Is The Disney Dining Plan Worth It? How To Decide!

One of the biggest questions you will need to answer when planning your Walt Disney World vacation is 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, I have you covered! Take advantage of this all encompassing guide, along with the Easiest Disney Dining Plan Calculator, 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 – Is The Disney Dining Plan Worth It For Me?!

 

 

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; 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, counter 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 – water bottles, baked good, 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! 

 

What Are The Types of Credits?

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

A Quick Service or Counter Service meal includes a combo meal of an entree and a side, plus a beverage. This credit no longer includes a dessert. 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. If you are using the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan, this also includes an appetizer. These credits can be used at Table Service Restaurants all around Walt Disney World! Want to eat healthy? Disney allows you to substitute a side salad, cup of soup, or fruit plate for your dessert.

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, and so much more! Your snack credits can even cover some of the best snacks at Disney.

 

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.

 

So far I 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, if you plan correctly using the Disney Dining Plan Calculator, 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 much, if any, money during your vacation 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.

 

Oh yea, and sometimes, it’s free! What? Free at Disney World? Yes, it’s true. You can sometimes get the Disney Dining Plan for free, but how to get the Disney Dining Plan for free is a whole other story so check out my guide to scoring a free Disney Dining Plan in 2020. Since scoring a free Disney Dining Plan perk is limited to certain rooms, times, and booking restrictions, while this is a great insider tip, it may not work for everyone. It can’t hurt to check though!

 

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, there is really no excuse not 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. Some of the Disney Dining Plans, like the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan, require you have multiple sit down meals per day. If you have no desire, or time, to sit down for table service meals, those plans are not worth your time or money.

 

Still not sure? Take advantage of the easiest Disney Dining Plan Calculator to figure out if a plan is right for you!

 

Disney World currently offers four (4) Disney Dining Plans: the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan; the Dining Plan (aka the Standard Dining Plan that needs a new name);  the Disney Dining Plan Plus; 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.

Disney Deluxe Dining Plan

The cost of the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan is steep.  This high-end Disney Dining Plan will cost you $119 per day, per night, and $47.50 per child during regular season, but prices go up during peak season. Ages 10+ are considered adults for the purposes of the Disney Dining Plan prices.

Like each Disney Dining Plan options, the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan has a lot of pros and cons so be sure to check out how to use the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan if you go with this high-end option!

Standard Disney Dining Plan

The Standard, or Regular, Disney Dining Plan has a silly name. It is just called the Disney Dining Plan – to avoid confusion, I will refer to it as the Standard Disney Dining Plan.

The Standard Disney Dining Plan is the middle of the road option. You get a table service meals mixed with quick service meals and you still get your snacks and refillable mug. The Standard Disney Dining Plan will cost you $78.01 per night for adults and $30.51 for children. 

Remember the free Disney Dining Plans? If you are lucky enough to score that perk while staying at Deluxe Hotel or Deluxe Villa, you could get the Standard Disney Dining Plan for free.

Since cost is not the only factor to take into account when selecting a Disney Dining Plan, be sure to use the Calculator to determine what plan is best for you and be sure to check out the pros and cons of the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan! Also, take note that tipping is not included so you will need to tip on top of the costs of the Dining Plan! Not sure what to tip? Check out my guide for what you should be tipping at Disney World!

 

It makes sense since Guests under three (3) years old do not need park tickets, they also do not need a dining plan. 

 

So how do you feed children under three (3)? At buffets, the child can have their own plate. At all other locations, you can opt to purchase items for the child, bring your own food or snacks, or let the child eat of your plates!

 

Unfortunately, if you elect to purchase a dining plan for a child under three (3), you will need to purchse them an unnecssary park ticket as well, so it is not recommended to add a dining plan for children in the free age window. If you are really concerned the child will not have their own meal, opt to bring snacks or food with you or purchase them a plate or snack out of pocket. When at Disney there is no reason to waste money on anything unnecessary, such as a park ticket for a child who would normally be free!

 

What Restaurants Are Included On The Disney Meal Plan?

