Things have changed A LOT in Disney World.

We’re visiting the parks without park pass reservations (well, those of us with date-based tickets, anyway). We’re park hopping when we feel like it. AND we’re using the Disney Dining Plan, which has finally returned after FOUR LONG YEARS OF DESOLATE OUT OF POCKET PAYMENTS.

But we used the brand NEW Disney Dining Plan in the parks on debut day, and we learned a LOT. So we’re going to fill you in on some of those weird brand new Disney Dining Plan rules that are a little bit different from what you may be expecting…as well as some of the old rules that you might not remember!

1. You can’t use a snack credit for some Disney World snacks

Okay, so you might think anything you consider a snack can be bought with a Dining Plan snack credit in Disney World. But…NOPE. For example, we found out that one of our favorite snacks at Aloha Isle in Magic Kingdom, the Tropical Serenade, is not on the Dining Plan. Everything else on the menu is good to go…just not this one little float. Weird.

Usually items under $6 — including side items at quick-service restaurants — will count as a snack credit. But it’s not set in stone.

Be sure to look for that DDP logo next to snacks or ask a Cast Member what your snack credits are good for.

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2. A festival can change things up

So here’s something that surprised us. If you get Poutine at The Refreshment Port in EPCOT, it’s normally a snack credit. But when that Poutine becomes a festival offering (it’s usually a different kind of Poutine), it’s a quick-service meal credit instead of a snack credit.

So you’ll want to keep that in mind, at least for that specific location. TRICKY, Disney.

You’ll also find that EPCOT Festival booth items are often buyable with a DDP snack credit — and at prices up to $10, they become the best bang for your buck in EPCOT during Festivals! So if you’re trying to maximize your Dining Plan benefit and a Festival starts tomorrow, save your credits and use them there!

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3. You can get more bang for your buck at Starbucks

Here’s a rule that could really benefit you. We talked to a Cast Member at Main Street Bakery, Magic Kingdom’s Starbucks location, and were told that ALL drink sizes count as one snack credit. So you can order the largest Trenta coffee to get more out of that snack credit. We were told the same thing at Trolley Car Cafe in Hollywood Studios.

So get that biggest drink if you’re using a snack credit for that morning coffee or afternoon pick-me-up. We were also informed that this included any additional shots, foam, etc., you add to the drink. SCORE!

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4. Not all Disney World restaurants participate in the DDP

This is one that causes a TON of drama every year! Heads up — many restaurants owned by third parties do not participate in the Dining Plan. But, to make it even more confusing, some third party restaurants will eventually participate, but just aren’t doing so yet. That’s not confusing at all, right?

We’ve already learned that restaurants like Space 220 in EPCOT, Eet by Maneet Chauhan, and Summer House on the Lake in Disney Springs will not accept the Disney Dining Plan. This also goes for Gideon’s Bakehouse — read more on this sad news here.

And note that sometimes a third party restaurant will re-up on the Dining Plan in late January or February, once they’ve sorted out the implications for their business.

So be sure to double-check if a place is part of the Plan before you head over there (you can usually check on the My Disney Experience app or Disney World website).

OR, dive into our FULL LIST OF DINING PLAN RESTAURANTS that we have for you right here for absolute FREE! (Yep, this is why you read this blog. Free stuff that makes things easier for you.)

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5. Larger shareable menu items could cost more

We visited Via Napoli to ask about the largest pizzas there, which are generally shareable between four or five people. We were told that each pizza would cost four to five Dining Plan credits, with each person having to pay one credit.

It’s a bit confusing how it was explained to us (and, honestly, it was ALWAYS confusing back in the day as well for this mezzo metro size), but we were told if a group were going to share a pizza, everyone in that group would have to pay one table service credit to do so.

Does that mean that someone who wanted to buy and eat the giant pizza all by themselves would only have to pay one credit. Probably not, but we couldn’t get a super straight answer (remember this is all new to Cast Members, too). So plan to pay 4 or 5 credits even if you’re tackling this pizza challenge with a smaller group.

FULL LIST of Table-Service Disney Dining Plan Restaurants Announced for Disney World

6. Lounge Rules

So Disney World lounges now qualify for the Disney Dining Plan (YAY!) but they are essentially not a good value (BOO!). Here’s why.

First, most don’t offer dessert, so all you can really get for your table-service credit at a lounge is an appetizer-sized item and a drink.

Second, that drink can’t be any kind of specialty cocktail. You’re limited to standard beer, wine, and simple cocktails (like vodka and soda).

So, yeah, unless you have leftover credits and you don’t care about making your money back on them, skip using them at lounges!

Disney World Lounges Now Accept the Disney Dining Plan – Here’s How That Works

7. Shareables at table service restaurants aren’t eligible for the Dining Plan

If you eat at a Table Service restaurant like Yak & Yeti in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, don’t try to order shareable items like the Ahi Tuna Nachos with your Dining Plan credit. A table-service credit only covers an entree, dessert, and a drink, so until some policy changes happen, they won’t be able to use your one table-service credit to get the shareable items.

If you wanted to order an appetizer as your meal, you’ll have to pay for it out of pocket, rather than use the Disney Dining Plan.

(Now, that said, this could be one of those places where your mileage varies — FYI, that terminology will come in REAL handy with the Dining Plan, since restaurants can sometimes make up their own rules with this stuff — but please don’t make your server uncomfortable by demanding something that they’re not supposed to give you.)

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8. Adult quick-service credits and kids’ quick-service credits MAY not be interchangeable anymore

OK, so this is one of those we’re-not-completely-sure-yet-but-here’s-what-we-think ones (or maybe I’m just not ready to accept that this awesome perk of the Dining Plan isn’t around anymore).

Remember how you used to be able to use an adult meal credit on the kids’ quick-service meal or vice versa? Cause the cast members didn’t have a button to differentiate? Welp, that might be over.

According to a cast member we asked, they can now differentiate on their cash registers; so if you are an adult who likes to order kids’ meals, this could mean you can’t get that kids’ meal on the Dining Plan. You’d need to choose something from the adult section of the menu. Same goes for if your child wants to order an adult meal — you’d need to use a credit from an adult’s Dining Plan for that.

I’m not happy with this development and would love to prove it otherwise, so if you’re getting different outcomes, please let me know!

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We hope this clears up some of the confusion about the Dining Plan. We know it’s a LOT to figure out, especially since it has changed since the last time we used it way back in early 2020. If you have any questions, though, throw them down in the comments and we’ll see if we can help!

Stay tuned to DFB for more.

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Will you be using the Dining Plan during your next Disney World trip? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments!

The post 8 Game-Changing Rules You Should Know Before You Buy the Disney Dining Plan first appeared on the disney food blog.