Dining Delight: Walt Disney World Dining Plans 101

For me, one of the best things about going to Disney parks is eating! Especially at Disney World. There are so many options. If you are a foodie, live to eat or eat to live there is something for you. I went back for the first time since the dining plans returned and I am thrilled that they are back. A dining plan can turn your vacation into more of an inclusive vacation experience. 

The dining plan isn’t always the best option for everyone or every visit. However, it is good to consider it in your planning as an option. One of the promotions Disney offers from time to time is a free dining plan (or free dining for kids ages 3-9) with a resort stay and park ticket purchase. Lately, if you are a Disney Visa card holder, you have an early option to book before it is open for all offering more options. Disney only releases a certain number of rooms for their promotions, so acting fast is key. 

Also a benefit to getting the dining plan as a visa card holder is the 6 month zero percent interest finance period available for your Disney vacation. This is not an ad for the Disney Visa! It is, however, how my family has been able to go on trips over the years. Everyone should make the choices that are right for their finances. It has been nice to see Disney promotions including things like being a Disney+ subscriber or visa holder enhancing the benefits of Disney products.

If all these details are making your head spin, I can help! (This IS an ad for Magical Vacation Planner Amy Shrake.) Using a Disney planner can save you time, not only in your original booking, but making sure you get the best deal if promotions are released and you already have a trip booked. I have said it before and I will say it again, free dining is often a really great discount, but it is not always the best discount and I can help you with that.

Currently, dining plans are not available at Disneyland. At Disney World, there are two dining plan options. The Quick-service Plan includes one snack and two quick-service meals per night of stay. Each person also gets one resort refillable mug. The Disney Dining Plan includes one snack, one quick service and one table service per night of stay along with a resort refillable mug for each member of your party. No matter what resort you are staying at, you can choose either option, but note that with free dining, a value resort includes the quick service plan where the moderate and deluxe resort stays include the Disney Dining Plan.

There are so many more things to know about the Dining Plans, but in an effort to keep this shorter than a novel, I will close with one final tip, gratuities. Gratuities are not included with the dining plan, so for those table service meals, tips are extra. If you are traveling in a larger party (typically 6 or more) a minimum tip may be added to your bill, so check for this information ahead of time and be prepared. Restaurants at Walt Disney World are not all operated by Disney, so rules can be different. Once you scan your magic band, if a tip is added for a larger party, these tips will show up on your resort bill. If you would like to tip more add the difference (not the full amount). You can use Disney gift cards to pay for tips which is nice. 

Looking for more Dining Delights, check out earlier posts on Beaches and Cream and Casey's Corner.