Are  you ready for this? There are A LOT of Disney Dining Plan restaurants located all over Walt Disney World. Here is my 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 (Quick Service, 1 credit for Breakfast and Lunch: Table Service Dinner — 2 credits)
Casey’s Corner (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Cinderella’s Royal Table (Table Service, 2 credits, character dining)
Columbia Harbour House (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Frontierland Hot Dog Cart (Food Stand or Cart, snack credit only)
Golden Oak Outpost (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen (Table Service, 1 credit)
Liberty Tree Tavern (Table Service, 1 credit, buffet/all-you-can-eat)
Main Street Bakery (snack credit only)
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Pinocchio Village Haus (Quick Service, 1 credit)
The Crystal Palace (Table Service, 1 credit, character dining)
The Diamond Horseshoe (Table Service, 1 credit, buffet/all-you-can-eat)
The Friar’s Nook (Quick Service, 1 credit)
The Lunching Pad (Quick Service, 1 credit)
The Plaza Restaurant (Table Service, 1 credit)
Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant (Quick 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 my picks for the Best, and Worst, Restaurants in Magic Kingdom!

Epcot

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (Table Service, 1 credit, character dining, buffet/all-you-can-eat)
Biergarten Restaurant (Table Service, 1 credit, buffet/all-you-can-eat)
Chefs de France (Table Service, 1 credit)
Coral Reef Restaurant (Table Service, 1 credit)
Garden Grill Restaurant (Table Service, 1 credit, character dining, buffet/all-you-can-eat)
Katsura Grill (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Kringla Bakeri og Kafe (Quick Service, 1 credit)
La Cantina de San Angel (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)
Monsieur Paul (Table Service, 2 credits)
Nine Dragons Restaurant (Table Service, 1 credit)
Promenade Refreshments (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Refreshment Outpost (Snack credit only)
Refreshment Port (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Restaurant Marrakesh (Table Service, 1 credit)
Rose & Crown Dining Room (Table Service, 1 credit)
San Angel Inn Restaurante (Table Service, 1 credit)
Sommerfest (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Spice Road Table (Table Service, 1 credit)
Sunshine Seasons (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Tangierine Cafe (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Teppan Edo (Table Service, 1 credit)
Tokyo Dining (Table Service, 1 credit)
Traveler’s Café (Quick Service, 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)

Epcot food choices can be overwhelming with the endless and unique options that are spread around the World Showcase, so check out my picks for the Best, and Worst, Epcot Restaurants to narrow it down! 

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, 1 credit, character dining, breakfast buffet/all-you-can-eat)
Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano (Table Service, 1 credit)
PizzeRizzo (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Rosie’s All-American Cafe (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant (Table Service, 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? I have you covered with my Best, and Worst, Restaurants List for Hollywood Studios!

Animal Kingdom

Creature Comforts (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Dino Diner (has Quick Service menu, but only snacks are Dining plan eligible, for snack credits)
Flame Tree Barbecue (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Harambe Market (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Mr. Kamal’s (Snack credit only)
Pizzafari (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Pizzafari Family-Style Dining (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Rainforest Cafe – Animal Kingdom (Table Service, 1 credit)
Restaurantosaurus (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Restaurantosaurus Burgers and Sundaes (Table Service, 1 credit)
Satu’li Canteen (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Tiffins (Table Service, 2 credits)
Tusker House Restaurant (Table Service, 1 credit, character dining, buffet/all-you-can-eat)
Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafes (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Yak & Yeti Restaurant (Table Service, 1 credit)Leaning Palms (Quick 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

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

All-Stars In-Room Dining (Room Service, 2 credits)
World Premiere Food Court (Quick Service, 1 credit)

Disney’s All-Star Music Resort

All-Stars In-Room Dining (Room Service, 2 credits)
Intermission Food Court (Quick Service, 1 credit)

Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort

All Star Sports Pizza Delivery (Table Service, 2 credits)
All-Stars In-Room Dining (Room Service, 2 credits)
End Zone Food Court (Quick Service, 1 credit)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Boma – Flavors of Africa (Table Service, 1 credit, buffet/all-you-can-eat)
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 (Bar or Lounge, 1 credit)
Sanaa (Table Service, 1 credit)

