Disney releases more information for the returning Disney Dining Plan at Walt Disney World

May 30, 2023 in "Disney Dining Plan"

Posted: Tuesday May 30, 2023 7:o00am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has released more information on the Disney Dining Plan that will be returning to Walt Disney World in 2024.

Disney dining plans will be available for those staying at Disney Resort hotels who purchase a vacation package starting with stays beginning Jan. 9, 2024, which will open for bookings on May 31 2023.

Guests will be able to choose from two popular options: Packages that include either the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan or the Disney Dining Plan. See below for the full details.

Disney Dining Plan Highlights

Everyone in the party ages 3 and over receives the following during their package stay:

  • 1 Quick-Service Meal Per Night of Stay*
  • 1 Table-Service Meal Per Night of Stay*
  • 1 Snack or Nonalcoholic Beverage Per Night of Stay*
  • 1 Resort-Refillable Mug**

For example, if you book a 4-night package with a Disney Dining Plan, each Guest (ages 3 and up) in your party would receive 4 Table-Service meals, 4 Quick-Service meals and 4 snacks or nonalcoholic beverages—which can be used at any time during your 4-night stay.

Important Information

  • 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.
  • Reservations at Table-Service restaurants are highly recommended and are subject to availability.
  • Guests ages 3 to 9 must order from a children’s menu, where available.
  • Plan must be purchased for entire length of stay and for the entire party (ages 3 and up).
  • Meals are nontransferable between party members and expire at midnight on day of checkout.

* Specific number of meals and snacks are determined by the number of nights included in the package stay. You can redeem your meals and snacks any day during your stay, until the number associated with your package have been depleted. All unused meals and snacks and the ability to use your refillable mug expire at midnight on your package reservation checkout date.

** Resort-refillable mugs are eligible for refills from self-service beverage islands at any Disney Resort hotel Quick-Service location.

What’s Included

Quick-Service Meal

Meals redeemed at breakfast, lunch or dinner will include:

  • 1 Entrée
  • 1 Nonalcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)

Table-Service Meal

Meals redeemed at breakfast will include:

  • 1 Entrée
  • 1 Nonalcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)

-OR-

  • 1 Full Buffet (prix-fixe) or Family-Style Meal (prix-fixe)
  • 1 Nonalcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)

Meals redeemed at brunch, lunch or dinner will include:

  • 1 Entrée
  • 1 Dessert
  • 1 Nonalcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)

-OR-

  • 1 Full Buffet (If Available) or Family-Style Meal
  • 1 Nonalcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)

Alcoholic Beverages

Guests 21 and older may choose either one nonalcoholic beverage or one-single serving mixed cocktail, beer or wine (where offered) as part of their meal.

A single-serving alcoholic beverage includes items such as:

  • Beer or Cider
  • Wine or Sangria
  • Mixed Drinks and Specialty Cocktails

Nonalcoholic Beverages

Guests 10 years of age and older can choose one nonalcoholic beverage (including specialty beverages where offered) as part of their meal.

A single-serving nonalcoholic beverage includes items such as:

  • Milkshakes
  • Fresh Smoothies
  • Premium Hot Chocolate
  • Soda, Coffee or Tea

Snacks

At Quick-Service restaurants, most Outdoor Carts and select merchandise locations, snacks may include a single serving of items such as:

  • Frozen ice cream novelty, popsicle or fruit bar
  • 2 scoops of hand-scooped ice cream
  • Popcorn scoop (single-serving box)
  • Piece of whole fruit
  • Single-serve bag of snacks
  • 20-ounce bottle of Coca-Cola® products, including Dasani® water
  • 20-ounce fountain soft drink
  • Single-serve coffee, hot chocolate, hot tea, milk or juice
  • Cup of soup
  • Add on toppings or sauces (e.g. side of cheese dipping sauce)

What's Not Included

  • Items that are more than a single serving (such as a box of doughnuts or a jar of peanut butter)
  • Items (such as popcorn or drinks) that are served in a souvenir container
  • Items considered to be merchandise (such as bottle toppers, glow cubes and bottle straps)
  • Special dining events offered at certain Table-Service locations

Other Magical Dining Experiences to Redeem Table-Service Meals

Character Dining

Dine with some of your favorite Disney Characters! Have your camera ready for this experience that adds a little extra magic to your Table-Service meal.

