Do I Need the Disney Dining Plan?
If you have talked to any of your friends about your upcoming Disney World trip, I am sure you have heard lots of opinions about the controversial dining plan! Opinions range from “absolutely not worth it” to “1000% yes, it is worth it!” But one thing is for certain, Disney World has no shortage of AMAZING food and dining experiences! So, if you are ready to dine like Remi in Paris or like a guest in the Beast’s castle, you are in luck! Let’s dive in and start by looking at what the dining plan is.
There are 2 dining plans: the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan and the Disney Dining Plan. Both dining plans can be added to your Walt Disney World vacation package that includes a Disney World Resort hotel and are available for guests ages 3 and up. All dining plans are convenient and easy to use, adding to your magical experience. They are added right to your reservation, and you just scan your magic band. Talk about keys to the kingdom!
The Disney Quick Service Plan is perfect for families who are on the go and don’t want to waste one single minute! It is exactly how it sounds, quick and easy! The Disney Quick Service Dining Plan includes two quick-service meals and one snack or nonalcoholic drink per night of your stay. Each guest will receive one resort-refillable drink mug. A quick-service meal includes one entrée and one nonalcoholic beverage for those under 21 or one alcoholic beverage for those over 21. The cost changes periodically. Currently, it is $60 per adult/per night and about $25 per child/per night.
The Disney Dining Plan is great for families wanting to slow down and have an experience during their meals. And yes, this includes character dining! That means you can have breakfast with Mickey, goof around with Stitch, or even bow to the Evil Queen (if you dare!). The Disney Dining Plan includes one quick-service meal, one table-service meal, and one snack or nonalcoholic drink per night of your stay. Each guest also receives one resort-refillable drink mug. Again, prices change periodically. Currently, it is about $98 per adult/per night and about $31 per child/per night. A table service meal for lunch or dinner includes one full buffet, one family-style meal, or one entrée. It also includes one nonalcoholic beverage for those under 21 or one alcoholic beverage for those over 21 and of course, a dessert!
There are over 200 restaurants that participate in the Disney dining plans. There is no shortage of good food, great experiences, and even better memories! Here is a complete list of participating restaurants.
Disney suggests that you can save up to 20% on your kids’ dining if you go with the dining plan. My family has been to Disney World both with and without the dining plan. I have never done the math because it wasn’t a fair comparison. When we had the dining plan, all our food was prepaid. My husband and I loved that! We loved not worrying about our budget but also doing character meals each night! The time we went without the dining plan, we found ourselves canceling most of our sit-down reservations because of the price. We also found ourselves ordering cheaper and smaller menu options to stay within budget.
Currently, you can make dining reservations 60 days out. If you have the dining plan and you make your reservations at that 60-day mark, it takes all the guesswork out of meal planning. You will already have done your research to pick out the perfect restaurant so you will know where and when you will be eating. And best of all, you’ve already budgeted for each meal!
If you choose the wrong dining plan for your family or don’t use all your dining or snack credits, you may feel like you didn’t get your money’s worth. Choosing the right dining plan for your family is key! If your family doesn’t want to sit for a table service restaurant, your credits may go to waste; or you could feel obligated to use the credits and feel like you didn’t spend enough time in the parks. To get your full value out of the dining plan, you need to ensure that you use all your dining and snack credits.
On that note, when choosing your snacks and meals, if you choose the cheaper menu options, you may not feel like you got your full money’s worth either. For snacks, consider my personal favorites; a dole whip at Aloha Isle or Gaston’s Iced Cinnamon Roll at Gaston’s Tavern in the Magic Kingdom instead of a bottle of water (remember cups of water are FREE throughout Disney World). Consider the steak instead of chicken fingers when sitting down for a table service meal! And don’t forget your table service meals include entree, dessert, and one nonalcoholic beverage for those under 21 or one alcoholic beverage for those over 21. If you take advantage of everything included, you will for sure get your money’s worth of the dining plan!
Get in touch with a Destinations to Travel advisor today if you have more questions about the Disney Dining Plan!