Disney Dining Plan: How it Works and is it Worth It?

As of January 9, 2024 the Disney Dining Plan is BACK!

Now with it back, you’ll be asking yourself whether or not the Disney Dining Plan is worth it. With all of the complexities of the various Disney Dining Plans, and the wide variety of dining options at Disney World, the decision of whether or not to jump in on the Disney Dining Plan can feel overwhelming.

Do not worry though, we have you covered! Take advantage of this all encompassing guide to determine if a Disney Dining Plan is worth it for your next trip! By the end of this article, you will be in the best position to answer the question for yourself – should I get the Disney Dining Plan?!

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hand holding bubble tea drink in front of Chinese pavilion and water

What is the Disney Dining Plan?

Table of Contents

The Disney Dining Plan, also known as DDP, is an optional add-on for guests staying on property at Walt Disney World. You can add-on a Disney Dining Plan to an existing room reservation or purchase it with your vacation package.

The Disney Dining Plan also requires that each guest purchase the Disney Dining Plan for the entire duration of the stay on property. The Disney Dining Plan allows guests get a certain number of snacks, meals, and drinks for a set daily flat fee. Everyone over the age of 3 in your party will be able to use the Disney food plan.

When you add on a Disney Dining Plan, you will pre-pay for your snacks and meals and receive credit to use throughout your trip. Disney World currently offers two types of Disney Dining Plans – the Standard Disney Dining Plan and the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan.

In order to answer the ultimate question of whether or not a Disney Dining Plan is worth it for you, you will need to understand the types of Disney Dining Plans, how much each of the Disney Dining Plans cost, and how to use the Disney Dining Plan credits. Fortunately, we will cover all of these key topics so keep on reading!

What Are Disney Dining Plans Credits And How Do I Use Them?

All of the Dining Plans at Disney work on a credit system. For each night of a reservation, each guest will get a certain number of credits and the amount of credits is determined by which Disney Dining Plan you select. Take note – your credits are per night of stay; not per day!

Before you go, be sure to confirm how many credits each guest in your party will have and plan out how you intend to use them during your vacation.

Using Disney Dining Plan credits is super easy. Similar to your park tickets and room key, Disney Dining Plan credits can be found on your MagicBand! All you need to do to use your Disney Dining Plan credits is scan your MagicBand and the credits will automatically be deducted.

Checking out at the normal check out time or earlier on the last day? Don’t worry, you can use your credits until midnight on your last day so scan away!

Depending on your Disney Dining Plan selection, each guest will receive a certain number of snack credits, quick service credits, and/or table meal credits, as well as a refillable mug to be used at the Walt Disney World hotels. Snack credits can be used for a lot – bottled beverages, baked goods, fruit, and ice cream to name just a few.

In order to keep track of your Disney Dining Plan credits, check the bottom of each receipt to see your balance or check your Plans on your My Disney Experience App. Monitoring your Disney Dining Plan credits is another reason to make sure that your cell phone is ready for your Disney trip!

mickey shaped cake and chocolate desserts in case with snack credits Disney dining plan

What Are the Types of Credits?

There are three (3) credit types for the Disney Dining Plans – Quick Service, Table Service Meal, and Snack.

A Quick Service meal includes a combo meal of an entree and a side, plus a beverage. For adults over 21 they can choose to get an alcoholic beverage, and those under 21 must get a nonalcoholic beverage. These credits can be used at Quick Service or Counter Service Restaurants all around Walt Disney World.

A Table Service meal includes an entree, dessert, and beverage. These credits can be used at Table Service Restaurants all around Walt Disney World! You can also use these credits at Character Dining, Fine/Signature Dining, and Dinner shows – more on that later!

A Snack credit covers items sold at snack carts, kiosks, and Quick Service Restaurants. It includes any single serving item, including side items, hand-scooped ice cream, Starbucks snacks, cupcakes, popcorn, bottled beverages, and so much more! Your snack credits can even cover some of the best snacks at Disney.

What If I Don’t Have Enough Disney Dining Plan Credits?