Two Table-Service meals will be redeemed from the dining plan for each person dining at:

  • Fairytale Dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table
  • Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (at lunch and dinner only)
  • Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White
  • Merchandise or photo imaging products that may be offered for sale at Character dining experiences are not included. Gratuities are not included unless otherwise noted.

Fine/Signature Dining Restaurants

Experience an elegant Table-Service option with a wide selection of cuisines ranging from traditional African, Indian and Mediterranean to premium steaks and fresh seafood.

Each meal from a Fine/Signature Dining restaurant on the Disney Dining Plan includes:

  • 1 Entrée
  • 1 Nonalcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)
  • 1 Dessert

Two Table-Service meals will be redeemed from the dining plan for each person dining at a Fine/Signature Dining experience.

Signature Dining restaurants offer fine dining with a distinctly magical flair. Guests are expected to dress accordingly in attire that respects the restaurant's sophisticated and upscale aesthetic. Clothing should be clean, neat and in good condition. Please, no swimwear.

Dinner at Be Our Guest Restaurant

Be Our Guest Restaurant requires 2 Table-Service meals to be exchanged for a single dining experience.

Dinner Shows

Enjoy family-style dining with live entertainment at a themed dinner show. All dinner shows require advance reservations.

Two Table-Service meals will be redeemed from the dining plan for each person dining at a dinner show experience.

Private In-Room Dining

When staying at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, indulge in the comfort and convenience of dining in your room.

Each private in-room dining meal on the Disney Dining Plan includes:

  • 1 Entrée
  • 1 Dessert (lunch and dinner)
  • 1 Nonalcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)

For private in-room dining, 2 Table-Service meals will be redeemed from the dining plan for each person dining.

Pizza Pickup

Stop by select Quick-Service locations to pick up a pizza meal, which includes:

  • 1 Large Pizza
  • 2 Single-serving Nonalcoholic Beverages (or Alcoholic Beverages, for Guests 21 and older)

Two Quick-Service meals will be redeemed for each Pizza Pick-up meal. Valid at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, Disney's All-Star Sports Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside.

How to Get a Dining Plan

Guests of Disney Resort hotels can choose one of the Disney Resort Hotel Packages that includes one of the dining plans, which offer the convenience and flexibility of prepaid dining at over 200 locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort. In addition to the Disney Dining Plan, we also offer the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan.

How to Use Your Dining Plan

Simply present your valid Disney Resort ID (MagicBand, Disney MagicMobile pass or Key to the World card) to your server or cashier at participating restaurants.

For special dietary requests, Guests should note them at the time of booking their dining reservations. Guests may also speak with a chef or manager upon arrival at the dining location.

If you’re dining with another party that’s also on a dining plan, please notify the server or cashier which meals should be redeemed on each valid Disney Resort ID.

You can redeem your meals and snacks in any order during your stay, until the number of meals and snacks associated with your package has been depleted. All unused meals and snacks and the ability to use your Resort-refillable mug expire at midnight on your package reservation checkout date.

How to Keep Track

Your dining plan usage is electronically linked to your reservation. Keep track of your remaining meals and snacks in 3 ways:

  • View your remaining meals and snacks in the My Disney Experience app.
  • Check your dining receipts. Remaining meals and snacks are printed on them.
  • Ask your Resort Concierge or Guest Relations to obtain them at any time.

As a reminder, unused meals and snacks will roll over day to day and expire at midnight on day of checkout.

Reservations

Advance reservations for Table-Service restaurants—including Character Dining and Fine/Signature Dining—are strongly encouraged; advance reservations are required for dinner shows.

Make dining reservations online or via the My Disney Experience app.

An accepted major credit card guarantee is required for reservations at certain locations. A per-person cancellation charge may apply for reservations cancelled within 2 hours of the reservation time (cancellation charge varies by location). Advance reservations are highly recommended. Learn when advance reservations can be made.

Gratuities

  • Gratuities are not included, except for the following: dinner shows and Cinderella’s Royal Table.
  • An additional form of payment is needed if you add gratuity and have not provided a credit card at check-in to charge incidentals and other expenses to your room.
  • An 18% gratuity will automatically be added to your bill for parties of 6 or more.
  • An automatic gratuity charge may also be added to your bill for certain items you order that are not included in the Disney Dining Plan.

