Hi Jeremy, and welcome to planDisney! I’m glad you stopped by with this question. Looking ahead at future holiday dates a year (or more) out is exactly the right time to start building excitement for your next trip.
When you don’t see the
Disney Dining Plan as an option during checkout for a future date, it’s because Disney hasn’t yet released Dining Plan pricing for that travel period.
Historically,
Walt Disney World announces Dining Plan pricing and availability about six to nine months before a given travel window. For example, Guests traveling in early 2026 saw dining plans become available around
April 2025. So, for your planning purposes, I would expect an April/May announcement for travel dates in 2027, but don’t hold me to it; there is no guarantee things will remain as they currently are! There really isn’t an exact science, and Disney doesn’t publish a firm schedule, but that pattern has held for the past couple of years. Once the 2027 plans are announced, you will see the option to add the Dining Plan during the vacation package checkout process, as long as the dates fall within the eligible period Disney has opened up.
My best advice is to keep an eye on the official Walt Disney World Special Offers page and
Disney Parks Blog. Disney will typically post a news update when Dining Plans are available for purchase. Also, checking back periodically on the vacation package and attempting to book your dates is a good way to catch it as soon as it appears, maybe before it's officially announced!
I hope that helps clarify why you’re not seeing the option yet and gives you a sense of what to expect. If you want help once the plans are released, whether it’s choosing the right plan for your group, figuring out how to maximize your dining credits, or planning your Advanced Dining Reservation strategy, come back and send me another question.
I’d be happy to help you build out your holiday itinerary.
Cheers,
Brent