The Disney Dining Plan comes with a lot of food. This is one factor you should take into account when deciding whether or not it is worth it for you. But, if you find yourself without enough credits, fear not, you can still eat and drink!

Maximizing your Disney Dining Plan requires strategic planning and use. If the restaurants and/or meals you have selected require more credits than you have, you will need to pay out of pocket to make up the difference.

Given that Disney Dining Plan credits break down to a pretty expensive credit, use each credit for the most expensive restaurant, snack, and meal on the menu and plan to spend a bit more in cash or on your MagicBand or credit card for the cheaper items.

To be sure your are using your credits in the best way possible, you will want to check out each restaurant and menu on your Disney Dining Plan in advance to calculate out your credit use.

If you think you may run out, spread out your credits over the remaining days and take advantage of the ability to bring outside food into the parks. You can even have your groceries delivered to your hotel and prepare snacks and meals in your room. Sandwiches and snacks make a great lunch while in the park and is a huge must for doing Disney on a budget.

What If I Have Extra Dining Plan Credits Left Over?

When taking advantage of the Disney Dining Plan, ideally you do not want to have any credits left over. Be sure to spend all of your Disney Dining Plan credits since you already paid for them!

To avoid ending up with left over credits, monitor your credits daily and calculate out how many credits remain with the number of vacation days you have left. If you end up with too many credits in the last day or so, one of the best ways ensure you use all of your credits is to stock up on Disney snacks!

Using your Disney Dining Plan credits for snacks that travel well, like trail mix and Goofy candies, will help you ensure you use up all the credits and they make great pre-paid for souvenirs!

You cannot take the Disney Dining Plan credits with you, so spend away before you go. Snacks make great budget friendly souvenirs so this is a great use for any leftover credits!

If your trip is winding down, and you have more table service credits left than you have planned meals, jump onto the My Disney App and try to snag another reservation or two at some of the best character dining spots at Disney or maybe one of the best Disney restaurants.

Why Would I Get the Dining Plan at Disney?

So far we have explained how the dining plans at Disney can be expensive and how maximizing the dining plans at Disney World takes a bit of front end planning, so why get the Disney Dining Plan?

One key reason is that you get to pre-pay for meals, which means you can adhere to a strict budget during your trip. If you plan it just right, and use all of your credits, you can avoid having to spend a lot of extra money on food.

Others love the Disney Dining Plan because it takes a bit of the guess work out of the trip. If you plan for using your credits in advance, and make reservations accordingly, you can avoid the unknown of where to eat, when to eat, and what you can afford to swing for those meals.

It’s also great for those who love to eat at Disney. Going to the latest and greatest restaurants in Disney, eating the most instagrammable snacks, and enjoying a calm meal are all part of the Disney World experience for some people – like me!

plate of fish and chips with mushy peas and ketchup

Why Should I SKIP The Disney Dining Plan?

So why not add on the Disney Dining Plan? First off, the Disney Dining Plan cost is not cheap! Even the “cheapest” option, the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan, will cost you a pretty penny. If you are doing Disney on a Budget, foregoing the Disney Dining Plan and bringing along meals and snacks will save you quite a bit.

Disney World allows guests to bring food and beverages into the park, this means you can bring snacks, beverages, and even meals, think sandwiches and bento boxes, into the parks with you. Bringing along your own food is key when doing Disney on a budget.

And, since it is even easier to get groceries delivered to your hotel these days, a lot of people choose to take advantage of this money saving avenue. If you elect to bring along food and snacks, the Disney Dining Plan may not be worth it since you pre-pay for at least several meal and snack credits per day.

In addition, all Disney Dining Plans require, at least to get your money’s worth, that you eat multiple meals and snacks per day. If you are not that big of an eater, or your group is not that big of eaters, you could be losing money on the plan since if you don’t use your credits, you lose them. If you have no desire, or time, to sit down for table service meals, those plans are not worth your time or money.

people eating in restaurant Disney dining plan

What are the Current Disney Dining Plan Costs?

Disney World currently offers two (2) Disney Dining Plans: the Standard Dining Plan and the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan. In order to evaluate whether or not a Disney Dining Plan is worth it, it’s super important to watch the cost of the Disney Dining Plans since the Disney Dining Plan price changes depending on which plan you pick.

