Hello and Welcome, Lance. I'm so glad you've stopped by planDisney with your question.
The
Disney Dining Plan sure is a fan favorite. I know my family and I have enjoyed using the program on past vacations. It's really nice to have everything for a vacation paid for ahead of time. It sure does make it a lot easier to get that expensive menu item at dinner without even blinking an eye.
Since the reopening of Walt Disney World, the Disney Dining Plan has not yet returned to us. However, last week over on the
Disney Parks Blog there was an update. While we still don't have a date, we do know that the Disney Dining Plan will indeed eventually return to us. That's great news for fans like us, Lance. If the Disney Dining Plan is released before your Walt Disney World vacation next January, I am sure you will be able to add it to your existing vacation package. If it looks similar to what it did before, you will probably be able to add it up to 48 hours prior to your check-in date.
Until then, Lance, I suggest picking up some
Disney Gift Cards here and there to help pay for dining while you are on vacation. This is similar to the Disney Dining Plan in the sense that the money is already taken from your bank account and has to be used for something at Walt Disney World. I like to pick up a small Disney Gift Card each time I go grocery shopping. It doesn't add a lot to my bill but I am always amazed at how quickly they add it. If the Disney Dining Plan does return, you can always use the gift cards that you've saved to pay off the balance of your trip.
I'm sorry I don't have an exact date for you, but I have my fingers crossed that the Disney Dining Plan will return sooner rather than later. If you have any other questions before your trip, please
come back and ask me. I'm happy to help.
Have a great day!