Is Disney Dining Plan Worth It? Tips and Tricks

Do you enjoy saving money while Disney vacationing? If so, you may want to consider opting in for a Disney dining plan during your stay at an extradentary Disney Vacation Club resort. Disney dining plans are curated to suit your family’s needs while providing flexibility, affordability, and convenience.

Enhance your taste buds and enjoy a magical variety of authentic cuisine options in spectacular locations scattered throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. So, if you are vacationing at a Disney Vacation Club resort and deciding whether a Disney dining plan is right for you and your family, then continue reading to learn about all things Disney dining-related!

Why Purchase a Disney Dining Plan?

Staying on Disney property is as magical as planning and enjoying affordable pre-paid meals. You can utilize your Disney dining plan at most Disney dining locations throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. So whether you’re at your home resort or in a theme park like Magic Kingdom, you can use your plan at your convenience.

Convenience and Flexibility of A Disney Dining Plan

With over 200 dining locations scattered across Disney resort hotels, theme parks, and select locations at Disney Springs, guests can utilize their Disney dining plan wherever they go on Disney property, providing an excellent combination of convenience and flexibility.

At the magical Walt Disney World Resort, guests can ponder the numerous delicious eateries and cafes. Guests can choose between the Disney Quick Service dining plan or the Disney Dining plan as part of the Walt Disney Travel Company Package. Dining plans are made to suit each family’s needs and wants. Each person in the dining plan has a specific number of meals and snacks based on the number of nights of their Disney Resort stay.

With a Disney dining plan, guests can dine and snack at their own pace, and if any meals or snacks go unused, they will roll on to the next day. All unused snacks and meals will expire at midnight on the day of checkout.

Value and Savings of A Disney Dining Plan

Opting for a Disney dining plan permits everlasting dining savings. Save up to 20% on dining for kids ages 3 to 9 when you purchase a dining plan for your family as part of the Walt Disney Travel Company package. Each plan includes a certain number of prepaid meals and snacks, so you don’t have to worry about meal budgeting while vacationing.

How to Get a Disney Dining Plan

To purchase a Disney dining plan, one must choose a Disney Resort Hotel Vacation package that includes a dining plan, or guests can visit their “My Plans” on their mobile app to make changes to their reservation. Guests can opt-in to upgrade their existing reservation with a dining plan that suits their needs.

Pick the Best Disney Dining Plan for Your Family

Regardless of your dining preferences, purchasing a Disney dining plan is worth the endless savings, memories, and opportunities to advance your taste pallet. Guests can choose to opt for the Disney Quick Service dining plan or the Disney dining plan. Savor numerous cuisine styles like Chinese, Italian, American, Mexican, and much more! There is something delicious for everyone!

Disney Quick Service Disney Dining Plan

For active families on the go and park hopping, a quick-service Disney dining plan might be the better option for a magical dining experience. For quick and easy casual dining, families can stop by numerous quick service locations scattered throughout the resort. Each quick service location features a children’s menu, special dietary requests, lifestyle dining requests, a wide selection of menu options, and a wonderful family-style dining atmosphere.

What’s Included

Each person dining over three years old receives an allocated number of meals and snack credits. A quick-service meal includes from any counter service restaurant two quick-service meals, one snack or non-alcoholic drink, and one resort refillable drink mug. For children under three, they can share from an adult plate at no additional charge. The number of meals and snack credits provided will depend on the number of nights included in the package. The resort refillable drink mug can be used for fountain beverages, water, tea, hot cocoa, and coffee. They are refillable at self-service beverage islands located at any Disney Resort hotel quick-service location.

Disney Quick-Service Disney Dining Plan

• Two quick-service meals per night stayed
• A snack or nonalcoholic drink per night stayed
• One refillable drink mug with unlimited refills at your resort

What are some quick-service restaurants within Disney World Resort?

• ABC Commissary (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
• The Artist’s Palette (Disney’s Saratoga Springs)
• Capt. Cooks (Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort)
• Beaches Pool Bar & Grill (Disney’s Grand Floridian resort)
• Connections Eatery (EPCOT)

Disney Dining Plans

The Disney dining plan is a superior option for those looking to settle down for a luxurious table service meal and enjoy the elegant Disney-inspired theming that surrounds them. Do you have a special character in mind you’d like to meet? If so, savor a scrumptious meal at one of the character dining locations and get the chance to meet Mickey and Minnie face-to-face. Guests can redeem two table-service meals at certain character dining locations. Eligible fine dining restaurants like Citricos and Le Cellier and dinner shows like Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue require you to redeem two-table service dining credits per person per meal. Guests can also redeem two-table service dining credits per person at signature restaurants like Be Our Guest Restaurant and more.