Additional Charges

Certain select menu items require payment of an additional amount in addition to redeeming the number of meals required at the location.

Dining plans are unavailable for Guests under the age of 3, but they may share from an adult plate at no extra charge, or an additional meal may be purchased from the menu. The price of the meal will be added to your bill.

Disney Quick Service Dining Plan Highlights

Everyone in the party ages 3 and over receives the following during their package stay:

  • 2 Quick-Service Meals Per Night of Stay*
  • 1 Snack or Nonalcoholic Beverage Per Night of Stay*
  • 1 Resort-Refillable Mug**

For example, if you book a 4-night package with a Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan, each Guest (ages 3 and up) in your party would receive 8 Quick-Service meals and 4 Snacks or Nonalcoholic Beverages—which can be used at any time during your 4-night stay.

Important Information

  • 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.
  • Guests ages 3 to 9 must order from a children’s menu, where available.
  • Plan must be purchased for entire length of stay and for the entire party (ages 3 and up).
  • Meals are nontransferable between party members and expire at midnight on day of checkout.

* Specific number of meals and snacks are determined by the number of nights included in the package stay. You can redeem your meals and snacks any day during your stay, until the number associated with your package have been depleted. All unused meals and snacks and the ability to use your refillable mug expire at midnight on your package reservation checkout date.

** Resort-refillable mugs are eligible for refills from self-service beverage islands at any Disney Resort hotel Quick-Service location.

What’s Included

Quick-Service Meal

Meals redeemed at breakfast, lunch or dinner will include:

  •  1 Entrée
  • 1 Nonalcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)

Alcoholic Beverages

Guests 21 and older may choose either one nonalcoholic beverage or one-single serving mixed cocktail, beer or wine (where offered) as part of their meal.

A single-serving alcoholic beverage includes items such as:

  • Beer or Cider
  • Wine or Sangria
  • Mixed Drinks and Specialty Cocktails
  • Nonalcoholic Beverages
  • Guests 10 years of age and older can choose one nonalcoholic beverage (including specialty beverages where offered) as part of their meal.

A single-serving nonalcoholic beverage includes items such as:

  • Milkshakes
  • Fresh Smoothies
  • Premium Hot Chocolate
  • Soda, Coffee or Tea

Snacks

At Quick-Service restaurants, most Outdoor Carts and select merchandise locations, snacks may include a single serving of items such as:

  • Frozen ice cream novelty, popsicle or fruit bar
  • 2 scoops of hand-scooped ice cream
  • Popcorn scoop (single-serving box)
  • Piece of whole fruit
  • Single-serve bag of snacks
  • 20-ounce bottle of Coca-Cola® products, including Dasani® water
  • 20-ounce fountain soft drink
  • Single-serve coffee, hot chocolate, hot tea, milk or juice
  • Cup of soup
  • Add on toppings or sauces (e.g. side of cheese dipping sauce)

What’s Not Included

  • Items that are more than a single serving (such as a box of doughnuts or a jar of peanut butter)
  • Items (such as popcorn or drinks) that are served in a souvenir container
  • Items considered to be merchandise (such as bottle toppers, glow cubes and bottle straps)
  • Special dining events offered at certain Table-Service locations

How to Get A Dining Plan

Guests of Disney Resort hotels can choose one of the Disney Resort Hotel Packages that includes one of the dining plans, which offer the convenience and flexibility of prepaid dining at over 200 locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort. In addition to the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan, we also offer the Disney Dining Plan.

How to Use Your Dining Plan

Simply present your valid Disney Resort ID (MagicBand, Disney MagicMobile pass or Key to the World card) to your server or cashier at participating restaurants.

If you have special dietary requests, please mention them when ordering. You may also speak with a chef or manager.

If you are dining with another party that’s also on a dining plan, please notify the cashier which meals and snacks should be redeemed for each party.

You can redeem your meals and snacks in any order during your stay, until the number of meals and snacks associated with your package has been depleted. All unused meals and snacks and the ability to use your Resort-refillable mug expire at midnight on your package reservation checkout date.

