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Why You Definitely Shouldn’t Buy the Disney Dining Plan in 2024

May 16, 2023 ,

Gearing up for a 2024 Disney World vacation? Ooooh, golly, then you’ll definitely want to know about some BIG changes on the way next year…

“I’M GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!”

One of the absolute biggest updates is the return of the Disney Dining Plan, which has been suspended since the Resort reopened in 2020 following its temporary closure. (Similar to some of the other changes — like those coming to Park Pass reservations — this change takes effect for stays starting January 9, 2024.) Since 2024 Vacation Packages open for booking on May 31st, 2023, we thought we’d take the time now to discuss why you should not buy the Disney Dining Plan.

You read that correctly — we’re diving into all the reasons you should NOT add the Disney Dining Plan to your 2024 Vacation Package.

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Before we dive in, though, here’s a quick recap on the Plan…

Disney Dining Plan — The Basics

The Disney Dining Plan is an optional add-on to a Disney World Vacation package (which also includes a room at a Disney owned-and-operated hotel and theme park tickets) that allows guests to pre-pay for meals and snacks at Walt Disney World.

D-Luxe Burger

Though several versions of the Plan have been available over the years, the Quick Service and Standard Disney Dining Plans will be the only two options to return in 2024 (at least initially).

As stated on the Disney World website, inclusions for the Standard Disney Dining Plan are as follows:

  • Everyone in the travel party will receive 1 Table-Service meal per night, 1 Quick-Service meal per night and a snack/nonalcoholic drink per night of their package stay—along with 1 Resort-refillable drink mug. Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during the stay.
  • Beverages are included with each meal. Guests under 21 years of age may choose from a variety of nonalcoholic beverages. Guests 21 and older with valid identification may substitute for beer, wine and cocktails.

As stated on the Disney World website, inclusions for the Quick Service Dining Plan are as follows:

  • Everyone in the travel party (ages 3 and up) will receive 2 Quick-Service meals per night, a snack/nonalcoholic drink per night of their package stay – along with 1 Resort-refillable drink mug. Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during the stay.
  • Beverages are included with each meal. Guests under 21 years of age may choose from a variety of nonalcoholic beverages. Guests 21 and older with valid identification may substitute for beer, wine and cocktails.
  • And that’s the basics! If you’re looking for more in-depth info, you can visit our Disney Dining Plans page here, and check out a whole list of FAQs here.

Jumbo Mickey Waffle at Magic Kingdom’s Sleepy Hollow

What Was MISSING From the Disney Dining Plan Announcement? Click HERE to find out.

So now that you know what the Disney Dining Plan is, let’s chat about all the reasons you shouldn’t get it!

Lack of Flexibility

For some folks, lining up several Table Service (or sit-down) restaurants for each day of their vacation is a joy. For others… it’s a headache.

The Grand Ballroom in Magic Kingdom’s Be Our Guest Restaurant

And we’re not talking about simply picking where you’d like to eat and booking Advance Dining Reservations months in advance. What about when you’re actually in the parks? What if you suddenly notice a low wait time for one of your must-do attractions on the My Disney Experience app, but NOOOOO…. you can’t take advantage of it because you’ve got YET ANOTHER Table Service meal to get to?

A rare 30-minute wait time Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in EPCOT

If being locked into too many places to be sounds enough like regular life to you than a vacation, well… adding the Standard Disney Dining Plan (which includes one Table Service credit per night of stay) simply may not be a fit for you.

Now, we should mention that there is another option here: the Quick Service Dining Plan includes two Quick Service restaurant credits per night of stay… no Advance Dining Reservations required!

Step right up for some Fish and Chips at Yorkshire County Fish Shop!

But even in this case, what if you’d rather enjoy several snacks throughout the day as opposed to two full meals? While the Quick Service Dining Plan definitely offers more flexibility with regards to time, you’re still essentially “locked in” to how you need to dine.

Where — And in Some Cases WHAT — You Can Eat is Dictated

Look… before we dive in, I do want to stress that there really is a LOT of variety when it comes to restaurants included on the Disney Dining Plan. Though we officially await the list of participating Plan restaurants for 2024, this list from when the Dining Plan was last available should give you an idea.

‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Resort

That said, it is still a list that dictates where you can dine when using Plan credits. What if you enjoy eating at bars and lounges? You may be surprised at some of the cuisines and variety (plus some totally immersive settings) available to you in these locations!

Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto

Though some bars serve only drinks, there are lounges such as Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar in EPCOT, Nomad Lounge in Animal Kingdom, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, and The Enchanted Rose… the list goes on and on! Many present a robust food menu, but most lounges (with the exception of several pool bars that offer Quick Service meals) are historically not meal-credit eligible.

