There’s a never-ending buzz about the Disney Dining Plan packages. Available as an add-on to a Magic Your Way package (see page 32), and sometimes free as a promotional item, the Disney Dining Plan has revolutionized the way many vacationers dine at Disney. While a hands-down winner in the past, saving money and maximizing value is a challenge today.

Disney offers several Dining Plan packages in 2018. The Basic Dining Plan is most popular, and can be added to any Magic Your Way package that includes at least one day of park admission. The add-on price is $75.49/adult (includes tax) and $25.75/ages 3–9 per night of your stay, regardless of season. Those under age 3 may share their parent’s meal. The Basic plan provides one table-service credit, one counter-service credit, and two snack credits for each night of your stay, plus a resort refillable mug. Compared to the average cost of meals, you lose 7%. To win, focus on higher-cost eateries and avoid all two-credit dining except for dinner shows and pizza delivery.

Guests over the age of 21 may choose 1 alcoholic beverage (wine, beer, or mixed cocktail) with each Disney Dining Plan quick service or table service meal. If you do not want alcohol, you can instead choose an artisanal milkshake, smoothie, premium hot chocolate, soda, coffee, or tea. Alcoholic beverages may only be redeemed with a quick-service or table-service meal entitlement.

The Deluxe Dining Plan costs $116.25 (includes tax)/guests ages 10 and up and $39.99/guests ages 3–9 per night of your stay. The Deluxe Dining Plan includes three meal credits (use for either table or counter service) and two snack credits per night, plus one refillable mug. Savings and value can be very good on this plan if you avoid counter service meals, but it’s easy to exceed your normal calorie count. (After paying tips, it can cost $130–$140/day per adult.) For the best value, only dine at one-credit table-service restaurants. Three meals per day too much? A few two-credit meals won’t destroy your savings. Pay out-of-pocket for all or most of your counter-service meals, and apply the extra credits to Signature Dining.

Disney also has a Quick-Service Dining Plan. For $52.50/adult and $21.74/ ages 3–9 per night of your stay, you get two counter-service meal credits (each credit is good for one entree or one combo meal and one beverage) and two snacks per person per night, plus one refillable drink mug per person. This is 2% less than break-even.

How do credits work? Table-service credits on the Basic Dining Plan include an entrée, dessert, regular soft drink, and sales tax. Dessert can be swapped for a side salad or cup of soup. Meal credits on the Deluxe Plan add an appetizer. Most gratuities are not included. Counter-service meals on all plans provide an entrée, regular soft drink, and sales tax (no dessert). Snack credits provide a single item, such as a soft drink, baked item, ice cream, or a Dole Whip, and can be applied to breakfast items like cereal, French toast sticks, oatmeal, grits, hard-boiled eggs, a side of bacon, sausage, potatoes or eggs. Disney affixes DDP icons to its menus to identify snack-credit items.

The Mobile Ordering feature available in the MyDisneyExperience app is now available for those guests who are on the Disney Dining Plan. Mobile Ordering is available at 23 locations (currently) around Walt Disney World, allowing you to select and pay for menu items in advance, which can shorten your wait time when you arrive. 

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