Disney dining plans can be confusing but they don’t have to be. In this blog I will do my best to explain the dining plans and the best way to use them. Of course everyone is different and if you have a tip that you would like to share please comment. So lets get started.
What exactly is the Disney Dining Plan?
The Disney Dining Plan is a method of pre-paying for meals at Walt Disney World. There are several versions of the Plan at different price points to suit different needs. When you purchase the Disney Dining Plan, you will be issued “Dining Plan credits.” These will be computer encoded onto your MagicBand or RFID-enabled Key to the World card, which is also your room key. When paying for food at a Disney restaurant, your server will scan your MagicBand. Simply inform him or her that you are paying with Dining Plan credits instead of paying with cash. Dining Plan credits will be deducted from your account.
Who can purchase the Disney Dining Plan?
The Disney Dining Plan can only be purchased by guests staying at an on-site Walt Disney World owned/operated hotel.
What’s a “credit”?
Credits are the unit of currency of the Disney Dining Plan. There are table service credits, quick service credits, and snack credits. In general, a credit equals one meal or snack. There are some 2 credit meals, see below.
What is a two-credit meal?
Some of Disney’s dining experiences are called “signature dining.” They are special, fancy, or just plain expensive. If you’re on the regular or deluxe dining plan and want to dine at a signature restaurant you will need to spend two table service dining plan credits per meal.
For 2020, the two-credit dining experiences are: Be Our Guest Restaurant (dinner only), Cinderella’s Royal Table, Jaleo, Jiko, Flying Fish, California Grill, Citricos, Narcoossee’s, Yachtsman Steakhouse, LeCellier Steakhouse, Monsieur Paul, Hollywood Brown Derby, The BOATHOUSE, Tiffins, Paddlefish, STK Orlando, Topolino’s Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera (dinner only), and Morimoto Asia.
The two Dinner Shows at Disney World also require two-credits: Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue and The Spirit of Aloha.
Please also note that throughout the year, Epcot hosts a variety of Festivals which offer an entertainment component. Guests can often enjoy these special concerts with a Dining Package, pairing the presentation with a participating Epcot restaurant (such as the Eat to the Beat Dining Package during the Epcot Food & Wine Festival , or the Candlelight Processional during the Epcot Festival of the Holidays). These special events typically require two table service dining credits.
What does “table service” mean?
A table service restaurant is one in which you are seated by a host/hostess at a specific table and have some portion of your meal brought to you by a server. At Walt Disney World, buffet-style meals are considered table service because of both the extensive amount of food available and the fact that a server brings your drinks and clears your table. At a table service meal, you pay your server at the end of the meal, after he or she brings you a bill. Reminder gratuities are not included in your dining plan. When the server brings you the bill a suggested gratuity will be included.
What is a quick service restaurant?
A quick service (also called counter service) restaurant is one in which you place an order at a walk-up counter. You pay for your meal before you eat it. You are given your food on a tray which you carry yourself to a seating area. You are responsible for clearing your own table at the end of the meal. Reservations are neither required nor accepted at quick service venues. (with the exception of Be Our Guest located in the Magic Kingdom. Breakfast & lunch are considered quick service but DO require a reservation.) An out-of-Disney equivalent would be a fast food restaurant or a mall food court.
What counts as a meal?
The definition of a meal varies depending on what time of day it is and which version of the dining plan you’re on.
For the Quick Service Dining Plan, adults and children, a breakfast meal consists of an entree and one beverage (including specialty beverages and/or alcoholic beverages — must be 21 or older for alcoholic beverages).
For the Quick Service Dining Plan, adults and children, a lunch or dinner meal consists of an entree and one beverage (including specialty beverages and/or alcoholic beverages — must be 21 or older for alcoholic beverages).
For the regular Disney Dining Plan AND Disney Dining Plan Plus, adults and children using their quick service credit, a breakfast meal consists of an entree and one beverage (including specialty beverages and/or alcoholic beverages — must be 21 or older for alcoholic beverages).
For the regular Disney Dining Plan AND Disney Dining Plan Plus, adults and children using their quick service credit, a lunch or dinner meal consists of an entree and one beverage (including specialty beverages and/or alcoholic beverages — must be 21 or older for alcoholic beverages).
For the regular Disney Dining Plan AND Disney Dining Plan Plus, adults and children using their table service credit, a breakfast meal consists of an entree and one beverage (including specialty beverages and/or alcoholic beverages — must be 21 or older for alcoholic beverages) OR one full buffet (including specialty beverages and/or alcoholic beverages — must be 21 or older for alcoholic beverages).
