It’s Possible to NOT Lose Money on the Disney Dining Plan in 2025 – Here’s How

If you’re planning a Disney Parks vacation, the Disney Dining Plan can be a fantastic way to make your experience feel all-inclusive, making meal budgeting a breeze. Whether you’re visiting Walt Disney World Resort for the first time or returning for another magical trip, the Dining Plan offers a convenient and cost-effective way to enjoy some of the best dining options available at Disney Resort hotels, Disney parks, and Disney Springs.

In 2025, Walt Disney World Resort is offering two types of Dining Plans: the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan and the Disney Dining Plan. For this guide, we will focus on the latter, which grants each guest a Resort-Refillable Drink Mug for the length of stay and one Table Service meal, one Quick Service Meal, and one Snack/Non-Alcoholic Drink daily.

Before you dive into the world of theme park meals and resort dining, it’s essential to know the dos and don’ts of using the Disney Dining Plan. By following these simple guidelines, you’ll maximize the value and fun of your dining experience, ensuring you get the most out of your meal credits.

1. DO the Math Before Booking Your Dining Plan

Before adding the Disney Dining Plan to your package, it’s important to crunch the numbers to ensure it’s the right choice for your family. While many Disney Park guests enjoy the convenience of having their meals prepaid, it may not always be the best deal for everyone.

Why You Should Do the Math:

• Personal Dining Habits: If your family plans to bring snacks, share meals, or prepare some of your own food, you might not get the full value of the plan.

• Special Occasions: If you plan on enjoying several character meals or dining experiences like Be Our Guest Restaurant or ‘Ohana, the Dining Plan can provide substantial savings compared to paying out of pocket.

Tip:

If you’re booking a trip well in advance and making dining reservations for character meals and special experiences, the Dining Plan can often help you save money, especially if you’re traveling with kids.

2. DO Use Your Resort Mug for Refills

One of the most economical perks of the Disney Dining Plan is the refillable resort mug. Every guest ages 3 and up will receive one during their stay. These mugs can be refilled at designated stations, including food courts and poolside locations at Disney Resort hotels.

Benefits of the Resort Mug:

• Convenience: Fill your mug with your favorite beverages in the morning and carry it with you throughout the day.

• Saves Money: You can use your mug to grab a quick drink during your park visits, rather than purchasing drinks separately.

• More Than Soda: Mug refills include more than soda. Enjoy non-caffeinated beverages like hot chocolate, coffee, tea, Powerade, and lemonade.

A Quick Tip:

While you can’t refill your mug with soft drinks inside the parks, water fountains offer a great opportunity to rinse and refill. Be sure to make the most of your resort mug during your stay, as it’s included in your plan and a great way to stay refreshed without added costs.

Some Disney Resort hotels have 24/7 refills, like the Coca-Cola Freestyle Machines around Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and the poolside soda fountain near the Hippy Dippy Pool at Disney’s Pop Century Resort.

3. DON’T Choose Menu Items Just to Maximize Your Value

It’s tempting to order the most expensive item on the menu to “get your money’s worth” from the Dining Plan, but this strategy may not always be the best idea. If you’re not a fan of a dish just because it’s expensive, you’ll end up wasting your credits and not enjoying your meal.

The Key to Dining Plan Success:

• Enjoy What You Love: Choose items you genuinely want to eat, whether they’re high or low in price. That’s the best way to enjoy your experience and ensure you’re satisfied with your meal.
• Balance: While you may want to indulge, try to balance rich, hearty meals with lighter options to avoid feeling sluggish during your busy Disney days.

Ensure you’re getting the most out of your meal credits by selecting meals you’ll actually enjoy. This will help you avoid wasting credits while keeping your dining experience fun and varied.

4. DO Tip Generously for Table Service Meals

Many Disney Dining Plan guests are surprised to learn that tips are not included in the plan. While your meal is covered, you are still responsible for gratuity, which is typically around 18% at Table Service restaurants.

Tips for Tipping:

• Have Cash or a Credit Card Ready: Be sure to bring a form of payment for your tip. While you can charge the tip to your room account, some guests prefer to tip in cash.

• Look for Suggested Tip Amounts: Most receipts will provide a suggested tip amount based on your total bill, making it easier to calculate.

While it’s easy to forget, tipping is a key part of your dining experience and shows appreciation for the service you receive.

