At the beginning of 2024, Walt Disney World brought back the very popular Disney Dining Plan. My mom and I had the dining plan on our most recent trip (February 2024). So, I thought I would provide some easy tips for getting the most bang for your buck.
Disney Dining Plan
As of this writing, there are currently two dining plan options: Quick-Service and the regular Dining Plan. Both options include a Resort Refillable Mug and 1 snack per person per night of stay. The Quick-Service plan comes with 2 quick meals or credits per person per night of stay. The original one comes with 1 quick service and 1 table service meal per person per night of stay. FYI: “quick service” is typically a place similar to fast food or fast casual restaurants. If you want a seated meal with a waitress, that’s considered a table service.
I want to point out something important here: Disney counts the credits per night of stay. That means the nights you are staying in the Disney resort, not the days you are there. So, don’t make that mistake when planning your meals.
As of this writing the quick service plan is $57.01 per adult per night of stay and $23.83 per child (ages 3 to 9) per night of stay. The regular plan is $94.28 per adult per night of stay and $29.69 per child per night of stay. That’s a pricey thing to add on to your trip. So, here are my general tips to help you maximize your credits.
Tips for Maximizing the Disney Dining Plan
- Make a plan – You will have to do some math to break even or maybe come out slightly ahead with the dining plan. You will have to plan out your meals along with specific foods you plan to eat to maximize your credits.
- Order a special beverage – For both a quick service and table service meal, you can order a specialty beverage. These will really help you get the most bang for your buck. In fact, adults can even order alcohol on the dining plan. Drinks at Disney World tend to be really strong, in my opinion though. So, pace yourself there.
- Book a character dining meal – With a few exceptions (Cinderella’s Royal Table, Lunch/Dinner at Akershus, and Storybook Dining at Artist Point are all 2 credits) character meals are an excellent use of dining credits. For instance, we did Chef Mickey’s character dinner using the plan. It’s $66 per adult and then we both got an alcoholic beverage, which put it over $70! So, that was a great use of credit!
- Book lunch or dinner over breakfast – Lunch and dinner are more expensive than breakfast. Unless you are talking about Akershus Princess Breakfast or Topolino’s Terrace Character Breakfast in which case those are your only options for a 1 table service credit way to enjoy those meals. Otherwise, opt for lunch or dinner.
- Use snack credits at Epcot festivals – We used ours at the Festival of the Arts. Some of the foods there were over $10 and were a single snack credit! Just look for the “DDP” logo on the boards to indicate if it’s eligible or ask a cast member!
- Know credit values – Generally speaking, table service credits need to be $59-63 to be a “good use” of credit. Quick service needs to be $23-25. Snacks are $6+. I think the quick service credit is the hardest to maximize. The Polite Pig in Disney Springs is an excellent use of quick service credits though.
- Pay for lesser value items out of pocket – You don’t have to use your dining plan for everything you eat. I’ve been known to grab a kid’s quick service meal (like at Woody’s Lunch Box) and pay out of pocket. Then, I use my credits for the other two meals of the day.
- Order the most expensive items – Go ahead! Get the steak!
Is it worth it?
Truly, you will have to calculate your meals to decide if the dining plan is worth it or not. Although, some people will find value in the fact that the meals are pre-paid (minus gratuity). Plus, you don’t have to worry about keeping up with receipts. I think trying to maximize the credits can be fun but it can also add some stress to things. So, it comes down to how you want to spend your time and money.
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