Making decisions is hard. Making decisions for your Disney World vacation, which your family may be building up as the “vacation of a lifetime,” can be even harder.
Disney Dining Plan Shirt
What hotel should you stay at? Where should you eat? Should you get Genie+? What parks should you go to? Is Park Hopping worth it? And (when it returns) should you buy the Disney Dining Plan? The Disney Dining Plan is set to return at some point in the future, and when it does you might be debating whether you should buy it or not. We reached out to our fabulous readers via Facebook and Instagram to get their input, and things are…complicated!
What’s the Disney Dining Plan?
First, let’s start with a quick 101 on the Disney Dining Plan itself. The dining plan is basically a way to pre-pay for your meals in Disney World. The plan is pre-purchased and added onto a Disney Vacation Package (that means you must be staying on a Vacation Package at a Disney World hotel and must have purchased at least 1 park ticket per person).
Essentially, what you do is pre-pay for a specific Dining Plan. Each plan type includes a different amount or arrangement of credits that can be used for specific things. During its most recent iteration, there was a quick service plan, standard plan, dining plan plus, and deluxe dining plan.
Disney Dining Plan Options
Once you’ve pre-paid, all you need to do is “redeem” those points at your meals. So, instead of paying for your table service meal right when you eat, you’ll have paid for it in advance. You’ll then use your appropriate dining plan credits to pay for the meal and only need to pay for gratuity (or anything you ordered that wasn’t included with the table service credit).
Click here to see our page FULL of information about the Dining Plan
What’s Going on With the Dining Plan?
Since the pandemic closures, the Dining Plan has essentially been suspended. Guests have essentially just had to pay out of pocket for all meals in the parks and resorts now.
For months, we wondered what would become of the Dining Plan, and then Disney FINALLY gave an update in 2021. Disney has announced that the Dining Plan will be returning at some point in the future.
Potjie Inspired Pork Vindaloo from Sanaa
What will the dining plan look like and cost? Exactly on what date will it come back? Disney hasn’t shared those details yet, but we’re on the lookout for more updates.
Click here to see the Disney Dining plan CHANGE you totally forgot about!
Will You Buy It?
We had already reached out to our readers to get their thoughts on how (if at all) the lack of the dining plan has changed their eating habits in Disney World. And we’ve shared our thoughts on whether the Dining Plan will be a better deal when it returns, how the Dining Plan has changed and could change again, and whether prix fixe menus are essentially the “new” Dining Plan. But all of that got us thinking…when the Dining Plan comes back, is it something you’ll actually buy?
We reached out via Instagram and Facebook and got a whole BUNCH of responses. Overall, on our Instagram poll, 62% of folks said they’d totally buy the Dining Plan when it comes back! That’s a pretty big number and ultimately came out to about 3,201 votes! But, still, 38% (1,943 votes) did say “nope!” to the possibility of buying the Dining Plan when it returns.
Dining Plan or No Dining Plan — That is the Question
We got hundreds of responses explaining both sides, and we even got some people saying the classic “it depends.” So just what are the reasons why some people might jump at the chance to buy the Dining Plan or stay FAR, FAR away from it? Here’s what we saw.
Definitely!
The “definitely’s” won the poll here — a majority of our readers on Instagram did say they’d get the Dining Plan when it returns. Why? Well, there are multiple reasons.
On Facebook, one reader said that they enjoyed the “freedom” the Dining Plan gave them to pick the priciest options for meals. They said that it also made meals more peaceful because there was no need to fuss over prices or “settle” for a cheaper option when what you really wanted was that pricier entree.
Mickey Waffle
Another Disney fan said that they are fully aware that they could potentially save money by not using the Dining Plan, but that they really enjoyed “not having a care in the world when it comes to food” while in Disney World. They liked being able to just scan their MagicBand and continue with the fun, so they felt like the plan was worth it for them.
Others echoed this statement. They noted that while it might not be a cost saver for their family, they like how the plan gave them the chance to order whatever they wanted at every meal without having to worry about the price. For them, that was a “serious stress reliever.”
Braised Beef Short Rib Wontons at California Grill
Many more readers felt the same way, and specifically mentioned how they liked that the Dining Plan made Disney feel like an “all-inclusive vacation.” One said that they like to pay in advance and plan things before going. They shared that they don’t go to Disney to “save money.” They’ve already spent money to be there, so they don’t mind spending a little more for peace of mind.
