Disney Dining Plan

Disney World Clarifies Its Free Dining Plan Offer

Posted on January 8, 2024January 8, 2024 by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Dining, Disney Resorts, Disney+, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

Disney World is clarifying the offer of free Disney Dining plans for Disney+ subscribers that the company first shared last Tuesday, and guests might not be happy with some of the newly-released details.

On Tuesday, the Walt Disney World Resort announced a brand-new promotional offer that includes free Disney Dining plans for Disney+ subscribers, following the announcement in May 2023 that the Disney Dining plan was scheduled to return to Disney World on January 9, 2024. Bookings including the new dining plans were available as of May 31, 2023.

This week, Disney World shared news about a new offer for Disney+ subscribers who purchase select vacation packages at Disney World. Per the announcement, the offer applies to non-discounted 4-night, 4-day vacation packages that include a room at select Disney Resort Hotels, as well as theme park tickets with the Park Hopper option added on. The promotional offer extends to packages purchased for travel between July 1, 2024 and September 30, 2024.

But on Wednesday, Disney World made another announcement, this time clarifying the specifics about eligible stays that will net guests the free Disney Dining plans–and which Disney Dining plan is available to guests, depending on where they’re staying on property.

The following points are the highlights of Disney World’s clarification:

Guests who select a Disney Value or Moderate Resort Hotel or The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort will receive the Quick-Service Dining plan, but they can pay to upgrade to the Disney Dining plan.

Guests who book their stays at a Disney Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resort hotels will receive the Disney Dining Plan.
Guests who book at The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort will not be eligible for the free Disney Dining plan promotion.
Guests who book three-bedroom grand villas at Disney Deluxe Villa Resort hotels are also excluded from this offer.
The free Disney Dining plan promotion is only available to Disney+ subscribers in the U.S. and Canada. Subscribers in other countries are not eligible for the promotion.

It’s worth restating that in order to receive the free Disney Dining plan promotion, guests must include the park hopper option with their theme park tickets.

The following locations are available to guests as part of the Disney Dining plan. They are categorized by Disney World theme park. A notation of two asterisks (**) is included next to the name of each restaurant that requires two table-service credits.

Magic Kingdom Locations

Be Our Guest Restaurant**
Cinderella’s Royal Table**
The Crystal Palace
The Diamond Horseshoe
Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen
Liberty Tree Tavern
The Plaza Restaurant
Tony’s Town Square Restaurant

EPCOT Locations

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall**
Biergarten Restaurant

Coral Reef Restaurant
Garden Grill Restaurant
La Hacienda de San Angel
Le Cellier Steakhouse**
Nine Dragons Restaurant
Rose & Crown Dining Room
San Angel Inn Restaurante

Spice Road Table
Teppan Edo
Tokyo Dining
Tutto Italia Ristorante
Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

50’s Prime Time Cafe
Hollywood & Vine
The Hollywood Brown Derby**
Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano
Roundup Rodeo BBQ

Guests and cast member at Roundup rodeo BBQ

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Rainforest Cafe
Tiffins Restaurant**
Tusker House Restaurant
Yak & Yeti Restaurant

Disney Springs

The BOATHOUSE**
Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’
City Works Eatery & Pour House
The Edison

Enzo’s Hideaway
House of Blues Restaurant & Bar
Jaleo by Jose Andres**
Mario & Enzo’s Ristorante
Morimoto Asia**
Paddlefish**
Paradiso 37
Planet Hollywood
Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant
Rainforest Cafe
Splitsville Dining Room
Teralina Crafted Italian
T-REX

**Requires two Table-Service meal credits

Additional restaurants located at Walt Disney World Resort Hotels are also available to guests with the Disney Dining plan.

Are CHANGES Coming to Disney Dining Plan

Posted on June 6, 2023June 6, 2023 by Mathew Corn Disney Dining

The Disney Dining Plan is coming back and Disney has released more information about what’s included! Ever since the announcement that Dining Plans would return, fans have wondered if there would be significant changes. This update clears all of that up.

