So, if you have decided to stay on property, the next thing is to decide whether or not to get the Disney Dining Plan. It seems a little overwhelming but its not actually that bad, and I’ll be breaking it down over the next couple of blogs to help out. The basics are that there are three different levels of Disney Dining Plans: Quick Serve, Disney Dining, and Deluxe Dining. All three of these are just different groupings of counter service, table service, and snack credits.
All of the options include a refillable resort mug, which is eligible for unlimited refills at self-service beverage islands at any Disney Resort hotel, this includes all fountain drinks, iced-tea, coffee, hot chocolate, hot tea, and water. Without the dining plan the mugs are $18.95, but the difference between paying for all of your hotel drinks out of pocket and having all of your drinks at the hotel covered, is substantial!
Each quick service meal includes one entrée at a counter service restaurant and a drink; this is the same for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For breakfast a Table Service meal includes an entrée and drink, or one full buffet or family style meal. Lunch and dinner also include dessert, and if you are on the Deluxe Dining plan, an appetizer. Kids are expected to order off of the kid’s menu when it’s available, and there are usually two versions: the Mickey Check (health conscious version) and the restaurant specific kids menu. The children’s menu at Disney World goes well beyond chicken fingers and hot dogs, my son’s favorite item is the grilled salmon! I have also experienced that, if there is something your child REALLY wants off the adult menu, the cast members will still allow them to have it (my son got the tuna tataki at Teppan Edo). Remember, Disney is all about providing you with the best customer service experience; so, it never hurts to ask! All of the dining plans include snack credits, which include a wide variety of items such as: ice cream, pretzels, specialty confections, bottled beverages, whole fruit, and bagged snacks (think trail mix). I will be doing another blog on ways to use your snack credits!
New this year, Disney has changed the policy on beverages. Now, all guests can have non-alcoholic beverages, including specialty beverages and guests over 21 can also choose ONE alcoholic beverage. Single serving non-alcoholic drinks include milkshakes, smoothies, hot chocolate, soda, coffee, or tea. The alcoholic options vary by location but generally include beer, cider, wine, sangria, mixed drinks, and specialty cocktails. Just be aware that there are specific ones on each menu that qualify and if it has a glowing cube in it…. It won’t.
For a quick and easy breakdown, here is a table with the three dining plans broken out on it.
I hope this helps and in my next blog, I'll show you a detailed price breakdown as a demonstration of how the Disney Dining Plan compares to dining out of pocket! One important point that I forgot to mention earlier, is that if you have children under the age of three and you are on a dining plan… they eat for free! Granted, you are sharing your food with them, but I can honestly say that I have never been underserved food at Walt Disney World.