Hi Nicole,
Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel, and thank you for your question. I'm super excited you've decided to give the Disney Dining Plan a try. Once my family tried it, we were hooked!
There can be surcharges for certain items on the
Disney Dining Plan, but the good news is that a surcharge should never be a surprise. Be sure to let the Cast Member serving you know that you'll be paying with the Disney Dining Plan; that way, they can inform you if you're ordering something that may not be eligible or that requires a surcharge. My very favorite Walt Disney World cocktail is the Lapu Lapu, which comes served IN A PINEAPPLE. It's pure magic. When ordering this cocktail as part of a meal on the Disney Dining Plan, the pineapple is a surcharge, but you can be served the drink in a regular glass with no additional cost. The server let me know how much it would cost out of pocket – and I totally paid the surcharge, because it was worth it to me to feel those pineapple cocktail vacation vibes.
Things like souvenir cups, glow cubes, and premium menu items may be ineligible or available at a surcharge. There isn't an exhaustive list of these items, because new menu items are added all the time, and prices are subject to change. If you have particular items you're wondering about, I recommend calling Walt Disney World's Dining team at (407) WDW-DINE.
Nicole, you'll always have the option of declining a surcharge item if you ask up front, and there are so many amazing choices that I've never been disappointed with my options. I like reading the
Disney Parks Blog so I can stay on top of all the latest food news and start figuring out where I want to dine and which delicious snack items I have to try. Have so much fun, and enjoy every bite!
Wishing you a magical vacation,
Robyn