Hi Kelly,
Welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel, and thank you for your question. I recently returned from another magical Walt Disney World Vacation, and my family loved the new beverage options in the 2018 Disney Dining Plan. We had so much fun trying new drinks and taking silly photos with them!
On the
Disney Dining Plan, Guests aged 21 and older may order beer, wine, and specialty cocktails, and all Guests may order specialty beverages such as smoothies, milkshakes, and hot chocolate in addition to coffee, tea, soda and water. Items that are considered souvenirs, such as specialty cups and glow cubes, are add-on items, so you have the option to pay out of pocket for them, but they are not included in the Disney Dining Plan. There isn't an exhaustive list of which beverages are included because so much is at the discretion of the restaurant and your server; menus vary greatly around Walt Disney World, so it would be hard to keep an up-to-date list.
My best advice is to ask your server what does and doesn’t qualify on the plan you have, based on the menu items at the dining location. I don’t think they will allow you to substitute your alcoholic beverage for a souvenir cup because they are classified differently, but it never hurts to ask with a smile and no expectations. I was really pleased to find that I could order a green smoothie with my meal at Landscape of Flavors, which was a great way to get some added greens in my week of indulgent treats. On the flip side, when I ordered a Lapu Lapu at Kona Café, my server let me know that I would be charged $5 to have it served in a pineapple (yes please, totally worth it). My kids enjoyed milkshakes and frozen lemonade at various locations; at one location, our server made my daughter a Shirley Temple, which was pure magic for her.
Wishing you a magical vacation and lots of fun drinks,
Robyn