Thankfully, not much has changed. It will still be the same dining plan we all know and love. There are a couple of significant differences, however, that may not sit well with some guests. Overall though, we think guests are going to be very happy with the new Disney Dining Plan.

Both the Quick Service Dining Plan and Regular Dining Plan loose a snack credit when Plans return. Instead of two snacks (or non-alcoholic beverages) per day, guests now will only get one. Guests will need to choose between a drink or a snack for their snack credit (pro-tip: go for the snack. It’s almost always a better bang for your buck).

This change will likely leave fans divided. Many will grumble at loosing the snack credit. I get it, I’d often use one for a drink and one for a snack throughout the day. Others will be OK with the change because “too much food” is a common complaint with the Dining Plan.

Credit entitlements are also changing for some character meals. Cinderella’s Royal Table has always required two table service credits. When last we saw the Disney Dining Plan it was the only character meal that used more than one credit. Now, however, Akershus and Storybook Dining join the list of two-credit-meals. Essentially, if you want to see the Princesses, you’ll need to use two credits.

That change was expected. All three character meals are premium experiences. While we never want to see things cost more, we are honestly a bit surprised the change didn’t happen before now. If using two credits is a no go for you, you’ve still got options. Other character dining remains unchanged at one credit per person.

Pricing has not yet been announced but stay tuned. We expect the prices to be released tomorrow. It would probably be wise to expect a 10-12% increase from the Dining Plan’s 2020 cost (which would put it in the ballpark of an estimated $86/adult for the RegularDining Plan and roughly $60/adult for the Quick Service Plan). As soon as we know the actual pricing, you’ll know.

Details Announced for 2024 Return of Disney Dining Plans at Walt Disney World

Posted on May 10, 2023May 10, 2023 by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

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.

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.

**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.

Disney Dining Plan

What’s Included

Disney World unveils BIG NEWS about the Disney Dining Plan in 2023

Posted on June 14, 2022June 14, 2022 by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Parks

Disney World‘s 2023 vacation packages have just become available for Guests to book, and they revealed big news about the Disney Dining Plan.

The Disney Dining Plan has long been a favorite add-on to a Disney World vacation for Guests of all ages. The plan allowed Guests the flexibility to enjoy a day at a Walt Disney World theme park without all the worrying and fussing over dining options. When it was time to sit down for a meal, Guests could use Disney Dining Plans to cover the cost of a meal, and each meal would subtract from the number of “credits” a Guest had, depending on the plan they had purchased.

Table service restaurants like Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Cinderella’s Royal Table at Magic Kingdom, and 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort carried a higher value than quick-service restaurants, but both were included in the dining plan, as were snack options. Guests learned to become well-versed in the dining plans, and many knew which options, such as character dining, used more credits. The plans were available to use at most Disney World restaurants, and as usual, making an advance dining reservation only helped the whole process.

There was even a Disney Deluxe Dining Plan which offered Guests even more flexibility and options.

But Disney suspended the Disney World Resort Dining Plan in March 2020 when the parks closed in response to the coronavirus pandemic. But when the parks at Disney World reopened in July 2020, the Disney DiningPlan did not return. Since then, Guests have been wondering if and when Disney will ever bring back the Guest-favorite vacation package option.

And while we wish we could announce that the 2023 Disney World vacation packages, which just became available for booking on Wednesday, included the Disney Dining Plan that could be used for quick service meal options and table service meal options, quite the opposite is true.

From the offerings on Disney World‘s official website, it’s clear that the Disney Dining Plan will not be available as an add-on for the foreseeable planning future at the parks. And it’s not the only thing that isn’t available.

As was previously reported, Guests will not be able to pre-purchase the Genie+ option when they book their vacation packages. Instead, Guests will have the opportunity to purchase Genie+ in the My Disney Experience app each day if they want to utilize those perks and services.

The one thing many Guests were hoping would go away in 2023 is clearly here to stay throughout next year. Disney World‘s Park Pass Reservation System rolled out when the parks reopened in July 2020, and many thought it would be a temporary arrangement meant to manage park capacities as the world bounced back from the global pandemic. But the Park Pass System is still up and running, and it will continue to be the way of the (Disney) World at least through 2023.

