Disney Dining Plan Explained

Posted on by Chelsea

COVID 19 Alert

As of May 28, 2020, All Dining Plans have been suspended until further notice

The Disney Dining Plan is a prepaid meal plan. This is only offered when you book a Walt Disney World Vacation Package. It is a convenient way for guests to budget their dining costs in advance and possibly save money. It provides guests with credits that can be redeemed for snacks, counter service meals, table service meals including character dining or fine dining meals.

Disney Dining Plan has 4 Options:

Quick Service (QS) Dining Plan

  • 2 QS  Meal Credits
  • 2 Snack Credits
  • 1 refillable mug

Standard Disney Dining Plan 

  • 1 TS Meal Credits
  • 1 QS Meal Credit
  • 2 Snack Credits
  • 1 refillable mug

Disney Dining Plan PLUS! 

  • 2 Meal Credits | can be used for either QS or TS
  • 2 Snack  Credits
  • 1 refillable mug

Deluxe Disney Dining Plan 

  • 3 Meal Credits | QS or TS
  • 2 Snack  Credits
  • 1 refillable mug
  • (QS) Quick Service
  • (TS) Table Service
Look for the Disney Dining Plan logo at food locations

That's all well and good but what does all of that even mean?

Disney has 3 categories of snacks, food & dining…

Quick Service

QS is a cafeteria-style, counter-service, and self-service food venue. You walk up to the counter give your order to the Cast Member and pay,  pick up your order at the counter when it is ready and then go find a table. You will get your own condiments and beverages. Servers do not come to the tables. 

Table Service

TS is a traditional dine-in restaurant. You are greeted by a host, they check you in, seat you to your table and servers comes to your table and takes your order and brings it out to your table. Some Table Service Restaurants offer all-you-can-eat buffets and family-style meals. Family-style meals are similar to a buffet but the server brings it to your table and seconds are welcome. It is strongly recommended that you make Table Service dining reservations in advance. 

Snack

This includes any single serving of an item that isn’t an entree. This can be anything from a cookie, muffin, popcorn, churro, bottled water, novelty ice cream, and specialty non-alcoholic beverages. Most Quick Services Restaurants have Snack options.

Remember, part of my job is helping you plan. If you are not sure if the Disney Dining Plan will benefit you or if you should even purchase a plan, we can go over these option together in more detail once booked.

If you choose to add one of the dining plans to your vacation package, you are prepaying for your meals and will use meal credits instead of money. You don’t have to use them all(but why would you waste precious credits) and if you run out before your trip is over with, you would pay out of pocket, no big deal.  It is important to note that all the Disney Dining Plans are all or nothing. That means if you have 4 guests(ages 3+) on your reservation and you are staying for 5 nights, you will receive the dining plan for 4 guests and receive meal credits for 5 nights. You can not split or half the dining plan and everybody must have one. There is no way around this, sorry. This is Disney’s rule, not mine. 

What is Included in a Meal Credit?

When you use one Quick Service Meal Credit, you will receive:

  • 1 Entrée
  • 1 Beverage (alcoholic drinks are available, ask the Cast Member which drinks are included.)
When you use one Table-Service Meal Credit for Breakfast, you will receive (Signature Dining not included):
 
  • 1 Entrée
  • 1 Beverage (alcoholic drinks are available, ask your server which drinks are included.)

    OR

  • 1 Full Buffet and/ or Family Style Meal where applicable

When you use one Standard Dining Plan Table Service Meal Credit for Lunch or Dinner, you will receive (Signature Dining not included):

  • 1 Entrée
  • 1 Dessert
  • 1 Beverage (alcoholic drinks available, ask your server which drinks are included.)

    OR

  • 1 Full Buffet and/ or Family Style Meal where applicable

When you use one Deluxe Table Service Meal Credit for Lunch and Dinner Meal Credit will receive (Signature Dining not included):  

  • 1 Entrée
  • 1 Appetizer
  • 1 Dessert
  • 1 Beverage (alcoholic drinks available, ask your server which drinks are included.)

    OR

  • 1 Full Buffet and/ or Family Style Meal where applicable

Signature Dining Restaurants

Signature Dining restaurants offer an elegant Table-Service experience with a variety of cuisines. Signature Dining uses 2 TS meal credits if you are on the Standard or Deluxe Disney Dining Plan.

When you use your Table Service Meal Credit Each for Signature Dining you will receive:

  •  1 Entrée
  • 1 Beverage,  non alcoholic or alcoholic   beverage 
  • 1 Dessert
  • For Guests ages 3-9:
     1 combo meal from the children’s menu offerings

Signature Dining Restaurants Dress Code* use 2 Table Service Meal Credits per person instead of 1.  Dress codes for Signature dining restaurants is Resort Casual. The following attire is not permitted:

  • tank tops 
  • swimsuits or swimsuit cover ups
  • hats for gentlemen
  • cutoffs or torn clothing
  • flip-flops

Personal Note on Dress Code: Signature Dining Restaurants located inside the theme parks may be more lax on the dress code than the ones located at the resorts. Cast Members have the discretion, keep that in mind.

Food Allergies and Special Requests such as Kosher, can be accomodated.

Dining Experiences in Walt Disney World that accept the Dining Plans​

2020 Disney Dining Plan Brochure