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Home / Blog / Restaurants & Dining / Dishing Out All the Details on the Disney Dining Plan

Dishing Out All the Details on the Disney Dining Plan

by Mommy Frog on April 30, 2025
2887 Orlando

 

Fast Facts

  • Disney Dining Plans are pre-paid plans that give you and your travel party credits to use during your vacation.
  • Disney Dining Plans may only be purchased as part of a Disney World Vacation Package.
  • There are two types of dining plans: one that focuses solely on quick options, and another that includes table-service options.
  • NEW for 2026 arrivals, kids ages 3-9 get a FREE dining plan with the purchase of a vacation package! (Note that each guest ages 10+ must purchase a dining plan as part of the vacation package to be eligible for the free kids dining offer).
  • Exciting news! Undercover Tourist is now offering a flexible deposit option for all Walt Disney World packages! Pay only a refundable $200 deposit to secure your vacation, and pay the remaining balance 30 days prior to check-in.

Inside This Post

The popular Disney Dining Plan allows you to save time and money with a pre-paid meal plan, as part of a Walt Disney World Resort hotel package. There are two different types: the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan (which includes quick-service options) and the Disney Dining Plan (which includes quick-service, table-service and character dining options). Did you know you can now book a discount vacation package through Undercover Tourist — including an optional dining plan? Here's everything you need to know!

Disney Dining Plan – Young girl with kids meal

What Is a Disney Dining Plan?

Disney Dining Plan - Infographic

The Disney Dining Plan is an add-on available to those who have booked a Walt Disney World package — which just means you've bundled your Disney World tickets and a Walt Disney World Resort hotel stay. A Disney Dining Plan allows you to enjoy pre-paid meals that save you time during your vacation as your meal budgeting is all taken care of! The Disney Dining Plan has existed for many years at Disney World and is extremely popular. After being suspended for a few years, it made its grand return in 2024! Essentially, the Disney Dining Plans give you and each member of your travel party (ages 3+) dining credits to use throughout your stay. Check out our helpful infographic on Disney Dining Plans to learn more (as previewed in the image above), including restaurants per resort, to help you make your hotel decision a little easier.

There are two types of Disney Dining Plans to explore.

Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan

Enjoy casual flexibility with the Quick-Service Dining Plan, eligible at over 100 quick-service locations! Everyone in the party will receive two quick-service meals and one snack/nonalcoholic drink for each night of their stay. In addition, each person will receive a resort-refillable drink mug, eligible for refills from any self-service beverage kiosk at Disney Resort hotels.

Quick-service meals include an entree and a beverage. Guests 10 years old and older can choose one nonalcoholic drink, including soda, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, smoothies and milkshakes. Guests 21 years old and older may substitute their drink for beer, wine or cocktails.

Snacks may be redeemed at select quick-service restaurants, outdoor carts and merchandise locations. Qualifying items include single servings such as ice cream bars, two scoops of ice cream, popcorn, a piece of fruit, 20-ounce bottled beverages and more.

Items that do not qualify for the dining plan include items that are more than one single serving, items in a souvenir container or considered merchandise (such as popcorn buckets) and special dining events.

Disney Dining Plan

Disney Dining Plan - Crystal Palace Breakfast

Enjoy the best of both worlds with the Disney Dining Plan! Everyone in the party will receive one table-service meal, one quick-service meal and one snack/nonalcoholic drink for each night of their stay. In addition, each person will receive a resort-refillable drink mug, eligible for refills from any self-service beverage kiosk at Disney Resort hotels.

Quick-service meals include an entree and a beverage. Guests 10 years old and older can choose one nonalcoholic drink, including soda, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, smoothies and milkshakes. Guests 21 years old and older may substitute their drink for beer, wine or cocktails.

Disney Dining Plan - Belle at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

Breakfast at table-service restaurants includes an entree (or a buffet or family-style meal) and beverage. Lunch and dinner include an entree, dessert and beverage (or a buffet or family-style meal). Gratuity is not included, so you'll want to budget for that at table-service meals. If you desire additional appetizers or drinks that aren't included, you can pay out of pocket. For these additional costs, you can use cash, a credit card or even a MagicBand to charge that amount to your hotel room.

Two table-service meals will be redeemed for each person at fine/signature dining experiences, select character dining locations or a dinner show. While most character dining locations accept one table-service credit, the character dining experiences that require two table-service credits include Cinderella's Royal Table, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (lunch and dinner only) and Story Book Dining at Artist Point.

