One of the most awaited changes is coming to the Walt Disney World Resort with the return of the Disney Dining Plan! The Disney Dining Plan was removed from the Walt Disney Resort in 2020 and has been unavailable for over three years. Following the return of Disney CEO Bob Iger, the Dining Plan is next in line behind a handful of changes that have been taking Disney World fans by surprise.
Starting January 9, 2024, the Disney Dining Plan will return for the first time since Walt Disney World’s closure in 2020. Beginning May 31, 2023, Guests can add a dining plan to a new or existing Resort reservation planned for January 9, 2024, or later.
What is the Disney Dining Plan?
The Disney Dining Plan allows Guests to pre-pay for meals, snacks, and drinks for their trip. The Dining Plan can be used at qualifying locations throughout the theme parks and Disney Resort hotels. Each meal and snack/drink is available on your account as a redeemable “credit.” This gives you the flexibility to use them throughout your stay. Credits expire on the last day of your Resort stay, so make sure you use them all before you leave.
With the return of the Dining Plan, two levels will be available for Guests to choose from: the Quick Service Dining Plan and the standard Dining Plan.
What’s Included?
Guests will have the option to choose between the Quick Service Dining Plan or the standard Dining Plan. The Quick Service Dining Plan includes two quick service meals and one snack/nonalcoholic beverage for each night of your Resort stay. In addition to the included meals, each Guest gets a refillable drink mug, valid for the length of their stay. The drink mug can be refilled at any Disney Resort across the property.
The Dining Plan includes one table service meal, one quick service meal, and one snack/nonalcoholic drink per night of your stay. The standard Dining Plan also includes a refillable drink mug, good for the length of your stay. Some table service reservations, like eligible Character Dining experiences, require more than one meal credit.
Each meal and snack is available on your account as a redeemable “credit.” This gives you the flexibility to use them throughout your stay. All credits expire on the last day of your Resort stay.
How to Add the Dining Plan
Starting May 31, 2023, you can add The Dining Plan to a Disney Resort stay planned for January 9, 2024, or later. You can add the Dining Plan to a Disney Vacation package at a qualifying Resort.
Annual Passholders can purchase a Dining Plan with a Resort stay without buying an additional Park ticket. Disney Vacation Club members can add a Dining Plan to a point reservation, but they need to call DVC to add it over the phone.
How Much Does it Cost?
One of the most significant changes in the return of the dining plan is the price increase. The Quick Service Dining Plan costs $57/per adult and $23.83/per child. The standard Dining Plan runs $94/adult and$29.69/child. Though prices have jumped since the last time the Dining Plan was available, these changes account for a three-year gap.