For a better understanding, a table service meal includes one entre and one nonalcoholic beverage; if you’re over 21, you can opt in for an alcoholic beverage. Cinderella’s Royal Table, for example, is the perfect table service restaurant to partake in a one-of-a-kind fairytale dining experience and meet your favorite Disney princess characters.

Experience classical dining like no other at Walt Disney World Resort. Enjoy numerous food and beverage choices, and specialty cocktails at numerous upscale dining restaurants. Some signature restaurants include a themed dinner and a themed show, suitable for everyone of all ages.

Additionally, table service restaurants feature a children’s menu, special dietary requests, a wide selection of menu options, and a wonderful family-style dining atmosphere.

What’s Included

With the Disney Dining Plan, guests can still enjoy quick-service restaurants while getting the opportunity to dine in at signature dining restaurants. Each person dining over three receives one quick service meal, one table-service meal, one snack or nonalcoholic drink, and one resort-refillable drink mug. The resort-refillable mugs can be refilled at self-service beverage islands. Of course, the number of meals and snack credits depends on the length of stay and is determined by your dining plan. For children under three, they can share from an adult plate at no additional charge.

Disney Dining Plan

• One table-service meal per night stayed
• One quick-service meal per night stayed
• A snack or nonalcoholic drink per night stayed
• One refillable drink mug with unlimited refills at your resort

Character Dining Locations

• The Crystal Palace Table Service (Magic Kingdom Park)
• ‘Ohana Table Service (Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort)
• Cinderella’s Royal Table (Signature Restaurant at Magic Kingdom Park)

What are Some Signature Dining Restaurants

• Yak and Yeti Restaurant (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
• Roundup Rodeo BBQ (Hollywood Studios)
• Sci-Fi Dine-In Theatre Restaurant (Hollywood Studios)
• The Diamond Horseshoe (Magic Kingdom)
• Liberty Tree Tavern (Magic Kingdom)

Did Someone Say Snacks?

Dining plan meals and snacks are based on the number of nights of your vacation package. Each dining guest over the age of three receives a snack credit each day during their stay. Snack credits can be used at a variety of eatery locations that offer snack credit options. So, if you’re not quite hungry for a meal, you can utilize your dining plan daily snack credit to a scrumptious world-famous Mickey pretzel with warm cheesy dipping sauce. Other snacks to enjoy include refreshing dole whip, specialty cupcakes, ice cream sandwiches, ice cream floats, Mickey waffles, and so much more!

Make the Most of Your Dining Options

Guests can utilize their Disney dining plan almost anywhere within Disney World. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy refuel option or the chance to wind down and relax to a themed dinner show while indulging in delectable pasta, there is something for everyone!

How to use your Disney Dining Plan

Once you have selected your dining plan, it’s important to review a list of participating restaurants that are within your dining plan. Do you want an eatery that serves mouthwatering off-the-grill delights that you’d like to try? Simply present your valid Disney Resort ID to your cashier or server at participating locations.

My Disney Experience App

The My Disney Experience app is an excellent navigation tool to find all Disney dining locations. The app allows you to mobile order your meals from select quick service restaurants and certain table service locations that offer table service to go. The mobile app also allows you to view the hours of each location, the menu, the specialty dietary menu, and the location of each dining location.

Additionally, the Disney Experience app allows Disney Resort hotel guests to book dining reservations at select participating table service locations. Booking advance reservations is highly recommended for those wanting to guarantee a spot at a certain dining location. Moreover, some fine dining restaurants require guests to have advance reservations due to the location’s popularity and spectacular guest experience.

So, Is the Disney Dining Plan Worth it?

Deciding whether a Disney dining plan is worth it is ultimately up to each family’s needs and desires. Although, the Disney dining plan is an excellent way to enjoy delicious prepaid meals at an affordable price without the worry or hassle of having to follow a meal budgeting guideline. You can vacation in the magic of Disney World while indulging in numerous world-famous Disney-inspired snacks and meals. Enjoy the convivence of never needing to leave Disney property to fulfill all of your hunger needs and cravings.

Disney Vacation Club Resorts with Spectacular Disney Dining

Disney Vacation Club Resorts, like most Disney Resorts, have a wonderful variety of on-site dining options for resort hotel guests. Enjoy the luxury and convenience of dining on property at exquisite cafes and eateries while saving money. Guests can opt-in for a Disney dining plan during the duration of their stay. So, whether they are resort hopping or park hopping, guests with a Disney dining plan can utilize this amazing system wherever they go.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is a spectacular and luxurious Victorian-style resort. It’s the perfect remanence of romance and relaxation as it overlooks the beautiful Cinderella Castle. Bundle up and watch the world-famous nighttime fireworks show as it lights up the sky. Vacation in spacious one-to-two-bedroom villas featuring full kitchens, living rooms, dining rooms, and complimentary wifi internet access. Guests can utilize exciting amenities like the spacious outdoor swimming pool, spa center, health club, and more during their Disney Resort hotel stay.

