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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cranbizNov 15, 2023

You are not wrong. I was very disappointed in Cape May and that was probably 12 years or so.

DomVF07Nov 14, 2023

If memory serves correct you didn’t have to tell them in advance either you had the TIW card, though servers genuinely appreciated the heads up in advance. Unlike with the DDP, which typically was a separate menu offering or servers needed to know per location etc.

SirwalterraleighNov 14, 2023

…I’m really sorry to hear… …that you suffered cape may 🤮

cranbizNov 14, 2023

You should have asked to speak to a manager. I had that issue when I was a CM and dining with my family at Cape May. Server found out I was a CM and she was getting an automatic 18%. All I got was an earful on how much more money bus drivers got, she ignored us all night, drinks only got refilled when I stopped another server and asked if she could help and used plates were stacked up on the table the entire meal. It was not a good experience. We got up to leave and I got a manager, explained what happened and he could see the stack of dirty plates still on the table. I asked for him to remove the gratuity as we got no service for it and he agreed AND comped one meal for our troubles.

SirwalterraleighNov 14, 2023

You get bad waiters all over the place…gratuity doesn’t affect that much. I look at it this way: do I want to pay the full $45 for a breakfast buffet? Or roll in the tip for Someone who doesn’t have a 187 foot yacht to clear my dirty dishes?

MR.DisNov 14, 2023

The problem I had with TIW was the guaranteed Gratuity. Once a server knows they are guaranteed, service drops. I had a dinner at a Disney restaurant where once the server was informed that they were going to get 18%, they served our drinks and literally we did not see them again until we were given the bill. Two day later, at a different restaurant, same thing happened. Human nature is what it is. So I want to be in control of what a server EARNS, not is entitled to.

SirwalterraleighNov 14, 2023

I think there’s very little chance they ever bring tables back… It’s from a “previous era”…which of course was horrific and nobody liked anything 1985-2005 🙄 Not only that…it rewards loyalty and we know all of us that spent $500K or more (not really joking) on wdw are just a bunch offreeloaders But all that aside…it also is not prepaid up front and has no “definitive” cap on benefit. That’s what they want: full payment up front and the Computer to tell them the maximum “loss” in advance. …some probably think I’m kidding about this, huh? 🤡

SirwalterraleighNov 14, 2023

…you got it.

DomVF07Nov 14, 2023

Oh absolutely. To say to take with a grain of salt with that posting from them is an understatement. Was just more interesting as it’s a recent posting on the matter. Here’s “wishing” 🤣

TheMaxReboNov 14, 2023

And for up to 10 people In the past, when we had trips with extended family it paid for us to have one person upgrade to an annual pass and then get TiW just to get 20% off for meals with up to 10 people at it

MisterPenguinNov 14, 2023

Last time it was available, I calculated I'd have to spend over $700 in food for the discount to be worth it (since the buy-in was steep). You'd have have a large group or be heavy drinkers or have one dinner at V&A for it to be worthwhile. And I'm very sure if it came back, the break even point would be much higher.

Tony the TiggerNov 14, 2023

That was the selling point for us!

ToTBellHopNov 14, 2023

You also cannot discount the value of being able to write “Tables in Wonderland Member” under “Professional Affiliations” on your résumé. I’m confident I only beat out a competitor for my current job because I mentioned that I’m an Annual Passholder on my C.V. Anything to stand above the crowd.

UnbansheeNov 14, 2023

You have to keep in mind that the moms panel is less informed than this forum in many cases and certainly isn't given inside info