On the heels of announcing the return of Disney Dining Plans in 2024, more details have been revealed. There will be two options: the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan and the Disney Dining Plan.
Disney Quick Service Dining Plan
What’s Included
Everyone in the travel party (ages 3 and up) will receive 2 Quick-Service meals per night and 1 snack/nonalcoholic drink per night of their package stay* — along with 1 Resort-refillable drink mug**. Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during the stay.
*Specific number of meals and snacks is determined by the number of nights included in the package stay. Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during your stay. Unused meals and snacks will roll over day to day and expire at midnight on day of checkout. Meals and snacks are nontransferable between party members.
**Resort-refillable mugs are eligible for refills from self-service beverage islands at any Disney Resort hotel Quick-Service location.
Important Information
Beverages are included with each meal. Guests under 21 years of age may choose from a variety of nonalcoholic beverages. Guests 21 and older with valid identification may substitute for beer, wine, and cocktails.
Guests age 3 to 9 must order from a children’s menu, where available.
Plan must be purchased for entire length of stay and for the entire party (ages 3 and up).
Dine and Snack at Your Own Pace
Remember, meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during your stay.
For example, if you book a 4-night package with a Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan, each guest (ages 3 and up) in your party would receive 8 Quick-Service meals and 4 Snacks or Nonalcoholic Beverages — which can be used at any time during your 4-night stay.
Disney Dining Plan
What’s Included
Everyone in the travel party (ages 3 and up) will receive 1 Table-Service meal per night, 1 Quick-Service meal per night, and 1 snack/nonalcoholic drink per night of their package stay* — along with 1 Resort-refillable drink mug**. Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during the stay.
*Specific number of meals and snacks is determined by the number of nights included in the package stay. Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during your stay. Unused meals and snacks will roll over day to day and expire at midnight on day of checkout. Meals and snacks are nontransferable between party members.
**Resort-refillable mugs are eligible for refills from self-service beverage islands at any Disney Resort hotel Quick-Service location.
Important Information
Beverages are included with each meal. Guests under 21 years of age may choose from a variety of nonalcoholic beverages. Guests 21 and older with valid identification may substitute for beer, wine, and cocktails.
Guests age 3 to 9 must order from a children’s menu, where available.
Plan must be purchased for entire length of stay and for the entire party (ages 3 and up).
Dine and Snack at Your Own Pace
Remember, meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during your stay.
For example, if you book a 4-night package with a Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan, each guest (ages 3 and up) in your party would receive 8 Quick-Service meals and 4 Snacks or Nonalcoholic Beverages — which can be used at any time during your 4-night stay.
Disney Dining Plan
What’s Included
Everyone in the travel party (ages 3 and up) will receive 1 Table-Service meal per night, 1 Quick-Service meal per night, and 1 snack/nonalcoholic drink per night of their package stay* — along with 1 Resort-refillable drink mug**. Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during the stay.
By far, one of the most confusing and inconvenient aspects of a Walt Disney World vacation is making a Park Reservation. Not only do Guests have to purchase a dated ticket, but they also have to check theme Park Reservation availability to ensure they don’t purchase a ticket they cannot use.
For many Guests, it’s simply an extra step in the process. An extra confusing step. This practice was first introduced during the pandemic in an attempt to keep Disney Park availability at half capacity, keeping excursions to Walt Disney World Resort as safe as possible.
Ever since the practice was adopted during the pandemic, Guests have been waiting for Walt Disney World Resort to finally drop it, but to no avail.
But today, Disney news reveals that the Walt Disney Company has finally made the ultimate decision to retire the theme Park Reservation requirement!
NEW: Walt Disney World is bringing back the Disney Dining Plan next year *AND* will no longer require theme park reservations for date-based tickets starting with visits on Jan. 9, 2024. Bookings for 2024 open on May 31.
Beginning on January 9th, 2024, Guests purchasing date-based tickets will no longer require a Park Reservation. That means any date-based Park ticket (as in, the standard Park ticket option) beginning on January 9th, 2024, or later will not require a Park Reservation.
However, non-dated Park ticket events may still require a Park Reservation in order to keep track of attendance.
As if this Disney news could get even more exciting, Walt Disney World Resort bookings for 2024 begin at the end of the month on May 31, so Guests can begin planning right away.