For the regular Disney Dining Plan AND Disney Dining Plan Plus, adults and children using their table service credit, a lunch or dinner meal consists of an entree, dessert, and one beverage (including specialty beverages and/or alcoholic beverages — must be 21 or older for alcoholic beverages) OR one full buffet (including specialty beverages and/or alcoholic beverages — must be 21 or older for alcoholic beverages).
For the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan, adults and children, a breakfast meal consists of an entree and one beverage (including specialty beverages and/or alcoholic beverages — must be 21 or older for alcoholic beverages) OR one full buffet (including specialty beverages and/or alcoholic beverages — must be 21 or older for alcoholic beverages).
For the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan, adults and children a lunch or dinner meal consists of an appetizer, entree, dessert, and one beverage (including specialty beverages and/or alcoholic beverages — must be 21 or older for alcoholic beverages) OR one full buffet (including specialty beverages and/or alcoholic beverages — must be 21 or older for alcoholic beverages).
Tell me again how my credits are calculated?
Dining Plan credits are allotted based on the number of NIGHTS of your stay. For example, if you arrive at WDW at 10:00 a.m. on Monday and leave at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, even though you will have spent the better part of five days on site, you have only spent four NIGHTS at WDW. In this example, if you are on the basic (standard) Disney Dining Plan, you will receive eight snack credits, four quick service meal credits, and four table service meal credits per person to use during your stay.
How can I tell how many credits I’ve already used?
This will be printed on your receipt for every meal. The receipt will show how many credits you’ve used and how many are remaining in your account. You are also welcome to stop by the concierge desk of your hotel at any time for a printout of your dining activity. You can also check these on the My DIsney Experience App under the Resort tab.
What is a “snack”?
There are hundreds of different snacks available in Disney’s parks and resorts, from the basic bottle of water, to international treats like Norwegian School Bread. Snacks are identified by a little purple and white checkerboard symbol.
Some examples of eligible snack options are: ice cream novelty bar, cup of soup, counter-service restaurant menu side items, single-serve popcorn box, whole fruit, 12 oz coffee or tea, single-serve prepackaged milk or juice, 20 oz bottled soft drink or water, or a 20 oz fountain soft drink. However, there are higher value snack credit-eligible items that provide a LOT more bang for your buck (think Loaded Fries, Pineapple Upside Down Cake with Dole Whip, and more).
TIP: Keep your eye out for the purple and white checkerboard; great snack options are everywhere.
Do I need to make meal reservations when I’m on the Disney Dining Plan?
Reservations are STRONGLY recommended, particularly at busy times of the year. There are no seats in the Disney restaurants held for walk-ups. If there’s somewhere that you really want to eat, make a reservation.
I’m on the Dining Plan. Can I eat at restaurants other than those at my own hotel?
Yes, absolutely. You can eat anywhere on property that accepts dining plan credits.
My friends are not on the Dining Plan and we are. Can we dine together?
Yes, absolutely. When making your meal reservation, make it for the entire number of people in your party, both those on the dining plan and those not on the plan. When you arrive at the table, tell your server which guests are on the plan and which are not. She or he will be able to generate two separate bills and charge the two types of guests separately, even though you’re eating at the same table.
Do you have to tip your server when you’re using the Dining Plan?
YES! With a few exceptions, gratuities are NOT included on the Disney Dining Plan. You will need to tip your servers at table service and buffet restaurants. Parties of six or more will automatically be assessed an 18% gratuity with their meal. Others may choose what level of tip to provide their server. Cinderella’s Royal Table, in-room pizza delivery, in-room dining (room service), Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, Mickey’s Backyard BBQ, and the Spirit of Aloha dinner show. have tips included. The price that your meal would have been if you had paid cash will be noted on your receipt. You should use this number as your baseline upon which to calculate the tip you leave. All parties of six or more will be assessed an 18% gratuity. Everyone at the table will be tallied in this count, including children under the age of three.
Is the Disney Dining Plan Worth The Money?
Ah, that’s the big question isn’t it? This depends completely on how you and your family usually eat while on vacation. I will say this food is expensive at Disney just like any other amusement park. One advantage that I like is that my vacation is paid before I get there. There is no need to worry about the extra expense of food and we can order what ever we want on the menu. Most buffet meals on average cost $55 per adult and $35 per child under the age of 9 so that’s $180 for a family of 4 for one meal not including any snack or other meals for the day. The Standard meal plan would cost $217.04 for the same family of 4.
I have tried to answer many of the basic questions for the dining plans. Let me know if you have a question or if there is something you would like to add.
Thank you