In addition, guests can utilize their dining plan at the Grand Floridian’s spectacular assortment of on-site dining spots. From quick-service meals and table-service meals to private in-room dining, guests can fulfill their dining needs however they please. Private in-room dining allows guests to relax in the privacy of their room while enjoying distinctive dining selections for breakfast or dinner.

So whether you’d like to indulge in foods at classic dining options or an elegant table-service option, this beautiful Victorian-style resort has it all!

Some delectable eateries to try at the Grand Floridan

• Cítricos (Requires two table service meals)
• The Grand Floridan Cafe
• Narcoosee’s (Requires two table service meals)
• Gasparilla Island Grill
• 1900 Park Fare

Disney’s Riviera Resort

This elegant European-style resort is the perfect combination of enchantment and fine hospitality. Guests can enjoy delectable dining utilizing their dining plan, stay in stylish and luxurious accommodations, and ponder top-notch amenities. At Disney’s Riviera Resort, guests can stay in one-to-three-bedroom villas featuring a kitchenette, dining and living space, and a full bathroom.

The resort features upscale amenities, perfect for everyone in the whole family. Guests can splash in the spacious, family-friendly pool and relish hours of outdoor aquatic fun. Work up a sweat in the Athlétique Fitness Center, bundle up near the cozy campfire and listen to enchanting Disney stories, or settle in for movies under the stars with your loved ones. The perfect way to end a magical night.

Disney’s Riviera Resort hosts several superior dining spots for guests to utilize their Disney dining plans at. Start the day with a scrumptious breakfast at at quick-service restaurant Primo Piatto, and caffeinate on a honey almond cold brew from Le Petit Café. For dinner, settle down for a table service dinner at Topolinos’ Terrace. Guests can also enjoy a yummy feast from the comfort of their vacation ownership with private in-room dining. Here are some other eateries offered at Disnedy’s Riviera Resort.

Eateries offered at Disney’s Riviera Resort:

• Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera
• Le Petit Café
• Primo Piatto

Disney’s Beach Club Villas

Beach Club Villas offers an astonishing number of on-resort property dining destinations. Disney’s Beach Club Villas is an elegant and charming New England-style resort known for its tranquility, luxury, and comfort. With its authentic eateries, spacious accommodations, superior amenities, and walking distance from the world-famous amusement park, EPCOT, Disney’s Beach Club Villas makes the perfect vacation ownership for almost anyone!

At Disney’s Beach Club Villas, guests can stay in beautifully decorated one-to-two-bedroom villas featuring full kitchens, living areas, dining areas, washers and dryers, and a private balcony overlooking the beautiful Florida landscape. Guests can utilize top-notch amenities like the outdoor swimming pools, spa and fitness center, and arcade. The resort also features complimentary wifi internet access

Guests can explore the resort property and eat at numerous dining destinations. Enjoy quick service meals or dine in at table service restaurants participating in dining plans. Stop by Cape May cafe to indulge in a hearty breakfast buffet filled with warm Mickey waffles and soft scumbled eggs. Looking for an irresistible sweet treat? Beaches & Cream Soda Shop has you covered! Head in for a sweet banana split or a mouthwatering ice cream milkshake while you immerse yourself in the nostalgia of the Atlantic seashore. Dining reservations are highly recommended for Beaches & Cream Soda Shop. Guests can also opt for a private in-room dining option to unwind and stay away from crowds.

Unique Eateries at Disney’s Beach Club Villas:

• Cape May Cafe
• Beaches & Cream Soda Shop
• Beach Club Marketplace
• Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grill
• Ale & Compass Restaurant
• The Market at Ale & Compass

Buy Disney Vacation Club Points

Hungry for more? Consider buying DVC points to enjoy delicious cuisine throughout your Disney vacation stay. As a DVC member, you have access to top resorts at the Walt Disney World Resort and other Disney resort locations such as California and Hawaii. Join this spectacular timeshare brand for less with a Disney Vacation Club resale. Our marketplace has DVC points for sale at the above resort and more! To get started, browse through our DVC timeshare listings. Once you glue your eyes on a resort property, simply make an offer on the listing that suits your needs and desires. If you need assistance or have questions, give us a call today 1 (800) 410-8326.