How to Keep Track

Your dining plan usage is electronically linked to your reservation. Keep track of your remaining meals and snacks in 3 ways:

  • View your remaining meals and snacks in the My Disney Experience app.
  • Check your dining receipts. Remaining meals and snacks are printed on them.
  • Ask your Resort Concierge or Guest Relations to obtain them at any time.
  • As a reminder, unused meals and snacks will roll over day to day and expire at midnight on day of checkout.
Discuss on the Forums

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dmwJun 08, 2023

They do have one somewhat pricey sit down restaurant on site. Adult entrees mostly in the $20-40 range, not including drinks. But, since you can buy multiple quantities of the dining plan, you can have as much dining credit as you feel you can spend.

lewiscJun 07, 2023

The system Disney had before DDP was similar to this. You prepaid a discounted dollar amount

HauntedPirateJun 07, 2023

Something so simple and easy to use, plus something that was offering TRUE VALUE to guests, would NEVER work at WDW. Nope. Couldn't happen. Never. Ever. I'm sure Bob ordered multiple research projects and focus groups and they came to the conclusion this would never fly because guests DEMAND what Disney gives them. :rolleyes:

TheMaxReboJun 07, 2023

I definitely would welcome som thing like this vs the current plans as the structure of them really doesn't fit. Even beyond having credits for anTS and QS for every day, sometimes we just want a bunch of apps o share things, etc Something that gives more flexibility to "what" you order as much as "where" would b welcome by us Plus then we aren't paying for something that value comes from having an alcoholic drink included for my 14 and 11 year olds who can't get an alcoholic drink

AylaJun 07, 2023

I am guessing you aren't spending $200+ on one sit down meal, either, like you would at WDW. That sounds like a much easier, better organized and less hassle system than the WDW DP.

dmwJun 07, 2023

We're at Great Wolf Lodge this week and they have an interesting dining "plan". If you pre-purchase dining credits prior to arrival, you can save. They have three options. We chose the pay $170 for $200 credit, but they have lesser amounts. And, you can purchase multiple quantities of the plans. The plan credits are good at any food location. Just charge the food to the room (via wrist band) and the food is paid with the credits. Their app lets you keep track of how much you have spent and what is left, and the details of what you spent at each location. There is no discount on the food itself, just a discount on the prepay amount. And, it is a "use it or lose it" system. I really like this system. We don't have to choose from a sit down service, quick service, snack, etc. We can order whatever, whenever, from where-ever, until the credits are used up.

MagicHappens1971Jun 02, 2023

I bought the cup carrier thingie they sold at Horror Nights, idk if they have it year round, but it was also nice because they let you bring it into the houses with you.

Jrb1979Jun 01, 2023

They did the same set up for the APs and how did that end up.

Disstevefan1Jun 01, 2023

Attendance is definitely down in the parks, LOL - NOT when it comes to the dining plan, LOL

arich35Jun 01, 2023

Yeah I am an agent and I had my laptop open for probably 6+ hours before getting in and then last night I had to wait 20+ minutes every time I went into the website to look up pricing. Not recommending Dining plan, just not a good value

KateKirisitJun 01, 2023

My Disney Travel Agent had 2 quotes prepared for me this morning after waiting basically all day in the queue.

drizgirlJun 01, 2023

I’m not sure what the point of having a hypothetical discussion. Percent off deals at at the values have never been worth much. A reduced percentage off a lower price isn’t usually worth much.

Dreaming of Disney WorldJun 01, 2023

I hope free dining returns. It was a great deal for our family of 4, and we stay in values.

DisneyDreamer08Jun 01, 2023

We had this exact offer in January 2020 and it worked great. We stayed at Movies, it was me, my husband, and two kids who were 9 & 4. My husband and I paid full price for the meal plan and the two kids were free. I did the math and it was much more beneficial than the 10 or 15% room discount that was also offered. We did character meals almost every day (we had two days at AK so we did Yak and Yeti on our 2nd day). It was a great value and so convenient. My kids can be picky eaters so buffets worked perfectly. They could pick and chose little bits of everything they liked. We did Crystal Palace, Chef Mickey’s, Tusker House, Garden Grill, Hollywood and Vine and 1900 Park Fare. It was amazing.