In some instances, Disney is even imposing “no-show” penalties for Guests who make Park Pass reservations and then don’t show up at the parks at Disneyland.

It remains to be seen when the dining plan options will be part of the add-ons for Disney World vacation packages, and though it looks hopeless at times, we’re still holding out hope that the dining plans will return–and sooner, rather than later!

Disney Park Brings Back Meal Plan with Huge Changes

Posted on December 21, 2021December 21, 2021 by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Parks

After the pandemic closed every Disney Park across the globe, things were not the same once they were all individually able to reopen. Slowly, we are starting to see all the Parks return to their own version of normal. At Walt Disney World, just yesterday, we saw Magic Kingdom trams return as well as the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! Parades are set to come back in 2022, along with other entertainment. One thing that is still missing, however, is the Dining Plan.

Now, Disneyland Paris is taking some forward action on this. Starting on March 21, 2022, Guests arriving to Disneyland Paris Resort can purchase an updated and more expansive Meal Plan!

Disney notes that you should choose their Meal Plan for the following reasons:

A culinary adventure – Savor a variety of delicious cuisines in a Disney-themed setting for the ultimate Disney dining experience!
Choice and flexibility – Opt for 1, 2, or 3 meals a day, or add extra treats. There are options for all tastes and budgets!
A well-managed budget – With a Meal Plan paid in advance, you’ll know what’s included and how much you’ll spend ahead of time.
Peace of mind – With your Meal Plan already paid for, you can focus on enjoying every moment of your stay. Head to our official app to book tables at the restaurants of your choice!

Disneyland Paris Guests wearing masks speaking with a Cast Member

The three Meal Plan options can include:

Breakfast only – Start your day right with a Disneylicious all-you-can-eat breakfast at your hotel, complete with drinks.
Half board – Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, followed by lunch or dinner in the restaurant of your choice.*
Full board – With an option that includes three meals a day, you don’t have to worry about anything; simply enjoy!

Below are the three options that will be available this March:

Standard Option:
Restaurant type:
✔ Table service restaurants (with a dedicated Meal Plan menu)
✔ All-you-can-eat buffets
✔ Quick service restaurants
Includes:
✔ Soft drink at every meal
With Full Board:
✔ 1 meal per day for a table service restaurant
✔ 1 meal (lunch or dinner) on your last day for a quick service restaurant

From £26.86 per child
From £43.88 per adult
per night for Half Board

Plus Option:

Restaurant type:
✔ Table service restaurants (with a dedicated Meal Plan menu)
✔ All-you-can-eat buffets
✔ Quick service restaurants

Includes:
✔ Soft drink at every meal

With Full Board:
✔ 1 meal (lunch or dinner) on your last day for the restaurant of your choice

From £35.82 per child
From £52.84 per adult
per night for Half Board

Extra Plus Option:

Restaurant type:
✔ Restaurants with Disney Characters for 1 meal per stay
✔ Table service restaurants (with a dedicated Meal Plan menu)
✔ All-you-can-eat buffets
✔ Quick service restaurants

Includes:
✔ Soft drink at every meal
✔ 1 meal (lunch or dinner) on your last day in the restaurant of your choice

Your extra treats:
✔ Extra Plus Snack and Drink
✔ Extra Plus Drink

From £67.15 per child
From £106.56 per adult
per night for Full Board

Here is how the Meal Plan works!

Book your Hotel+Ticket package directly on our website or by phone with our holiday experts.
Select your Meal Plan according to the level of flexibility you want.
Book your restaurant tables in advance via the official Disneyland Paris app (they go like hot cakes!).
During your stay, use the Meal Plan on your MagicPass. Bon appétit !

The first two Meal Plan options allow Guests to pick between Half Board and Full Board dining plans; however, the Extra Plus must only be for the Full Board Plan. Considering the 30th anniversary celebrations at Disneyland Paris begin in March, it makes sense that this is when Disneyland Paris is choosing to roll out their new Meal Plan.