Walt Disney World resort is undeniably a magical destination, but it can also be quite expensive. If you’re looking for ways to cut down on costs during your Disney World vacation, one strategy worth considering is the Disney Dining Plan.
However, opinions on this meal plan vary among Disney World fans.
So, you might be wondering: is the Disney Dining Plan worth it?
In this guide, we’ll delve into the details to help you determine if this plan is a good fit for your next trip.
Jump to:
- What is the Disney Dining Plan?
- Quick Service Disney Dining Plan
- Disney Dining Plan
- How much does the Disney Dining Plan cost?
- Does the Disney Dining Plan save you money?
- How much can you save with the Disney Dining Plan?
- Can you get the Disney Dining Plan for free?
- Which restaurants accept the DDP?
- Factors to consider before getting the DDP
- Can you use the Disney Dining Plan at Character Meals?
- Can you use the Disney Dining Plan at Disney Springs?
- Can you use the Disney Dining Plan at Signature Restaurants?
- Can you save DDP credits for another time?
- Is the Disney Dining Plan worth it?
Note: The Disney Dining Plan can be added to Disney World Vacation Packages that include a Disney Resort Stay for arrivals on or after January 9th, 2024.
What is the Disney Dining Plan?
The Disney Dining Plan, also known as DDP, is a pre-paid meal plan offered at Disney World.
It provides you with credits to use on food and drink, eliminating the need to carry cash or worry about covering all your meals.
There are two main plans to choose from:
- Disney Quick Service Dining Plan
- Disney Dining Plan
Quick Service Disney Dining Plan
Everyone ages 3 and up will receive the following:
- 2 Quick Service meals per night of stay
- 1 Snack or non-alcoholic beverage per night of stay
- 1 Resort Refillable Mug
With the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan, you’ll receive 1 refillable resort mug, 2 quick service credits, and 1 snack credits per night of your stay at a Disney resort.
Quick service credits can be used at casual, counter service, or food truck-style restaurants, including many dining halls at Disney resorts.
Each quick service credit covers one entrée and one drink, with the option for guests aged 21 and over to choose an alcoholic beverage where available.
You can also opt for a specialty beverage like a milkshake or smoothie.
A few examples of Quick Service Restaurants at Disney World are:
- Docking Bay 7 at Hollywood Studios
- Casey’s Corner at Magic Kingdom
- Flame Tree Barbecue at Animal Kingdom
- Regal Eagle Smokehouse at EPCOT
- Chicken Guy at Disney Springs
Disney Dining Plan
Everyone ages 3 and up will receive the following:
- 1 Quick Service meal per night of stay
- 1 Table Service meal per night of stay
- 1 Snack or non-alcoholic beverage per night of stay
- 1 Resort-Refillable Mug
The Disney Dining Plan, on the other hand, includes 1 quick service credit, 1 table service credit, and 1 snack credits per night.
Table service restaurants offer a more upscale dining experience, where you can make advanced reservations and enjoy being served at a table.
One table service credit covers one entrée, dessert, and one drink, including alcoholic beverages if available.
You can also use the table service credit at buffets or family-style eateries.
A few examples of Table Service Restaurants at Disney World are:
- Roundup Rodeo BBQ at Hollywood Studios
- Topolino’s Terrace at Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Be Our Guest Restaurant at Magic Kingdom
- Teppan Edo at EPCOT
- Akershus Royal Banquet Hall at EPCOT
- Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen at Magic Kingdom
- Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ at Disney Springs
How much does the Disney Dining Plan cost?
Here’s how much the Disney Dining Plan costs for adults and children (ages 3 to 9):
The Quick Service Disney Dining Plan costs $57.01 per adult per day and $23.83 per child (ages 3 to 9) per day.
The Disney Dining Plan costs $94.28 per adult per day and $29.69 per child (ages 30 to 9) per day.
To purchase the Disney Dining Plan, you need to book a Disney Resort Hotel Package that includes a dining package.
If you’re an Annual Passholder, you can also add the DDP to your hotel stay without having to purchase a package that includes park tickets.
Does the Disney Dining Plan save you money?
The Disney Dining Plan can indeed save you money in certain situations, but there are exceptions.
The biggest exception is if you drink alcohol.
If you do, then the DDP, especially the Quick Service Disney Dining Plan, is totally worth it.
Here are the average meal prices at Disney World if you don’t drink alcohol.
- Table Service (adult) = $32
- Table Service (child) = $13
- Quick Service (adult) = $18
- Quick Service (child) = $8
- Snack = $7
Here are the average meal prices at Disney World if you drink alcohol:
- Table Service (adult) = $41
- Table Service (child) = $21
- Quick Service (adult) = $30
- Quick Service (child) = $17
- Snack = $7
As you can see, if you’re planning on ordering a cocktail or beer with each Quick Service meal, then you’ll definitely save some money by going with the DDP.
