CRITICAL Details REVEALED for the Disney Dining Plan’s Return

2024 is a BIG year for Disney World.

We’ll get a new ride in Magic Kingdom, an expansion on a popular Disney World hotel, and the Disney Dining Plan is returning. Yep, you heard that right — for trips starting January 9th, 2024, the Disney Dining Plan will be available to add to vacation packages for the first time in years. Disney has shared some important new updates about the return of the Dining Plan, so let’s get into it.

Basics

So, what even is the Disney Dining Plan? Well, with the Disney Dining Plan, guests have the option to pay for their meals in advance by purchasing a plan that includes a certain number of dining credits (which depend on the type of plan and the number of days of the trip).

These dining credits can then be redeemed throughout the parks at select snack, Quick Service, and Table Service locations.

In the past, we have seen four tiers of plans made available, but in 2024 only the Quick Service Dining Plan and the standard Disney Dining Plan will be returning.

Starting on May 31st, 2023, guests will be able to add either of these options to their vacation packages for dates on or after January 9th, 2024.

Keep in mind, in order to qualify, you must be staying at a Disney-owned-and-operated hotel and have purchased at least one ticket per person.

What does this mean for Annual Passholders? Well, Passholders fall under a different rule and will be able to add a Dining Plan to a hotel stay. Disney Vacation Club guests are also subject to some specific rules. They will be able to add a plan to a points reservation, but they will need to call the DVC line at 800-800-9800 to do so.

Now that we’ve covered what the Disney Dining Plan is, let’s talk about the options and details you need to know.

Quick Service Dining Plan

The Quick Service Dining Plan is an option for those looking to enjoy casual meals on the go during their trip. Everyone in your party ages 3 and up will get the following on the Quick Service plan:

• 2 Quick-Service Meals Per Night of Stay
• 1 Snack or Nonalcoholic Beverage Per Night of Stay
• 1 Resort-Refillable Mug

So, if you book a 4-night package with this plan, each person (ages 3 and up) would get 8 quick service meals and 4 snacks or nonalcoholic beverages, which can be used whenever you want during your 4-night stay. The details of what’s included are as follows:

Quick Service Meal

Meals redeemed at breakfast, lunch, or dinner will include:

• 1 Entrée
• 1 Nonalcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)

Alcoholic Beverages

Visitors 21 and older may choose either one nonalcoholic beverage or one-single serving mixed cocktail, beer, or wine (where offered) as part of their meal, including:

• Beer or Cider
• Wine or Sangria
• Mixed Drinks and Specialty Cocktails

Nonalcoholic Beverages

Those 10 years old and up can choose one nonalcoholic beverage (including specialty beverages where offered) as part of their meal. That includes:

• Milkshakes
• Fresh Smoothies
• Premium Hot Chocolate
• Soda, Coffee, or Tea

Snacks

At Quick Service restaurants, most Outdoor Carts, and select merchandise locations, snacks may include a single serving of items such as:

• Frozen ice cream novelty, popsicle, or fruit bar
• 2 scoops of hand-scooped ice cream
• Popcorn scoop (single-serving box)
• Piece of whole fruit
• Single-serve bag of snacks
• 20-ounce bottle of Coca-Cola® products, including Dasani® water
• 20-ounce fountain soft drink
• Single-serve coffee, hot chocolate, hot tea, milk, or juice
• Cup of soup
• Add on toppings or sauces (e.g. side of cheese dipping sauce)

What’s NOT Included

Here’s what’s NOT included in the Quick Service Dining Plan:

• Items that are more than a single serving (such as a box of doughnuts or a jar of peanut butter)
• Items (such as popcorn or drinks) that are served in a souvenir container
• Items considered to be merchandise (such as bottle toppers, glow cubes, and bottle straps)
• Special dining events offered at certain Table Service locations

How is the standard Dining Plan different? Let’s take a look.

Standard Dining Plan

For those looking to enjoy some sit-down meals during their vacation, the Standard Disney Dining Plan offers a few more options. This plan is similar but also includes some credits for Table Service restaurants. With this plan, everyone in your party ages 3 and up gets the following during their trip:

• 1 Quick Service Meal Per Night of Stay
• 1 Table Service Meal Per Night of Stay
• 1 Snack or Nonalcoholic Beverage Per Night of Stay
• 1 Resort-Refillable Mug

If you were to book a 4-night stay and purchase this Standard Disney Dining Plan option, each person in your party (ages 3 and up) would get 4 Table Service meals, 4 Quick Service meals, and 4 snacks or nonalcoholic beverages to be used any time during your stay. Here’s what’s included:

Quick Service

Meals redeemed at breakfast, lunch, or dinner will include:

• 1 Entrée
• 1 Nonalcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)

Table Service

For table service, things can depend a LOT on when you’ll be dining and what restaurant you’ll be visiting.

Table Service Meals redeemed at breakfast will include:

• 1 Entrée
• 1 Nonalcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)

OR

• 1 Full Buffet (prix-fixe) or Family-Style Meal (prix-fixe)
• 1 Nonalcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)

Meals redeemed at brunch, lunch, or dinner will include:

• 1 Entrée
• 1 Dessert
• 1 Nonalcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)

OR

• 1 Full Buffet (If Available) or Family-Style Meal
• 1 Nonalcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)

Alcoholic Beverages

Those 21 and older may choose either one nonalcoholic beverage or one-single serving mixed cocktail, beer, or wine (where offered) as part of their meal, including:

• Beer or Cider
• Wine or Sangria
• Mixed Drinks and Specialty Cocktails

Nonalcoholic Beverages

Visitors 10 years old and up can choose one nonalcoholic beverage (including specialty beverages where offered) as part of their meal.

