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Heading to Disney World? “Magical Dining” makes its triumphant return!

disney dining plan jaleo
Credit: Canva Creation

Of all the things the coronavirus pandemic took from faithful Disney World fans, perhaps the one that has been missed the most is the Walt Disney World Dining Plan.

disney dining plan

Credit: Canva Creation

RELATED: Disney World announces BIG NEWS about the Disney Dining Plan

One of the most popular offerings at Disney World, the Disney Dining Plan made it incredibly easy for Guests of all ages to enjoy tastes and treats from all over the Walt Disney World Resort. With four different dining plan options, it was easy for Guests to choose the one that best fit their needs and their budgets.

Disney World offered the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan, the Disney Dining Plan, the Disney Dining Plan Plus, and the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan.

The Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan gave Guests 2 meals per day at a Disney World quick-service dining location, as well as 2 snacks (or non-alcoholic beverages) per day, and one Resort-refillable drinking mug. The Disney Dining Plan offered Guests 1 quick-service meal and 1 table-service meal per day, as well as the other entitlements of the Quick-Service Dining Plan. And while it’s not free dining, it’s certainly hassle-free dining.

Dining Room

Credit: wanderingindisney.com

The Disney Dining Plan Plus allowed Guests to choose any combination of 2 meals per day, whether at a quick-service location or a table-service location, 2 snacks or beverages, and a refillable mug. And the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan allows guests to choose 3 meals per day, whether quick-service or table-service, as well as 2 snacks or 2 beverages, and a refillable mug.

Again, the snack credit could be used for a snack or a non-alcoholic beverage.

mickey ice cream

Credit: Facebook

Guests could book a Walt Disney World Dining Plan when they booked their Disney vacation, or they could modify an existing Disney vacation reservation to include a Disney World Dining Plan.

To date, the Disney Dining Plan has still not returned to Disney World. And not only has Disney not given any indication about when it might make a comeback; Guests don’t have any specific proof-positive that it will return at all. (We know that’s what we’re led to believe, but we’re starting to have our doubts.)

And while it isn’t the Disney Dining Plan, an exciting dining plan is making its return on August 26.

For the 17th year in a row, Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining event is back. From August 26 to October 2, 2022, diners can enjoy three-course, prix-fixe dinners at a cost of only $40 per person at any of a long list of Orlando-area restaurants, some of which are at the Walt Disney World Resort.

II Mulino restaurant

Credit: Disney

As an added high point, $1 from every $40 individual dining purchase supports a great cause: The Able Trust. The Able Trust helps to expand employment opportunities to people in Central Florida who are living with disabilities. Visit Orlando will also allocate a small portion of the funds to an organization in each Orange County District that will also help to support The Able Trust cause.

Another perk to Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining is the option for patrons to turn dinner into a getaway or a “weekend staycation,” thanks to Visit Orlando’s Magical Nights, which includes offers from properties that host one of the restaurants included in Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Restaurants list.

So far, three Disney World restaurants are participating in the Visit Orlando’s 2022 Magical Dining event: Il Mulino New York Trattoria at the Walt Disney World Swan Resort, Todd English’s bluezoo at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort, and JALEO at Disney Springs.

todd english's bluezoo at Dolphin resort

Credit: Disney

Patrons can view the full list of participating restaurants here.

About Becky Burkett

Becky's from the Lone Star State and has been writing since she was 10 and encountered her first Disney Park when she was 11. It was love at first Main Street Electrical Parade. Joy is blank lined journals, 0.7 mm pens, and all things Walt, Woody and Buzz, PIXAR, Imagineering, Sleeping Beauty (make it blue!), Disney Parks history and EPCOT. At Disney World, you'll find her croonin' with the birdies at the Enchanted Tiki Room or hangin' with Woody and the gang at Toy Story Land. If you can dream, you really can do it!