Update: The Disney Dining Plan is now available to book for vacations beginning January 9th, 2024. A full list of participating restaurants, pricing, and more has been revealed. Click here for our full page with the latest Disney Dining Plan updates.
Have you heard?? Disney World is bringing back the dining plan!
Mickey bar!
In their announcement yesterday about early theme park entry for select guests, Disney stated that Disney Dining Packages will return to the parks! So what do we know so far about the future of dining plans in Disney World?
To get to the bottom of this, let’s start at the beginning… .
Where Did the Dining Plan Go in the First Place?
When Disney started reopening last year, they made the announcement that the Dining Plan would NOT be coming back right away. Here’s the official statement from Disney, “we have made the difficult decision to cancel all existing dining reservations and experience bookings, including Disney dining plans included in packages.”
Along with the Dining Plan being put on hold, Disney changed the time for making dining reservations from 180 days out from your trip to 60 days out. (This change — that you can make dining reservations 60 days out — remains in effect.) Both of these changes were to accommodate the lower capacities that Disney Parks and restaurants would have when Disney reopened.
Yak and Yeti
These announcements were made back in May of 2020, when the parks were just starting to reopen, and since then, we’ve seen all kinds of returns to “normal” as Disney continues to move forward with reopening. Two big steps in this process came yesterday with the announcement that early theme park entry would be granted to some guests and the dining plan would return!
What We Know So Far About the Future of the Disney Dining Plan
Really, what we know is not a whole lot! So far, Disney has not confirmed when the dining plan will return or what it will look like when it does! Specifically, Disney said, “While we’re not quite ready to share an update on timing, we are planning to bring this guest-favorite option back at a later date.”
Cinderella Castle’s 50th Anniversary Decorations!
The timing for bringing back the Dining Plan has not been shared. It could be in line with the upcoming 50th Anniversary Celebration in Disney World since a lot of guests will be flocking to the parks for all the new shows, attractions, and more that are part of that celebration! That celebration starts on October 1st of this year. But it could, of course, take even longer to return. You know we will be monitoring it and keeping a close eye on its return.
What Could the Disney Dining Plan Look Like?
Like the starting date of the dining plan, Disney has not released information on what the dining plan will include when it comes back later this year. We are expecting it to look pretty similar to what it was before, though, so we’ll remind you of the options you had for dining plans before they were suspended:
The Crystal Palace
There were four options for Dining Plan Packages, including the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan, the Disney Dining Plan, the Disney Dining Plan – PLUS, and the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan. We’ll break them down for you here!
In 2020, the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan included two quick service meals and two snacks per day for each person. It cost $55 per adult each day and $26 per child (ages 3-9) each day.
Tater Tots with Sausage and Gravy
In 2020, the Disney Standard Dining Plan included one quick-service meal and one table-service meal plus two snacks per person each day. It cost $78 per adult each day and $38.50 per child each day.
Be Our Guest Restaurant
In 2020, the Disney Dining Plan PLUS included two meals (any combination of quick- or table-service meals) and two snacks or non-alcoholic drinks per person each day. It cost $95 per adult each day and $35 per child each day.
Dining at Sanaa in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
And in 2020, the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan included three meals with any combination of quick- or table-service and two snacks or non-alcoholic drinks per person each day. It cost $119 per adult each day and $47.50 per child each day.
Halloween Refillable Mug
All of the dining plans also came with a refillable resort mug for soda or hot drinks at the resort where guests were staying!
Basically, the Dining Plans are an easy way to pre-pay for your meals at Disney World, but they’re not always worth the cost! Sometimes you can spend less if you plan out your meals right. Really, it all depends on how your family eats at Disney World — if you guys love lots of snacks and will use all the snack credits each day, it might be worth it!
Check out our guide for How to Maximizing the Disney Dining Plan!
Could the Dining Plan Be MORE Expensive This Year?
Some things that are returning to Disney World have been more expensive than in the past (we’re looking at you, Boo Bash!). So it’s possible that the Dining Plans will follow suit and cost you more than they used to! But again, no pricing or details have been shared at this time. We’ll keep you updated as Disney releases more information on the returning Dining Plans this year!
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I love me some DFB, but… here we go again with these non-stories and filler “look-backs” with: “To get to the bottom of this, let’s start at the beginning… .” At least every other story is “Hey, big news and updates. But first, let’s see where this all started”. We scroll through ads, tiny lines between giant pictures, to get to the end to see there’s absolutely…. nothing… new…. here.
Seriously, you’re hurting your brand with this business model. Click-bait is not a good look. We love you guys and we’re not looking to break up with you, but you’re hurting the relationship with this stuff. If you don’t have a story, then pass on the idea of writing a history lesson/well, there was nothing to see here after all.
Thanks,
Steve
Thank you for the feedback, Steve.
21 December 2021….Just got back today after a week in the parks. MK first day Liberty Tree Tavern, Good food, good wait service. Day 2 Moma Melrose HS. Very spicy, very pricy. 33 dollars a person main course, plus drinks and desart 310 for 2 adults 2 kids. good wait service. Epcot Coarl Reef. Good foor, good service, not over pricy for in park dining. AK Tusker House, Bad food, bad smell from the sea food (shrimp), over spiced potatoes wedges, no drink refills, No Buffett. Wait service sucked, Charaters had to stay 6 feet away no autographs and pictures from afar. way over priced at 345.00 for 2 adults, 2 kids, very small desarts had to be shared between the 4 of us. Back to MK and Crystal palace. Buffett is back, food was good, service was best of our trip price was reasonable, No charaters at all. No dining plan. Mugs at the resort are 25.00