Are you wondering if the Disney Dining Plan is a good investment on your next Walt Disney World vacation? This article will break down what exactly the Disney Dining Plan is, what’s included, what it costs (*updated for 2025), and whether you should consider purchasing the plan for your upcoming trip.
Like most add-ons at Walt Disney World, the Dining Plan is not a one-size-fits-all program. It works for some families, and it doesn’t work for others. I hope this article helps you determine what side of the coin you find yourself!
Food at Walt Disney World, by all accounts, is an attraction in and of itself. A new Dole Whip flavor or a photo of a Mickey Mouse-shaped ice cream bar garners as much attention these days as a new ride opening. Popularity aside, there’s no question that we all have to eat on vacation.
Dining in Disney World ain’t cheap, either. In fact, it’s likely going to be the largest line item in your vacation budget outside of the things you pay for ahead of time – flights, hotel, etc. Add in the fact that there are literally hundreds of restaurants and dining locations on Walt Disney World property, and the whole concept of eating can feel overwhelming.
Enter the Disney Dining Plan. Designed to give your vacation a more “all-inclusive” feel, the Disney Dining Plan is a pre-paid meal package that includes a finite number of meal and snack credits based on the length of your stay.
READ MORE: ESSENTIALS TO PACK FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD
What Is the Disney Dining Plan, and How Do You Sign Up For It?
The Disney Dining Plan is a meal package you purchase ahead of your Walt Disney World vacation. Once purchased, each member of your party receives a select number of meal and snack credits based on the length of your vacation to redeem at the vast majority of restaurants and dining locations. Essentially, your food is all paid for before you arrive. Because the Disney Dining Plan is attached to your hotel reservation, only guests staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels are eligible to sign up for the Dining Plan.
The Dining Plan can be purchased in one of two ways: when booking your vacation or at any other point up until your check-in day. This can be achieved through the Disney World vacation reservation portal online or over the phone.
Redeeming your meal credits while on the Dining Plan is very easy. When you would normally pay for your food, inform the Cast Member that you’re on the Dining Plan. They’ll have you tap your MagicBand, smart device with MagicMobile open, or other ticket medium to redeem the meal or snack credit.
What Are My Options for the Disney Dining Plan and What’s Included?
You can choose from two Disney Dining Plan packages: the Disney Dining Plan and the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan. Yes, they named one of the tiers the same exact thing as the program itself. For the sake of NOT being super confused, I’ll refer to these two tiers as the Standard Dining Plan and the Quick-Service Dining Plan moving forward.
Let’s break down what’s included with each plan:
STANDARD DINING PLAN
Everyone ages 3 and up receives the following per night of stay:
- 1 Quick-Service Meal (per night of stay)*
- 1 Table-Service Meal (per night of stay)*
- 1 Snack/Nonalcoholic Drink (per night of stay)*
- 1 Resort-Refillable Drink Mug**
QUICK SERVICE DINING PLAN
Everyone ages 3 and up receives the following per night of stay:
- 2 Quick-Service Meals (per night of stay)*
- 1 Snack/Nonalcoholic Drink (per night of stay)*
- 1 Resort-Refillable Drink Mug**
Note that when you select a dining plan, each member of your reservation party ages 3 and up is required to sign up for the plan. So, if you’re traveling with a party of four, all four party members must sign up for the same Disney Dining Plan.
Wondering what exactly constitutes a “Quick-Service Meal” or “Table-Service Meal”? It’s more than just your entree. Here is what’s included in each credit:
Quick-Service Meal
Meals redeemed at breakfast, lunch or dinner will include:
- 1 Entrée
- 1 Nonalcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)
Table-Service Meal
Meals redeemed at breakfast will include:
- 1 Entrée
- 1 Nonalcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)
-OR-
- 1 Buffet or Family-Style Meal
- 1 Nonalcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)
Meals redeemed at brunch, lunch or dinner will include:
- 1 Entrée
- 1 Dessert
- 1 Nonalcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)
-OR-
- 1 Buffet or Family-Style Meal
- 1 Nonalcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)
Snack credits can be redeemed at most Quick-Service dining locations or outdoor carts, along with select merchandise locations that sell food. Snack credits may be redeemed for items such as:
- Frozen ice cream novelty, popsicle or fruit bar
- 2 scoops of hand-scooped ice cream
- Popcorn scoop (single-serving box)
- Piece of whole fruit
- Single-serve bag of snacks
- 20-ounce bottle of Coca-Cola® products, including Dasani® water
- 20-ounce fountain soft drink
- Single-serve coffee, hot chocolate, hot tea, milk or juice
- Cup of soup
- Add on toppings or sauces (e.g. side of cheese dipping sauce)
Important Disney Dining Plan Details to Keep In Mind
We’re about to get into some nitty-gritty details about the Disney Dining Plan! I don’t want to overwhelm you, but I will warn you that you’re about to see a copious amount of bullet points and lists. I will not be hurt if you leave and come back another time to continue reading.
