What the heck is the Disney Dining Plan

Have you ever wondered what all the fuss is about regarding the Disney Dining Plan? Is it worthwhile for your family to add the plan? I always tell guests that if you are thinking about a lot of character meals the Basic Dining Plan is definitely worth it. Dinner with a Princess can easily cost a family of 4 over $200!

While you do pay for the plan upfront it is nice to think of it as pre-paying for your food. For some families, they end up saving money when they purchase the plan. While others (like mine) end up not utilizing the entire plan and then the financial commitment doesn’t make sense. If you know that you are going to need to purchase at least 2 Mickey bars per day (for the kids of course), and knowing that 2 snacks per day are built in, then it might be the right choice for your family.

Things to know about the Disney Dining Plan

Remember in order to add the Dining Plan you must be staying at a Disney Resort and have park tickets.

If you have been before, it is helpful to do a little math taking into consideration where you have eaten in the past and the approximate cost of each meal.

On our last Disney visit without a dining plan, our family of 4 regularly spent $50 for quick service meals. Granted, our two children could have shared most meals, as a lot of the food went to waste.

2018 Disney Dining Plan Pricing:

Disney Deluxe Dining Plan Price:

Per adult, per night: $116.25
Per child, per night: $39.99

Disney Dining Plan Price:

Per adult, per night: $75.49
Per child, per night: $25.75

Disney Quick Service Dining Place Price:

Per adult, per night: $52.50
Per child, per night: $21.74

**Disney considers children 10 and up adults and kids 3 – 9 kids, for pricing purposes.**

Here is the breakdown of the Disney Dining Plans:

Disney Deluxe Dining Plan:

Everyone over the age of 3 will get:

• 3 Meals per day
• 2 Snacks per day
• A refillable drink mug for everyone over the age of 3

Each Table-Service meal includes (for breakfast):

• 1 Entrée
• 1 Non-alcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)

-OR-

• 1 Full Buffet** or Family-Style Meal

Each Table-Service meal includes (for lunch or dinner):

• 1 Appetizer
• 1 Entrée
• 1 Dessert*
• 1 Non-alcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)

-OR-

• 1 Full Buffet** or Family-Style Meal

Disney Dining Plan:

Everyone in the party ages 3 and over will receive the following each night of their package stay:

• 1 Quick-Service Meal
• 1 Table-Service Meal
• 2 Snacks
• Refillable Mug

Each Quick-Service meal includes (for breakfast, lunch or dinner):

• 1 Entrée
• 1 Non-alcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)

Each Table-Service meal includes (for breakfast):

• 1 Entrée
• 1 Non-alcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)

-OR-

• 1 Full Buffet** or Family-Style Meal

Each Table-Service meal includes (for lunch or dinner):

• 1 Entrée
• 1 Dessert*
• Non-alcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)

-OR-

• 1 Full Buffet** or Family-Style Meal

Disney Quick Service Dining Plan:

Each guest over the age of 3 will get:

• 2 Quick-Service Meals
• 2 Snacks
• Refillable Mug

Each Quick-Service meal includes (for breakfast, lunch or dinner):

• 1 Entrée
• 1 Non-alcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)

Snacks are defined as: 

Frozen ice cream novelty, popsicle or fruit bar
Popcorn scoop
12 oz. coffee, hot chocolate or hot tea
Prepackaged milk or juice
Piece of whole fruit
Bag of snacks
20 oz. bottle of Coca-Cola®, Sprite® or Dasani® water
20 oz. fountain soft drink