Hiya, Mike!
Welcome to plan Disney! Did I hear you say Disney Dining?! Better believe I came running the second I heard the dinner bell! Thanks for sending in this delicious question! At the Walt Disney World Resort, planning what you’re going to eat is basically an attraction all on its own. So, please be our guest, let’s roll up our sleeves, and dive into it!
Mike, right now, there are two
Disney Dining Plans being offered, and which one works best really depends on how your family likes to tour the parks. If you tend to be on the go from rope drop to fireworks and want something simple and flexible, the
Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan is designed just for that. For each night of your stay, every Guest ages 3 and up receives two Quick-Service meals, one snack or nonalcoholic drink, and a resort-refillable drink mug.
Quick-Service meals are those easy counter-service spots where you order, grab your food, and sit down whenever you’re ready; no reservations needed. Your meals and snacks are loaded into your account for the length of your stay, and you can use them at your own pace, rolling them over day to day until they expire at midnight on your checkout date. You’ll also get a resort refillable mug that can be used at self-service beverage stations at Disney Resort hotel Quick-Service locations throughout your stay.
If you’re hoping to slow things down a bit and enjoy some sit-down meals, maybe even with Characters, the
Disney Dining Plan offers a nice balance. With this plan, each guest aged 3 and up receives one Quick-Service meal, one Table-Service meal, one snack, or non-alcoholic drink per night of stay, plus a resort-refillable mug. This gives you the flexibility to grab something quick when you’re park hopping and then enjoy a relaxed Table-Service meal when you’re ready to take a break and savor the moment.
Table-Service meals include restaurants with servers, and reservations are highly recommended, especially for popular locations and
Character Dining. It’s also good to know that some Signature Dining experiences, select Character Dining locations, and dinner shows require two Table-Service meals per person.
My favorite part of adding a Disney Dining Plan is that it gives my vacation a more all-inclusive feel. And for my budget, that means I won’t be worried about digging out my wallet for each meal. Bonus: You don’t have to use meals on a strict daily schedule! You can use more one day and fewer another, as long as everything is used by the end of your trip.
For both dining plans, beverages are included with meals, and Guests 21 and older may substitute an alcoholic beverage where available with a valid ID. If you have any Mouseketeers in your party aged 3 to 9, they will order from a children’s menu when one is offered.
If you choose to add a dining plan to your package, the DDP of your choosing must be purchased for the entire length of stay and for everyone in the party aged 3 and above.
Mike, I hope this info helped as you dream up and plan your tasty visit to the most magical place on earth! If you want help deciding which dining plan fits your family’s touring style, favorite restaurants, or park plans, I’d be happy to help you think it through.
Emille