Meals and snack credits can be redeemed at any point during your stay
One of the benefits of the Disney Dining Plan is flexibility in how and when you redeem your credits. You are not beholden to one credit per day, meaning you can stockpile your snack credits for a visit to whatever EPCOT festival is going on (a wise use of snack credits, BTW). You can also decide on two table-service meals in one day and two quick-service meals the next, etc. Any unused credits simply roll over to the next day. Unused credits expire at midnight on the day of checkout.
Let’s talk about the Resort Refillable Mugs!
Often one of the most popular features of the Dining Plan, each guest on the plan receives one Resort-Refillable Mug that can be used at the self-service beverage islands at any Disney Resort hotel Quick-Service location. They’re great for filling up in the morning with coffee, or recharging throughout the day with your favorite soda. Note that these can only be filled at Disney Resort hotels and not in the theme parks. This is not limited to the resort you’re staying at. Loyal DDP users love the mugs, as the design changes annually (and sometimes seasonally, like if you’re visiting during the holidays), and are fun collectibles you can continue to use when you return home.
The Disney Dining Plan includes alcohol for guests ages 21 and older
One of the newer features of the Disney Dining Plan is that alcohol is included for guests ages 21 and older. This includes one glass of beer, wine, or a cocktail per meal. If you drink alcohol, this is a good way to get the most value out of the Disney Dining Plan. Not that Snack credits cannot be redeemed for single-serving alcoholic beverages.
Some Restaurants and Dining Experiences are Worth Two (2) Credits
While most restaurants require one (1) table-service credit per guest, several locations require two (2). As a general guide, you will likely spend two (2) dining credits when dining at a fine/signature restaurant, most character dining experiences, or dinner shows. Here is the current list of restaurants that require two (2) Table Service Dining Credits:
At Magic Kingdom
- Be Our Guest Restaurant
- Fairytale Dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table
At EPCOT
- Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (at lunch and dinner only)
- Le Cellier
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- The Hollywood Brown Derby
- The Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Tiffins
At Disney Springs
- The BOATHOUSE
- Jaleo by Jose Andres
- Morimoto Asia (two Table Service credits for Dinner only)
- Paddlefish
At Disney World Resort Hotels
- Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar (Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge)
- Cítricos (Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa)
- Cítricos Lounge (Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Flying Fish (Disney’s BoardWalk Inn)
- Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue (Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort)
- Jiko – The Cooking Place (Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge)
- Narcoossee’s (Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa)
- Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White (Disney’s Wilderness Lodge)
- Topolino’s Terrace-Flavors of the Riviera (Dinner Only) (Disney’s Riviera Resort)
- Yachtsman Steakhouse (Disney’s Yacht Club)
There’s also a dining service that will cost you two Quick Service dining credits – Pizza Pickup. It’s perfect for those evenings you are eating dinner at your hotel, and you don’t want to venture off-property to find another option. Here’s what you need to know:
Stop by select Quick-Service locations to pick up a pizza meal, which includes:
- 1 Large Pizza
- 2 Single-serving Nonalcoholic Beverages (or Alcoholic Beverages for Guests 21 and older)
Pizza Pickup is valid at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside.
