We recently returned from our third trip to Walt Disney World and decided to try the reinstated Disney Dining Plan for the first time. This review delves into our experience, covering the cost, value, planning tips, and highlights of dining with the plan.
My partner and I recently returned from our third trip to Walt Disney World last September. This time around, we decided to experience the reinstated Disney Dining Plan for the first time, as we were staying on Disney property. The plan, available only for resort hotel guests, costs $95 per adult per day. Each person gets one quick-service meal, one table-service meal, one drink per meal (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), and one additional snack or drink daily.
We stayed at the luxurious Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa for six nights, and our total Disney Dining Plan cost was $1,131 for both of us. We paid everything upfront, which made budgeting a breeze. We even received wristbands that we tapped to redeem our meals.The Disney Dining Plan granted us access to over 170 dining locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort. It's a fantastic setup if you enjoy planning ahead, as table-service restaurants tend to fill up quickly. Disney Resort Hotel guests have the advantage of making reservations for their entire stay (up to 10 days) up to 60 days before arrival. Both my partner and I are avid planners, so coordinating our dining reservations was a smooth process. Sixty days out, we had a list of desired table-service restaurants and meticulously planned reservations around our park days. We were fortunate enough to secure almost all of our desired bookings. For us, the Disney Dining Plan was all about enjoying the Disney food we love and exploring new places with the simple tap of our Magic Bands. This convenience took priority over maximizing value.We found the quick-service meals incredibly worthwhile, especially since we could indulge in premium drinks using our daily allowance alongside our main meals, sides, and snacks. This transformed casual meals into more special occasions. Character Dining options were also a highlight, using our credits to enjoy meals with beloved Disney characters. Many of these experiences only require one table-service credit, offering the opportunity to meet characters, obtain autographs, and capture special photos. Our absolute favorite meals were both table-service experiences. The Topolino's Terrace breakfast was a dream come true, with my sour cream waffles and orange-flavored maple syrup still lingering in my thoughts. Another memorable meal was at 1900 Park Fare, where we encountered Cinderella, Mirabel, Tiana, and Aladdin. The buffet surprised us with its high-quality, hot food, including some of the most succulent prime rib we've ever tasted. We considered these character dining experiences to be the best value of our entire trip. To fully utilize the plan, we committed to dining at Disney every day. However, a few days involved meals outside Disney, leaving us with three spare credits on our last day. We happily shared some chicken strips with friends and grabbed a quick pizza at the hotel before heading to the airport.Given the plan, we aimed to avoid waste and found ourselves eating more than usual on certain days. Meals at Tony's Town Square Restaurant at Magic Kingdom and Casey's Corner felt unnecessary, and we confessed to feeling a bit gluttonous. Tony's Town Square Restaurant ultimately became our least favorite. My chicken parmigiana simply didn't meet the expectations set by other versions I'd enjoyed. While the portion was generous, the flavors lacked freshness.If you find the portions overwhelming, consider using snack credits for a muffin or bakery item to enjoy for breakfast the next morning. We estimated that buying everything individually would have cost us $1,005. Although we didn't quite break even, we still believe the plan offers good value. If you desire to dine at some of the pricier locations for a fixed price, it's a worthwhile option.Our actual spending value could have been significantly higher if we had strategically planned our meals and opted for alcoholic beverages with each meal. While we didn't fully recoup the cost of the Disney Dining Plan, we certainly had the opportunity to do so. For instance, with every table-service meal, we could have enjoyed a cocktail, premium drink, or refillable fountain beverages. Adding these beverages significantly increased the value of our meals. The Disney Dining Plan might not always save you money, but it primarily enhances convenience. If your family enjoys a sit-down meal every day and appreciates cocktails, the plan is an excellent choice. Just remember to make reservations in advance
DISNEY WORLD DINING PLAN WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT HOTELS TABLE-SERVICE QUICK-SERVICE CHARACTER DINING VALUE PLANNING
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Disney's Downtown Disney District Welcomes Parkside Market, a Culinary Destination with Four Unique Dining ExperiencesDisney fans visiting Downtown Disney District in Anaheim now have a new culinary destination to explore. Parkside Market, a two-story food hall featuring four distinct dining experiences under one roof, has officially opened its doors. The market boasts a variety of flavors, from artisanal coffee and handcrafted beverages to Korean-inspired rice bowls and a classic steakhouse menu.
Read more »
Engadget's First Review Recap of 2025: A Year of Tech in ReviewEngadget's first review recap of 2025 highlights the busy year in consumer tech. The article covers re-reviews of gaming consoles, new products like the Traeger Woodridge grill and the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 headphones, and teases upcoming reviews of the Samsung Galaxy S25 phones and other CES 2025 announcements.
Read more »
Disney invites 4 Black creators to the Disney House at Sundance Film FestivalThe Disney House welcomed attendees to preview upcoming Disney programming and escape the cold weather
Read more »
New Disney Store at Downtown Disney Creates Shopping Frenzy for Limited-Edition Japanese PlushesThe newly opened Disney Storyland Boutique at Downtown Disney in Anaheim has sparked a shopping frenzy with its exclusive line of Japan 2025 Sakura Collection plushes flying off the shelves. Customers have been lining up for hours to get their hands on the limited-availability merchandise, leaving shelves empty and social media buzzing.
Read more »
Disney tops quarterly profit estimates, but starts to lose Disney+ streaming subscribersWhitten is a social media writer for CNBC.
Read more »
Disney Surpasses Earnings Expectations Fueled by 'Moana 2' Success, But Faces Disney+ Subscriber DeclineThe Walt Disney Company reported strong earnings for its fiscal quarter, exceeding Wall Street's expectations and driven by the blockbuster performance of 'Moana 2.' While the company's Entertainment segment saw significant revenue growth, its direct-to-consumer business, which includes Disney+, experienced a drop in subscribers. This marks the first subscriber decline since Disney+'s launch in 2019, raising concerns about market saturation and pricing strategies. Disney remains optimistic about its long-term prospects, projecting modest subscriber decline in the next quarter and continued growth in its Parks and Experiences division.
Read more »