All about the Disney Dining Plan
Back in 2005, Walt Disney World introduced something new and exciting in the Park, the Disney Dining Plan.
This allows guests staying at Walt Disney Hotels to prepay for their meals, it is a great way for you to prepay for your trip.
Disney Dining Plan is available for all guests staying at a Walt Disney World Hotel aged 3 and up, however, there are some rules in place.
- All Members of the reservation must select the Dining Plan.
- Children are classified between 3-9 years old.
- Children under 3 (share off their parent’s plate) or you will need to pay OOP (Out of Pocket)
- Children 10 + will be paying adult prices even if they choose Children’s meals.
- The credits get loaded onto your complimentary magic band.
- However most do not include Tips, you will have to pay those OOP.
- Just like Cinderella, Your credits expire at Midnight on the last day of your reservation.
The Disney Dining plan comes in three levels.
Disney Quick service Plan
2 quick service meals per night of your stay
- 1 Entree (Main meal)
- 1 Non-alcoholic beverage for people under 21 (Milkshakes, Smoothies, Premium hot chocolates, Soda (Soft drink for Australians) Coffee or Tea
- 1 Alcoholic (or non-alcoholic) for people over 21 (Includes Beer, Cider, Wine, Sangria, Mixed drinks, Speciality Cocktails)
2 Snacks per night of your stay
1 refillable mug per stay (only refillable in the resorts)
Disney Dining Plan
1 quick service meal per night of your stay which includes
- 1 Entree (Main meal)
- 1 Non-alcoholic beverage for people under 21
- 1 Alcoholic (or non-alcoholic) for people over 21
1 Table service meal per night of your stay
- 1 Entree (Main meal) (Or a Full Buffet or Family Style meal)
- 1 Desert (Available for Lunch and Dinner)
- 1 Non-alcoholic beverage for people under 21
- 1 Alcoholic (or non-alcoholic) for people over 21
2 Snacks per day
1 refillable mug per stay (only refillable in the resorts)
Disney Deluxe Dining Plan
3 Meals (can be either Quick service or Table service)
– If table service this also includes an appetiser.
2 Snacks per day
1 refillable mug per stay (only refillable in the resorts)
There are more than 100 restaurants, that accept the Disney Dining plan. This includes a huge variety of styles, from traditional sit-down, Buffet or family service.
They also include a variety of special dining.
Character Dining
A great opportunity for your children to not only dine with their favorite characters but also get autographs without a huge line.
Walt Disney World has so many different character dining, from Princesses, Villians, Winnie the Pooh, Mickey and friends, Lilo and Stitch, Alice and Wonderland and even Playhouse Disney characters.
These are located in the parks and in the resorts.
Signature Dining (Take 2 Dining credits)
Walt Disney world has a great variety of Signature Dining experiences, these restaurants are restaurants that are normally more expensive when paying OOP, or extremely hard to get into.
These include Steakhouses like Le Cellier and Boathouse. To California Grill which overlooks the Magic Kingdom.
Dine in a Castle (Two Table service dining credits)
* Breakfast and Lunch is Quick Service for Be our guest.
You can make a reservation in both of the Disney Castles. Cinderella’s and the beasts.
Cinderella’s Royal table (Gratuities are Included)
You can eat Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner inside Cinderella’s castle. As you enter you meet Cinderella then as you dine, other Princesses come to join you at your table.
Cinderella’s royal table includes an appetiser, entree (main meal) and a dessert and a beverage.
Be our guest. (Prix Fixe menu)
Whilst it is traditionally thought as a Character dining experience, it actually isn’t classified as one.
Guests can dine in Beast castle, in either the Grand Ballroom, The West Wing or the Castle Gallery.
On most nights (Dinner only) you meet beast in his Library after you have finished your meal.
Guests booked for Breakfast and Lunch also get to Dine in the Castle, however, the Beast will not be present.
Dinner shows (Two Table service dining credits) (Tips are included)
Walt Disney World has a variety of dinner shows that you can book to use with your Dining credits, from the Hoop De Doo Revue ( located at the Fort Wilderness resort).
The Spirit of Aloha (Polynesian Resort). Mickey’s Backyard BBQ, at Fort Wilderness.
Private In-room dining (Two Table service dining credits) (Tips are included)
At some resorts, you can order private in-room dining and they will be charged at two dining credits. You will receive
– 1 Entree (Main meal) (Or a Full Buffet or Family Style meal)
– 1 Desert (Available for Lunch and Dinner)
– 1 Non-alcoholic beverage for people under 21
– 1 Alcoholic (or non-alcoholic) for people over 21
Pizza Delivery (Two Table service dining credits) (Tips are included)
– 1 Pizza Entree item (Main Meal)
– 2 Non-alcoholic beverage for people under 21 or Alcoholic (or non-alcoholic) for people over 21
– 2 Desserts
Cost – 2019
Disney Quick Service Plan
Adult $52.50
Children $23.78
Disney Dining Plan
Adult $75.49
Children $27.98
Disney Deluxe Dining Plan
Adult $116.25
Children $43.49
Once you have included your Disney Dining Plan on your reservation then the fun starts, Walt Disney World allows you to book your ADR, or Advance dining reservations 180 days out for your trip. We had such fun choosing our favorite restaurants to visit.
Your Fastpasses are booked 60 days out (When staying on property) so we then had fun again rescheduling a couple to make sure we got the prized Avatar flights of passage Fastpass.
The Disney dining plan is only available at Walt Disney World, one of a few key differences between the parks. You can find out more key differences on my article, Disneyworld vs Disneyland
So this is all the important information about the Disney Dining plan, now to work out which Dining plan suits you.
What is your experience with the Disney Dining plan? Did it work for you? Do you think it was worth it?
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