Disney Dining Plan

Disney Dining Plan



Updated: 2/28/2020

The Disney World Resort offers four different types of pre-purchased meal plans. 

Part of a great trip to Disney World, as far as we are concerned, is eating at the great restaurants on property. There are loads of really good restaurants on property and at Disney Springs and most of them participate in one or more of the dining plans.

Who can purchase a dining plan?

If you book a Disney World resort package, you are eligible to purchase a Disney Dining Plan.  EVERY guest in the room, age 3 and up MUST purchase the plan.

There is child and adult pricing, however, and  a “Disney Adult” is age 10 and up. Therefore, everyone in the room over 10 will be charged at the adult rate.

What do you get with the plans?

There are four different types of dining plans. With each of the plans,  you will get at least 2 snacks and 2 meals per day/per guest. This includes beverages (both adult and non-alcoholic) as well as a refillable resort mug.  Below are the dining credits that everyone 3 and up will get  per day/per guest. Keep in mind, they DON’T have to be used that day.  All dining credits carry over for the length of your stay. For example, if you arrive around dinner time on your check in day,  and can only use ONE of your meals that day, don’t worry. You still have the Disney Dining Plan credits for the meals you missed and can use the extra credits on another day.  You can distribute your Disney Dining Plan credits as you see fit.

Disney Quick Service Dining Plan

  • 2 Quick Service Meals
  • 2 Snacks
  • Beverages for all meals include: 1 Alcoholic Beverage or 1 soft drink, milkshake, smoothie, coffee, tea or hot chocolate
  • Refillable Resort Mug

Disney Dining Plan

  • 1 Quick Service Meal
  • 1 Table Service Meal
  • 2 Snacks
  • Beverages for all meals include: 1 Alcoholic Beverage or 1 soft drink, milkshake, smoothie, coffee, tea or hot chocolate
  • 1 Entree per meal
  • 1 Dessert with Table Service Meals
  • Refillable Resort Mug

*NEW! Disney Dining Plan Plus

  • 2 Meals (Quick OR Table Service)
  • 2 Snacks
  • Beverages for all meals include: 1 Alcoholic Beverage or 1 soft drink, milkshake, smoothie, coffee, tea or hot chocolate
  • 1 Entree per meal
  • 1 Dessert with Table Service Meals
  • Refillable Resort Mug

Disney Deluxe Dining Plan

  • 3 Meals (Quick OR Table Service)
  • 2 Snacks
  • Beverages for all meals include: 1 Alcoholic Beverage or 1 soft drink, milkshake, smoothie, coffee, tea or hot chocolate
  • 1 Appetizer  is included with Lunch or Dinner Table Service Meals
  • 1 Dessert is included with Lunch or Dinner Table Service Meals
  • Refillable Resort Mug

How does it work?

The Dining Plan credits are per guest/per night of their resort stay. However, you can distribute the credits over the course of your stay so do not have to use up all of your credits each day. If you have the Disney Dining, Disney Dining Plus or Disney Deluxe Dining plans, you could do 2 Table Service meals in the same day, for example. The credits are yours to use however you want to divvy them up. If you just want to use your snack credits around Epcot World Showcase as a meal, knock yourself out. For example, we have gotten $10 menu items using snack credits at Epcot festival booths!

Be aware that at Signature Dining locations, you will need to utilize 2 Table Service credits for that single meal. Signature Dining restaurants are at a higher price point and require an additional credit.

How do I “pay” with dining credits?

You will need to set up a PIN number either on your My Disney Experience App or with a Cast Member when you check into your resort. It is required for one member of the party to do this, HOWEVER,  if you are not planning to eat every meal together, it’s a good idea to set up PIN numbers for anyone in your party that wants to be able to use the credits on their own.

When you order your food,  let the Cast Member know that you are using the Dining Plan (they usually ask) and they will scan your Magic Band and have you enter your PIN. This happens right at the counter for Quick Service restaurants and at the table for Table Service restaurants.

After you have enjoyed your meal, you will be given a receipt with a zero dollar amount BUT a suggested tip amount. The dining plans DO NOT include tips. You will need to pay out of pocket for gratuities. We usually estimate what our tips will be ahead of time and bring cash. But, you can also tip with a credit card or via your Magic Band with  the credit card listed on your My Disney Experience account.

What if I want to order something not covered on the plan?

If you want to order extras like appetizers,  that’s okay.  The Cast Member will give you an additional receipt at the end of your meal so that you can pay out of pocket for any extras.

How do I keep track of my dining plan credits?

Dining Plan credits are listed on the bottom of your receipts AND on My Disney Experience. The ability to check your dining credits right in the app is super convenient.

What happens to the credits we didn’t use?

Buying snacks that will travel well is a great way to use up snack credits.  Extra Quick Service credits can sometimes be converted into snack credits. Just ask the Cast Member at the counter.  If you want to sprinkle a little pixie dust, offer to pay for the folks in front or behind you in line. If its your last day and you know that you aren’t going to use them up, spreading a little magic someone else’s way is a good way to do that.

Is it worth it?

Unless every member of your travelling party are bottomless pits (truly, bottomless) you most likely will not save money by using any of the dining plans. A Disney Adult is anyone age 10 and up. You will be paying adult prices for your 10 year-old whether or not they have an adult appetite or palate.

I  tallied up the menu prices and compared them to the cost of the Disney Dining Plan after our last trip. We didn’t spend a lot more money using the plan but we certainly didn’t save any either. What you are paying for is CONVENIENCE. If you don’t want to have to think about how expensive the meal is and worry about splurging on a filet, get the Dining Plan. If you want the simplicity of simply scanning your Magic Band to pay, get the Dining Plan. For us, it just makes the whole vacation more, well, vacation like.

Want more information on whether we think it’s worth it? Click here.

For more information on how to better utilize the Disney Dining plan, check out our 6 Ways to Use the Disney Dining Plan at the Resorts.