So how much are the Disney Dining Plans? Let’s break it down by plan, and the details for pricing can also be found on Disney’s website: Disney World Dining Plan

Disney Dining Plan

The Disney Dining Plan is the basic, or standard plan.

The Standard Disney Dining Plan is currently the more expensive option. You get a mix of Table Service and Quick Service meals, as well as mugs and snacks. The Disney Dining Plan will cost you $94.28 per night for adults and $29.69 for children.

Disney Quick Service Dining Plan

The Disney Quick Service Dining Plan is the least expensive option. The Disney Quick Service Dining Plan will cost you $57.01 per night for adults and $23.83 per night for children.

Two great features when using the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan is that most Quick Service restaurants do not require a reservation, which can provide so much more flexibility during your trip, and many Quick Service Restaurants now take mobile orders, allowing you to order the food ahead and pick it up – creating even more flexibility and efficiency.

Spending a full day or two at the water parks? Keep in mind that all of the restaurants at both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach are Quick Service! This means that you will not have a chance to use any Table Service Credits at the water parks and you should take that into account when selecting your plan and planning out your credit usage.

How Do Young Children Use The Disney Dining Plan?

The cost per night for a child for the Disney Dining Plans is based on children ages 3-9. Where available, children ages 3-9 need to order off the children’s menu at Disney restaurants. They will receive the same number of credits for meals and snacks as the adults on the same plan as them.

Since the children’s Disney meal plans are for ages 3-9, this means that children under 3 are actually free! This means that for any child under three in your group, you do not need to buy a plan for them and they can still join you at all of your dining!

This is because guests under three years old do not need park tickets, so they do not need a dining plan.

So how do you feed children under three? You can opt to purchase items for the child, bring your own food or snacks, or let the child eat of your plates.

buffet plate with pizza, Mac and cheese, vegetable and dessert at Disney dining plan restaurant

What Restaurants Are Included On The Disney Meal Plan?

Are you ready for this? There are A LOT of restaurants located all over the resort – and over 200 of them accept the dining plans at Disney World! Here is our comprehensive list of all Disney World Restaurants currently accepting at least one of the Disney Dining Plans!

Almost all of the Quick Service locations also have options that are snack credit only, so you don’t always have to eat a full meal if you don’t want to!

Magic Kingdom

Be Our Guest Restaurant (Table Service Lunch and Dinner: 2 credits)
Casey’s Corner (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Cinderella’s Royal Table (Table Service, Character Dining: 2 credits)
Columbia Harbour House (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Frontierland Hot Dog Cart (snack credit)
Gaston’s Tavern (snack credit)
Golden Oak Outpost (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen (Table Service: 1 credit)
Liberty Tree Tavern (Table Service, buffet/all-you-can-eat: 1 credit)
Main Street Bakery (snack credit)
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Pinocchio Village Haus (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Sleepy Hollow (Quick Service: 1 credit)
The Crystal Palace (Table Service, Character Dining: 1 credit)
The Diamond Horseshoe (Table Service, buffet/all-you-can-eat: 1 credit)
The Friar’s Nook (Quick Service: 1 credit)
The Lunching Pad (Quick Service: 1 credit)
The Plaza Restaurant (Table Service: 1 credit)
Tony’s Town Square Restaurant (Table Service: 1 credit)
Tortuga Tavern (Quick Service: 1 credit)

Trying to narrow it down from all of these delicious options? Check out our picks for the Best, and Worst, Restaurants in Magic Kingdom!