• Milkshakes
• Fresh Smoothies
• Premium Hot Chocolate
• Soda, Coffee, or Tea

Snacks

At Quick Service restaurants, most Outdoor Carts and select merchandise locations, snacks may include a single serving of items such as:

• Frozen ice cream novelty, popsicle, or fruit bar
• 2 scoops of hand-scooped ice cream
• Popcorn scoop (single-serving box)
• Piece of whole fruit
• Single-serve bag of snacks
• 20-ounce bottle of Coca-Cola® products, including Dasani® water
• 20-ounce fountain soft drink
• Single-serve coffee, hot chocolate, hot tea, milk, or juice
• Cup of soup
• Add on toppings or sauces (e.g. side of cheese dipping sauce)

What’s NOT Included

• Items that are more than a single serving (such as a box of doughnuts or a jar of peanut butter)
• Items (such as popcorn or drinks) that are served in a souvenir container
• Items considered to be merchandise (such as bottle toppers, glow cubes, and bottle straps)
• Special dining events offered at certain Table Service locations

In terms of what qualifies as an alcoholic beverage, nonalcoholic beverage, and snack, you can review the information above under the Quick Service Dining Plan as it is the same. The same rules also apply in terms of what is NOT included (like items that are more than a single serving).

Now, what about some other miscellaneous dining situations you may be wondering about? Let’s see how those fit into these plans.

Other Dining Experiences

Character Dining

Many dining experiences only require 1 table service credit, but SOME require two. Two Table Service meals will need to be redeemed from the Dining Plan for each person dining at the following character meals:

• Fairytale Dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table
• Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (at lunch and dinner only)
• Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White

That’s an important distinction when compared to other character meals.

Dinner at Be Our Guest

Be Our Guest Restaurant requires 2 Table Service meals specifically for DINNER.

This is not a traditional character meal but does feature a brief appearance by the Beast.

Fine/Signature Dining

Disney has certain fine/signature dining restaurants that also fall under specific Dining Plan rules. These are the fancier restaurants in Disney World.

Each meal from a Fine/Signature Dining restaurant on the Disney Dining Plan includes:

• 1 Entrée
• 1 Nonalcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)
• 1 Dessert

Two Table Service meals will need to be redeemed from the Dining Plan for each person dining at a Fine/Signature Dining experience.

Dinner Shows

Two Table Service meal credits will need to be redeemed from the Dining Plan for each person dining at a dinner show experience.

Disney hasn’t specified what restaurants this would include, but we expect it would apply to Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue.

In-Room Dining

In-Room Dining (room service) is available at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. If you are staying at this resort, you can use your Dining Plan for in-room dining. Each private in-room dining meal on the Disney Dining Plan includes:

• 1 Entrée
• 1 Dessert (lunch and dinner)
• 1 Nonalcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)

For private in-room dining, 2 Table Service meals will need to be redeemed from the Dining Plan for each person dining.

Pizza Pickup

Want to just pick up a pizza to share with the family for your meal? You can stop by select Quick Service locations to pick up a pizza meal, which includes:

• 1 Large Pizza
• 2 Single-serving Nonalcoholic Beverages (or Alcoholic Beverages, for Guests 21 and older)

Two Quick Service meals will be redeemed for each Pizza Pickup meal. This will be available at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside.

Other Details

Keep in mind that even with the convenience of these Dining Plans, there are still some things you’ll have to be prepared for during mealtimes on your trip.

For instance, gratuities are not included, except for at Cinderella’s Royal Table and dinner shows. An 18% gratuity will be automatically added to your check for parties of 6 or more. Also, gratuity may automatically be added to your bill for certain items in your order that are not included in the plan.

You’ll also still have to be prepared to make dining reservations. These are highly recommended for Table Service restaurants and required for dinner shows. You can make reservations online or through the My Disney Experience app.

Disney also notes that “Certain select menu items require payment of an additional amount in addition to redeeming the number of meals required at the location.” If you have any doubts, be sure to ask the Cast Member at the restaurant before ordering a particular item.

How do you actually redeem a Dining Plan credit? When you arrive at your dining location, present your MagicBand, Disney MagicMobile pass, or Key to the World card to your server or cashier.

And what about keeping track of how many credits you have left? For that, you’ll want to take a look at the My Disney Experience app, which will show your remaining meals. You can also check your dining receipts or speak with a Guest Relations Cast Member.

This is all a LOT, we know. Planning for your trip can be overwhelming sometimes. If you’re looking for a travel agent to help with your vacation, we recommend our friends at Mouse Fan Travel. They’re experts in the field with over 20 years of vacation planning experience, and they can help take a bunch of the stress out of the entire booking process for you!

We’ll keep bringing you all the latest info about the Dining Plan return and other vacation planning tips, so stay tuned to AllEars for more!

Click here to see how YOU could impact the Disney Dining Plan when it returns

Will you be adding the Disney Dining Plan to your vacation package next year? Let us know in the comments below!

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