We have had many discussions on Disney Dining and its return. We’ve all speculated, guessed, and since we know what lies on the horizon
for 2024, let’s talk practicality. Which Dining Plan offering is right for your particular travel party/trip? Well, a good healthy comparison is the only way to answer this question.
A couple of facts to keep in mind about BOTH of the current plans are:
All allotments are PER NIGHT OF STAY
Credits can be carried over but must be used by midnight on the day of check out Only guests 3 and above are eligible to purchase the dining plan options Each guest in the plan will receive a refillable mug. These CANNOT be refilled at restaurants or dining locations INSIDE the parks. These are for resort use.
Now that we have those laid out, let’s get specific on each plan to help you make a better decision as to what is going to work for you!
Quick Service Meal Plan:
This plan will include the following allotments PER guest (ages 3 and up).
- 2 Quick Service Meals per day
- 1 snack OR non alcoholic specialty beverage
- 1 resort refillable mug
A quick service meal are those that don’t require remade reservations.
You can walk up and order OR my best advice is the handy dandy mobile order process. Quick service options are located at resorts, Disney
Springs, and the parks. They are easily accessible and lower cost meals for folks on the go. I feel this meal plan is often best for
shorter trips or trips with the main focus being uninterrupted park time.
The cost of the Quick Service Meal Plan is $57.01 per adult, per day
and $23.83 per child (3-9).
Total cost on this plan for a family of 4
(2 adults, 2 children) would be roughly $161.68 per night of stay.
Disney Dining Plan:
This plan will include the following allotments PER guest (ages 3 and up)
- 1 Quick Service Meal per day
- 1 Table Service Meal per day
- 1 Snack or Nonalcoholic specialty beverage per day
- 1 resort refillable mug
With this plan, in addition to a daily quick serve option, you will see that 1 table service is the difference here. These are meals that
strongly recommend reservations be made ahead of time. This will be for seated dining like family style, buffet style, character dining,
and a la carte meals. This particular plan is great for the family or travel party that loves to sit down at least one meal a day and
perhaps catch up on the day’s happenings, enjoy some simultaneous character greets, or even just regain some energy to continue the rest
of the day of adventure!
The cost of the Disney Dining Plan is $94.28 per adult, per day
and $26.69 per child (3-9).
Total cost for the plan for a family of four
(2 adults, 2 children) would be roughly $241.94 per night of stay.
These are the facts of each plan and what to expect for daily use. My best advice is to consider how you and your travel party normally eats and assess from there. Is it the best bang for your buck? It ultimately depends on the travel party and your eating plans. The
biggest plus of any dining plan in my opinion is the ability to have most of your food expenses covered in your Disney package which
alleviates the need to spend in excess once you arrive…I mea, if the food is paid for that just leaves that much more in the budget for
Mickey ears, right? The bottom line is these plans can give your tip a more all inclusive feel and can be unbelievably convenient once you
are on the property! Who wants to tell their kiddo they can’t have that Mickey bar? Not me! I am just so excited at the return of these
plans and I hope this comparison helps you decide what is best for you!
**Fun Fact: On November 14 2023, Disney will release a promotion of 50% off dining and tickets for children (3-9)