Epcot

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (Table Service, character dining, buffet/all-you-can-eat, Breakfast: 1 credit, Lunch & Dinner: 2 credits)
Biergarten Restaurant (Table Service, buffet/all-you-can-eat: 1 credit)
Chefs de France (Table Service: 1 credit)
Connections Cafe (snack credit)
Connections Eatery (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Coral Reef Restaurant (Table Service: 1 credit)
Crêpes À Emporter (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Fife & Drum Tavern (snack credit)
Garden Grill Restaurant (Table Service, character dining, buffet/all-you-can-eat: 1 credit)
Katsura Grill (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Kringla Bakeri og Kafe (snack credit)
La Cantina de San Angel (Quick Service: 1 credit)
La Crêperie de Paris (Quick Service: 1 credit)
La Hacienda de San Angel (Table Service: 1 credit)
Le Cellier Steakhouse (Table Service: 2 credits)
Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Lotus Blossom Cafe (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Nine Dragons Restaurant (Table Service: 1 credit)
Promenade Refreshments (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Refreshment Outpost (Snack credit)
Refreshment Port (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Rose & Crown Dining Room (Table Service: 1 credit)
San Angel Inn Restaurante (Table Service: 1 credit)
Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya (Table Service: 1 credit)
Sommerfest (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Spice Road Table (Table Service: 1 credit)
Sunshine Seasons (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Teppan Edo (Table Service: 1 credit)
Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar (Lounge: 1 credit)
Tutto Italia Ristorante (Table Service: 1 credit)
Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria (Table Service: 1 credit)
Yorkshire County Fish Shop (Quick Service: 1 credit)

Hollywood Studios

50’s Prime Time Cafe (Table Service: 1 credit)
ABC Commissary (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Backlot Express (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Catalina Eddie’s (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Dockside Diner (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Fairfax Fare (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Hollywood & Vine (Table Service, character dining, breakfast buffet/all-you-can-eat: 1 credit)
Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano (Table Service: 1 credit)
PizzeRizzo (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Rosie’s All-American Cafe (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Ronto Roasters (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Roundup Rodeo BBQ (Table Service, buffet/all-you-can-eat: 1 credit)
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant (Table Service: 1 credit)
The Trolley Car Cafe (snack credit)
The Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge (lounge: 1 credit)
The Hollywood Brown Derby (Table Service: 2 credits)
Woody’s Lunch Box (Quick Service: 1 credit)

Not sure where to head for a meal at Hollywood Studios? We have you covered with my Best, and Worst, Restaurants List for Hollywood Studios!

Animal Kingdom

Creature Comforts (snack credit)
Flame Tree Barbecue (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Harambe Market (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Nomad Lounge (lounge: 1 credit)
Pizzafari (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Rainforest Cafe – Animal Kingdom (Table Service: 1 credit)
Restaurantosaurus (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Satu’li Canteen (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Tiffins (Table Service: 2 credits)
Tusker House Restaurant (Table Service, character dining, buffet/all-you-can-eat: 1 credit)
Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafes (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Yak & Yeti Restaurant (Table Service: 1 credit)

Animal Kingdom is an underrated park when it comes to food, be sure not to miss out on some excellent meals at Animal Kingdom. Here is my list to the Best, and Worst, Restaurants at Animal Kingdom to help put you on the right track!

Typhoon Lagoon

Leaning Palms (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Lowtide Lou’s (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Snack Shack (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Surf Doggies (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Typhoon Tilly’s (Quick Service: 1 credit)

Blizzard Beach

Avalunch (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Cooling Hut (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Lottawatta Lodge (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Warming Hut (Quick Service: 1 credit)

Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort

Silver Screen Spirits Pool Bar (Quick Service: 1 credit)
World Premiere Food Court (Quick Service: 1 credit)

Disney’s All-Star Music Resort

Intermission Food Court (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Singing Spirits Pool Bar (Quick Service: 1 credit)

Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort

Grandstand Spirits (Quick Service: 1 credit)
End Zone Food Court (Quick Service: 1 credit)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Boma – Flavors of Africa (Table Service, buffet/all-you-can-eat: 1 credit)
Jiko – The Cooking Place (Table Service: 2 credits)
The Mara (Quick Service: 1 credit)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village

Kidani Village Private Dining (Room Service: 2 credits)
Maji Pool Bar (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Sanaa (Table Service: 1 credit)

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Landscape of Flavors (Quick Service: 1 credit)
The Dropoff Pool Bar (Quick Service: 1 credit)

