What’s Included In The Disney Dining Plan?
Located in Pandora, Satu’li Canteen is the best quick service restaurant in Walt Disney World. I recommend the chimichurri chicken bowl.
When you stay at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel, you’ll have the option to purchase a Disney Dining Plan for the length of your stay. I recommend getting a dining plan, especially if you’re lucky enough to take advantage of one of the dining promotions Disney has been known to offer from time to time. The dining plan is a great add-on to your vacation, even if you aren’t able to get it under a promotion. Not only can it save you money, but it’s also so convenient to know your snack and meal costs (excluding tips) are already taken care of. Disney offers three different types of dining plans. We’ll take a look at what’s included in each plan to help you determine which dining plan is right for you.
Quick Service Dining Plan
The Quick Service Dining Plan is the cheapest dining plan. This plan is great if you want to enjoy quick and casual meals and snacks at the many quick service dining locations throughout the parks and resorts. With the Quick Service Dining Plan, each guests age 3 and over will receive the following for each night of their stay:
- 2 Quick Service Meals
- 2 Snacks
For 2018, each Quick Service Meal includes the following:
- 1 Entrée
- 1 Non-Alcoholic Beverage (or 1 Alcoholic Beverage for guests 21 and older)
The Quick Service Dining Plan also includes 1 refillable resort mug for each guest age 3 and over. These mugs are refillable at the resorts only.
Disney Dining Plan
The Disney Dining Plan is the plan I recommend most often. This dining plan allows guests to enjoy dining at both quick service dining locations and table service dining locations. With the Disney Dining Plan, each guests age 3 and over will receive the following for each night of their stay:
- 1 Quick Service Meal
- 1 Table Service Meal
- 2 Snacks
For 2018, each Quick Service Meal includes the following:
- 1 Entrée
- 1 Non-Alcoholic Beverage (or 1 Alcoholic Beverage for guests 21 and older)
For 2018, each Table Service Meal includes the following for breakfast:
- 1 Entrée
- 1 Non-Alcoholic Beverage (or 1 Alcoholic Beverage for guests 21 and older)
OR
- 1 Full Buffet or Family Style Meal
For 2018, each Table Service Meal includes the following for lunch or dinner:
- 1 Entrée
- 1 Dessert
- 1 Non-Alcoholic Beverage (or 1 Alcoholic Beverage for guests 21 and older)
OR
- 1 Full Buffet or Family Style Meal
The Disney Dining Plan also includes 1 refillable resort mug for each guest age 3 and over. These mugs are refillable at the resorts only.
Located in Adventureland, Skipper Canteen takes its inspiration from the World Famous Jungle Cruise. This punny restaurant is my favorite table service at Walt Disney World.
Deluxe Dining Plan
The Deluxe Dining Plan is perfect if you’re a Disney foodie. This dining plan gives guests the freedom to enjoy so many dining experiences within the parks and resorts. With the Deluxe Dining Plan, each guests age 3 and over will receive the following for each night of their stay:
- 3 Meals
- 2 Snacks
For 2018, each Quick Service Meal includes the following:
- 1 Entrée
- 1 Non-Alcoholic Beverage (or 1 Alcoholic Beverage for guests 21 and older)
For 2018, each Table Service Meal includes the following for breakfast:
- 1 Entrée
- 1 Non-Alcoholic Beverage (or 1 Alcoholic Beverage for guests 21 and older)
OR
- 1 Full Buffet or Family Style Meal
For 2018, each Table Service Meal includes the following for lunch or dinner:
- 1 Entrée
- 1 Dessert
- 1 Non-Alcoholic Beverage (or 1 Alcoholic Beverage for guests 21 and older)
OR
- 1 Full Buffet or Family Style Meal
The Disney Dining Plan also includes 1 refillable resort mug for each guest age 3 and over. These mugs are refillable at the resorts only.
Beverages
New for the 2018 Disney Dining Plan, both quick service and table service meal credits now include specialty beverages or alcoholic beverages. All guests have the option to choose specialty beverages such as:
- Milkshakes
- Smoothies
- Hot Chocolate
Guests age 21 and older have the option to choose alcoholic beverages such as:
- Beer
- Wine
- Mixed Drinks
- Specialty Cocktails
Snack Credit Items
Snack credits can be used on numerous items around the parks including ice cream, popcorn, and so much more. Snack credit items are indicated by a purple and white checkerboard DDP logo. If you have left over snack credits at the end of your trip, there are a variety of snacks you can take home with you. Mickey rice krispy treats and Chip ‘n Dale’s trail mix are some of my favorite snacks to bring home.
If you have left over quick service credits at the end of your trip, you can trade those in for 3 snack credits. To do this, you will have to use all three of those snack credits at the same time. I’ve found the best way to do this is by purchasing snacks at the food court of your resort.
Signature Dining Experiences
Some table service restaurants at Walt Disney World are considered Signature Dining. These restaurants require 2 table service credits. Signature Dining Locations include locations such as Cinderella’s Royal Table, Le Cellier Steakhouse, The Hollywood Brown Derby, and Tiffins. Beginning July 27, 2018, Be Our Guest Restaurant at the Magic Kingdom will become a signature dining experience for dinner.
Do My Credits Expire Each Day?
Though Disney’s dining plans are based on the number of nights of your stay, the credits are not actually tied to a particular day. This means all of your credits are good for your entire trip. If you want to use three quick service credits one day and three table service credits another day, you can. If you want to visit an Epcot festival and use only snack credits one day, you can do that too. All of your credits are good starting the day you check-in until 11:59 p.m. the night you check-out.
Your Thoughts
Have you used the Disney Dining Plan? Which plan do you recommend for a Disney vacation? Let me know in the comments below.
