How to Tell if The Disney Dining Plan is Worth it?

How to Tell if The Disney Dining Plan is Worth it?

How to Tell if The Disney Dining Plan is Worth it?

If you’re planning out a Disney World Vacation you may be wondering, is the Disney Dining Plan worth it? This guide will not only answer that burning question but also give you a rundown of the program itself! The short answer: the Disney Dining Plan is worth it if you spend at least $57/day per adult on food — but only if you plan your meals strategically. For families who eat at table-service restaurants regularly and snack often, it can save $15–$30 per person per day. For light eaters or those who prefer flexibility, it often isn’t.

We hope you find this post helpful! And if you are planning a trip to Disney World be sure to check out our other FREE vacation planning tools. Our goal at The Park Prodigy has always been to help you save time on your next vacation and find the cheapest Walt Disney World vacation packages!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you’re looking for the best time to visit Disney World check out our Disney Crowd calendar!

 Disney World Crowd Calendar

Is a Disney Dining Plan Worth it?

Let’s start this guide with the main reason many of you are here and that is, is the Disney dining plan worth it or not? We do find the Disney dining plan to be worth it for guests who can average at least $17.00 per quick service meal, $44.00 for their main sit-down meal, $7.00 for their drink of choice with each meal, and at least $6.00 for their Disney dining snack credit per day. But as you’ll see there are many other factors at play here and you should also consider the convenience aspect of upgrading to purchase the Disney dining plan. Below, we will break down exactly how we came up with these numbers; however, if you would like to figure out if the Disney dining plan is worth it on your own, the first step you should take is to pre-plan your meals. For each day you’re on Disney World property, take a look at restaurants that sound appetizing to you for each meal of the day. Also, take a look at social media for any fun Disney snacks you may want to eat. Then, calculate that price and see how it measures up to the daily cost of the Dining Plan. If the dining plan is cheaper for more than half your trip, the DDP is worth it.

Luckily for you, we have also broken out the average cost of each meal, drink, and snack item in each of the two Disney dining plans. So we suggest guests focus on making sure that they hit their target cost per item when trying to figure out if the Disney dining plan is worth it or not. It’s also important to note that the averages below will make it so that you essentially break even on your meals within the parks, and these do not include the free refillable Disney World mug, which you can use back at the resort. So, based on the numbers below, we feel like if you can hit these target cost-per-item numbers, you will come out ahead with the free refills back at your hotel as well!

Does the Disney Dining Plan help save money?

• Yes, the Disney Dining Plan CAN save you money. Whether it does or not completely depends on two things. How well can you pre-plan which food items will give you the biggest bang for your buck!

To fully understand how the Disney Dining Plan saves money, you have to factor in three major things. How many meals, snacks, and drinks do you plan on spending money on per day? I will spend anywhere from $100 – $130 per day on those three variables on a typical Disney World Vacation. If that’s where you find your budget landing also, I would recommend opting into the DDP if you have a vacation package that begins after January 9th, 2024.

Related Post: How to plan for Walt Disney World

How much is the Disney Dining Plan?

To plan ahead and discover if the Disney meal plan is worth it, you have to know how much the plans cost! The cost of the Disney Dining Plan will vary based on how long your stay is at the Disney Resort hotel and which plan you decide to go with. However, the starting price is $57 per night for adults and $23 per night for kids. Another great thing about the program is that tax is already included in the purchase price. But keep in mind that gratuity is not included for table service restaurants. So be expected to pay that out of pocket at the time of service and also factor it into your total planning amount!

Disney Quick Service Dining Plan

• Adults: $57/ night
• Children ages 3 – 9: $23 / night

Disney Standard Dining Plan

• Adults: $94 / night
• Children ages 3 – 9: $30 / night

Example: A family of 2 adults and 2 children on the Standard Plan would pay $248/night for dining — or $992 for a 4-night stay.

If you’re unfamiliar with Disney’s dining terms, a Quick-Service meal constitutes a meal from a “grab and go” location such as Casey’s Corner in Magic Kingdom. A Table-Service meal is a meal at a more formal sit-down location with a service team that brings you your food like Space220 in EPCOT.

Related Post: Discount Disney World Vacation Packages

What do you get with Disney Dining Plan?

What you like and how you like to eat when on a Disney vacation will also determine if the Disney Dining Plan is worth it for your trip. While there currently are no Disney Dining Plans available for purchase for the remainder of 2023, bookings after January 9th, 2024 have two options to choose from. Guests staying at the Disney Resort Hotel and have purchased tickets with their reservation can pick between the Table Service plan and the Quick Service plan. Each plan comes with two meals, one snack, and one Disney-themed refillable cup for unlimited soda, water, and coffee refills at your Disney Resort hotel.

Table service meals

• 1 table-service meal per night stayed
• 1 quick-service meal per night stayed
• 1 snack or nonalcoholic drink per night stayed.
• 1 Disney-themed reusable cup with unlimited refills at your resort

A Table Service meal consists of an entree, buffet, or family-style meal and a nonalcoholic beverage at any participating table-service restaurant for breakfast. For lunch or dinner, in addition to your entree, you can also order a dessert.

Quick Service meals

• 2 Quick-Service meals per night stayed
• 1 snack or nonalcoholic drink per night stayed
• 1 Disney-themed reusable cup with unlimited refills at your resort

A Quick Service meal consists of an entree and nonalcoholic beverage at any eligible quick-service dining location.