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Beach Club Marketplace (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop (Table Service: 1 credit)
Cape May Cafe (Table Service, character dining, buffet/all-you-can-eat: 1 credit)
Hurricane Hanna’s Grill (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Martha’s Vineyard (lounge: 1 credit)

Disney’s Boardwalk Inn

Big River Grille & Brewing Works (Table Service: 1 credit)
BoardWalk Deli (Quick Service: 1 credit)
BoardWalk Pizza Window (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Flying Fish (Table Service: 2 credits)
Leaping Horse Libations (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Trattoria al Forno (Table Service: 1 credit)

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Banana Cabana (lounge: 1 credit)
Centertown Market (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Sebastian’s Bistro (Table Service: 1 credit)
Spyglass Grill (Quick Service: 1 credit)

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Chef Mickey’s (Table Service, character dining, buffet/all-you-can-eat: 1 credit)
Contempo Cafe (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Cove Bar (Bar or Lounge – Quick Service: 1 credit)
The Sand Bar (Bar or Lounge – Quick Service: 1 credit)
Steakhouse 71 (Table Service: 1 credit)

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Barcelona Lounge (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Dahlia Lounge (lounge: 1 credit)
El Mercado de Coronado (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Laguna Dock Bar (Bar or Lounge – Quick Service, 1 credit)
Maya Grill (Table Service: 1 credit)
Rix Sports Bar & Grill (Table Service: 1 credit)
Three Bridges Bar and Grill at Villa del Lago (Table Service: 1 credit)
Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood (Table Service: 1 credit)

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Beaches Pool Bar & Grill (Bar or Lounge – Quick Service: 1 credit)
Courtyard Pool Bar (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Cítricos (Table Service: 2 credits)
Enchanted Rose (Bar/Lounge: 1 credit)
Gasparilla Island Grill (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Grand Floridian Cafe (Table Service: 1 credit)
Narcoossee’s (Table Service: 2 credits)

Disney’s Old Key West Resort

Good’s Food to Go (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Gurgling Suitcase (Bar/Lounge: 1 credit)
Olivia’s Cafe (Table Service: 1 credit)
Turtle Shack Poolside Snacks (Quick Service: 1 credit)

Disney’s Polynesian Village

‘Ohana (Table Service, character dining for breakfast, entertainment at dinner: 1 credit)
Capt. Cook’s (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Kona Cafe (Table Service: 1 credit)
Oasis Bar and Grill (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Tambu Lounge (Bar/Lounge: 1 credit)

Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Everything POP Shopping and Dining (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Petals Pool Bar (Quick Service: 1 credit)

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Scat Cat’s Club (Bar/Lounge: 1 credit)
Mardi Grogs (Quick Service: 1 credit)

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside

Boatwright’s Dining Hall (Table Service: 1 credit)
Muddy Rivers (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Riverside Mill Food Court (Quick Service: 1 credit)
River Roost (Bar/Lounge: 1 credit)

Disney’s Riviera Resort

Bar Riva (Bar/Lounge: 1 credit)
Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera (Table Service, character dining: Breakfast: 1 credit, Dinner: 2 credits)

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa

Backstretch Pool Bar (Bar or Lounge – Quick Service: 1 credit)
The Artist’s Palette (Quick Service: 1 credit)
The Paddock Grill (Quick Service: 1 credit)
The Turf Club Bar and Grill (Table Service: 1 credit)

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Geyser Point Bar & Grill (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Roaring Fork (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White (table service, character dining: 2 credits)
Territory Lounge (Bar/Lounge: 1 credit)
Whispering Canyon Cafe (Table Service: 1 credit)

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Ale & Compass Lounge (Bar/Lounge: 1 credit)
Ale & Compass Restaurant (Table Service, at breakfast, there is a small all you can eat buffet which you can use, along with your chosen entrée: 1 credit)
Crew’s Cup Lounge (Bar/Lounge: 1 credit)
Market at Ale and Compass (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Yachtsman Steakhouse (Table Service: 2 credits)

