Yesterday it was announced that Disney would be introducing a NEW Dining Plan option for guests to book: Disney Dining Plan Plus!
One big cup of plastic cheese!
With the arrival of a new Dining Plan option comes a lot of questions about the value this plan will provide and exactly what it involves. We compiled some of the most popular questions you’ve asked and have all the answers right here!
What is Disney Dining Plan Plus?
Disney Dining Plan Plus is the new fourth option on the Disney Dining Plan. It was released earlier this week and is available NOW for booking and for use!
Firecracker Shrimp
Here is what comes included in your Disney Dining Plan Plus package:
- 2 Meals Per Night of Stay – Any combination of Table-Service and Quick-Service Meals
- 2 Snacks or Nonalcoholic Beverages Per Night of Stay
- 1 Resort Refillable Mug
Read about upgrading your Resort Refillable Mug here!
Disney Dining Plan Plus costs $94.61 per night for guests ages 10 and up and $35.01 per night for guests age 3 to 9. Keep in mind, as with other Dining Plans, that gratuities are not included in the price of the Dining Plan.
Read all about Disney Dining Plan Plus here!
What is the main difference between the Disney Dining Plan Plus and the Regular Dining Plan?
Disney Dining Plan Plus is unique in that it provides flexibility when you choose how to use your dining credits. Rather than being allotted one Quick Service credit and one Table Service credit per day on the Regular Dining Plan, you now have two meals to use in whatever way you see fit per day — meaning you can choose to use them at Quick Service spots OR Table Service spots. The choice is yours, much like the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan.
Primo Piatto Tuna Nicoise Salad
Is the flexibility worth the added cost?
As with the other Disney Dining Plan options, some number crunching is involved if you want to see the value behind Disney Dining Plan Plus. This answer could be different for everyone! If you use your credits as mostly Quick Service, you likely may not get much value monetarily, but the flexibility may still be worth it to your family. Alternatively, if you book mostly Table Service meals, this could be a great value for folks not wanting to commit to three meals per day on the Deluxe plan but still wanting to enjoy more Table Service meals.
What’s the best way to maximize this plan and get the most bang for my buck?
Each individual is going to define what ‘value’ means differently, however, if you want to score the ultimate financial value on Disney Dining Plan Plus, you should aim to eat at as many Table Service and Character Meals as possible on your trip.
Tigger at Crystal Palace
Since the Plus package costs $94.61 per night for guests ages 10 and up, you will need to eat the equivalent amount of food to ‘break-even’, so to speak. We think the best way to get your bang for your buck is by choosing to use your credits at Table Service restaurants. Here, you can order pricier meals and make the most out of the money you’ve already spent.
How much flexibility do I REALLY have if I still need to make Advance Dining Reservations?
Advance Dining Reservations, or ADRs, are STRONGLY encouraged if you want to grab a table at some of Disney’s most well-known and beloved restaurants.
Be Our Guest
Restaurants likes Be Our Guest, Cinderella’s Royal Table, and California Grill fill up rather quickly, so you want to be ready 180 days out from your arrival date if you want to dine at those restaurants. But, that doesn’t really sound flexible if you still have to decide where you want to eat and book six months out!
Brunch at California Grill
The flexibility of Disney Dining Plan Plus, much like the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan then, has more to do with the fact that you can choose to eat wherever you want throughout your trip. You aren’t confined to a set number of Quick Service meals or a set number of Table Service meals. If you want to book and eat at 2 Table Service restaurants every day on your trip, you can do that! You aren’t obligated to find ways of fitting a Quick Service meal in every day, for example, or vice versa!
I already booked my Disney Dining Plan but I want to switch or upgrade to the new Plus option! Is that allowed?
Yes! You are able to switch plans and will be charged the difference between your old and new plan (or be reimbursed if you were on the Deluxe plan) by calling Disney Dining at 407-939-3463. Prices may vary depending on the plan you are switching from (for example, the upgrade from the Standard version of the plan to the Plus option is $15.60 more per adult and $4.22 more per child age 3-9).
Note that your ability to upgrade may depend on your particular situation. If you booked with a discount or free dining or a unique package, be sure to call to see if you can change your plan. We spoke to a Guest Services rep who said it’s ok to upgrade if you’ve purchased a different plan, but it could depend on who you’re speaking with or your situation.
