Disney Dining Plan: Paying More for Less In 2024

Many Walt Disney World guests are thrilled that Disney will return the dining plans in 2024. For many Disney veterans, the Disney dining plans were essential to their past Disney vacations.

When they went away following the shutdown, many guests were upset and wanted them to return. That wish is granted in 2024 as guests can now add a dining plan to their Walt Disney World vacations again.

Although these plans are a great way to prepay for your meals at Walt Disney World, the question is, are we paying more and getting less than before?

Credit: Becky Burkett/Disney Parks/Canva

What Are Disney Dining Plans?

Dining plans are prepaid meal plans that guests can add to their Walt Disney World Resort Package before their trip. Guests prepay for their meals before arrival. Once at Walt Disney World, guests use credits throughout the Walt Disney World Resort Property for meals and snacks.

Guests can choose from two meal plans currently at Walt Disney World. The Quick Service Dining Plan includes two quick service meals, one snack credit, and one refillable mug for each night of stay.

The Disney Dining Plan (or regular plan) offers one table-service meal, one quick-service meal, a snack, and one refillable mug for each night of stay.

By purchasing the plans, guests can make their Walt Disney World vacation feel more all-inclusive. We have always been a big supporter of the dining plans. They have always been an excellent way to take some of the stress from mealtime on vacation.

As we head into 2024, we wonder if these plans will be worth the cost.

Credit: Disney

Are We Getting Less for More?

When looking at the price of the dining plans, we wonder if the cost per day is still a good deal.

Quick Service Dining Plan: $57.01/adult (10 and older) and $23.83/child (3 to 9)

Disney Dining Plan: $94.28 /adult (10 and older) $26.69/child (3 to 9)

Looking at where you plan to eat during your vacation before deciding on a Disney dining plan is essential.

We have seen some significant adjustments to the plans heading into 2024. Akershus, an excellent princess character meal in EPCOT’s Norway Pavilion, is now a two-credit experience for lunch and supper.

Credit: Disney

Cinderella’s Royal Table and Storybook Dining at Artist Point are two credits moving forward. When more character meals become two-table service credits, the dining plan becomes less of a deal.

We have also seen less flexibility regarding those 3 to 9 and ordering from the adult menu. In 2020, Disney began to enforce that those using a child dining credit must order from the children’s menu when available.

In the past, guests could also trade one quick service credit for three snack credits. This was a great way to maximize recognition and use credits when visiting one of EPCOT’s festivals.

Ensuring you understand the details is essential when looking into the dining plans. We recommend considering how your family will want to dine during your vacation. Look at menus and pricing to help you determine if the dining plans are a good deal for your travel party.

We aren’t surprised that the overall cost has gone up for these plans as food everywhere has gone up, but we are concerned that we are getting fewer benefits overall with the dining plans during our vacations in 2024

Related: 2024: Key Things to Know About Disney.