It’s important to note that a Table-Service meal includes the famous Disney breakfast buffets for breakfast! So, if it’s on your list of must-do’s at Disney World, this may be the better option for you. But always check which locations accept the Disney Dining Plan. Some locations like Victoria & Albert’s at the Grand Floridian do not accept Dining Plans whatsoever. Signature locations such as Topolino’s Terrace, the Riviera Resort, or Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom accept the plan, but they will require two meal credits to dine. If you’re looking to only use one meal credit but still enjoy a character meal, Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary Resort is a great option!

Who Should Get Each Plan?

Choose the Quick Service Plan if you:

• Have young kids who eat small portions
• Prioritize flexibility and don’t want to make reservations
• Prefer a faster-paced dining experience
• Are visiting Magic Kingdom-heavy (limited table-service options)

Choose the Standard Dining Plan if you:

• Want to experience at least one sit-down meal per day
• Are celebrating a special occasion (birthday, anniversary)
• Have kids who love character dining experiences
• Plan to visit EPCOT’s World Showcase restaurants

Related Post: Complete Guide to Dining at EPCOT

Is the Disney Dining Plan Worth it?

The best way to decide if the Disney Dining Plan is worth it for your Disney World vacation is to plan out your meals. To help give you a better understanding of how to plan your meals, we have given some planning examples below. Streamlining your Disney vacation planning process is one of the things we do best here at The Park Prodigy. Then, at the end of your planning, you can decide whether the meal plan at Disney is worth it for you or not. The example below is based on the cash price of a single day of eating in the parks compared to the daily price of the DDP. So be sure to factor in how many days you’re planning on visiting the resort as well for the total costs!

Best Value Quick-Service Meals Examples

Best Value Table-Service Meals Examples:

Pro tip: Character meal buffets are among the highest-value uses of table-service credits. A single lunch at Hollywood & Vine ($69) more than covers your $44 daily break-even target.

Disney Table Service Dining Plan:

Lunch at Backlot Express in Hollywood Studios

• Cuban Sandwich – $13
• Smart Water- $6

Dinner at Sanna in Animal Kingdom Lodge

• Potjie Inspired – $31
• Kheer – $9
• Malawi Mango Margarita – $17

Snack at the Ice Cream Cart in EPCOT

• Mickey Ice Cream Bar – $6

Resort Refillable Mug

• Mug – $22
• Average of 3 refills – $15

Cash Value – $97 plus tax/$119 plus tax including refillable mug

Quick Service Dining Plan Daily Rate – $94

Related Post: Complete Guide to the Best EPCOT Restaurants

5 Tips to Get the Most Out of the Disney Dining Plan

• Book character meal buffets with table-service credits. These offer the best dollar-for-dollar value and often cost $60–$70/adult.
• Use snack credits on higher-priced items. A Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar ($7) is a good use; a bottle of water is not.
• Don’t use credits at Signature restaurants unless you have extras. The 2-credit requirement makes these poor value for most guests.
• Pool your credits strategically. Credits are shared across your party — front-load heavier meals on park days and lighter ones on resort days.
• Use your refillable mug every morning. Even just one refill per day adds measurable value over a week-long stay.

How to Buy the Disney Dining Plan

When you decide if the Disney World dining plan is worth it for you and your family, there are two ways to purchase the plan. The first way is by booking your Disney World vacation package online and adding the dining plan once it gives you the option to do so. The second is over the phone by calling Disney Dining at (407) 939-3463. But we have a secret third way just for you! If you purchase the Disney Dining Plan through The Park Prodigy, you can save up to $250 off your total Disney World vacation package!

Is the Disney Dining Plan Worth it FAQ

Q: Other than saving money, why should I get a Disney Dining Plan?

A: Beyond saving money, the Disney Dining Plan offers convenience, allows for easier budgeting, and can enhance the overall Disney experience by providing access to a variety of dining options and character meals.

Q: Can you use the meal plan for Signature dining or dinner shows?

A: The Disney Dining Plan can be used for Signature dining and dinner shows, but they often require two table-service credits instead of one, depending on the specific plan you have. Always check the plan details to ensure you have enough credits.

Q: Can I save dining plan credits for another trip later this year?

A: No, unused Disney Dining Plan credits expire at midnight on the day you check out of your Disney Resort hotel. They cannot be saved for another trip.

Q: Who should buy the Quick Service Dining Plan?

A: The Quick Service Dining Plan is best for visitors who prioritize convenience, flexibility, and speed, and prefer casual dining options rather than sit-down table service meals at Disney.

Q: Can you get the Disney Dining Plan for free?

A: Disney occasionally offers promotions where the Dining Plan is included as a free addition to vacation packages. However, availability and terms can vary, so checking Disney’s current offers and promotions is important.

When is The Best Time to Visit Disney World?

Our Disney  World Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We break down park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices, and average temperature. We also break down the best time to visit Disney World based on specific times of the year and special events.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Disney World Trip?

Are you planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Be sure to speak with a Disney World Travel Agent for the most recent deals and promotions. The Park Prodigy will provide a Free Quote for all Disney World Vacation Packages. The Park Prodigy can also help you save up to $20 per ticket when purchasing your Walt Disney World Tickets, and we offer promotional discounts for special events such as Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Tickets and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Tickets.