And here’s how much each DDP credit is worth:
- Table Service (adult) = $60
- Table Service (child) = $13
- Quick Service (adult) = $24
- Quick Service (child) = $8
- Snack = $7
How much can you save with the Disney Dining Plan?
So can you actually save money? Let’s break it down:
The Quick Service Disney Dining Plan includes 2 Quick Service meals and 1 Snack which should total $57 per day per adult or $24 per day per child.
- If you DO NOT drink alcohol, your average daily cost will be $43 per adult or $23 per child. As a result, you’ll be be spending $14 more per day per adult and $1 more per child per day. Not worth it if you don’t drink alcohol (or specialty beverages for children like milkshakes and slushees).
- If you DO drink alcohol, your average daily cost will be $67 per adult or $41 per child. As a result, you be saving $10 per day per adult and $17 per child per day. Worth it if the adults drink alcohol and the kids order specialty nonalcoholic drinks.
The Disney Dining Plan includes 1 Table Service meal, 1 Quick Service Meal, and 1 Snack.
- If you DO NOT drink alcohol, your daily cost will be $57 per adult or $28 per child. As a result, you’ll be be spending $38 more per day per adult and $2 more per child per day. Not worth it if you don’t drink alcohol (or specialty beverages for children like milkshakes and slushees).
- If you DO drink alcohol, your daily cost will be $67 per adult or $41 per child. As a result, you be spending $28 more per day per adult and saving $11 per child per day. Not worth it for adults but could save you money for children.
Please just make sure that you maximize your DDP credits to its full potential in order to save as much money as possible. If you don’t then you will always lose money using the DDP.
So, if you want to experience the wide range of dining options at Disney World, you have expensive tastebuds, and you drink alcohol, the Disney Dining Plan can be a money saver.
*The savings vary based on the plan you choose and your dining preferences.
What about Snack Credits?
Here comes the fun stuff. You can also save money by maximizing your Snack Credit!
On average, a DDP snack credit is worth $7 so it’s important to get a snack that’s over or at least close to that price in order to make the meal plan worth it.
Here are some of my favorite snacks to use a DDP credit on:
- Tropical Serenade Float from Aloha Isle
- Dole Whip Float from Pineapple Lanai
- Plaza Ice Cream Sundae from the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
- Night Blossom from Pongu Pongu
- Funnel Cake
- Green or Blue Milk from the Milk Stand (in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge)
You can also use your snack credits at some EPCOT festival food booths too, which is a great use of them since a majority of those food items are on the pricier side, at least compared to previous years.
Just remember one important thing:
- Don’t waste your credit on bottled water or any non-alcoholic drinks under $7
Can you get the Disney Dining Plan for free?
As of right now, there are no Free Disney Dining Plan promotions that are available, as they were in the past.
Hopefully, Disney will decide to bring back that yearly promotion soon, but I personally wouldn’t expect it.
But that doesn’t mean that Disney is opposed to free dining.
Which restaurants accept the DDP?
A majority of the Table Service and Quick Service restaurants found inside all of the 6 parks and Disney Springs accept the Disney Dining Plan.
For a full list of restaurants, including Signature and Character Dining, check this out.
There are, however, a few notable restaurants that do not currently accept the Disney Dining Plan:
- Chefs de France
- California Grill
- Space 220
- Victoria & Albert’s
- Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue
There are a few new restaurants in the works so I’m anticipating that some of those will be added in the future such as the spot that is going to replace Tokyo Dining inside of Epcot.
Factors to consider before getting the DDP
Here are some things to consider before getting the DDP, including if you’re deciding between the two plans.
1. Dining Preferences
Consider your dining preferences and how you plan to eat during your Disney World vacation.
If you enjoy sit-down meals, character dining experiences, and exploring a variety of dining options, the Disney Dining Plan may offer good value for you.
However, if you prefer quick meals or want to dine outside the Disney World parks, the Quick Service Dining Plan might be a better fit.
2. Dining Habits
Evaluate your eating habits and appetite. The dining plan includes multiple meals and snacks per day, so it’s essential to determine if you will make use of all the credits.
If you’re not a big eater or prefer to have fewer meals in a day, you may not fully utilize the plan and may not maximize its value.
3. Cost Analysis
Compare the cost of the dining plan to the out-of-pocket expenses you would incur without it.
Consider the prices of meals, snacks, and drinks you typically consume at Disney World.
Calculate whether the total cost of those items is likely to be higher or lower than the cost of the dining plan.