Plan the ultimate Disney vacation without the pesky Park Reservation system in your way starting May 31st, creating a more convenient and streamlined process!
For more information on this exciting update, check out Disney’s official announcement.
Disneyland Guests are outraged over the treatment for Guests using Disney Genie+ and Lighting Lane.
Disneyland Resort, known as “The Happiest Place on Earth,” is a popular tourist location seeing thousands of Guests daily. Disneyland is home to two theme parks: Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Each Disney Park includes something for Guests of all ages and sizes to experience. Being this popular, Disneyland has made it where Guests can purchase Genie + or Lighting Lanes for attractions.
At Disneyland, there are two main ways to experience an attraction: the “Lightning Lane” and the “Standby Line.” The Lightning Lane is a new paid service that allows Guests to bypass the traditional standby line and access rides more quickly. Disney Guests can either purchase Genie +, which includes Lightning Lane or Guests can just purchase Individual Lighting Lane for certain Disneyland attractions.
The Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane services work by allowing Disney Park Guests to make reservations for certain attractions in advance. These reservations can be made using the Disneyland app or at kiosks located throughout the theme park. Guests who have made a reservation for an attraction using Lightning Lane can bypass the standby line and use a separate entrance to access the attraction. Prices for the service vary based on the time of day and the popularity of the attraction. It should also be noted that you’re not guaranteed to be able to book a time to ride your favorite attractions as reservations can go quickly, especially for popular rides.
While Guests who chose to use the Standby Line, which is the traditional queue, may wait longer than those who are going through the Lightning Lane, there are no extra fees. But, it seems that Disney is facing some pressure from Guests who are upset with the service.
In a social media post, many have started to get angry with the treatment of Guests using the Lighting Lane instead of the regular Standby Line. In this post, Guests were waiting for a popular Disneyland attraction and they say the line was moving slowly. Though the regular wait time said 105 minutes, this Guest waited over two hours. When they got to the front, the Disney Cast Member was reportedly only allowing four Standby Line Guests to go at a time, filling the rest of the space with Lightning Lane Guests.
“Yesterday I noticed when we were in line for Guardians at DCA the line was moving rather slowly. Estimate was 105 min but it ended up being over 2 hours. As we made it into the front before preshow I saw the CM could only let 4 standby guests at a time MAX into the room, the rest was full of LL. Does anyone know why? (I get LL has priority) Preferably a CM explain it. I am honestly just curious because I never noticed it to be like that?”
While Lighting Lane or Genie + does not mean you will be at the front of the line ,Guests who purchase will have an advantage over Standby Line, allowing them to pick a certain time and get on the attractions faster. Though many Guests have called for Genie+ to come to an end, it would seem that the controversial system is here to stay.
And just in time, Disney PhotoPass Service is launching numerous photo opportunities tomorrow in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! We know some guests are off world and can’t travel at lightspeed to Batuu by tomorrow, so these experiences will continue to be available after the celebration ends. Check them out below.
New Holopuck Magic Shots
Located deep in the Outer Rim near Wild Space, the remote planet of Batuu has become a thriving destination for scoundrels and smugglers, luring bounty hunters from across the galaxy. If guests have come to track down their next bounty, select Image Scanners (known on our planet as Disney PhotoPass photographers) can offer a holopuck that will reveal the details of their next target.
BB-8 Magic Shot
This is the droid you’re looking for. Given the whispers about sightings of individuals associated with the Resistance around Black Spire Outpost, it’s no surprise that guests can spot this loveable and loyal astromech in their image.
Darksaber
Created more than a thousand years ago by Tarre Vizsla (the first Mandalorian to become a Jedi Knight), the Darksaber is an ancient weapon with a long and legendary history. It has been wielded by many beings over the years. Starting tomorrow, this blade can be found across from Oga’s Cantina after dark. Just remember the wise words Kanan Jarrus once shared about this lightsaber: “That sword is old, heavy, but powerful. Respect its strength.”
BD-1 Magic Shot
Never underestimate droids, especially those that beep in the face of danger. Be sure guests capture a scan with this droid companion before setting out on their next adventure.
While on planet, guests may never know what other adventures they might document with the help of Disney PhotoPass Service. A great way for guests to capture a variety of content is to ask each Image Scanner they encounter what special scans they can offer.