Does this mean it will be harder to get a Table Service ADR?
That is hard to tell at this point in time. The flexibility of Disney Dining Plan Plus does allow for guests to dine more frequently at Table Service restaurants throughout their stay if they choose to do so. This opens up the possibility of Table Service restaurants booking faster. As always, we recommend being ready to book your ADRs at exactly 180 days from your arrival date, and be ready to book your top priorities first!
Garden Grill Skillet
Does Plus include an appetizer like Deluxe does?
In short, it does not appear so. We spoke to someone in Guest Services who confirmed that the Plus plan will be more like the Standard plan, offering an entrée and dessert for each meal. Disney’s website has a full breakdown of what comes included with each meal.
For Quick Service, meals redeemed for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner include:
- 1 Entrée
- 1 Nonalcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)
For Table Service, meals redeemed for Breakfast include:
- 1 Entrée
- 1 Nonalcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)
-OR-
- 1 Full Buffet or Family-Style Meal
- 1 Nonalcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)
‘Ohana Breakfast
For Table Service, meals redeemed for Lunch or Dinner will include:
- 1 Entrée
- 1 Dessert
- 1 Nonalcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)
-OR-
- 1 Full Buffet or Family-Style Meal
- 1 Nonalcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)
Beaches and Cream
Can I still ‘trade’ 1 Quick Service Credit for 3 Snack Credits on this Plan?
Yes! You are still able to make this trade on the new plan if you’re looking to grab more frequent quick bites than a full meal while you’re in the parks!
Mickey Bar
Will the higher-priced dining options still require multiple meal credits?
Yes, places like Cinderella’s Royal Table, Tiffins, and other signature restaurants around Disney World will still require 2 Table-Service Credits.
See our FULL Disney Dining Plan Page here for more info on each Dining Plan!
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Still have more questions about the Disney Dining Plan Plus? Tell us what you’d like to know in the comments below, and we’ll get you the answers!
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AJ,
How will they differentiate between an adult QS and child QS now?? Since they recently started doing that on our last trip in January, if you can do any combination of TS or QS- they wont be able to tell if you have a QS child credit to use right?
I want to understand this. If I book a 4 night stay, I could pick a deluxe restaurant every day if I wanted to use my two credits for let’s say California Grill, Le Cellier , Be our Guest and Cinderella’s Royal table.? Probably not the best use of my dining dollars but it definitely gives you flexibility.
Farrah, it sounds like the credits are all assigned Adult or Child in the system. Where the CMs can see this or how they know if you’re ordering an adult meal for a child, I don’t know. But it seems that Disney is enforcing a rule/policy they always had in place so if you order an adult meal, they charge you an adult credit — Table Service or Quick Service.
Just remember. No matter what your using this for GRATUITY IS NOT INCLUDED. So while you may think you can high class it up your 250 meal is gonna come with a slip then asking you to tip.
Also if I may. In regards to farrahs comment above. They now DO differentiate between adult and child ?
I the above summary you list 2snacks OR non-alcoholic drink. So either or ? Not both ?
I got this plan on my current stay and clearly the cast members haven’t been trained on it. The QS ones would tell me that I couldn’t use mine because all I had were TS credits. I’d explain that I can choose either and they still wouldn’t let me use them. I would end up having to pay for my food defeating the purpose of the dining plan. It happened three times. I’m literally at the front desk now getting my money back for those meals!
Does the Disney Dining Plus plan allow me to use my 2 table credits for a Signature dining experience for dinner if I forfeit my Quick Service meals during the day? My upcoming trip is a Bounce Back offer, and I have been told that I am not able to take advantage of this new Plus Plan at this time. The offer is so new that the Code for it to be utilized with the Bounce Back offer is not in their system yet. I was told to check back in a month to see if it will be available. Is anyone else experiencing this situation? Truly hope the Cast Members are being informed of all the details of this plan because as of now, it seems like there are alot of unanswered questions.
Kim, a snack credit can be used for actual food items or for non-alcoholic drinks. So I guess to answer your question, it’s both. But you’re using a snack credit on a non-alcoholic drink.