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Art of Animation In Room Delivery (Room Service, 2 credits)
Landscape of Flavors (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, 1 credit, character dining, buffet/all-you-can-eat)
Hurricane Hanna’s Grill (Quick Service, 1 credit)

Disney’s Boardwalk Inn

Belle Vue Lounge (Bar or Lounge – Quick Service, 1 credit)
Big River Grille & Brewing Works (Table Service, 1 credit)
BoardWalk Bakery (Quick Service, 1 credit)
BoardWalk Pizza Window (Quick Service, 1 credit)
ESPN Club (Table Service, 1 credit)
Flying Fish (Table Service, 2 credits)
Leaping Horse Libations (Bar or Lounge – Quick Service, 1 credit)
Trattoria al Forno (Table Service, 1 credit, character dining)

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Centertown Market (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Sebastian’s Bistro (Table Service, 1 credit)
Spyglass Grill (Quick Service, 1 credit)

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

California Grill (Table Service, 2 credits)
Chef Mickey’s (Table Service, 1 credit, character dining, buffet/all-you-can-eat)
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)
The Wave… of American Flavors (Table Service, 1 credit)

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Cafe Rix (Quick Service, 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)
Siestas Cantina (Bar or Lounge – Quick Service, 1 credit)
Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood (Table Service, 1 credit)

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

1900 Park Fare (Table Service, 1 credit, character dining, buffet/all-you-can-eat)
Beaches Pool Bar & Grill (Bar or Lounge – Quick Service, 1 credit)
Cítricos (Table Service, 2 credits)
Gasparilla Island Grill (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Grand Floridian Cafe (Table Service, 1 credit)
Narcoossee’s (Table Service, 2 credits)

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort has eight (8) total restaurants and we are lucky enough to see six (6) of them accepting various Disney Dining Plans!

Check out the Best and Worst Grand Floridian Restaurants before you go to be sure to maximize your credits at this high-end resort!

Disney’s Old Key West Resort

Good’s Food to Go (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Olivia’s Cafe (Table Service, 1 credit)
Turtle Shack (Quick Service, 1 credit)

Disney’s Polynesian Village

‘Ohana (Table Service, 1 credit, character dining for breakfast, entertainment at dinner)
Capt. Cook’s (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show (Table Service, 2 credits)
Kona Cafe (Table Service, 1 credit)
Oasis Bar and Grill (Quick Service, 1 credit)

Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Everything POP Shopping and Dining (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Pop Century In Room Delivery (Room Service, 2 credits)

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory (Quick Service, 1 credit)

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside

Boatwright’s Dining Hall (Table Service, 1 credit)
Riverside Mill Food Court (Quick Service, 1 credit)

Disney’s Riviera Resort

Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera (Table Service, 2 credits, character dining)
Primo Piatto (Quick Service, 1 credit)

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa

Backstretch Pool Bar (Bar or Lounge – Quick Service, 1 credit)
On the Rocks (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

Artist Point (Table Service, 1 credit, character dining)
Geyser Point Bar & Grill (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Miss Jenny’s In-Room Dining (Room Service, 2 credits)
Roaring Fork (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Whispering Canyon Cafe (Table Service, 1 credit)

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

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

The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort

Chuck Wagon (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue (Table Service, 2 credits, dinner show)
Meadow Snack Bar (Quick Service, 1 credit)
P & J’s Southern Takeout (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Trail’s End Restaurant (Table Service, 1 credit, buffet/all-you-can-eat)