It’s also important to factor in any discounts or promotions you might be eligible for, as they can affect the overall value.
4. Flexibility
The Disney Dining Plan offers flexibility in terms of where you can use your credits. It covers a wide range of dining locations, from quick-service to table-service restaurants.
If you enjoy trying different restaurants and experiencing a variety of cuisines, the dining plan can enhance your flexibility and make it easier to plan your meals.
5. Convenience
One of the benefits of the Disney Dining Plan is the convenience it provides.
With all your meals pre-paid and credits loaded onto your MagicBand or app, you don’t have to worry about carrying cash or credit cards for every meal.
This convenience can make dining at Disney World more seamless and hassle-free.
6. Special Dietary Needs
If you or someone in your party has special dietary needs, such as allergies or restrictions, it’s essential to consider if the dining plan can accommodate those needs.
Disney World is known for its excellent options for guests with dietary restrictions, but it’s advisable to review the menus and policies of the participating restaurants to ensure they can accommodate your specific requirements.
Also, from a financial perspective, some special diets such as vegan, will sometimes have significantly cheaper meal options than the rest of the menu. For example, you won’t find a vegan dish that is the same price as a steak, meaning you’ll be pre-paying a lot more than you would if you were to just pay out of pocket.
7. Alcohol
If you drink alcohol and plan on having a drink with every meal, then the Quick Service DDP is a great option to consider because you can get your money’s worth. The only time this may not be beneficial financially is if you plan on eating multiple meals at Magic Kingdom Quick Service restaurants because these locations do not offer alcohol.
Can you use the Disney Dining Plan at Character Meals?
Yes, you can use the Disney Dining Plan at Character Dining locations.
The Character Dining locations that you can use the DDP at are:
- Tusker House
- Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
- Garden Grill
- Hollywood and Vine
- Cinderella’s Royal Table
- Crystal Palace
- Chef Mickey’s
- ‘Ohana (breakfast)
- Cape May Cafe (breakfast)
- Topolino’s Terrace (breakfast)
- Sorry Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White (dinner)
In order to dine at these locations, you will need to use a Table Service credit.
Personally, I believe that using your table service credit at a character meal during lunch or dinner, especially if it’s a buffet of family-style, is a fantastic use of your credit since these are generally some of the pricier dining options offered at Disney World.
Can you use the Disney Dining Plan at Disney Springs?
Yes, you can use the Disney Dining Plan at certain locations inside of Disney Springs.
The exact list can be found here.
Notable eligible restaurants include:
- The Boathouse
- Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’
- Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza
- Chicken Guy
- Earl of Sandwich
- Enzo’s Hideaway
- Morimoto Asia
- The Polite Pig
- Splitsville
Can you use the Disney Dining Plan at Signature Restaurants?
Yes, you can use the Disney Dining Plan at certain Signature Restaurants at Disney World.
Although previously considered to be 2 Table Service Credit restaurants, there is currently no information if they will follow suit in 2024.
Here are all of the Signature Restaurants that currently accept the DDP:
- The Boathouse
- Cinderella’s Royal Table
- Citricos
- Flying Fish
- The Hollywood Brown Derby
- Jaleo by Jose Andres
- Jiko
- Le Cellier
- Morimoto Asia
- Narcoossee’s
- Paddlefish
- Tiffins
- Topolino’s Terrace
- Yachtsman Steakhouse
Fo the most up to date restaurant listing, see here.
Can you save DDP credits for another time?
Unfortunately, you cannot save your remaining Disney Dining Plan credits for another trip, nor can they be cashed out.
That’s why it’s very important to use up all your credits before your trip ends or else you are wasting a ton of money.
If you find yourself struggling to use snack credits, you can load up on candy or other packaged snacks found at the shops, bakeries, and confectionaries inside most Disney World parks and resorts.
Is the Disney Dining Plan worth it?
If saving money is the main reason, the Disney Dining Plan just is not worth the cost, especially after the most recent price increase for the standard DDP.
I understand that food costs at WDW have gone up, but the almost $40 increase per day for the Disney Dining Plan just doesn’t work out financially.
The only way in my opinion where the Disney Dining Plan is worth it is if you look at it as more of a convenience perk as opposed to a way to save you money.
By prepaying for your meals, you won’t have to worry about overspending on food during your stay, but instead focus on making cherished memories. Because let’s be real, focusing on money during a vacation is no fun and can really put a damper on your entire trip.
That said, if you are savvy enough and are willing to eat and drink your money’s worth by maximizing each DDP credit to it’s full potential, you can easily eat and drink more than what you paid for. This is especially true if you drink alcohol.
But, of course, at the end of the day, it’s up to you.
More Info: Here are 31 DDP tips and tricks!
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