Another said that the Dining Plan was too much food for them, but they liked the ease of it and the all-inclusive feel. Others said they liked the “convenience” of using it.
Peel-and-eat shrimp at Ohana
Some shared that having the dining plan was in fact worth it for them financially and helped with budgeting. One reader said that they got a good value out of it since they liked to do table service meals and order steaks (which can often be pricier entree options).
One reader said that they love not having to budget for food. Plus, they felt like they wouldn’t eat at the fancier restaurants WITHOUT the Dining Plan. Another said that they spent more money on food on their last trip than they ever spent with the meal plan, and one reader said that they can be “big spenders” on food, so the Dining Plan helps “keep that in check.”
6-oz Filet Mignon with Mac & Cheese; a winning combo! | Steakhouse 71
These same sentiments kept popping up over and over again. One reader shared how they liked to use credits for EPCOT Festivals and ended up saving money that way. Another said that even though they don’t eat much, they liked not having to budget for food. Several mentioned that they’d use the leftover snack credits to grab goodies to take home.
And one reader definitively said they won’t be back to Disney World until the Dining Plan returns! Seems like some people had some strong love for the Dining Plan, despite it not always being a good deal for them financially. But not everyone felt that way.
Click here to see why price increases could be a clue about Dining Plan news
No Way!
Quite a few individuals shared that they would NOT buy the Dining Plan when it returns. While they didn’t make up the majority on our Instagram poll, they were still present and made their voices heard.
One reader on Facebook said that they could NEVER eat all of the food included in the Dining Plan. In their experience, even with table service and character meals, the Dining Plan would cost them more than paying out of pocket.
Plus, they said, they didn’t want to have to keep track of and plan for all of the credits and credit usage. Instead, they shared, that they like to just pay as they go.
Celebration Mickey’s Ice Cream Bar!
Another said that they overate while on the Dining Plan in an attempt to make it “worth it,” spent too much time at table service restaurants, and even felt sick from the amount of food they ate by the end of the trip. They shared, “We’ve priced it out and we will save a ton by doing only our favorite [table service] restaurants and doing quick service and snacks the rest of the time.”
One fan said that they’ve done Disney World both ways — with and without the Dining Plan — and they felt like having the Dining Plan caused them to eat way more than they wanted to. They also said that all of that eating caused them to miss some hours in the parks, since they were spending that critical time inside of restaurants instead.
Carnivore Skillet from Whispering Canyon Cafe
One fan said that the Dining Plan just isn’t worth it for them and they wouldn’t buy it in the future. Another also said it was too expensive and “not really convenient” because it made them feel like they had to order the more expensive items to really get the most out of their credits, even when those items weren’t what they actually wanted to eat.
Another said that it was too much food for them, especially considering the fact that they usually eat off of the kids’ menu when they can (a PRO tip for those looking to save a few bucks on food!).
Pasta and Chicken from Cinderella’s Royal Table
A fan on Facebook said that they didn’t like the Dining Plan because they felt like it required too much time and planning to make sure you’re maximizing your credits. And yet another said that it takes too much time away from everything else.
The overall feeling here was that the Dining Plan included too much food, wasn’t as flexible as people would have liked (because people felt like they had to order the pricier options to really maximize the credits), gave too much time to eating, and took away time from being in the parks, and just wasn’t a good value.
Will the Dining Plan return in 2022? Here’s what we know!
It’s…Complicated
But it wasn’t all just one way or the other for everyone. For some folks, whether to get the Dining Plan or not upon its return is a little less cut and dry.
Some noted that if Disney were to give a Dining Plan option that included an appetizer instead of dessert, then they might consider it. (Previously appetizers had been included, but they were removed from most Table Service meals at a later point in time).
West Wing
Many said that it will depend on the price. Disney hasn’t yet announced what the pricing structure will be, what plans will be available, or what each plan will include. Many shared that if the prices become more expensive, they likely would not get the Dining Plan.
One reader shared that they’re just not sure anymore about whether to get the Dining Plan or not. They noted that they loved the ease of the Dining Plan, but now having gone on trips without it, they realize how much LESS they spend on food when not on the Dining Plan. They found that loading Disney gift cards with their budgeted food amount made things easy but still saved them money.
Chili Spiced Crispy Fried Tofu Bowl at Satu’li Canteen
Others said they’d buy it or consider buying it, IF certain conditions were met — like if ALL of the restaurants in Disney World were to reopen, or if they could get the plan offered to them for free, or as long as alcohol remains part of the included options.
