If you’re planning a Disney World vacation for 2024, you may have already put some thought into whether you’ll purchase the Disney Dining Plan. The thing is… you’ve actually got TWO decisions to make regarding this topic.

You see, there are not one, but TWO versions of the Disney Dining Plan, each with their own specific price points and inclusions. Here, we’re delving first into whether you should or should not purchase a Disney Dining Plan. Then, we’ll present several factors to consider when it comes to each version of the Plan so you can decide which one is better for your traveling group.

So let’s DIG IN and chat about the DISNEY DINING PLAN!

What is the Disney Dining Plan?

The Disney Dining Plan is an optional add-on to a Disney World Vacation package (which also includes a room at a Disney owned-and-operated hotel and theme park tickets) that allows guests to pre-pay for meals and snacks at Walt Disney World (Though Walt Disney World suspended the Disney Dining Plan program upon reopening in 2020 following the temporary closure of the Resort, the Disney Dining Plan is NOW AVAILABLE FOR BOOKING for Disney World vacation stays starting JANUARY 9, 2024.)

The Disney Dining Plan is exclusive to guests staying in a Disney World Resort hotel. Disney Dining Plans are pre-purchased, so all you have to do when you get to Disney World is head to a restaurant that accepts the Disney Dining Plan, grab a fork, and chow down!

Then to pay, you simply scan your MagicBand, Key to the World card, or Disney MagicMobile pass so the appropriate number of “Credits” — the unit of currency of the Disney Dining Plan — are deducted from your allotment. The meal receipt will show how many credits you’ve used and how many are remaining in your account. (You can also check your Disney Dining Plan credits on the My Disney Experience app.)

To Add the Plan or Not to Add, That is the (First) Question…

You Might Enjoy Having a Disney Dining Plan IF…

There are a few ways to know if a Disney Dining Plan is a good fit for you. For instance, a lot of guests appreciate the convenience of a pre-paid Plan and like the idea of an “all-inclusive” type of experience, and that may likely be a draw for you as well. You also know you’d like to partake in the vast array of dining options at Disney World. You can see the full list of participating restaurants on the 2024 Disney Dining Plan here so you can check out the huge amount of options!

If you are one who loves the vacation planning process and don’t mind (and might even enjoy) making Advance Dining Reservations 60 days in advance if you plan to dine at Table Service restaurants, knowing what you have to look forward to is part of the fun! 

Do you and other of-age guests in your traveling crew enjoy a glass of wine with dinner or perhaps a beer with lunch? Then you should know that BOTH versions of the Disney Dining Plan include a beer, wine, or cocktail with each meal for guests over 21 — and, yes, that includes Quick Service restaurants that serve alcohol (which, BTW, is most of them, though you will only find alcohol at Table Service restaurants in Magic Kingdom). Those 10-and-older who are yet not of legal drinking age or opt not to imbibe can enjoy specialty beverages such as milkshakes, smoothies, and various “mocktails.”

While we’re on that topic, what about your morning coffee or other other drinks like soda (or “pop,” depending on where you’re from )? Well, each guest receives a Refillable Resort Mug on the Disney Dining Plan.

These are refillable with drinks such as soda (Coke products), coffee, and iced and hot tea at self-service beverage stations at Resort hotels all over Disney World — not just the one you’re staying at — throughout your trip! If you’ve got soda fans in your crew, this benefit (which costs $21.99 out of pocket for those not on a Dining Plan) can be quite a boon!

If you find that you can maximize the Disney Dining Plan and use it to its full value, then it can definitely be a great fit for your group! That said, there are other factors to bear in mind…

A Disney Dining Plan Might Not Be a Fit for You IF…

One of the major factors to consider is that you must be staying in a Disney World Resort hotel to purchase the Disney Dining Plan. So, if you plan to stay at a hotel outside of Disney World… well, that’s one less choice you’ll have to make, since the Dining Plan is not an option for guests staying outside of Disney World.

Additionally, guests who don’t plan to leave Disney World property to dine in other places around Orlando will obviously find more value in having a Dining Plan.

Perhaps you’re staying on Disney World property, but are opting for a Disney Vacation Club Villa or Studio. In that case, you’ll have access to a kitchenette at the very least, or a full kitchen depending on the size of your villa, studio, or suite. In that instance, you may prefer making some of your own food.

Or, even though Disney World has won rewards for allergy-friendly dining (they truly are great at it), maybe you have a few guests in your party who have dietary restrictions, and you’d prefer to be more in control of the food you prepare or order to be delivered to your hotel.

And maybe… juuust maybe… food isn’t your vacation priority. You’re focused on ALL THE RIDES ALL THE TIME.

And that’s okay… just remember: you DO have to eat , since none of us can live by TRON Lightcycle / Run alone! And — even though we are the Disney FOOD Blog — we can still help you out with plenty of vacation suggestions, too, so stick with us!

Finally, here is a simple truth about the Disney Dining Plan: it’s more convenience-based than savings-based. For many, as we mentioned above, the pre-paid aspect alone is enough of a bonus to purchase the Disney Dining Plan. Plus, it IS vacation, after all… a lovely reason to splurge!

But the truth is you CAN dine cheaper… and still dine well in Disney World! Even paying completely out of pocket, depending on where you dine and what you order, you may very well be able to dine on delicious foods in fun and lovely settings and be completely satisfied for less cost per day.

Click HERE for the ins-and-outs the Disney Dining Plan!

Which Disney Dining Plan is Right For You?

