Hello and Welcome, Brandie! Thanks for stopping by planDisney with your question. I see that you are planning a Walt Disney World vacation for next year. March is such a great time to go, you are going to have so much fun.
At this time, Brandie, we still have not received word if or when the
Disney Dining Plan will return. A lot of things are starting to go back to normal inside of the Walt Disney World Theme Parks and at the Walt Disney World Resort Hotels so it is quite possible to see it return before your vacation next spring. I've been keeping an eye out for an announcement over on the
Disney Parks Blog. When one is made, we will be able to find out all of the details over there. If you've already booked your Walt Disney World vacation package and the Disney Dining Plan does return, you will have an opportunity to add it to your existing package. If the Disney Dining Plan looks like it did before, you would be able to do so up to 48 hours prior to your vacation.
Brandie, if the Disney Dining Plan does not return before your trip or you want to start saving up for it now, I suggest picking up Disney Gift Cards here and there between now and your trip. I actually like to grab one when I do my grocery shopping each week. I feel like using
Disney Gift Cards is similar to the Disney Dining Plan because it's prepaid and has to be used for something at Walt Disney World. If you start picking up Disney Gift Cards between now and your trip, you will have plenty set aside for dining while you are on vacation. Using a Disney Gift Card that I've already purchased makes it a lot easier to get that splurgy meal because I've already paid for it - just like if you were using the Disney Dining Plan.
I have my fingers crossed for you that the Disney Dining Plan returns before your Walt Disney World vacation. If you have any other planning questions, please come back and
ask me. I'm here to help.
Have a great day!