Enchanted Rose Lounge Eats and Drinks

When it comes to what you can order, most entrees on a menu are typically included on the Disney Dining Plan (and your server can advise on any options that are not). That said, some “enhancements,” such as Scallops at Narcoossee’s or Bacon-Smoked Gouda Macaroni & Cheese at Le Cellier, are not included.

Also, keep in mind that appetizers are not included with the Disney Dining Plan. If you enjoy a bowl of soup or a salad prior to your main course, that would be an out of pocket cost.

French Onion Soup at Steakhouse 71

Now let’s talk snack credits. While the amount of items that are snack credit eligible is often a very pleasant surprise to guests (as it even includes LOTS of options at EPCOT’s seasonal Festivals, and many items around $8.00 and even above, in some cases), there are select items that historically have not been available as a snack credit (like the beloved Fresh Fruit and Nutella Waffle at Sleepy Hollow Refreshments, for instance). This is, thankfully, fairly rare, but it does happen.

Fresh Fruit and Nutella Waffle

Though the Disney Dining Plan is quite generous when it comes to where and what you can eat when using credits, it’s not automatically “all-inclusive” in the full sense of the term.

Check out the 23 BEST SNACKS in Disney World in 2023 HERE!

You Can Enjoy Lots of Great Dining at a Lesser Cost

Here is a simple truth about the Disney Dining Plan: it’s more convenience-based than savings-based. For many, the pre-paid aspect alone is enough of a bonus to purchase the Disney Dining Plan. Plus, it IS vacation, after all… a lovely reason to splurge!

Dining at Jiko — The Cooking Place

But the truth is you CAN dine cheaper… and still dine well in Disney World!

Feed the Crew with a HUGE (and DELICIOUS) Pizza at Via Napoli

We are still awaiting the price of the 2024 Disney Dining Plan; however, when the Plan was previously available, the cost for the Quick Service plan was $55 per night for ages 10 and up and $26 per night for ages 3 to 9. For the Standard Plan, the price was $78.01 per night for ages 10 and up and $30.51 per night for ages 3 to 9.

Even paying completely out of pocket, depending on where you dine and what you order, you may very well be able to dine on delicious foods in fun and lovely settings and be completely satisfied for less cost per day.

Cheese Board from Wine Bar George

Or you might be more inclined to mix things up if you’re not on the Dining Plan, which may result in an overall lowering of cost — a day of dining only at Quick Service eateries, followed by a day enjoying a new Table Service restaurant or Character Meal that you’ve been hoping to try, followed by a day hopping to various bars and lounges to take in some tasty small plates in several locations, followed by SNACKS ONLY day (FUN!!)… you get the idea.

How Much Does The Food Cost At Disney World in 2023?

We have a few resources for you to check out below to help you consider some fun — and tasty! — ways to dine for less!

You have a Child Who is 10-Years-Old (or Just Above)

Why is “10” the magic number when it comes to the Disney Dining Plan? Because, as is the case with Disney World theme park tickets, anyone age 10 or older is considered an Adult on the Disney Dining Plan. The thing is…

“Mom’s Favorites” at 50s Prime Time Cafe

… what if your 10-year-old (Or your 11- or 12-year old) doesn’t have an adult-sized appetite just yet? You will have already paid the Adult price to potentially see some of that food go to waste.

Or what if your “mini me” still prefers Chicken Nuggets, mac and cheese, and other items that are typically available on Kids Menus, but are not on the regular entree list?

Mac & Cheese Time

As we’ve discussed previously, this fairly common occurrence is treated on a case by case basis. Technically, adults (anyone age 10 or over) are supposed to order from the adult menu and kids (ages 3-9) are supposed to order from the kids’ menu. In practice, if an older child (or actual adult) doesn’t like any of the food on the adult menu, the server may be able to bring a larger-size portion of any of the food on the children’s menu. That said, when this happens, an adult credit will be deducted from your account even though the guest is eating “kid” food.

Will YOUR Young Jedi eat a full Adult-sized meal?

These are questions only you can answer when it comes to your kiddos, but they are something to keep in mind when you’re determining the value of the Disney Dining Plan for your family.

Speaking of age-related inclusions…

Alcohol is Included on the Disney Dining Plan… Whether You Imbibe or Not

In 2018, alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, and cocktails) were added to the Disney Plan for of-age guests — and, yes, that includes Quick Service restaurants that serve alcohol (which, BTW, is most of them, though you will only find alcohol at Table Service restaurants in Magic Kingdom).

Frozen Mojito at Backlot Express

Those who are not of age or opt not to imbibe can enjoy specialty beverages such as milkshakes, smoothies, and various “mocktails.”