Snacks may be redeemed at select quick-service restaurants, outdoor carts and merchandise locations. Qualifying items include single servings such as ice cream bars, two scoops of ice cream, popcorn, a piece of fruit, 20-ounce bottled beverages and more.

Items that do not qualify for the dining plan include items that are more than one single serving, items in a souvenir container or considered merchandise (such as popcorn buckets) and special dining events.

What's the Difference Between the Disney Dining Plans?

The Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan includes:

  • 2 quick-service meals (per night of your stay)
  • 1 snack or nonalcoholic drink (per night of your stay)
  • 1 resort-refillable mug (per length of stay)

The Disney Dining Plan includes:

  • 1 quick-service meal (per night of your stay)
  • 1 table-service meal (per night of your stay)
  • 1 snack or nonalcoholic drink (per night of your stay)
  • 1 resort-refillable mug (per length of stay)

Disney Dining Plan - Refillable Mug

Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during your stay. Unused credits will roll over day to day and expire at midnight on the day you check out of your Disney World hotel.

Select experiences such as Fine Dining, select Character Dining and dinner shows are worth 2 table-service credits, which include the following:

  • Fairytale Dining at Cinderella's Royal Table
  • Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (at lunch and dinner only)
  • Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White
  • Be Our Guest Restaurant
  • Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue
  • Fine/Signature Dining, such as California Grill, Narcoossee's, Topolino's Terrace (dinner only) and more

Who Can Purchase the Disney Dining Plan?

Anyone who has purchased a Disney World Vacation package can book an optional Disney Dining Plan! Dining plans can be purchased directly through Disney or Undercover Tourist as part of a Walt Disney World vacation package, including a hotel stay. Plans must be purchased for the entire length of stay and for the entire party (ages 3 and up). Only those listed on the hotel reservation qualify for a Disney Dining Plan.

Disney Vacation Club members can also pay out of pocket for a Disney Dining Plan, if staying at a Disney Resort hotel during their trip.

Can you purchase Disney Dining Plans for split stays?

Yes! Technically, since it would be two separate reservations, you can opt to add a dining plan to only one reservation — or both. If you want a Dining Plan for your entire stay, you would need to add the Dining Plan to both reservations.

If you only want to use a dining plan for one reservation, note that you can only start using the credits during the timeframe of whichever reservation you add it to. Hop tip: If the Disney Dining Plan is added to the first reservation, the front desk at the first hotel could transfer unused credits to your second hotel reservation before they expire, as long as the two stays are continuous. However, if the Dining Plan is added to the second reservation, you would not be able to use any credits until the first date of your second reservation.

How Much Is a Dining Plan?

Disney Dining Plans are a fan-favorite for good reason. They offer a great value, especially with a little planning to figure out how to take your pre-paid credits the furthest. One of the times that Disney Dining Plans are the most popular is when free dine is offered — a special promo that gives you a dining plan for FREE!

When free dine promos are not running, your total cost for adding on a Disney Dining Plan will depend on how many nights you are staying and which plan you choose. Adults can plan to spend about $55 per night for the Quick-Service Dining Plan (or $25 per night per child). For the Disney Dining Plan, adults cost about $90 per night (or $30 per child). The best way to see the true cost of adding on a Disney Dining Plan is to build it out! When purchasing a Disney World Vacation Package through Undercover Tourist, you'll see the full price for both Disney Dining Plan options to make the best selection for your family (or opt out entirely).

Disney Dining Plan - Package opt-in on Undercover Tourist website

What's Included in a Dining Plan Meal?

A quick-service meal using a Disney Dining Plan includes 1 entree and 1 beverage for all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner).

A table-service meal using a Disney Dining Plan includes:

Breakfast

  • 1 entree
  • 1 beverage

OR

  • 1 buffet or family-style meal
  • 1 beverage

Brunch, Lunch or Dinner

  • 1 entree
  • 1 dessert
  • 1 beverage

OR

  • 1 buffet or family-style meal
  • 1 beverage

Note that beverages include nonalcoholic options such as sodas and milkshakes, or alcoholic options for those 21 and up.

How to Use Disney World Dining Plans

Disney Dining Plan - Credit Balance in App screenshot

To use your dining plan, simply present your MagicBand, MagicBand+, Disney MagicMobile pass or Key to the World card to the cast member at participating restaurants. Note that guests ages 3 to 9 must order from the children's menu when available. Another tip is that you will need to remember your Resort PIN that you created at check-in to confirm your Dining Plan at restaurants. If you've visited before but it's been a while, you can reset the PIN within the My Disney Experience app. Go to the hamburger menu (icon with three lines on the far right side), scroll down to "MagicBands & Cards" and select your profile. From there, you see a "PIN" option, where you can create or reset it. (The hotel front desk can reset the PIN as well.)

