Is it worth it to pay for the Disney Dining Plan? How it worked for my family.

USA Today

2 days ago

You can turn your Walt Disney World trip into a nearly all-inclusive vacation with one simple add-on.
Starting at about $55 per night, the Disney Dining Plan allows guests staying at Disney's resort hotels to prepay for meals and snacks. It's one less thing to worry about on vacation.
While it can help families budget and possibly save money, it may not be worth it for everyone.
I gave it a try on a Disney World trip earlier this year.
Here's what you should know about the Disney Dining Plan.
How does the dining plan work at Disney?
There are two versions of the Disney Dining Plan: the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan and the Disney Dining Plan.
For both options, everyone in your party must take part in the plan for the entire duration of your stay. The only exception is kids under age 3, who may eat off an adult's plate for free.
Each meal includes a separate drink, like soda, juice, milk, coffee or tea. Where available, guests age 21 and over may choose an alcoholic beverage instead of a non-alcoholic one.
All meals and snacks are allotted in a pool of credits at the start of your stay. You can use those on demand, as desired, whether it's only snacks one day and all table-service meals the next; the choice is yours. Just keep track of usage on the free My Disney Experience app, because your credits expire on the last day of your stay, and you don't want to waste what you've paid for.
Some character meals, fine dining, and dinner shows require two table service meal credits instead of one.
What is not included in Disney's dining plan?
Neither dining plan covers three full meals a day, and Disney resort hotels don't offer complimentary breakfast, unless you're staying club level. Some guests order grocery delivery to their hotels for cheap, grab-and-go breakfasts, then save their plans for lunch and dinner. Others use a snack credit for a light meal or pay for a third meal out of pocket.
Not all restaurants take part in the Disney Dining Plan. For example, California Grill and Victoria & Albert's are excluded. Guests can find a list of participating restaurants by searching the Dining section of Disney World's website and filtering by Dining Plan.
Not all snacks and beverages are covered, either. Qualifying items are marked with a purple DDP symbol on their respective menus.
Tips are not included in table-service meals and should be paid for separately.
Additionally, resort-refillable mugs can only be used for soft drinks, coffee and tea refills at resort hotels. Some guests still take them into the parks to fill with ice water, which is available for free anywhere dispensed drinks are sold.
How much does Disney's dining plan cost in 2025?
This year, the Quick-Service Dining Plan costs $55.53 per adult and $23.20 per child per night of stay. The Disney Dining Plan costs $91.82 per adult and $28.79 per child per night of stay. Families can save up to 20% on kids' dining plans in 2025, when booked with a Disney Vacation Package.
Next year, the Quick-Service Dining Plan will cost $56.78 per adult and $24.24 per child per night of stay. The Disney Dining Plan will cost $92.57 per adult and $29.99 per child. However, Disney is offering free Disney Dining Plans for kids in 2026, when adults in the same party buy the plan.
Note: Only kids ages 3 to 9 qualify for child pricing on dining. Just like with theme park tickets, kids age 10 and over are priced as adults. Also, children may only order off the kids' menu at eateries where kids' menus are offered.
How do I get the Disney Dining Plan?
Guests can add the Disney Dining Plan onto Disney Vacation Packages booked through Disney World's website, reservations line or travel agents. Vacation packages include both a Disney resort hotel stay and theme park tickets.
However, you don't need park tickets to purchase the plan. You just need to be staying at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel. Guests who want to add a dining plan to their hotels-only stay can call Disney World's reservations line at [phone].
Is the Disney Dining Plan worth it?
It depends on the person. The Disney Dining can be worth it, particularly when discounts or promotions are available.
I wasn't eligible for any promotions, but I made sure to get my money's worth. I had about $222 worth of food and drinks on a Dining Plan that cost under $184 for two nights, excluding tax and tips.
Some guests look up menus in advance to pick out the priciest items available on the plans. I didn't go that far, but I opted for more expensive table-service restaurants, higher value snacks, and alcoholic beverages when included.
Because I didn't have to worry about pricing, I felt free to try things I might not have splurged on à la carte. I also liked having most of my food and drinks paid off before I even started my vacation, though I still wound up spending plenty, taking my 21-year-old drinking around the world at EPCOT.
Still, I wouldn't get a dining plan every trip because they aren't the best fit for my travel style. Both plans prioritize meals, but I prefer snacking throughout parks to try more things. I'm also pretty frugal when it comes to dining and don't usually spend as much on myself as the plans cost upfront.
Next year's free kids dining promo may make the plans a no-brainer for some families, but my kids are older than age 9 and won't qualify. Only you can decide if a Disney Dining Plan will be worth it to you.