5. DO Be Adventurous with Your Meals

The Disney Dining Plan offers the perfect opportunity to step outside your culinary comfort zone and try new things. Walt Disney World Resort boasts a diverse selection of cuisines, including Mediterranean, Asian, African, and more. If you’ve ever wanted to try something new, now is the time!

Why You Should Be Adventurous:

• Try New Cuisines: Don’t be afraid to order dishes you’ve never tried. You may discover a new favorite, and Disney’s chefs prepare their dishes with high quality and care.

• Unique Experiences: Some restaurants, like Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, offer immersive cultural dining experiences that add a magical touch to your vacation.

Take full advantage of the Disney Dining Plan and try something you wouldn’t usually order. Who knows, you might just find your next favorite dish!

6. DO Consider Paying Out of Pocket for Special Experiences

While the Disney Dining Plan provides a good number of credits for most dining options, certain experiences require more than one credit. Signature dining experiences like Cinderella’s Royal Table or dinner shows like Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue require two Table Service credits per person.

When to Pay Out of Pocket:

• Signature Dining: If you don’t want to use up all your credits, consider paying out of pocket for these extra-special experiences.

• Character Dining: Sometimes, the experience is worth paying for separately, especially if it’s something your family is looking forward to.

Before your trip, decide which experiences are most important to you and consider upgrading to a plan that better suits your needs.

7. DO Keep Track of Your Dining Credits

Keeping track of your meal credits is essential, especially as you move through your trip. It’s easy to lose track of how many credits you have left, especially with multiple family members involved.

Tips for Tracking Your Credits:

• Check Your Receipts: Each receipt will show how many credits you’ve used, helping you keep a running total.

• Ask for Assistance: If you’re unsure how many credits you have left, don’t hesitate to ask your Disney Resort hotel’s front desk or a dining cast member for help.

Properly managing your credits will ensure you don’t run out halfway through your trip.

8. DON’T Waste Snack Credits on Bottled Drinks

Disney snacks are famous, so make sure you’re using your snack credits on the best items available. Avoid wasting them on bottled water or other basic items you can easily have at home!

Best Snack Credit Options:

• Sweet Treats: Try cupcakes, churros, or Mickey-shaped ice cream bars.

• Savory Snacks: Opt for pretzels, ham & cheese croissants, or popcorn.

• Unique Drinks: Sip on a Dole Whip Float or a frozen lemonade rather than a bottle of Diet Coke!

Use your snack credits to try unique Disney treats you wouldn’t usually purchase out of pocket, making the most of this fun perk!

9. DO Use All of Your Snack Credits

Don’t let your snack credits go to waste! You’re given one snack credit per night of your stay, which can be used at various locations across Walt Disney World Resort.

How to Maximize Your Snack Credits:

• Pack Snacks for Later: If you’re unable to use all your credits before the end of your trip, you can grab pre-packaged snacks from Disney Resort hotel gift shops or Disney’s confectionery shops to take home.

• Snack Meals: Consider using your snacks as meals by grabbing a muffin in the morning or a snack-sized portion of soup for lunch.

• Save the Snacks for EPCOT: EPCOT’s seasonal festivals are the perfect place to use your snack credits on sample-sized portions of international or themed cuisine!

Use every credit to its full value and enjoy the variety of unique snacks that Disney has to offer.

10. DO Have a Plan

Have a solid plan for your meals during your trip. This will not only ensure you make the most of your dining credits but also help you avoid wasting time deciding where to eat.

Steps to Plan Ahead:

• Make Reservations Early: Some of Disney’s most popular restaurants book up fast, like Be Our Guest Restaurant and Cinderella’s Royal Table. Be sure to secure your reservations 60 days in advance.

• Plan Quick Service and Snacks: Remember to consider your Quick Service options and snack locations. Research the menus ahead of time, and consider Mobile Ordering on the My Disney Experience app for a smooth experience!

• Think of the Drinks: Each Table Service and Quick Service meal credit includes an alcoholic (for guests 21+) or non-alcoholic beverage. If your family sticks to water, the Disney Dining Plan might not be economical for you.

Make the Disney Dining Plan Work For You

The Disney Dining Plan is a fantastic way to simplify your meals and add extra value to your Walt Disney World Resort vacation. Following these dos and don’ts ensures a smoother, more enjoyable experience while making the most of your dining credits. Whether you’re indulging in fine dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table or enjoying a quick bite at Connections Eatery, the Disney Dining Plan can elevate your theme park vacation…if you use it wisely!

Is the Disney Dining Plan worth it? In the comments, share your tips for maximizing mealtimes with Disney Dining!