Hello and Welcome to planDisney, Dolores. Thanks for stopping by with your question.
I'm guessing you are a big fan of the
Disney Dining Plan, Dolores. I know that I am! It was so nice having everything paid for ahead of time, including meals, drinks and snacks! It truly felt like a dream vacation not having to worry about any of those details. Well, Walt Disney World knows that the Disney Dining Plan is absolutely a fan favorite and just last week reassured us over on the
Disney Parks Blog that it will indeed return eventually. They just still aren't quite sure of a definite return date. When that announcement is made, we will be able to find out all of the details back over on the Disney Parks Blog. I don't think we will see it return this year, but that is just my speculation. I think they are waiting until more if not all of the restaurants at Walt Disney World are back up and operating again. The good news is that every day it seems like we are returning to a world of magic more and more and it is exciting to see all of the announcements about beloved things at Walt Disney World coming back!
If you'd like to budget for meals until the Disney Dining Plan eventually comes back, I've been doing this by picking up
Disney Gift Cards here and there. I like to throw one in my grocery cart occasionally when I am shopping. It doesn't add too much to my bill and they can really add up quickly. Purchasing Disney Gift Cards between now and then is a lot like the Disney Dining Plan in the sense that the money is already gone from your bank account and has to be used for something while you are on vacation at Walt Disney World. It makes it a lot easier to get that splurgy meal knowing that it was budgeted for ahead of time. If the Disney Dining Plan returns before you can use your gift cards, no worries, you can always apply them to the balance of your vacation instead.
If you've booked a Walt Disney World vacation package and the Disney Dining Plan opens back up, you will more than likely be able to add it on to your existing reservation. Previously, Guests had up to 48 hours prior to their arrival to add it on to vacation packages and I am certain it will look similar to this once again.
If you have any other questions, Dolores, please feel free to stop back by and
ask me. I'm happy to help. Have a great day!