May the 4th be with you, always.
*With the purchase of Disney Genie+ service, Walt Disney World guests can access many Disney PhotoPass Lenses in the My Disney Experience app as soon as they enter the park. Annual Passholders can access many Disney PhotoPass Lenses in the My Disney Experience app starting on the later of March 20, 2023, or the first use of their Annual Pass. Select Disney PhotoPass Lenses are accessible only within designated areas of Walt Disney World Resort. Other Disney PhotoPass Lenses will remain accessible in the My Disney Experience app until 5:59 a.m. on the 45th day after the day on which the Disney Genie+ service was used or, for Annual Passholders, until the expiration or cancellation of the Annual Pass. Certain states and localities are excluded. Annual Passholder offerings are subject to change or cancellation without notice. Many Disney PhotoPass Lenses use technology that detects the coordinates of key points on a guest’s face and/or hands and may be used only by guests 18 years of age and older who have consented to use of this technology. Therefore, guests unable to provide such consent, as well as guests under 18 years of age, will have fewer lenses available to use. To access Disney PhotoPass Lenses, an eligible mobile device with the My Disney Experience app with access to the device’s camera and location is required. Use of Disney PhotoPass Lenses is subject to the Terms and Conditions. Subject to restrictions and change without notice.
Happy (almost) Mother’s Day foodies! We are strong believers that the best way to celebrate the ones we love is with food, and this year, the Disney chefs and mixologists have put together ample ways to honor our loved ones on May 14.
Whether guests are enjoying their time with their mothers, aunts, grandmothers, caregivers, mother figures, or any special person in their life, Disney Parks has something for them to indulge in. From new delights like the refreshingly delicious Mother’s Day Flowers DOLE Whip Float at Pineapple Lanai or the adorable Mother’s Day Donut at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe, to returning favorites like the Mother’s Day Cupcake at Roaring Fork, guests tastebuds’ will be as excited as they are this holiday.
In addition to the tasty treats coming, over at Disneyland Resort there are several brunch options and dining packages for guests to feast on until their heart’s desire, like the Mother’s Day Brunch at both Storyteller’s Café and Goofy’s Kitchen.
Gather the special ones in your life and let’s get to the mouthwatering Mother’s Day bites in this year’s Foodie Guide!
Walt Disney World Resort
Disney Resort Hotels
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Jiko – The Cooking Place (Available May 14 only)
Trio of Truffles Paired with Graham Beck Sparkling Brut Rosé: Lemon-saffron, rooibos tea, and dark chocolate-cinnamon truffles with Graham Beck Sparkling Brut Rosé (New)
The Mara (Available May 7 through 14; mobile order available)
Dark Chocolate-dipped Strawberries (New)
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Beach Club Marketplace (Available May 7 through 14; mobile order available)
Mother’s Day Cookie Bouquet: Vanilla cookies decorated with royal icing (New)
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop (Available through May 31)
Bouquet Shake: Strawberry milk shake with strawberry purée topped with a flowery chocolate cake
Disney’s BoardWalk
BoardWalk Deli (Available through May 14)
Minnie Croissant Roll: Croissant dough with raspberry marmalade (New)
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Contempo Café (Available May 7 through 14; mobile order available)
Chocolate Strawberry Tart: Chocolate mousse tart topped with strawberry crémeux, strawberry balsamic compote, and an edible flower
Steakhouse 71 (Available May 14 only)
Mother’s Day Brunch: Gather family and friends to enjoy delicious dishes from this special menu including:
Floridian Eggs Benedict: Two poached eggs and a crab cake with hollandaise atop toasted English muffins served with breakfast potatoes
Bacon & Eggs: Maple-lacquered pork belly, smoked cheese grits, and an egg
Brunch-exclusive Hummingbird Bread Pudding featuring pineapple, banana, coconut bread pudding with candied pecans, salted caramel, and cream cheese ice cream
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Gasparilla Island Grill (Available through May 31)
Strawberry Shortcake Bar: Strawberry cake pop enrobed in white chocolate and covered in strawberry rice croquant (New)
