meals can be rolled over and redeemed in any order throughout the vacation.
View Disney Deluxe Dining Plan Details
How To Use Your Dining Plan
Step One: Choose a Restaurant
Review a list of restaurants participating in your Disney dining plan.
Step Two: Show ID
Redeem meals and snacks using your MagicBand at your chosen dining location.
Step Three: Track It
There are 3 easy ways to track your dining plan entitlements.
- Use the My Disney Experience app
- Check your most recent dining receipt
- Visit Resort Concierge or any Guest Relations location and ask about your remaining entitlements.
To track your Disney dining plan entitlements via the My Disney Experience app, visit the “My Resort Stay” section. Then, select “Check Dining Plan” to view the status of your dining plan entitlements—total issued, already redeemed and still available.
Mobile Order – NEW!
Use your dining plan to place an order on the go with the My Disney Experience app. Download the app to view eligible restaurants and items, then make your selection anywhere in the park! Avoid the line and have your meal prepared as soon as you arrive at the restaurant.
Learn More About Mobile Food and Beverage Ordering
Helpful Tips/Information
Breakfast
Breakfast is the least expensive meal, so it is best to plan on buying that meal. There are some other factors where that may not be the case. If dining at a TS restaurant in the morning, use the plan and pay for the QS meal you would have later that day, which would be less expensive.
Be sure to look at pricing of the restaurants you plan to dine at. You can use your allotted snacks for breakfast at your QS resort restaurant or at the parks, if you want. We would use our daily snacks for a breakfast bagel, danish, drinks, etc. The cast member at check-out will assist you with all details or click here for more help with snacks.
How to use it
As far as how it can be used is completely up to you. If you wanted to use all TS meals on your first day, you can do that. You want to use your QS entitlements in 2 or 3 days? You can do that! If you want to evenly spread them out throughout your entire stay, it is your prerogative. Just do not leave anything on the table when it is time for you to leave. That is another way many people waste their money. They leave meals and/or snacks on their plan and go home. Plan in advance, if at all possible!
Consider this
The Deluxe Dining Plan allows 3 Table Services (TS) per person per night’s stay. If you are an annual/seasonal passholder, DVC member or Florida resident, consider the Tables In Wonderland (TIW) card instead of the Deluxe Dining Plan. You will save more money with the TIW card. Click here for more information about the card.
Lunch
Lunch is the second least expensive meal out of all three meals. It is best to use the QS entitlement for lunch for a few reasons, but there are some other factors where that may not be the case. If dining at a TS restaurant for lunch, use the plan and pay for the QS meal you would have that day, which would be less expensive. Be sure to look at pricing of the restaurants you plan to dine at. Here are some things to consider:
- Lunch is the less expensive compared to dinner at many restaurants.
- Some popular restaurants are not open for lunch.
- You and your party are probably running around in the parks enjoying yourselves. You never know where you may be during the day. This alleviates you having to coordinate your theme park days with your dining reservations. You can stop wherever you are for a QS meal and continue on without adding so much more time, walking, interrupting your day and missing out on rides, because you have a reservation across the park.
- The odds of getting a TS without a reservation at lunch time is difficult, if not impossible, depending on the time of year. You could waste a lot of your valuable time waiting for a table to open if you do not have a reservation. Planning is key. If you can plan your days accordingly, then using a TS for lunch is good.
Dinner
Dinner, on the other hand, is best for TS reservations. It is the most expensive meal of the day at most restaurants so you get more for your money. Many will head back to their room in late afternoon to rest, swim, nap, shower, etc. Then they can go to their reservation in a resort or at a park and enjoy the evening after they are done eating where ever they are.
It is very important to book all TS reservations as soon as possible. Disney resort guests are allowed to book them 180 plus 10 days from their check-in date. (Temporarily at 60 days in advance.) Trust me, you need to take advantage of that time frame. Click here for tips on successfully booking reservations at the restaurants you want.
Disney Dining Plan Special
Just because Disney provides dates allowed for the free dining offer and your trip dates do not fall completely into their date bracket, does NOT mean you do not qualify. It depends on when your vacation “starts”. As long as your first day is within their dates, then you qualify for your whole stay for free dining.
Tipping
MOST IMPORTANTLY, the dining plans include beverages, tax and food. They do NOT include tip. Please remember that the waiters/waitresses at all TS restaurants earn around $2-$5/hour and rely on tips just like any other restaurant in the US to make a living. All of the restaurants provide an itemized receipt with a total in order for you to calculate the 20% tip. Wouldn’t you want your hard-working son, daughter, spouse, friend, parent, grandchild be rewarded for good service? Click here for a list of all instances where you would be tipping.
Tables In Wonderland
DVC members, annual/seasonal passholders, Florida residents: Depending on how you and your vacation party eat, how you like to schedule your day, the ages of your kids, etc., the dining plan may not be the best option for Disney Vacation Club members. Go to Tables In Wonderland Pros and Cons for more details. Here are some quick TIW details: It is a card purchased for $175 for Florida residents and a discounted rate of $150 for DVC members and passholders. (Be sure to look at blackout dates.)
The card can be used for up to 10 people per card for 20% discount on EVERYTHING at select table service restaurants. It is important to remember that it must be at an approved table service restaurant, be outside of blackout dates and all guests must be together for the card to be used with the owner of the card, because the card must be with the purchaser and it is not transferrable. With the TIW card, you can buy what you want. If you want an appetizer, get it with 20% off. The amount to spend to break-even for the $150 fee is $750.
Trading Entitlements
A quick service meal can be traded for 3 snacks. This is very important for those attending the Food and Wine Festival. The food at the festival is not cheap and this is how you can get the best value for your snacks (Alcohol not included). For more information, go to Greatest Value For Dining Plan Snack Entitlements.
***When trading in a QS for snacks, all snacks from that one entitlement must be used at the one location. Click here for QS restaurant recommendations in the theme parks. Disney Dining Plans cannot be used towards a dessert party.
QS–Quick Service
TS–Table Service
DVC–Disney Vacation Club
TIW–Tables In Wonderland