Is The Disney Dining Plan Worth It?
This has been one of the biggest questions that I have gotten from my clients since the Disney Dining Plan’s return earlier this year. The answer to this question is two-fold. Yes…. But only when it is used right. So what does that mean?? Let me explain a few points to consider and how I assist my clients in understanding if it is the right option for them!
How to make the most
out
of the Disney Dining Plan
While this Dining Plan is not for everyone or every vacation, there are absolutely times when it comes in handy and can even save you money!
By using a Travel Advisor like myself, I will be able to further assist with discerning if the Disney Dining Plan will be worth it for your Walt Disney World Vacation!
What IS the Disney Dining Plan?
The Disney Dining Plan is a pre-purchased meal plan that guests of the Walt Disney World Resorts are able to add on to their vacation packages. This gives guests the ability to already have their meals planned for and budgeted before even heading on their vacation! What I love about the plan is that it makes your time in Walt Disney World feel more like an all-inclusive vacation.
Walt Disney World actually has two, different dining plans that are available for add on-
Quick Service Dining Plan
Disney Dining Plan
Today, I will only be talking about the Disney Dining Plan. The main difference between these plans is that with the Disney Dining Plan, in addition to 1 Quick Service Meal, you will also get 1 Table Service Meal per person per night of your resort stay. The Quick Service Dining Plan will receive 2 Quick Service Meals per person per night. The other difference is going to be the price.
What does the Disney Dining Plan Include?
The Disney Dining Plan will span the entirety of your vacation package. Everyone in your party ages 3 and over will receive the following each night of their package stay:
1 Quick-Service Meal (per night of stay)
1 Table-Service Meal (per night of stay)
1 Snack/Nonalcoholic Drink (per night of stay)
1 Resort-Refillable Drink Mug (per person per stay)
Specific number of meals and snacks are determined by the number of nights included in the package stay. Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during your stay. Unused meals and snacks will roll over day to day and expire at midnight on day of checkout. Meals and snacks are nontransferable between party members.
So How Do You Know if You’re Using the Disney Dining Plan “Right?!”
First of all, before you even book your next vacation, reach out to a trusty Travel Advisor such as myself! My concierge travel planning services are always completely free for my clients from start to finish. You never pay a penny more than if you book completely on your own online, but you get my wealth of knowledge and assistance throughout the entire planning period and through your vacation!
Next, You will want to take a look at the menus for the restaurants, both quick service and table service, that you are most interested in on the Walt Disney World website. From here, you will want to check out a few things:
Does this restaurant accept the Disney Dining Plan?
How many meal credits will the meal be?
Here is an example of how you can see this information
When you visit Disney’s site for Akershus Royal Banquet Hall at EPCOT, you will click on “View Dining Plans and Discounts” and this image will appear. From here, you will see exactly if and which dining plan is accepted at the restaurant as well as how many meal credits from your Disney Dining Plan the meal will cost. In this example, Akershus breakfast is only 1 credit while Lunch and Dinner will cost you 2 Disney Dining plan Table Service meal credits.
My suggestion would be to visit this restaurant for Breakfast for a much better use of your table service meal credits.
The third thing you will want to check are the prices for the meals at the restaurant
By taking a look at the prices for the meals, you can tell if the restaurants has a good “bang for your buck.” The higher the menu prices for the restaurant or buffet, the better value you are getting for your Disney Dining Plan. I highly suggest NOT using your Disney Dining Plan for any 2 Table Service Meal credits. It completely negates the cost of the Disney Dining Plan at that point. A couple of those restaurants include Cinderella’s Royal Table or Be Our Guest.
Each Table-Service meal includes:
1 Entrée, 1 Dessert (for lunch or dinner only), and 1 Beverage (alcoholic beverages are included for guests 21 and older)
-OR- 1 Full Buffet or Family-Style Meal and 1 Beverage (alcoholic beverages are included for guests 21 and older)
Each Quick-Service meal includes:
1 Entrée
1 Beverage (alcoholic beverages are included for guests 21 and older)
Here are a few scenarios where I WOULD add vs. NOT add the Disney Dining Plan
When you should add the Disney Dining Plan:
When you have a solid plan for dining - THIS is what I help my clients with! I always give my suggestions on favorite dining and helping discern if the plan is right for them.
Your kids are eaters - you'll definitely get your bang for your buck.
You want to do at least a couple of character meals to see Mickey and his friends (excluding Cinderella’s Royal Table… since that is a 2 credit meal).
You want your vacation paid for before you leave - it helps SO much to stay on budget.
Adults only Disney - When you don't have to worry about fussy, little eaters, you can dine at more "adventurous" restaurants
When Disney offers Free Dining Promos!
When NOT to add the Disney Dining Plan:
When you want to dine at a restaurant that uses 2 credits - it automatically negates the pricing.
When you have picky eaters - Will they or won't they be hungry? Will they only want a couple of chicken nuggets?
When you use your credits on the wrong snacks and restaurants.
Personally, using the Disney Dining Plan for my husband and I ended up saving us more money than it actually cost. I always help my clients discern if the plan is right for them or not... it's definitely not right for every vacation! If you are ready to start planning your next Walt Disney World Vacation, let’s chat about making this your best vacation yet!