Disney’s Old Key West Resort and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Good’s Food to Go and The Artist’s Palette (Available May 7 through 14; mobile order available at The Artist’s Palette only)
Strawberry-Passion Fruit Bar: Cassis chiffon, passion fruit curd, strawberry mousse, and strawberry garnish (New)
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Pineapple Lanai (Available May 11 through 14)
Mother’s Day Flowers DOLE Whip Float: DOLE Whip with Banfi Rosa Regale Sparkling Red topped with shimmering edible flowers (New)
Kona Island and Capt. Cook’s (Available May 7 through 14; mobile order available at Capt. Cook’s only)
Aloha Mom!: DOLE Whip Pineapple crème puffs topped with coconut mousse, shaved coconut, and fondant décor (New)
Mother’s Day Mimosa Pairing: Limoncello, Nino Franco Prosecco Rustico, and raspberry with the Pistachio-raspberry Éclair (New) (Both items also available separately)
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Roaring Fork (Available May 7 through 14; mobile order available)
Mother’s Day Cupcake: Raspberry swirl cupcake filled with raspberry custard and crispy pearls topped with lemon buttercream, chocolate, and fondant décor
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
The Market at Ale & Compass (Available May 7 through 14; mobile order available)
Mother’s Day Cookie Bouquet: Vanilla cookies decorated with royal icing (New)
EPCOT
Coral Reef Restaurant (Available May 14 only)
Mother’s Day Dessert: Strawberry mousse, pistachio chiffon cake, and rosewater ganache (New)
Disney Springs
Amorette’s Patisserie (Available May 12 through 14)
Mother’s Day Sweet Treat: White chocolate-dipped strawberries and a mixed berry macaron (New)
Dockside Margaritas (Available May 13 and 14)
Violet Bouquet: Hendrick’s Gin, Cointreau Liqueur, Violet Syrup, and Lime Juice
The Ganachery (Currently available)
Rosa Regale & Ganache Square: A glass of Rosa Regale and your choice of ganache square
Disneyland Resort
Disneyland Park
Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen and Pooh’s Corner (Available May 11 through 14)
Pink Minnie Apple
Pink Minnie Cake Pop
Red Rose Cake Pop
Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe (Available through May 31; mobile order available)
Mother’s Day Donut: Raspberry and champagne-flavored iced donut topped with edible flowers and pistachio (New)
River Belle Terrace (Available May 14 only)
Turkey Dinner featuring house-made butternut squash soup topped with fried sage, roasted turkey dinner with slow-roasted herb butter turkey breast, home-style gravy, pork belly cornbread stuffing, mashed sweet potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and cranberry sauce, and finally, traditional pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream (New) (Reservations highly recommended) (Kids version available)
Disney California Adventure Park
Clarabelle’s Hand-Scooped Ice Cream (Available May 12 through 15; mobile order available)
Mother’s Day Sundae: A scoop of strawberry and chocolate ice cream served in a waffle cup, topped with strawberry sauce, whipped cream, and chocolate butterflies (New)
Trolley Treats and Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff (Available May 11 through 14)
Pink Minnie Apple
Pink Minnie Cake Pop
Red Rose Cake Pop
Hotels of the Disneyland Resort
Disneyland Hotel
Goofy’s Kitchen (Available May 14 only)
Mother’s Day Brunch featuring a special holiday menu including some of the following (Reservations highly recommended)
Mini Danishes, Croissants, Cinnamon Rolls, and Muffins
Vegan Baked Ziti
Carving Station featuring Slow Roasted Prime Rib of Beef, Turkey Breast, and Rope Sausage
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Storytellers Cafe (Available May 14 only)
Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet featuring the following special dishes (Reservations highly recommended)
Chocolate-Hazelnut French Toast with strawberries
Salmon with corn custard and spring succotash
Marinated Heirloom Tomato, Fresh Mozzarella, Pesto, and Arugula
Crab and Shrimp with butter leaf lettuce, celery, red onions, dill, and creamy dressing
Roasted Pork Loin with sweet onion purée, garden herbs, and apricot chutney
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa Holiday Cart (Available starting today through May 14)
Mother’s Day Mickey Cookie
Downtown Disney District
Marceline’s Confectionery (Available May 11 through 14)
Pink Minnie Apple
Pink Minnie Cake Pop
Red Rose Cake Pop
(Note: All offerings are subject to change and availability.)
