Well, the day has finally come! The Disney Dining Plan has returned to Disney World!

With this plan, you can basically pre-pay for ALL your meals so that when you get to Disney World, all you have to worry about is where to eat. But if you’ve used the dining plan BEFORE 2020, you might not know that it’s a bit different now than it was then. We’re using the Disney Dining Plan RIGHT NOW and we’re going to give you all the DETAILS on how it has changed in 2024.

So here’s how the Disney Dining Plan is different in 2024 than it was in 2020

There are fewer plans to choose from.

The last time the dining plan was available, guests had a choice of four different plans: the Quick Service Plan (for dining only at quick service restaurants), the Basic/Standard Dining Plan (for a mix of dining at quick service and table service), the Disney Dining Plan Plus (which offered two meals a day wherever, as well as two snacks), and the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan (which included three meals a day plus two snacks).

Well, now only two options are available. Guests can choose between the Quick-Service Plan (which offers 2 quick service meals, one snack, and a resort refillable mug) and the Basic/Standard Dining Plan (one quick service meal, one table service meal, one snack, and a resort refillable mug).

Get full details on both plans

The price has increased.

Another thing that has changed is the price. In 2020, the price for the quick service meal was $55.00 per night per adult and $26.00 per night per child age 3-9. In 2024, the price is $57.01 per night per adult and $23.83 per night per child age 3-9.

The price for the Basic Dining Plan in 2020 was $78.01 per night per adult and $30.51 per night per child age 3-9. Now, it’s $94.28 per night per adult and $29.69 per night per child age 3-9.

FULL LIST of Table-Service Disney Dining Plan Restaurants Announced for Disney World

You can’t convert quick-service credits.

The rules about using Snack Credits have also changed. In the past, you could alter the credit system. So if you wanted to snack around a park instead of having a quick service meal, you could convert one quick service meal credit into three snack credits.

However, in 2024, this conversion is no longer allowed. Disney has confirmed that you will now have to use snack credits and meal credits exclusively on what they were originally intended for. In the parks today, we’ve seen what could be considered some variations on this rule.

For example, at L’Artisan des Glaces in EPCOT, Cast Members showed us a chart that indicated that three “snack” selections off the menu there — items such as a single or double scoop of gelato, a macaron, or a croque glaces — could be combined to count as a quick-service meal credit. Which is basically what Disney told us COULDN’T happen? So…yeah…it’s still confusing.

More about this rule change

But it appears you can convert Table Service credits.

We confirmed with a Disney World Cast Member today that we could convert a table-service meal credit into a quick-service meal credit.

Now, do we advise doing this? Absolutely not. That table-service credit is worth more money than a quick-service meal, and you pre-paid for it. BUT, if your plans change and you need to do this — we’re being told that you can.

Festival dining packages could be a better deal now.

If you’re booking a dining package for EPCOT festival entertainment, the credits you use per dining package will vary depending on the restaurant. So if you choose a dining package at Biergarten, you’ll only spend one credit. However, a Le Cellier restaurant will require two credits.

Previously, all festival dining packages required two credits, so this could be good news for those dining at one credit restaurants as part of a dining package.

More details about this change

Character dining can cost more credits now.

Previously, the only restaurant in Disney World that offered character dining that required two table service credits was Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom. Well, in 2024, that has changed. In addition to Cinderella’s Royal Table, two other character dining experiences now cost two credits.

Now, you’ll also have to spend two table service credits at Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall and Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.

EVERY Disney World Character Dining Meal Ranked from WORST to BEST

Fantasmic! dining package changes might be a better deal.

There have also been some changes to Fantasmic! dining package changes. Previously, you needed two table service credits for all Fantasmic! dining packages, regardless of where you eat. However, like with the festival dining packages, this is now dependent on the restaurant you choose.

You’ll only need to spend one credit to get a Fantasmic! dining package at 50’s Prime Time Cafe, Hollywood & Vine, Mama Melrose’s, and Sci-Fi Dine In. However, the dining package at Hollywood Brown Derby will remain at two credits.

More about this change

So if you’ve had the dining plan in the past, you’ll need to know that it has changed if you’re considering purchasing it again. We’ll keep an eye out for more changes we find about how the dining plan now works in Disney World, so stay tuned to DFB for more.

With DOZENS of places to eat at Disney World, we know it can be tough to plan your meals. That’s why we wrote the DFB Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World. We have reviews, pictures, and details about every restaurant all in one digital download – along with ALL of our best tips and strategies from decades of Disney World trips. We’ve got a special discount code for DFB readers, too! Use WDW2023 at checkout for 25% off!

Answering 8 BIG Questions about the Disney World Dining Plan

Will you be using the Disney Dining Plan this year? Let us know in the comments!