Disney Dining Plans will return to Walt Disney World on January 9, 2024! This pre-COVID offering was suspended when the parks closed in 2020, so we’re super excited to see its return! With a dining plan, you prepay for select meals ahead of time. This allows you to budget for food accurately and take the stress out of meal planning while on vacation. You can also save up to 20% off dining by purchasing a dining plan. Whether you’re a Disney Dining Plan newbie or are curious about the updates for 2024, you’re in the right place. We explain everything you need to know about Disney dining plans in 2024 below!
Disney Dining Plan Basics
Disney dining plans allow you to prepay for meals at Walt Disney World vacation before you arrive for your vacation. Each dining plan offers a specific number of snacks, drinks, quick-service meals, and dining at table-service restaurants. Disney Dining Plans are only available for guests who book Disney vacation packages, which include one package rate for a stay at a Disney Resort and theme park tickets. Don’t worry; if you book a vacation package with Wishing On A Star Travel®, you can purchase a dining plan. Disney dining plans can significantly reduce the time you’ll spend figuring out where to eat and what to get.
How It Works
Your meal allotment is based on your chosen plan and the number of nights you’ll stay at a Disney Resort. Each plan includes a specific number of snacks, drinks, quick-service meals, or table-service meals for each day of your resort booking. Unused meals and snacks roll over to the next day. Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during your vacation until your allotment is depleted. Want to have four quick-service meals in one day? You can do it! Just know you’ll run through your meals fairly quickly!
Meal plans expire at midnight on the day you check out of your Disney Resort. You must purchase a dining plan for each person in your party for the entire length of your resort stay. You can’t buy a dining plan for an individual day or for one specific person in your family.
If you buy a children’s dining plan, your child must be between three and nine and order off the kids’ menu at each restaurant.
If you’re 21 or over, you can substitute the drink with your meal for a single serving of beer, wine, or a cocktail.
You can track your available meals on the My Disney Experience app. The remaining meal allotment is also included on dining receipts.
There are two dining plans for you to choose from:
Disney Quick Service Dining Plan
The quick-service dining plan is for on-the-go families who prefer quick, casual meals throughout their vacation. This gives you more time to experience the rides and entertainment at the parks.
The Quick Service Dining Plan includes the following for each day:
- Two quick service meals
- One snack or drink
- One resort refill mug
Each “meal” includes a drink and an entree. Snacks refer to a range of single-serve items, such as two scoops of ice cream, a Mickey premium bar, a 20 oz fountain drink, hot chocolate, coffee, a cup of soup, fruit, and more. Resort mugs can be refilled for free at self-service beverage stations at Disney Resorts.
Disney Dining Plan
This dining plan gives you both quick-service and table-service options each day of your vacation. Table service selection includes anything from signature restaurants to character breakfasts.
Each Disney Dining Plan includes the following for each day:
- One quick-service meal
- One table-service meal
- One snack or drink
- One resort refillable mug
Meals at quick service locations include a drink and an entree. Table service meals include a drink and entree (or a buffet or prix-fixe serving, depending on the restaurant you select). Dessert is included with brunch, lunch, and dinner.
Some dining locations require you to redeem two table-service credits for each person at your table. There are three character dining locations where you’ll have to use two table-service credits:
- Cinderella’s Royal Table
- Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (lunch and dinner)
- Story Book Dining at Artist Point
Some quick-service dining locations also require two meal credits, like pizza pick-up windows at select resorts and room service at the Grand Floridian.
What Restaurants are Included in Disney Dining Plans?
With over 200 dining locations across Walt Disney World, there are plenty of options, regardless of which meal plan you choose.
Quick Service Dining Plan
There are 122 participating quick-service locations that accept dining plans. Dining options feature a wide range of cuisines, from BBQ at a Disney Springs food truck to the famous cinnamon rolls at Gaston’s Tavern at Magic Kingdom. Many quick-service food courts, lounges, and bars are available throughout Disney Resorts. View the complete list of participating restaurants here.
Disney Dining Plan
The signature dining plan includes nearly 230 quick-service, table-service, and snack carts throughout Walt Disney World. The Disney Dining Plan also includes special dining experiences like the seasonal dining packages for EPCOT’s various festivals (which offer a meal at select EPCOT restaurants and guaranteed concert seating at the American Gardens Theatre). Most guest-favorite restaurants are included in the plan, such as Topolino’s Terrace, Chef Mickey’s, La Cellier, 50s Prime Time Cafe, ‘Ohana, Akershus, Cinderella’s Royal Table, Planet Hollywood, and much more. View the complete list here.
Using Your Dining Plan
To use your dining plan during your vacation:
- Pick which restaurant you want to go to.
- If booking a table-service restaurant, reach out to your travel agent to reserve your dining selections when your booking window opens 60 days before your trip.
- When you arrive at the restaurant, tell your server you’ll use a Disney Dining Plan. You’ll need to provide your Disney Resort ID card, MagicBand, Magic Mobile Pass, or a Key to the World card.
That’s it! You can also redeem dining plan credits when mobile ordering food and snacks through My Disney Experience throughout the day.
Book Your Disney Vacation with Wishing On A Star Travel
We’re so excited to see dining plans return to Disney! Right now, there’s a special offer for children between three and nine. Children get 50% off theme park tickets and dining plans for stays between March 2 and June 30, 2024. Contact us now to add this deal to your vacation! Haven’t booked your 2024 vacation yet? Call 1-888-678-TRIP to get started. Or request a quote today!
