Which Dining Plan at Disney is Right for You?

Every detail of your vacation to Walt Disney World® Resort can make for an enchanting experience, down to choosing where to eat for every memorable meal. And with the Disney Dining Plan or Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan, you can enjoy the ease of prepaid meals and snacks that suit your family’s travel style. As a Cardmember, you can even take advantage of special vacation financing to book select Disney vacation packages that can include a dining plan.¹ So the next question you might be wondering is: How do you know which dining plan is best for you? We’re here to help answer that and other questions as you plan your getaway.

Why should you purchase a dining plan at Walt Disney World® Resort?

A Walt Disney World® Resort dining plan is all about convenience and flexibility. You’re able to enjoy prepaid meals and snacks when you choose a plan that feeds your family’s appetite. When you add a dining plan to your Walt Disney World® Resort vacation, you can focus on fantastic family time with the peace of mind that meals and snacks for you and the little ones are already paid for! Plus, when you purchase a dining plan as part of a Walt Disney Travel Company package, you can save up to 20% on dining for kids ages 3 to 9.

What are the options for dining plans?

There are two options you can choose: the Disney Dining Plan or the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan. Check out the details of each option below.

How does the Disney Dining Plan work?

The Disney Dining Plan gives you the best of both worlds, making it easy to plan meals during your stay at Walt Disney World® Resort. You can enjoy Quick-Service options for eating on the go, as well as Table-Service restaurants—including Character dining locations—for when you want to slow down and take it all in.

There’s something for every taste! With the Disney Dining Plan, you can grab a quick bite at spots like Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café at Magic Kingdom® Park, Pizza Ponte at Disney Springs® or Creature Comforts at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. And you can sit and savor the splendor at sit-down restaurants like Biergarten Restaurant at EPCOT® or trade two Table-Service meals for an elevated dining experience at Be Our Guest Restaurant or Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Everyone in your party ages 3 and over can enjoy:

• 1 Quick-Service Meal (per night of stay)*
• 1 Table-Service Meal (per night of stay)*
• 1 Snack/Nonalcoholic Drink (per night of stay)*
• 1 Resort-Refillable Drink Mug**

* Specific number of meals and snacks are determined by the number of nights included in the package stay. Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during your stay. Unused meals and snacks will roll over day to day and expire at midnight on day of checkout. Meals and snacks are nontransferable between party members.

** Resort-refillable mugs are eligible for refills from self-service beverage islands at any Disney Resort hotel Quick-Service location.

How does the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan work?

For a go-with-the-flow, no-reservations kind of experience, the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan can feed your needs. During your adventures at Walt Disney World® Resort, you sneak in a snack here and a casual meal there, whenever hunger hits. You’ll have over 100 Quick-Service locations to choose from resort-wide—like Columbia Harbour House at Magic Kingdom® Park, Flame Tree Barbecue at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, Fairfax Fare at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® and many more, including locations throughout the Disney Resort hotels. Here’s what’s included for everyone in your part ages 3 and over:

• 2 Quick-Service Meals (per night of stay)*
• 1 Snack/Nonalcoholic Drink (per night of stay)*
• 1 Resort-Refillable Drink Mug**

* Specific number of meals and snacks are determined by the number of nights included in the package stay. Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during your stay. Unused meals and snacks will roll over day to day and expire at midnight on day of checkout. Meals and snacks are nontransferable between party members.

** Resort-refillable mugs are eligible for refills from self-service beverage islands at any Disney Resort hotel Quick-Service location.

What else should you know about the dining plans?

Whether you go with a Disney Dining Plan or a Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan, you can take comfort in knowing that your meals are prepaid and that you can focus on the fun. Here’s some important information as you consider dining plans:

• 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.
• Guests ages 3 to 9 must order from a children’s menu, where available.
• Plan must be purchased for entire length of stay and for the entire party (ages 3 and up).

For the Disney Dining Plan only:

• Reservations at Table-Service restaurants are subject to availability and are highly recommended.
• Two Table-Service meals will be redeemed from the dining plan for each person dining at a Fine/Signature Dining experience, select Character Dining experience or a Dinner Show.

Which dining plan is right for you?

Choosing the right dining plan comes down to your family’s style. Do you like to have a daily agenda or do you prefer breezy, unplanned days? Are you a non-stop adventure bunch or do you relish laidback leisure time? Whatever your travel style, you’ll find a good match. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• For parents with young kids:

  There’s nothing like experiencing all the “firsts” at Walt Disney World® Resort. If you’re looking to slow down and savor those special moments, the Disney Dining Plan could be the way to do it.

• For those who want to ride all the attractions:

  When your family wants to maximize your time riding the attractions and seeing the sights, you need a way to squeeze in a snack and eat meals on the go. The Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan may be your ticket to casually fill up on your way from one attraction to the next.

• For those who want to meet all the Characters:

  Seeing your family’s faces light up in awe of some favorite Disney friends is part of the thrill when you visit Walt Disney World® Resort. With the Disney Dining Plan, you can opt for Character Dining experiences, where you could meet Minnie Mouse at breakfast at Cape May Cafe, Winnie the Pooh and friends at The Crystal Palace, or Mickey Mouse and his friends at Chef Mickey’s!

• For those who like to keep it casual:

  If low-key and easygoing is your family’s vibe, the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan is a great way to enjoy flexible, convenient and casual meals and snacks.

• For those who want to try everything:

  If you’re a family of foodies who want a taste of all that Walt Disney World® Resort has to offer, the Disney Dining Plan lets you sample it all—from full buffets and prix-fixe meals to Fine/Signature Dining experiences and beyond!

Once you decide the right dining plan for your family’s desires, check out the Walt Disney World® Resort Dining Plans page to read more details—including how to get the dining plan and how to use it. Cardmembers, don’t forget that you can use special vacation financing for select Disney vacation packages that can include a dining plan.¹