Disney Dining Plan Primer

In the interest of full disclosure, I have a confession to make: I'm not a huge fan of the Disney Dining Plan. As someone who seldom drinks soda or orders dessert, some of the plan's features don't actually save me money. That being said, however, a number of factors combined to make the Disney Dining Plan seem like a good option for my upcoming trip. I figured I could use a refresher course on the DDP as it's been a while since I used it, and I thought I'd share my research.

Dining Plan Options:

There are three versions of the Disney Dining Plan: the standard plan, called the Disney Dining Plan (often abbreviated DP); the Quick Service Disney Dining Plan (QSDP); and the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan (DDP). The dining plans vary based on the number of table service meal credits, counter service meal credits, and snack credits allotted to each guest on the plan. Gratuity is not included on any of the plans.

QUICK SERVICE DINING PLAN (2019 Pricing with Tax: $52.50 per day for adults, $23.78 children 3-9)

On the Quick Service Disney Dining Plan, for each night of their stay, each guest on the plan will receive two quick service meal credits, two snack credits, and one resort refillable mug.

For example, the Jones family of four adults is staying at Disney's Old Key West Resort (all three plans require the party be staying at a Disney-owned resort) for five nights, and they have chosen the Quick Service Dining Plan. Because they are there for five nights, each person in the room gets:

• 10 Quick Service Meal Credits
• 10 Snack Credits
• 1 Resort Refillable Drink Mug

STANDARD DINING PLAN (2019 Pricing with Tax: $75.49 per day for adults, $27.98 children 3-9)

On the Standard Disney Dining Plan, for each night of their stay, each guest on the plan will receive one table service meal credit, one counter service meal credit, two snack credits, and one resort refillable drink mug. For example:

The Smith family of three adults is staying at Disney's All Star Sports Resort for five nights. They have chosen to purchase the Standard Dining Plan. Because they are there for five nights, each person in the room gets:

• 5 Table Service Meal Credits
• 5 Quick Service Meal Credits
• 10 Snack Credits
• 1 Resort Refillable Drink Mug

DELUXE DINING PLAN (2019 Pricing with Tax: $116.25 per day for adults, $43.49 children 3-9)

On the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan, for each night of their stay, each guest on the plan will receive three meal credits usable for either table service or quick service meals (your choice), two snack credits, and one resort refillable mug.

For example, the Brown family of three adults is staying at Disney's Contemporary Resort for five nights, they have chosen the Deluxe Dining Plan. Because they are there for five nights, each person in the room gets:

• 15 meals credits of any type
• 10 Snack Credits
• 1 Resort Refillable Drink Mug

All of the Disney Dining Plans may only be purchased in the form of a Magic Your Way vacation package which includes a Disney resort stay, theme park ticket (or annual pass), and the Dining Plan. A minimum three-night stay is also typically required. The plan may be used by regular Disney World guests as well as by Disney Vacation Club members paying for their room with DVC points.

In order purchase the Dining Plan, all guests (ages 3 and up) staying in the same room must buy the same version of the plan. Additionally, all guests must be on the plan for their entire length of stay. You cannot, for example, only buy the plan for four nights of a six night stay.

What is included in each meal?

A table service credit entitles you to one entree, one dessert, and one beverage OR one full buffet. For the beverage entitlement, guests under age 21 may choose one non-alcoholic beverage (including “specialty beverages” like milkshakes, smoothies, or hot chocolate). For guests 21 and older, the beverage may be a non-alcoholic, alcoholic, or specialty drink. If you’re on the Deluxe Dining Plan, your table service meals include the above, plus an appetizer.

A quick service credit entitles you to one entree and one beverage OR one complete combo meal. Guests under age 21 may choose one non-alcoholic beverage (including “specialty beverages” like milkshakes, smoothies, or hot chocolate). For guests 21 and older, the beverage may be a non-alcoholic, alcoholic, or specialty drink.

Snacks credits may be used for most single-serve packaged foods or small dishes costing less than $5.00. Typical examples of a snack would be a bag of chips, a Mickey ice cream bar, or a bottled beverage. There are numerous exceptions to what counts as a snack. Look for a small purple and white checkerboard symbol on the menu to indicate which menu items are eligible for Dining Plan snack status. Food options at the Epcot festival booths (e.g. the Food and Wine Festival and the Flower and Garden Festival) are typically available as snack options, as well.

Food credits are intended for flexible use throughout your stay. For example, if you're there Monday through Friday and are going to Epcot on Tuesday, you can use all of your snack credit allotments on that day as you visit the festival food booths. Also, in my experience, the food credits aren't allotted to individuals, but rather are pooled to the entire party on the reservation. So if Jon goes through all of his credits for the trip, there's nothing to keep him from using the credits of other members of his party. (Don't do that Jon. That would be a pretty crappy thing to do.)

Also worth noting is that some Disney restaurants are classified as “signature dining experiences.” If you’re on the regular or Deluxe Dining Plan and want to dine at a signature restaurant you will need to spend two table service dining plan credits per meal.

For 2019, the two-credit dining experiences are: Cinderella’s Royal Table, Be Our Guest (dinner), Le Cellier Steakhouse, Monsieur Paul, Hollywood Brown Derby, Tiffins, Jiko, Flying Fish, California Grill, Citricos, Narcoossee’s, Yachtsman Steakhouse, Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill, The BOATHOUSE, Jaleo, STK Orlando, and Morimoto Asia.

The Dinner Shows at Walt Disney World also require two-credits: Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue and The Spirit of Aloha.

Some dining establishments have unique options on the dining plan. For example, at Wine Bar George your Disney Dining Plan entitlements vary slightly between lunch and dinner. At lunch, you can use one table service dining entitlement per person to choose one of their daily “lunch specials” or two of their “small plates” and a glass of wine under a certain price. At dinner, you can either choose two “small plates” with a glass of wine or two people are dining together could combine their entitlements to get one of the bigger “entree” meals (usually, a family-style chicken, bass, or steak platter). Confused yet?

The inclusion of alcoholic beverages, the ability to use snack credits at the Epcot festival booths, and the desire to purchase the plan as a Christmas gift for my daughter all contributed to my decision to give the Disney Dining Plan another try. I'll let you know how it goes!