Huckleberry Shake at Chicken Guy!

We discussed this recently in more detail, but generally speaking when it comes to maximizing the Dining Plan, cocktails, beer, and wine are simply the priciest drinks on the menu.  (A few examples: at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a Rum Island Breeze at Backlot Express is $14.50 and a Takodana Quencher at at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo is $16.50; at EPCOT’s Chefs de France, a French Martini is $16.75, and a Blood Orange Margarita at La Hacienda de San Angel is $18.00.)

Painted Lemur at Sanaa Lounge

If you have members in your group who can’t or simply prefers not to imbibe (or prefers not to imbibe at EVERY SINGLE MEAL), that’s an automatic strike (for lack of a better word) against being able to maximize the value of the Plan. The flipside, though, is that some items like the famous non-alcoholic Peanut Butter and Jelly Milkshake (don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it!) at 50s Prime Time Cafe can run around $9.00.

Peanut Butter & Jelly Milkshake

So, there are certainly ways to make the most of that inclusion without drinking alcoholic beverages. But, dollar for dollar, alcoholic drinks typically offer the most price value on the Plan versus what you would pay out of pocket.

Other Inclusions You May Not Maximize or Use

When it comes to inclusions you may not use, it’s not just alcohol to consider. For instance, each guest receives a Refillable Resort Mug on the Disney Dining Plan.

100th anniversary Refillable Resort Mug

These are refillable with drinks such as soda (Coke products), coffee, and iced and hot tea at self-service beverage stations at Resort hotels all over Disney World — not just the one you’re staying at!

Self-service Beverage Station

That said, the mugs are are NOT refillable in the parks. So let’s say you are “Park Hop ’til You Drop” kind of folks who don’t spend a ton of time at your Resort hotel. Or maybe you don’t have a whole crew of soda and/or coffee fans. This inclusion, which indeed can be a boon to some, may not be worth it for you.

Learn all about Refillable Resort Mugs HERE

Or, it simply may not be worth it for ALL of you. Remember, if one member if your group desires the mug, you can always buy one or two out-of-pocket for $21.99 (good for length-of-stay). The mugs themselves, while included, are not exclusive to guests on the Disney Dining Plan.

Refillable Mug Pricing Sign

And look, we’re ALL FOR SNACKING around here! But here is another example of missing out on maximization: many guests find that two full Disney meals (especially with regards to Table Service restaurants) are served in larger amounts than what you might eat at home. Some people (not me, but some people) simply aren’t ready for a full snack on top of all of that, and may opt to use their snack credit for a non-alcoholic beverage.

Tropical Serenade

That’s totally eligible and completely fine (not to mention, it can be very refreshing on a hot day in the parks — STAY HYDRATED, friends!). But it’s not maximizing the value of a snack credit compared to, say, grabbing a Tropical Serenade Float at Aloha Isle (which is coconut DOLE Whip, POG Juice, AND a pineapple cake pop… so it’s basically THREE snacks in one! It comes in at $7.49.).

What we’re saying is, it’s best to do some homework ahead of time to really consider each inclusion to determine if you can maximize all of your credits and that Refillable Resort Mug. And if you find that you can, you can check out THIS POST by clicking here or below!

Why You Definitely Should Buy the Disney Dining Plan in 2024

More Info to Come…

Now, as we’re working to help you consider whether or not the Disney Dining Plan is a good investment for your vacation, we want to note that there is some info we’re still waiting on:

  • Pricing for each of the two Plans that wil be available in 2024 (For reference, in 2020, the price for a Quick Service plan was $55 per night for ages 10 and up and $26 per night for ages 3 to 9. For the Standard Plan, the price was $78.01 per night for ages 10 and up and $30.51 per night for ages 3 to 9.);
  • Restaurants and participating snack locations that will be included on the 2024 Disney Dining Plan;
  • And a few definitive meal inclusions: There are no details released just yet for either plan on what each quick-service or table-service meal includes: Will it be limited to just one course, or two or more courses? Previously, a quick service meal included an entree and drink, while a table service meal included a drink, entree, and dessert. We will confirm all specific inclusions here as soon as we are able.

Again, booking for 2024 Vacation Packages opens on May 31, 2023, so we anticipate these questions will be answered before or on that date, and we will keep you posted right here on the DFB as soon as we know more!

Find out the BIG CHANGES coming to Disney World in 2024 HERE!

In the meantime, check out the latest DFB News Video which covers the return of the Dining Plan, what is going on with Disney Park Pass reservations next year, and MUCH more!

Planning a Trip to Disney World? We’ve Got Everything You Need to Know

The post Why You Definitely Shouldn’t Buy the Disney Dining Plan in 2024 first appeared on the disney food blog.



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