Disney Springs

4 Rivers Cantina Barbacoa Food Truck (Quick Service, 1 credit)
AristoCrepes (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)
Cookes of Dublin (Quick Service, 1 credit)
D-Luxe Burger (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Disney Springs West Side Food Trucks (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Earl of Sandwich (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Enzo’s Hideaway (Table Service, 1 credit)
Frontera Cocina (Table Service, 1 credit)
House of Blues Restaurant and Bar (Table Service, 1 credit)
Jaleo (Table Service, 2 credits)
Maria and Enzo’s Ristorante (Table Service, Lunch — 1 credit, Dinner — 1 credit)
Marketplace Snacks (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)
Pizza Ponte (Quick Service, Lunch — 1 credit, Dinner — 1 credit)
Planet Hollywood Observatory (Table Service, 1 credit)
Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant (Table Service, 1 credit, live entertainment)
Rainforest Cafe at Disney Springs Marketplace (Table Service, 1 credit)
Splitsville Dining Room (Table Service, 1 credit)
Starbucks Coffee – Disney Springs West Side (Quick Service, 1 credit)
T-REX (Table Service, 1 credit)
Terralina Crafted Italian (Table Service, 1 credit)
The BOATHOUSE Restaurant (Table Service, 2 credits)
The Basket at Wine Bar George (Quick Service, 1 credit)
The Daily Poutine (Quick Service, 1 credit)
The Edison (Table Service, 1 credit)
The Smokehouse at House of Blues (Quick Service, 1 credit)
Wine Bar George (Table Service, 1 credit)
Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill (Table Service, 1 credit)
Wolfgang Puck Express-Marketplace (Quick Service, 1 credit)

Just reading the list of options for Disney Dining Plan meals at Disney Springs makes me hungry. Need to narrow it down? Check out my picks for the Best, and Worst, Disney Springs Restaurants!

ESPN Wide World of Sports

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

What do you get for the hundreds of dollars the Disney Disney Dining Plan costs? For each night of your reservation, each person on the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan will get:

• Three meals at either counter service and/or table service restaurants, which you can mix and match
• Two snack credits
• One refillable drink mug (one per stay)

While most of the Disney Dining Plans do not offically allow guests to mix child and adult credits, the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan is an exception. This means if yu splurge for the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan, child credits can be used for adult entrees.  The Disney Deluxe Dining Plan is geared towards food lovers, those looking to take advantage of three full meals per day, and/or want to take advantage of character dining.

What is tough about the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan? It will require you to sit down for two meals per day, minimum, to maximize your credits. Getting small children to sit through two sit down meals a day at Disney is not easy; honestly, it’s not even easy to get full grown adults to sit down for two sit down meals per day at Disney. Have people in the group who aren’t big eaters? You will likely be throwing away some money with the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan 

Want a lot of character dining? Like fancy sit down meals? The Disney Deluxe Dining Plan may right up your alley. The Disney Deluxe Dining Plan will also force you to take a break from the craziness and enjoy meals together, something that is tough to do on the daily back home.

On the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan, each table service credit will get you a drink, alcoholic or non-alcoholic, an appetizer, an entree, and a dessert (except breakfast). Only the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan includes an appetizer with your table service credit.

Think the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan may be the right pick for you? Check out my Ultimate Guide to the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan!

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

•  One Table Service Credit
•  One Quick Service Credit
•  Two Snack Credits
• One Refillable Mug (one per stay)

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
• Two Snack Credits
• One Refillable Mug (one per stay)

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.

Importantly, as of January 1, 2020, Quick Service Credits have been separated into Adult and Child Categories. This means you can no longer use them interchangeably!

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!

 

Disney Dining Plan average credit values range from about $62.00 per credit (more if you have the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan since you get an appetizer with your meal) to as low as $8.00 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 each 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, most 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!

 

 

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. 

 

 

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 Standard Disney Dining Plan, Disney Dining Plan Plus, and the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan cover a lot of the character dining options. If character dining is a top priority, any Disney Dining Plan except the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan may be a great choice for your trip and will allow you to check out the Best Disney Character Breakfasts!

 

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.

 

The power is now in your hands!  Now that you have all of this Disney Dining Plan knowledge, check out Disney’s amazing restaurants, decide where you want to eat, check out the menus, and use the Easiest Disney Dining Plan Calculator to figure out if there is a Disney Dining Plan that is right for you!

 

 

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!