Disney Springs

4 Rivers Cantina Barbacoa Food Truck (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Amorette’s Patisserie (Quick Service: 1 credit)
B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co. (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Blaze Pizza (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ (Table Service: 1 credit)
Chicken Guy! (Quick Service: 1 credit)
City Works Eatery & Pour House (Table Service: 1 credit)
Cookes of Dublin (Quick Service: 1 credit)
D-Luxe Burger (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Earl of Sandwich (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Enzo’s Hideaway (Table Service: 1 credit)
House of Blues Restaurant and Bar (Table Service: 1 credit)
Jaleo (Table Service: 2 credits)
Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar (Table Service: 1 credit)
Local Green Orlando Food Truck (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Maria and Enzo’s Ristorante (Table Service: 1 credit)
Marketplace Snacks (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Morimoto Asia Street Food (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Morimoto Asia (Table Service, Lunch : 1 credit, Dinner: 2 credits)
Paddlefish (Table Service: 2 credits)
Paradiso 37, Taste of the Americas (Table Service: 1 credit)
Pepe by José Andrés (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Pizza Ponte (Quick Service: 1 credit)
Planet Hollywood (Table Service: 1 credit)
Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant (Table Service, live entertainment: 1 credit)
Rainforest Cafe at Disney Springs Marketplace (Table Service: 1 credit)
Splitsville Dining Room (Table Service: 1 credit)
Starbucks Coffee – Disney Springs West Side (snack credit)
Swirls on the Water (snack credit)
T-REX (Table Service: 1 credit)
Terralina Crafted Italian (Table Service: 1 credit)
The BOATHOUSE Restaurant (Table Service: 2 credits)
The Daily Poutine (Quick Service: 1 credit)
The Edison (Table Service: 1 credit)
The Polite Pig (Quick Service: 1 credit)
The Smokehouse at House of Blues (Quick Service: 1 credit)
YeSake Kiosk (Quick Service: 1 credit)

ESPN Wide World of Sports

ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill (Quick Service: 1 credit)

Pizza Pickup:

If you’re staying at any of the All-Star Resorts, Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach, Pop Century, or either of the Port Orleans Resorts, you can order Pizza Pickup from the Quick Service location. For 2 Table Service credit per person, you will receive 1 large pizza and 2 beverages (alcoholic or nonalcoholic).

Grand Floridian Private In-Room Dining

The Grand Floridian also offers private in-room dining where you can receive 1 entree, 1 dessert, and 1 beverage (alcoholic or nonalcoholic) per person dining, and it will also take 2 Table Service dining credits.

What Does the Disney Dining Plan Include?

With the Disney Dining Plan, for each night of your stay, each guest will get:

One Table Service Credit
One Quick Service Credit
One Snack Credit
One Refillable Mug

For Brunch/Lunch/Dinner, each table service credit includes one drink, alcoholic or non-alcoholic, an entree, and a dessert. For buffets and family-style meals, you get 1 buffet/meal and 1 beverage. For Breakfast, you get 1 entree and 1 beverage, or 1 buffet/meal and 1 beverage.

The Disney Dining Plan allows you to enjoy a sit down meal each day, or stack them up over several days, but also grab quick service food and snacks as you go.

Like on all Disney Dining Plans, the refillable mug can only be used at Resorts and cannot be used in the parks.

A note about some of the fancier restaurant options: some of the character meals, dinner shows, and fine/signature dining restaurants will require 2 Table Service credits being redeemed.

What Does the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan Include?

The Disney Quick Service Dining Plan gives each guest the following for each night of their stay:

Two Counter Service Meal Credits
One Snack Credit
One Refillable Mug

Each Counter Service Meal Credit includes an entree and a drink from a Quick Service Restaurant. Like the other plans, guests 21 and older can select an alcoholic drink, if the restaurant serves alcohol.

Insider tip – You can use 1 Counter Service Meal Credit to purchase three (3) Disney Dining Plan eligible snacks, so long as you do it in one transaction, helping you ensure you use all of your credits!

With this plan you can be sure to check out the best Quick Service Restaurants in Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios! Think this may be the best choice for you? Be sure to check out my Ultimate Guide to the Quick Service Dining Plan!