Not every Walt Disney World restaurant accepts the Disney Dining Plan
While the Disney Dining Plan is accepted at most table-service restaurants and quick-service locations that offer entrees on their menu, not every restaurant participates. In general, of the restaurants that do not accept the Disney Dining Plan, most are fine/signature restaurants, but this does not apply across the board. The following list of table service restaurants do not accept the Disney Dining Plan, and you will need to pay out of pocket:
- California Grill (Disney’s Contemporary Resort)
- Frontera Cocina (Disney Springs)
- Monsieur Paul (EPCOT)
- Space 220 (EPCOT)
- Space 220 Lounge (EPCOT)
- STK Steakhouse (Disney Springs)
- Summer House on the Lake (Disney Springs)
- Takumi-Tei (EPCOT)
- Victoria & Albert’s (Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa)
- Wine Bar George (Disney Springs)
- Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill (Disney Springs)
In addition to the table service restaurants listed above, there are a number of bars, lounges, and other locations that do not accept any sort of Dining Plan credits. These include but are not limited to:
- Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties
- Select EPCOT restaurants participating in fireworks dining packages
- Most bars and lounges (including popular spots like Oga’s Cantina at Hollywood Studios)
- Most dining locations at Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin, and Reserve hotels
You can use the Disney Dining Plan for select Dining Packages
Disney World offers a couple of different dining packages, including a meal (lunch or dinner) and a reserved seating area for that evening’s nighttime show, depending on the park you’re visiting. The Disney Dining Plan is good for many of the participating restaurants, including ones for Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT festival dining packages.
What Does the Disney Dining Plan Cost?
Now that we know the ins and outs of the Disney Dining Plan, let’s talk about the price and whether that price is worth it for your family. For 2025 vacations, the Disney Dining Plan costs the following per guest per day *note that Disney may adjust the price throughout the year:
Standard Dining Plan
- $94.28 per adult
- $29.69 per child ages 3-9
Quick-Service Dining Plan:
- $59.14 per adult
- $24.71 per child ages 3-9
As a reminder, here’s a brief rundown of what you get with those prices:
Standard Dining Plan
- 1 Quick-Service Meal (per night of stay)*
- 1 Table-Service Meal (per night of stay)*
- 1 Snack/Nonalcoholic Drink (per night of stay)*
- 1 Resort-Refillable Drink Mug***
Quick-Service Dining Plan
- 2 Quick-Service Meals (per night of stay)*
- 1 Snack/Nonalcoholic Drink (per night of stay)*
- 1 Resort-Refillable Drink Mug**
READ MORE: WAYS TO SAVE ON A DISNEY WORLD VACATION
What About Free Dining Plan Offers?
On occasion, Disney World will offer a Free Dining Plan promotion that means some serious savings on food. This used to be an annual promotion, but it has been more limited in scope since the pandemic. Keep in mind that in order to be eligible for a free Dining Plan promotion, you typically have to stay in pricier hotel options. This could mean spending more than what you were planning on.
For 2025, Disney World’s Free Dining Plan offer is available for booking from January 2 through February 10. The offer is valid for stays beginning May 27 through June 26, and from July 7 through August 6. You are eligible to receive a Free Dining Plan when you book a non-discounted 3-night, 3-day (at minimum) Walt Disney Travel Company package that includes a room at a select Disney Resort hotel and a ticket with a Park Hopper option.
For the Free Dining Plan offer, guests who book a stay at a Deluxe Resort or Deluxe Villa Resort will receive the Standard Disney Dining Plan. Guests who book a stay at a Moderate Resort or Value Resort will receive the Quick Service Dining Plan.
Without getting too into the weeds here, if you were already planning a trip during that time frame and were already planning on staying at a Deluxe Resort hotel, then the free Dining Plan promotion is a good way to save cash. But if you have to upgrade your hotel reservation to get the better plan, or if you were not considering a trip during that window of time, you are likely going to spend more in upgrading your accommodations than you would if you stayed at your more affordable resort and paid for food out of pocket.
Remember: the Free Dining Plan is only valid on NON-discounted rooms. In most instances, you stand to save more by booking a room at a different time of year when there’s a room discount and then pay out of pocket for your food.
READ MORE: DISNEY WORLD’S PRICIEST RESORT HOTEL OPTIONS
When Should You Buy the Disney Dining Plan?
I’m going to cover the common situations when buying the Disney Dining Plan makes sense. There are more nuanced situations, as every family is different, but these scenarios will cover the majority of guests weighing the decision. Buying the Disney Dining Plan is a good idea when:
- You want that “all-inclusive” feel and don’t mind paying a premium for it. The biggest perk you receive when buying the Dining Plan is having a totally hands-off approach to your dining budget while on vacation. Everything is paid for*, so all you need to do is sit back and enjoy your meals.
- *Tip and Gratuity are not included on the Disney Dining Plan. Please tip your servers well!
