Planning a trip to Walt Disney World? One of the most common questions we get at Let’s Talk Travel is: "Should I get a Disney Dining Plan?" Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned Disney pro, understanding how the dining plans work can help you save time, budget smarter, and enjoy your vacation even more.

Here’s your complete guide to Disney Dining Plans — how they work, what they cost, what’s included, and whether it’s right for your trip.

✅ What Is a Disney Dining Plan?

A Disney Dining Plan is a prepaid meal package available to guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel as part of a vacation package that includes theme park tickets. You pay one set price per night of your stay, and in return, you receive meal and snack credits to use throughout your trip.

Disney’s goal? To make dining at the parks and resorts more convenient, so you can focus on the magic — not your wallet.

🍽️ What Dining Plans Are Available?

As of 2025, there are two types of Disney Dining Plans:

1. Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan

Perfect for families on the go who prefer faster meals without reservations.

Includes (per person, per night):

2 Quick-Service meals
1 Snack or Nonalcoholic Beverage
1 Resort-Refillable Drink Mug (valid for use at your Disney resort)

2. Disney Dining Plan

Ideal for those who want to enjoy both table-service and quick-service meals.

Includes (per person, per night):

1 Table-Service meal
1 Quick-Service meal
1 Snack or Nonalcoholic Beverage
1 Resort-Refillable Drink Mug

Note: Children ages 3-9 must order from the children’s menu where available.

💰 How Much Do Disney Dining Plans Cost?

While prices are subject to change and vary slightly depending on the season, here are the estimated 2025 prices (per person, per night):

Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan:

Adults (ages 10+): ~$57.00
Children (ages 3–9): ~$24.00

Disney Dining Plan:

Adults (ages 10+): ~$95.00
Children (ages 3–9): ~$30.00

These rates can vary based on travel dates and package components, so we recommend contacting us directly to get a customized quote.

🏰 Where Can You Use the Dining Plan?

Dining plans are accepted at over 200 locations across Walt Disney World, including:

All four theme parks
Disney Springs
Disney Resort hotels

Quick-Service locations include popular spots like:

Satuli Canteen (Animal Kingdom)
Casey’s Corner (Magic Kingdom)
Regal Eagle Smokehouse (EPCOT)

Table-Service restaurants include:

Be Our Guest Restaurant
‘Ohana
Chef Mickey’s
Cinderella’s Royal Table (note: requires 2 table-service credits)

You can check eligible restaurants on the My Disney Experience app or website, which also shows how many credits are required.

🛎️ How Does It Work?

Once your dining plan is added to your vacation package:

Credits Are Loaded Automatically: You’ll receive a pool of meal/snack credits for the number of nights you’re staying.
Use Them Anytime: You don’t have to use a set number each day. For example, you can use 3 on one day and fewer the next.
Track in the App: Use the My Disney Experience app to keep track of how many credits you’ve used and what’s remaining.
Tipping Not Included: Don’t forget — gratuity is not included at table-service restaurants (except for select dinner shows or parties of 6+).

🧃 What’s Included With Each Meal?

Each meal includes:

Quick-Service Meal: Entrée + drink (alcoholic for 21+ or nonalcoholic)
Table-Service Meal: Entrée, dessert, and drink (or full buffet at participating locations)

Snacks can include:

Popcorn
Ice cream
Pretzels
Bottled drinks
Bakery items
Specialty coffee

Look for the purple **“DDP” icon** on menus and snack carts to identify eligible items.

🎯 Is a Disney Dining Plan Worth It?

It depends on your travel style! A dining plan may be worth it if:

✅ You plan to eat most meals at Disney property
✅ You want the convenience of pre-paying
✅ You enjoy character dining or signature meals
✅ You don’t want to worry about budgeting during the trip

A dining plan might not be ideal if you:

🚫 Plan to eat off-site or pack meals
🚫 Have light eaters in your group
🚫 Want more flexibility with your dining

Let’s Talk Travel can help you calculate whether it will actually save your family money. In some cases, it definitely can!

📍How to Add a Dining Plan

You can only add a Disney Dining Plan when you book a Walt Disney World Resort package that includes theme park tickets through:

The official Disney website or app
A trusted travel advisor (like Let’s Talk Travel!)

Dining plans cannot be purchased separately or added to room-only reservations.

✨ Our Pro Tip

Dining reservations open 60 days in advance — and table-service spots fill up fast. If you're using the Dining Plan, we highly recommend booking your dining as early as possible!

Need help choosing restaurants, snagging reservations, or building the perfect itinerary around your dining plan? That’s where we come in. 🧡

Ready to Plan Your Disney Vacation?

At Let’s Talk Travel, we specialize in creating custom Disney vacations that take the stress out of planning — including dining plans, Genie+ strategies, character dining, and more. Contact us today! 📩

Everything You Need to Know About Disney Dining Plans (2025 Edition)