If you’ve decided that a Dining Plan is the right move for you and your family, next you’ll decide WHICH version of the Plan best fits your dining desires, needs, and expectations. So let’s look at each version of the Disney Dining Plan individually: the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan and the Disney Dining Plan (also referred to as the “Standard Disney Dining Plan”). 

Disney Quick Service Dining Plan

As stated on the Disney World website, inclusions for the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan are as follows:

• Everyone in the travel party (ages 3 and up) will receive 2 Quick-Service meals per night, a snack/nonalcoholic drink per night of their package stay – along with 1 Resort-refillable drink mug. Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during the stay.
• Beverages are included with each meal. Guests under 21 years of age may choose from a variety of nonalcoholic beverages. Guests 21 and older with valid identification may substitute for beer, wine and cocktails.

The cost for the Quick Service Disney Dining Plan for 2024 is $57.01 per adult, per day, and $23.83 per child (ages 3 to 9), per day. This cost is added to the regular cost of a Disney World Vacation Package.

You Might Prefer the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan IF…

You love the idea of that “all-inclusive” feel and the convenience of your meals and snacks being pre-paid at a lower price point than the Standard Disney Dining Plan.

You prefer flexibility during your park days. Maybe you don’t want to look at the clock and worry about getting to an Advance Dining Reservation while also considering any Lighting Lanes you’ve reserved through Disney Genie+ or other potential conflicts, yet you you still plan to enjoy some quick meals in between attractions.

You are happy with the variety of restaurants that accept the Quick Service Disney Dining Plan! You can find the entire list of all of the 2024 Disney Dining Plan restaurants here, and you’ll see that Quick Service restaurants are designated accordingly. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again… Dining in Disney World is MUCH MORE than burgers, fries, pizza, and chicken tenders.

And, with options like Satu’li Canteen, Regal Eagle Smokehouse, Columbia Harbour House, Capt. Cook’s (DON’T MISS THE PULLED PORK NACHOS!), and more, that’s true of Quick Service restaurants as well as Table Service! That said, you certainly can have your fill of burgers, fries, pizza, and chicken tenders at Quick Service restaurants if you wish. We’d say that if your group doesn’t have a lot of super big foodies, the Quick Service Dining Plan may provide just enough variety for you.

You have kids around the age of 10. As noted above — and this is the case with Disney World theme park tickets, as well — anyone age 10 or older is considered an Adult on the Disney Dining Plan. The thing is…

What if your 10-year-old (Or your 11- or 12-year old) doesn’t have an adult-sized appetite just yet? A full Table Service meal may be more than what they can eat. Or perhaps your “mini me” still prefers Chicken Nuggets, mac and cheese, and other items that are typically available on Kids Menus, but are not on the regular entrée list at a Table Service restaurant. They will likely find something that appeals to them at just about any Quick Service restaurant.

And when it comes to the younger kiddos (ages 3 to 9), it’s worth noting that Disney shares the following on the Disney World website: “You can save up to 20% on dining for kids ages 3 to 9 when you purchase a dining plan for your family as part of a Walt Disney Travel Company package;” and “Savings compared to the nondiscounted price of menu items available to kids ages 3 to 9 at participating locations when purchased without a dining plan. Actual savings vary based on menu items ordered.”

Find our list of Practically Perfect Quick Service restaurants HERE!

Standard Disney Dining Plan

As stated on the Disney World website, inclusions for the Standard Disney Dining Plan are as follows:

• Everyone in the travel party (ages 3 and up) will receive 1 Table-Service meal per night, 1 Quick-Service meal per night and a snack/nonalcoholic drink per night of their package stay—along with 1 Resort-refillable drink mug. Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during the stay.
• Beverages are included with each meal. Guests under 21 years of age may choose from a variety of nonalcoholic beverages. Guests 21 and older with valid identification may substitute for beer, wine and cocktails.

The cost for the Standard Disney Dining Plan for 2024 is $94.28 per adult, per night (ages 10 and up), and $29.69 per child, per night (ages 3 to 9). This cost is added to the regular cost of a Disney World Vacation Package.

You Might Prefer the Standard Disney Dining Plan IF…

You want to have some relaxation planned into your park day. If you’re go, go, going in the parks, a reserved time at a Table Service restaurant will allow for a longer time of relaxation in an air-conditioned space for your family.

Speaking of planning, this also means that you don’t mind planning your meals and making Advance Dining Reservations ahead of your trip. (The booking window opens at 60 days out for Disney World Table Service restaurants and other select experiences.)

You’re considering one or more special dining experiences such as Character Meals (many of which only require 1 Table Service credit), a night at the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, or All-You-Care-to-Enjoy meals such as ‘Ohana, Biergarten, or the new Roundup Rodeo BBQ.

Several Signature Restaurants are also included on the Disney Dining Plan (albeit, these experiences and select others require two Table Service credits).

You enjoy a wider variety of cuisine. As we said above, Disney World offers a terrific variety even among Quick Service restaurants.

However, you’ll have access to a much wider variety on the Standard Disney Dining Plan.

THESE are the 14 Best Restaurants in Disney World for 2024

Overall

Disney Dining Plans provide a lot of flexibility, and can work great for families and groups visiting Disney World. But, as we’ve hopefully demonstrated, they’re not always one-size-fits-all. If you need more information — including some number crunching — be sure to check out our DFB Guide to Maximizing the Disney Dining Plan to learn all of the tricks of the trade to see if the Disney Dining Plan is right for your family, and which one you should choose.

Find our Disney Dining Plan FAQs HERE!

Are you considering the Disney Dining Plan for your Disney World vacation? Please let us know with a comment!

The post Which Disney Dining Plan is Right for You? first appeared on the disney food blog.