Introduction to the Disney Dining Plan

WDW’s Meal Packages

Dec 8, 2009
Debra Peterson

Quick Service Breakfast, Disney Dining Plan - Mr. Kathika

The Disney Dining Plan, available for guests staying at Walt Disney World resorts, provides several options designed to appeal to different budgets and food interests.

The Disney Dining plan may be purchased as part of a Walt Disney World (WDW) resort and admissions package. Understanding the Disney Dining Plans rules and restrictions is essential to choosing the right option for a group’s vacation.

Author's Note: This article was checked for accuracy on Jan. 2, 2011.

The Basics of the Disney Dining Plan

The Disney Dining Plan is a meal account. Pricing is based on a set fee – per person, per night of stay – based on a plan’s details and a guest’s age. There are three age-based price tiers: ages 10 and up, ages 3 – 9, and under 3 years old (who eat free). Dining plans are categorized by different meal types, not mealtimes, and converted into a credit structure referred to as entitlements.

There are four dining categories:

Snacks. These are items available from carts, small stands, and food courts. They include ice cream, pretzels, fresh fruit, and beverages.
Quick Service, also called counter-service restaurants. A quick-service meal includes an entree and beverage juice for breakfast, and non-alcoholic beverage and entree or a combination meal for lunch and dinner. It does not include alcoholic beverages.
Full Service, also called table-service restaurants. A full-service meal includes an entrée and beverage or buffet service for breakfast; an appetizer (guests ages 3 -9), entree, beverage and dessert or a buffet seating, and a non-alcoholic beverage for lunch or dinner; and taxes on meals. It does not include an appetizer, alcoholic beverages, or a gratuity.
Special Dining Experiences. These venues include full-service Signature Restaurants, dinner shows, in-room dining, and some character meals. With some packages, these dining experiences require using two full-service credits.

An account’s credits are calculated for the guest’s entire length of stay. Each use deducts the appropriate number and type of credit from a guest’s account. A day’s worth of credits may be spent every day or some may be saved for future use.

Magic Your Way Plus Dining: An Example

Plus Dining, the basic dining plan, offers one quick-service meal, one full-service meal, and one snack per day. The meal account for a guest who stays seven nights includes seven quick-service credits, seven full-service credits, and seven snack credits. That guest may use the credits by following the daily meal plan. Alternately, that guest may choose quick-service meals one day, followed by a day of full-service meals.

Dining Plan Rules and Restrictions

All guests staying in the same room must choose identical dining plans.
Credits in one dining category may not be exchanged for credits in another.
Unused credits are non-refundable and expire at midnight on the day of check-out.
Guests whose dining plan includes full-service meals need to make Disney's Advance Dining Reservations (ADRs). Remember, some plans require two full-service credits for special dining experiences.
Not all locations and restaurants participate in the Disney Dining Plan.
Children ages 3 – 9 must order from the children’s menu, if available. Children under the age of 3 eat free from an adult guest’s plate.
What is eligible as a snack, in term of an item’s size or quantity, can vary with vendor.

Disney Dining Plan Eligibility

The Disney Dining Plan is available to guests staying in WDW resorts for a minimum of three nights. Resort guests must purchase Magic Your Way passes or be Annual Passholders. Disney Vacation Club members may also participate in the Disney Dining Plan, and are exempt from the resort-stay requirement. Guests staying at the Swan and Dolphin, Shades of Green, and Downtown Disney hotels, which are not owned by Disney, are not eligible.

Disney Dining Plan Options

There are five dining-plan options:

Magic Your Way Plus Dining Plan, also known as the basic plan.
Quick Service Dining Plan, which offers counter-service meals.
Deluxe Dining Plan, which offers three meals a day.
Premium Dining, which offers dinner shows and character meals as well other amenities.
Platinum Dining, which includes the premium’s extras, as well as Fantastmic! reserved seating, and other “sky’s the limit” options.

Although plan pricing varies, all dining plans include the benefits of a WDW resort travel package. They include such perks as Disney’s Magical Express Service and luggage tags, miniature golf passes, and discount vouchers.

With a basic understanding of the Disney Dining Plan’s structure, Walt Disney World guests can research specific dining options to see which plan best suits their vacation. More details on dining plans and prices are available in these articles on Disney’s Quick Service, Basic and Deluxe Dining Plans and Disney’s Premium and Platinum Dining Plans.

For more information or to make reservations for Disney's full-service and character dining, check Disney's dining website or call 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463).