Mobile ordering is also available with select restaurants when using the Dining Plan. You can run through the mobile ordering process as usual, and the app will automatically apply your Dining Plan credits as you select your food and drink options. If you're missing anything that you're entitled to, the app will remind you. For instance, if you select an entree and review your order, it will prompt you to select a drink that's included with the quick-service meal entitlement.

To check how many credits you have left, use the My Disney Experience app by visiting "My Resort Stay" and selecting "Check Dining Plan," which is an option that appears after you complete online check-in within the app. The balance does not appear until the first day of your stay. You may also look at your most recent dining receipt or visit any Guest Relations or Resort Concierge locations.

What to Consider When Choosing a Disney World Dining Plan

Here are some considerations when deciding if the Disney Dining Plan makes sense for you.

Flower and Garden Festival 2024 Menus — Frozen violet lemonade

  • The dining plan does take some planning if you want to maximize your credits and go for the highest value. Check out the menus within the Disney World app to get a sense of what's available for each member of your party and do some napkin math on how many credits you expect to use each day (and where it makes the most sense to use them).
  • When maximizing value with the Disney Dining Plan, we recommend character dining locations that take one table-service credit, particularly the buffets (characters and unlimited food!). Also, the Fantasmic! Dining Package and the EPCOT Festival Dining Packages accept the Dining Plan. Because you select the restaurant, credits will depend on which one you choose, but most take one credit. For example, for the Fantasmic! Dining Package, The Hollywood Brown Derby takes two table-service credits, but 50's Prime Time Cafe, Hollywood & Vine, Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano and Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant all take one table-service credit. Reserved seating for entertainment and a filling meal? Yes, please!
  • Likewise, think through where you plan to stay for your visit, and your family's dining styles. For example, if you have a younger child whom you'll need to grab an earlier meal for, you may want to make sure you like the options on-site or close by your hotel. If you're hoping to enjoy several meals together at your hotel, you may want to make sure there are some additional options to choose from nearby (or at the hotel) to keep meal fatigue at bay and add some variety to your meals.
  • If using the Disney Dining Plan, it's best to make advance dining reservations for your table-service meals.
  • Dining plans are unavailable for guests under 3 years old, but they may share from an adult plate, or you may purchase an additional meal.
  • Children ages 3-9 must order from the kids menu. On the other hand, if a 10-year-old tadpole wants to order from the kids menu, check with the server at your restaurant. Some restaurants are strict on age specifications, while others may be more lax. However, whether it's a quick-service or table-service restaurant, it would still count as an adult credit.
  • Keep in mind that many items qualify as snacks (not just classic Mickey bars!). Menus typically have a special symbol to signify which food offerings count toward the dining plans. Plus, if you're at EPCOT during a festival, food items and nonalcoholic drinks typically count as a snack. We like that there is such a variety, so we can enjoy more of our favorite Disney World snacks!

Well, that's everything to know about the Disney Dining Plan! Let us know if you have any questions in the comments below.

Related: Our Guide to Choosing a Disney World Dining Package

Related: 14 Easy ~Hopful~ Tips for Eating at Disney World on a Budget

Hoppy planning!

Keep hopping, Mommy Frog!
View Comments

Comments

1–50 of 2869 comments
Mar 10, 2025 at 3:56 a.m.
VERONICA FELIX Says...

Great idea for character dining

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 3:53 a.m.
RLK Says...

Did not know this was an option. Neat!

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 3:53 a.m.
Andrea Wolever Says...

I’m definitely getting the dining plan on our next trip!

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 3:50 a.m.
Jazmin Says...

What a great tip to check out the app to help plan out what food/snacks have your eye on to get an idea of where and on what use credits on

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 3:46 a.m.
Caitlin O Says...

so helpful!

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 3:46 a.m.
Caitlin O Says...

so helpful!

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 3:39 a.m.
Sierra C Says...

Thanks for the info, hope I get the chance to use it!

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 3:31 a.m.
Gayle Abbott Says...

Thank you for providing this helpful information to enhance our vacations❣️

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 3:30 a.m.
Jenn F Says...

I didn't realize that dining plans could be purchased on this site! I'll have to check it out.

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 3:29 a.m.
Roger Grifft Says...

Great tips

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 3:29 a.m.
MonicaK Says...

