Hello and welcome to planDisney, Richard. Thanks for stopping by to ask your question!
Richard, so many people, including my family, have really enjoyed using the
Disney Dining Plan over the years and I know people are ready to see it return to Walt Disney World. As you are aware, we have not heard if or when the Disney Dining Plan might make its comeback. If it does return and looks similar to what it did before the shutdown, I am sure you will be able to add it on to your existing Walt Disney World vacation package. Previously, when the Disney Dining Plan was around, Guests could add it to their vacation up to 48 hours prior to their check-in date. I am sure that when it does make its comeback, Guests will have plenty of time to add it on if they would like.
Something I've been suggesting to people asking about when the Disney Dining Plan may return is to start collecting Disney Gift Cards between now and their vacations. I like to put one in my grocery cart each week to use on food and beverages while I am at Walt Disney World. This sort of imitates the Disney Dining Plan because the money is already taken out of your bank account and has to be used for something at Walt Disney World. Having money set aside on a
Disney Gift Card certainly makes it easier to get those splurgy meals without thinking twice about it. Picking up even a low dollar amount gift card each week between now and your trip will set you up to have some seriously yummy already paid-for treats while you are at the Walt Disney World Theme Parks with no worries of a budget. If the Disney Dining Plan does return between now and your vacation and you've already started to stock up on Disney Gift Cards, no worries! You can use those to pay off the balance of your vacation so it really is a win-win.
Richard, as we return to a world of magic the
Disney Parks Blog has been a great resource of information. That's where we've been finding out about all of the things making their return to the Walt Disney World Theme Parks. When an announcement is made about the Disney Dining Plan, that is going to be where we can find out all of the information so be sure to keep checking back over there. If you have any other questions before your Walt Disney World vacation next year, please feel free to come back and
ask me. I'm here to help.
Happy planning!