Disney Dining Plan: Is It For You?
When heading on a trip to Walt Disney World, there will be a few things that will be a top priority for you to figure out prior to going:
- Where you are staying
- Your Fastpass+ selection
- Dining Reservations + Disney Dining Plan
What is the Disney Dining Plan?
It is a meal add-on you can get with either a Magic Your Way vacation package or if you book using points through the Disney Vacation Club. You can also use David’s Vacation Rental to get access to it when you're renting Disney Vacation Club points.
There are three different plans you can choose from, with the below being the daily allotment and cost:
- Quick Service Dining Plan:
- 2 Quick Service Meals
- 2 Snacks
- 1 Refillable Mug
- Dining Plan:
- 1 Table Service Meal
- 1 Quick Service Meal
- 2 Snacks
- 1 Refillable Mug
- Deluxe Dining Plan:
- 3 meals of any combination of Table Service and Quick Service
- 2 Snacks
- 1 Refillable Mug
According to Disney Food Blog, speciality beverages for guests under age 21 (such as milkshakes) and alcoholic beverages (a single serving mixed cocktail, beer, or wine) for guests 21 years of age and older will be offered with the dining plan where available as of 2018.
WDW Info has a fairly comprehensive list of which dining establishments take the Dining Plan and what kind of credits will be required. Please note: all restaurants and packages listed as Signature Dining will require 2 Table Service credits. Yes, even pizza delivery to your room. That's some expensive pizza.
 |
| The Fantasmic! Dining Package is going to cost you. Keep this in mind if you choose to get the Disney Dining Plan. |
How do you keep track of your remaining credits?
Your Disney account will keep track of the balance of credits left per room, not per person. This will show on your receipt after each meal.You can redeem these in any order until the balance is at zero, or midnight of your check-out date. Note that gratuities are only included for Signature Dining. They are not included for any other dining expereriences.
What happens if someone else wants to use my credits?
You can share dining credits with other members in your party if one of you happens to be a bigger eater. As discussed, the credits are pooled per party. So if you cannot eat all of your snacks, have no fear. Your family member can get their nom nom on.
 |
| If Shaggy is your husband, he isn't going to starve on the Disney Dining Plan. Especially if you give him some of your unused credits. |
Yes. For instance, at most Quick Service restaurants, you can exchange a meal for three snacks. Mousesavers has a number of other great tips for those of you looking to maximise your Disney Dining Plan credits. Note that some appetizers, soups, drinks, etc. count as a snack at some of the restaurants as well. Some of these will actually show on the mobile ordering section of the MyDisneyExperience app. When in doubt, ask a cast member.
Is the Disney Dining Plan worth my money?
This is really going to depend on you and your family. Are you looking to try as much food as possible? Or are you really only eating to provide yourself with sustenance to make it back onto The Haunted Mansion without passing out? Somewhere in between?
My recommendation is to check out the menus and prices on the MyDisneyExperience app or the Walt Disney World website. Take stock of what you and your family want to eat and drink while you're there. Then it's time to do a cost-benefit analysis to see if it's going to cost you more to pay for the Disney Dining Plan or to pay for everything out-of-pocket.
Another consideration to make is whether or not you might be able to score free dining - that will help you save some serious cash! Mousesavers has published the free dining dates and exclusions if you wish to try to maximize your savings.
Example:
Myself and my husband are going to Walt Disney World for three days. We've looked at the menus and have determined we want to eat at the following:
Day One
Breakfast at Be Our Guest
Open-Faced Bacon and Egg Sandwich - $25.00
Feast A La Gaston - $25.00
Coffee x 2 - $2.79 x 2 = $5.58
Lunch at Pinocchio Village Haus
Six Piece Chicken Breast Nuggets x 2 - $8.49 x 2 = $16.98
Coke x 2 - $3.29 x = $6.58
Dinner at California Grill (Signature)
Lobster and Pork Ramen - $49.00
Twisted Mai Tai x 2 - $9.75 x 2 = $19.50 (not covered, more than a single serving of alcohol)
Snack at Liberty Square Market
Mickey Pretzel - $5.69
Snack at Aloha Isle
Dole Whip - $4.49
=$157.82
Day Two
Breakfast at Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory
Grilled Steak and Scrambled Eggs - $12.99
Buttermilk Pancakes - $8.79
Lunch at Satu'li Canteen
Grilled Beef Bowl - $12.99
Cheeseburger Steamed Pods - $10.99
Dinner at Sanaa
Indian-Style Bread Service with all Nine Accompaniments - $16.00
Lamb Shank - $29.00
Maliwi Mango Margarita x 2 - $11.75 x 2 = $23.50 (not covered, more than a single serving of alcohol)
Snack at Isle of Java
Frozen Coke with Rum x 2 = $8.50 x 2 = $15.00 (not covered by Disney Dining Plan as a snack)
= $129.26
Day Three
Breakfast at Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory
Grilled Steak and Scrambled Eggs - $12.99
Buttermilk Pancakes - $8.79
Lunch at Teppan Edo
Volcano Roll - $16.00
Julienne Beef - $34.00
Coke - $2.95
Dinner at Via Napoli
Arancini - $13.00
Margherita Pizza Individual - $18.00
Carciofi Pizza Individual - $22.00
Coke - $3.00
Snack at Sommerfest
Pink Grapefruit Beer x 2 - $8.00 x 2 = $16.00 (not covered by Disney Dining Plan as a snack)
= $146.73
Total for three days out-of-pocket = $433.81
Total for Disney Dining Plan = $116.24 x 2 x 3 = $697.44 + $16.00 (pink grapefruit beer) + $15.00 (frozen coke with rum) + $19.50 (Twisted Mai Tai) + $23.50 (Malawi Mango Margarita) = $771.44
We would need the Deluxe Dining Plan as we would be having between 1-2 Table Service Meals per day, as well as having three meals per day. However, we often share an appetiser and meal, so we would not be maximising our credits (especially if the appetiser or side we get counts as a snack). Additionally, we like to try alcoholic beverages as snacks and get ones with more than one ounce of alcohol. This would not be included in the Dining Plan.
In this example, the cost for the Dining Plan far exceeds just paying for everything out-of-pocket. As this would be pretty typical for my husband and I, it would not be worth it for us to get the Disney Dining Plan.
As for yourself and your family, you may find that it would actually save you money to get the Dining Plan. It will all depend on your preferences and appetite.
Do you enjoy utilising the Disney Dining Plan, or does paying out-of-pocket for your meals make more sense for you and your family? Comment and subscribe :)
Let me book the magic for you! Fill in this form for a FREE quote and/or click here for my contact information!
Comments
Post a Comment