Another said that it would depend on whether Disney Vacation Club members could get a discount.
Look at those fries!
One fan said that if Disney adjusted the system so guests could just pay for points that could be used for any menu and snack item, then they might consider it. Another wanted a snack credit only plan that would include some of those more substantial snacks.
For some, the decision on whether or not to purchase the Dining Plan is a question of who they travel with — a group with small appetites and a focus on rides, or a group that likes nice meals.
Scat Cats Beignets
Seems like the choice isn’t always easy.
Click here to see 9 of the best budget-friendly lunches in Disney World
So, what do you think? Would the Dining Plan be a must-get for you upon its return? Are you in the “no way” category? Or are you still on the fence? Tell us in the comments!
Again, the Dining Plan is set to return in the future, but Disney has yet to share exactly when it will be back. Be sure to check back with us for all of the latest updates!
When the Dining Plan comes back, will it be a better deal than before? Click here to see our thoughts!
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If the plans were how they were before they were taken away, yes, I would get them. Though, I highly doubt that will be the case because everything that was taken away due to Covid has come back different, usually not for the better (looking at you Genie+/LL). I think many are hoping something similar to the old dining plan will come back. I believe, when the plan does come back, it will offer less for more, which has been the theme since Chapek took over.
I would LOVE to do the dining plan again, but I I have a hard time believing we’ll get anything of value anymore.
Just a guess, but the way management has turned the ship, I think we’ll see only prix fix meals available on the plan and a big price increase. Has anything happened recently to make us believe that the dining plan will be reasonable in price or of benefit to guests?
It all looks great, and sounds great too… but I am cautiously optimistic with respect to the price. The Dining Plan used to be a good deal for guests, but with the massive crowds and the excessive lines to any dining location, not to mention that it is very difficult to even get a dining reservation, I have to ask…does Disney even need the dining plan. Remember back when Michael Eisner created the dining plan option, Disney was having great difficulty in filling seats at the hundreds of eateries on site. You could walk up to O’hana and with a short wait, and without a reservation…get a table. Not so today. Why offer the dining plan for guests when everyplace that you go is overbooked. I am sure the new dining plan…if offered, will be priced out of sight to keep guests away from ordering it. After all, that is you Disney controls the gate, raise the ticket price to keep guests from coming in…
We used it up until our 2018 trip. We saved mucho $$ by NOT doing the dining plan. We ate at signature restaurants, drank, ordered what we wanted & after doing the math wound up saving over $2K over the Deluxe Dining Plan. And with all the problems of trying to score reservations now, I’d be really angry to spend those big bucks & not even be able to eat where I really want to.
When we first started taking our two daughters to Disney World in 1984 we always purchased the Gold Key. We paid for all food in advance. We went to Victoria And Albert, Papeete Bay Veranda every night for dinner which now is Ohana. We had breakfast every morning with the characters in the Polynesian and lunch every day in Cinderella’s Castle. We did this for a couple of trips until on one trip I kept all of our receipts and discovered that we were paying more for the Gold Key than the actual cost for meals in these restaurants. I am confused when people say they eat too much on The Dining Plan. I am confused when people say they can eat the most expensive meals if they choose to. If this is so, aren’t you paying in advance for these options just As I paid in advance for the Gold Key back in 1984 through 1988. Are guests paying more upfront purchasing credits for the ability to eat too much or for the ability to eat the most expensive meal on the menu? Please explain. Thanks Gigi.
Planning our next trip now and YES, will definitely get the Dining Plan if available.
Overall it just helps to enjoy our trip not having to hassle with food & expense choices.
We like to pay for everything before the trip so that we don’t need to be concerned with our budget while we are there. We did not enjoy our trip as much in December because of feeling the need to focus on menu prices. If budget is your focus, you may not feel the freedom to order what appeals to you because you are worrying about “getting your money’s worth.” Each week we check to see if the DDP has returned. We hope that it is available for our June trip!
Once I began doing the math, we stopped purchasing the dining plan.
Hi Ron. We have a video, albeit from 2017, but it was when Disney was in full swing before Covid where we talk about whether or not the Disney Dining Plan is worth it. You can find that video here. As far as a new dining plan, I can’t speak on that because Disney has not yet released when it will return, what the cost will be or what is included.