I haven’t tried the dining plan, and I don’t know if it is cost saving for a vegetarian. But I appreciate this information!

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 3:28 a.m.
Kayla sweat Jones Says...

So glad the dinning plans are back

Heard how great they are from friends who have been.

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 3:28 a.m.
Aleesha Says...

Going to Disney this week and not wait to try these tips and tricks! Already learning so much!

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 3:16 a.m.
Ashley Ritchie Says...

I love the dining plan & your tips are spot on. it definitely saved our family money. thanks for the help!

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 3:16 a.m.
Ashley Ritchie Says...

I love the dining plan & your tips are spot on. it definitely saved our family money. thanks for the help!

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 3:11 a.m.
Ian Hartzog Says...

Looks good

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 3:09 a.m.
Carmine Loper Says...

We’ve purchased the Disney dining plan before several years ago, and I loved being able to have the convenience of it with our kids! This article is super helpful in explaining the ins and outs!

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 3:09 a.m.
Aleesha Says...

Looking to use this awesome new site to help me book a Disney cruise! My toddler girls would be over the moon! Thankyou for the tips!

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 3:02 a.m.
Steve Says...

Comment

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 2:56 a.m.
Darla Says...

Very helpful information to know while planning our trip ????

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 2:55 a.m.
mortowne Says...

Seems like an effective way to reduce cost and complexity.

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 2:44 a.m.
John Patterson Says...

Hope ti win

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 2:42 a.m.
Jessica A Says...

Thanks for the info. We always use undercover tourist when we plan a trip to Disney

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 2:41 a.m.
Princess shari Says...

I was so annoyed when beast wasn't at his castle :(

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 2:41 a.m.
Sandra Stayton Says...

Great info to have. Thank you for breaking it down so well.

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 2:39 a.m.
Jairo Says...

Interesting article!

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 2:29 a.m.
Victoria Hankins Says...

Dining plan is always where I find the best savings for my family who loves Table Service!

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 2:26 a.m.
Emily Kelly Says...

Super informative.

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 2:25 a.m.
Erin Miller Says...

So much good and detailed information!

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 2:22 a.m.
Diana Says...

Educational

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 2:15 a.m.
Terry Franklin Says...

Great information and easy to understand

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 2:13 a.m.
AG Says...

This really clears things up on the dining plan, I hav always found it quite confusing before this. I may just use this next time I go!

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 2:11 a.m.
Catherine Amy Says...

Great info here! Can’t wait to bring my kiddos this summer!!

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 2:10 a.m.
L.Griffith Says...

We've enjoyed the dining plan in years past but it is a lot of food.

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 2:08 a.m.
Shel W Says...

Great and helpful content!

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 2:06 a.m.
Cheetah Thomas Says...

Really good information. This is gonna help me Plan my next Disney vacation. Thank you.

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 1:59 a.m.
Rusty Thomas Says...

I love so many different restaurants at Disney. I'm now considering the dining plan after reading this.

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 1:54 a.m.
Tyler I Says...

Sounds like a good deal!

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 1:52 a.m.
Cynthia Mary Robitaille Says...

It's been years since I had an opportunity to be at Disney. I used the meal plan last I was there. I am so glad it is back :)

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 1:43 a.m.
Kathy Says...

Great!

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 1:41 a.m.
Kristie Waldron Says...

I am glad the dining plan is back. We have never been able to utilize it since they had taken it away during the times we went before.

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 1:39 a.m.
Alexis Boyd Says...

the all inclusive feel would be nice with the dining plan!

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 1:37 a.m.
Russell Thomas Says...

Great information! Thank you!

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 1:37 a.m.
Marci Armstrong Says...

The best site for flexibility! Thank you!

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 1:24 a.m.
Lauren Says...

I haven't used the disney plan yet but we're going this year and great info to make it easier in the planning process. Especially with the little ones.

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 1:23 a.m.
Anne Aldrich Says...

Wow

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 1:16 a.m.
Katy Ryan Schilke Says...

Wow! Great information!! Saving for later.

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 1:15 a.m.
Haley Says...

So torn about getting the dining plan. Thanks for the info!

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 1:15 a.m.
Stephanie C. Says...

Great detailed information. I have never tried the plans but will consider for next trip.

Reply
Mar 10, 2025 at 1:11 a.m.
Jax Says...

This is a great deal! I know people are always saying that they’re gonna bring their own food and only buy what is absolutely necessary, but let’s be real, that never happens. Also, it’s so nice to have it all just taken care of before hand.

Reply

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