- You want to feel unrestricted in what you choose to order. Because your food is pre-paid and your credits can be applied to most anything on a standard restaurant menu, you can go ahead and order that steak. It won’t “cost” you any more than ordering, say, an entree salad or pasta dish.
- Note that some restaurants will charge an added fee on top of your Dining Plan credit for some menu add-ons or enhancements. Your server should point these add-ons to you when discussing the menu.
- You’re traveling with multiple children. The ones who really come out ahead in terms of monetary value on the Dining Plan are kids ages 3-9. The price of a child’s DDP has held steady over the past few years, and in recent years, it has actually decreased. If the number of children in your party outweighs the number of adults, you are likely to come out ahead by purchasing the Dining Plan, especially if you know your kids are going to eat well and make the most of those menu options.
- You love character dining. I’d double down here and say that if you’re traveling with a bunch of kids and you know you’re doing to do a lot of character dining, I would say that the Disney Dining Plan is almost a no-brainer. The cost of a child’s meal at a character dining location out of pocket alone often exceeds the daily cost of a child’s DDP.
- You are a type-A, spreadsheet-wielding Disney World planner. Despite its marketing as offering a carefree element to your vacation, the Disney Dining Plan is actually quite the opposite, especially if you buy the Standard Dining Plan. This requires organizing and managing several table service reservations, which is music to the ears of anyone who thrives on planning every micro-second of a vacation.
- You enjoy an alcoholic beverage with your meal. The price increase of the Disney Dining Plan once alcoholic was included is actually less than the price of a single alcoholic beverage (especially wine or cocktails, which can easily surpass $15). By this logic, if you know you want to fill every dinner with a steak and a glass of red wine, the Disney Dining Plan is right for you.
When Should You SKIP the Disney Dining Plan?
Same as above, I’m going to discuss the more common situations you could find yourself in when realizing the Disney Dining Plan is not the best choice for your next vacation. Buying the Disney Dining Plan is not a good idea when:
- You’re on a tight budget. Disney World vacations are expensive, and oftentimes you spend a good chunk of your savings just to make the trip a reality with flights, tickets, and hotel. If you have a tighter spending budget, you stand to spend far less on food when you pay out of pocket, so long as you’re sticking to Quick-Service dining, sharing meals, bringing snacks with you, etc.
- You don’t drink alcohol: You’re losing out on quite a bit of cash when buying the Disney Dining Plan if you aren’t going to maximize every single one of those credits, which means buying the higher-priced alcoholic beverages. If you choose not to drink, or if you’re traveling with kids ages 10 and above (seen as “adults” in the eyes of Disney), the upcharge for the adult DDP doesn’t “math” in your favor.
- You’re vegetarian or follow a specialty diet: Plant-based dishes simply are not priced the same as carnivorous dishes, meaning your dollar is not going to go as far when buying the Disney Dining Plan. Disney is very accommodating with food allergies, but those following more rigid specialty diets will likely run into more hurdles than what is worth dealing with.
- You’re a family of light eaters: I know we love to talk abotu how calories don’t count when you’re at Disney World, but your stomach is the same size in Orlando as it is at home. You get a lot of food on the Dining Plan, and if you find yourself leaving food on your plate time and time again, you stand to come out ahead by paying for food out of pocket.
- You’re on a time crunch. Now, there is a slight caveat here. You could wind up benfitting on the Quick-Service Dining Plan under this scenario. But if you’re on a time crunch, I’d steer clear of the Standard Dining Plan. Table-service restaurants take up a good chunk of time out of your day – time you could spend riding rides. If rides are the utmost priority, you’ll find yourself begrudgingly taking daily multi-hour pauses to go eat.
- You know you want to dine exclusively at Disney World’s top-tier restaurants. Most of Disney World’s fine/signature dining restaurants either require two (2) meal credits or don’t take the Disney Dining Plan at all. So you are paying a premium for a service that isn’t really designed with these restaurants in mind. If you know you are filling your evenings at the restaurants listed above that don’t take the Dining Plan or require two credits, you’re better off saving your pennies and paying out of pocket.
There is a LOT to digest (pun intended) when learning about the Disney Dining Plan. If you’re new to Disney World and don’t want to feel overwhelmed, you may be better off paying for food out of pocket. There are ways to save money and come out ahead, but that requires diligent planning.
Be sure to follow along for more Walt Disney World vacation planning tips!
READ MORE: THE BEST TIMES TO VISIT WALT DISNEY WORLD IN 2025
