Dining Plans were a guest-favorite option prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dining Plans haven’t been an option since the parks reopened in the summer of 2020. We are happy to share the news with you that beginning on January 9, 2024, the Dining Plans will be returning.
Bookings for the Disney Dining Plans will begin May 31, 2023.
With the return of the popular Dining Plans, two packages will be offered:
- Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan
- Disney Dining Plan.
Both plans allow guests pre-pay for meals and snacks.
What Is The Disney Dining Plan?
The Disney Dining Plan is a prepaid meal package that guests staying at Walt Disney World Resort can purchase to receive discounts on food within the resort. It was first introduced in 2005. Menus are marked throughout Walt Disney World with the Disney Dining Plan logo to indicate if an item is eligible for a dining plan.
Dining plans feature different levels of service, but all include several basic features:
- Discount on food at Walt Disney Resort Property, by paying for food in advance; no food outside of the resort is included.
- Dining Plan is linked to the guest account: use of MagicBand, MagicBand+, or the My Disney Experience app functions as payment.
- Each participant receives a plastic refillable mug good for infinite refills at self-service beverage islands on resort properties, for the duration of the stay.
- Each participant has a number of meal or snack credits that can be used all in one day, or spread throughout the trip’s duration
What Are The Disney Dining Plan Levels?
The most basic plan is the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan. Disney has confirmed the plan still includes two quick-service meals per person per night of stay, as well as one snack per day. The refillable mug is included.
The next level, the Disney Dining Plan, includes one table-service meal, one quick-service meal, and one snack per day. This level also has a refillable travel mug.
In the past, Disney also offered the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan which included three table-service meals and two snacks per person per night of stay, but as of now, the Deluxe plan has not been reinstated.
When a table-service meal is included in a plan, guests may substitute it for a quick-service meal as they are cheaper, but not the other way around.
Disney also released additional information regarding ages, beverages, and plan length requirements:
- Beverages are included with each meal. Guests under 21 years of age may choose from a variety of nonalcoholic beverages. Guests 21 and older with valid identification may substitute for beer, wine, and cocktails.
- Guests ages 3 to 9 must order from a children’s menu, where available.
- The plan must be purchased for the entire length of stay and for the entire party (ages 3 and up).
- Reservations at Table-Service restaurants are subject to availability and are highly recommended.
- Two table-service meals will be redeemed from the dining plan for each person dining at a Fine/Signature Dining experience, select Character Dining experience, or a Dinner Show.
The plans are only available to guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel.
Is Free Dining Back?
In the past, as part of promotional vacation packages, Disney has also given free dining. Usually, the free dining plans were limited to off-season, less crowded dates within the Walt Disney Resort. No information has been provided about free dining at this point in time.
Excited that Disney Dining Plans will once again be offered in 2024?