How Do I Maximize the Disney Food Plan?

To maximize your Disney Dining Plan focus on the value of the credits. Since each Disney Dining Plan is broken down by credits, you need to look at the value of that credit and compare it to the cost of the meal. If you can use your credits for the highest cost items and meals, you will be maximizing the value of each credit.

Disney Dining Plan average credit values range from around $60 per credit to as low as $8 per credit. By selecting the most expensive items on the menu to use your credits, and using your credits at the most expensive restaurants and on the most expensive snacks, you are maximizing each credit’s value.

What does this mean? If you plan to eat the cheapest items on the menu, at the most budget-friendly quick service restaurants, you are probably not maximizing your Disney Dining Plan credits.

On the other hand, if you are selecting character dining, more expensive menu options, and/or alcoholic beverages for your table service credits and the more expensive menu options and/or alcoholic beverages at quick service locations, you are more likely to get the most out of each credit.

As for snacks, if you are using your snack credit on a snack that costs at least $5.00, you are likely getting the most out of that snack credit and getting a great value. Festival snacks, speciality cupcakes, and Starbucks are great snacks to maximize your snack credit usage!

Is the Disney Dining Plan Worth It?

This is such a complicated question! The answer really comes down to what YOU are looking for during your magical vacation.

If you, and your group, are good eaters who will use all of your credits, will order more than a grilled cheese or salad, and have big appetites, a Disney Dining Plan is probably a great bet! If you love steaks, big meals, and want to experience at least a few dining options per day then you are probably going to save more in the long run with a Disney Dining Plan.

On the other hand, if you and/or your group do not prefer to eat large meals, want to go-go-go while in all of the parks, and/or have a lot of dietary restrictions, you may not save much in the long run because you really need to use ALL of your credits and maximize each credit for the Disney Dining Plan to pay off.

If you, and/or your group, drink alcohol and plan to drink alcohol during the trip, the Disney Dining Plan could pay for itself since all plans cover alcohol and Disney alcohol is not cheap. For the grown-ups, be sure to check out our ultimate grown-up’s guide to Disney before you go!

Convenience is as huge factor when making your final decision about whether or not the Disney Dining Plans are worth it. Your dining credits will be placed on your MagicBand, which means you can limit use of your wallet, credit cards, and/or cash. The Disney Dining Plan makes guests feel like they are at an all inclusive vacation and some people find a lot of comfort in that!

It also means you could budget out all of your food spending before you go, pay for it ahead of time, and stick to a strict budget of nothing over that amount while on property – although this is still tough.

artichokes with red sauce at a Disney dining plan restaurant

If you are looking to do character dining during your trip, a Disney Dining Plan can save you big bucks! Character dining is some of the most expensive dining at Disney World and the Disney Dining Plan covers a lot of the character dining options.

Attending a festival or special event? This is one time that the Disney Dining Plans really shine! Festival snacks can be expensive and since most are super fun, cute, and limited, you will probably want to try quite a few. The Disney Dining Plans, especially the snack credits, can be really valuable at festivals and can save you big bucks!

If you are not into planning ahead, or feel overwhelmed by the advanced planning, the Disney Dining Plans may not be the best choice. While you can still show up and use the plan without any advance planning, you are less likely to get as much out of the plan and more likely to end up with unused credits and/or using credits on lower cost items.

Lastly, if you don’t want to sit down for a Disney meal, even at Quick Service Restaurants, the Disney Dining Plans are not for you. If you prefer to snack along the way, eat off property, and/or bring food with you, you may not see much value in the Disney Dining Plans.

Our Disney Dining Plan review? Well, we’ve done trips both ways, using the Disney Dining Plan and not using it. There is a lot that has to be said for the convenience, the ability to eat some great meals for less than you would pay out of pocket, and being able to sit down and have good meal – not just chicken tenders or cheeseburgers.

It’s ultimately up to you, but we are definitely glad it’s back!

So what did you decide? Did you go for a Disney Dining Plan? If so, which plan did you pick and why? Let me know in Comments what you decided and any other great tips you have about using the Disney Dining Plans!

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