Walt Disney World Dining Plans….Are They Worth it?
Last Updated: October 2026
Walt Disney World Dining Plans always bring up a lot of questions regarding what they include, the cost, but most importantly, are they worth it? This blog will lay out everything you need to know about dining plans including if they are worth it for your group...because spoiler alert, they are not a great deal for everyone.
Short answer: The Disney Dining Plan is worth it if you love character meals, want a drink with every meal (especially cocktails or specialty drinks), enjoy steak, or like having dining prepaid for that all-inclusive feel. Skip it if you're a light eater, a water drinker, a vegetarian or vegan, or you have more than one 2-credit meal on your list. Everyone three years or older on the reservation has to have the plan, so be honest about how your whole group eats before you add it.
What is a Disney Dining Plan?
Let’s start with the basics regarding what is a Disney Dining Plan. It's an optional add-on to your Disney World package reservation that allows you to prepay for meals and snacks during your stay at Walt Disney World. You will be issued credits based on the amount of nights during your stay. These credits can be used at the parks, Disney Springs and at Walt Disney World Resorts.
You must be staying at a Walt Disney World resort to be able to add a dining plan. Everyone in the room that is 3 or older must have the same dining plan.
What Types of Dining are Included in Dining Plans?
Before we discuss the types of dining plans, you need to understand the different types of dining at Walt Disney World.
Quick Service: A quick service location is faster service. You usually order at a counter or through mobile order, pick up your food then find a table either indoors or outdoors depending on the location. Think of this like a fast food restaurant.
Satu'li Canteen at Animal Kingdom Docking Bay 7 food at Hollywood Studios Flatbread from Pinocchio Village Haus at Magic Kingdom Chicken fingers and fries from Columbia Harbour House
Table Service: A table service location will have you seated at a table where a waiter will take your order and serve you. It can also be a buffet service. Allow at least 60-90 minutes for each table service reservation. Caveat: There are a handful of table service restaurants that require 2 table service credits per person that are listed in the FAQs.
Breakfast Buffet at 1900 Park Fare Noodle dish from Kona Cafe Pasta dish from Tony's Town Square Multiple dishes from Jungle Navigation Co Ltd Skipper Canteen
Snacks: Snacks are single serving treats including (but not limited to):
Frozen ice cream novelty, popsicle or fruit bar
2 scoops of hand-scooped ice cream
Single serving bakery item
Popcorn scoop (single-serving box)
Piece of whole fruit
Single-serve bag of snacks
20-ounce bottle of Coca-Cola® products, including Dasani® water
20-ounce fountain soft drink
Single-serve coffee, hot chocolate, hot tea, milk or juice
Cup of soup
Mickey cupcake Mickey bar Dole whip
What are the Options and Pricing for Dining Plans?
There are currently two dining plan options with a third option being introduced in 2027. Disney doesn't advertise the exact pricing of the dining plan and only shows us the package total once it is added to your reservation so the prices below are approximate.
Prices are per person, per night, and approximate. Disney only shows the exact total once the plan is added to your reservation.
Adult pricing is for any person 10 years or older
Child pricing is for any person between 3-9 years old.
Child pricing for 2026 is $0 because Disney is running a promo that all children between ages 3-9 receive a free dining plan when added for the adults.
Plan | What each person gets per night stay | 2026 Adult Pricing | 2026 Child Pricing | 2027 Adult Pricing | 2027 Child Pricing |
Quick Service |
| $60.47 | $0* | $62.78 | $25.82 |
Table Service |
| $98.59 | $0* | $99.87 | $31.94 |
Deluxe Table Service |
| N/A | N/A | $163.01 | $46.85 |
What is Included with Meal Types?
Quick Service Meals include:
1 Entrée
1 Nonalcoholic Beverage or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older
Table Service Meals include:
Regular Breakfast:
1 Entrée
1 Nonalcoholic Beverage or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older
Buffet or Family Style Breakfast:
1 Full Buffet (prix-fixe) or Family-Style Meal (prix-fixe)
1 Nonalcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)
Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Meals:
1 Entrée
1 Dessert
1 Nonalcoholic Beverage or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older
Buffet or Family Style Brunch, Lunch or Dinner:
1 Full Buffet or Family-Style Meal
1 Nonalcoholic Beverage or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older
Alcoholic Beverages: Guests 21 and older may choose either one nonalcoholic beverage or one-single serving mixed cocktail, beer or wine (where offered) as part of their meal.
Beer or Cider
Wine or Sangria
Mixed Drinks and Specialty Cocktails
Drinks at Jungle Skipper Canteen Drink at Chef Mickeys Drinks at Sanaa
Nonalcoholic Beverages: Guests 10 years of age and older can choose one nonalcoholic beverage (including specialty beverages where offered) as part of their meal. Childs (3-9 years old) are usually limited to the offerings on the kids menu but you are always welcome to ask to upgrade at the location, as it is up to their discretion.
Milkshakes
Fresh Smoothies
Premium Hot Chocolate
Soda, Coffee or Tea
Milkshake at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Milkshake at 50's Prime Time Cafe
How To Use and Track Your Credits
Your credits will be linked to your My Disney Experience (MDE) account. You can use them by scanning your MagicBand, your Magic Mobile on your phone, or a Key to the World Card. You will make this transaction at the same time you would pay with cash or card, but you will use your credits instead.
At a quick service location, you can order via Mobile Order or at the counter to use your credits.
At a table service meal, you will tell the waiter you are using your dining plan and have them scan your MagicBand or Key to the World to use your credits. It is best to tell them before ordering so they can ensure what you order is included in the dining plan or what you may have to pay extra for.
Keep track of your remaining meals and snacks in 3 ways:
View your remaining meals and snacks in the My Disney Experience (MDE) app.
In MDE, go to Resort Hotel and click on “Check Dining Plan”
Check your dining receipts. Remaining meals and snacks are printed on them.
Ask the front desk at your resort or any guest relations location.
What are the Pros and Cons to Using a Dining Plan?
Pros of the Disney World Dining Plan:
Convenience: It is nice to pay for dining before your trip to get the “all-inclusive” feel for your trip. You don’t have to worry about pulling out your credit card the whole trip.
Savings: The dining plan CAN be a good deal, especially if you're into character dining. And you get the most out of the plan if you enjoy alcoholic or specialty beverages with meals.
Cons of the Disney World Dining Plan:
Potential Lack of Flexibility: You get the most out of the dining plan when you plan ahead and know where you will be eating, especially when table service restaurants usually require a reservation.
Snacking: I personally snack more than I sit down for multiple meals while at the parks. You only get one snack per day and the dining plan will force you to get at least 2 meals a day.
Too Much Food: Are you someone with a smaller appetite? Or maybe your kids prefer to split a meal instead of getting their own meals? The dining plan will force everyone on your reservation to have the dining plan (unless under the age of 3) so you may end up with too much food for your group.
Savings? You don’t always save money with dining plans. If you prefer to drink water all day, don’t enjoy alcoholic or specialty beverages, or eat vegetarian, you will likely lose money with the dining plan.
So….Are Dining Plans Worth It?
Honestly, it really depends on your party and if there are any dining plan discounts ongoing. I personally tell my clients to determine where they want to eat and then we will discuss if the dining plan makes sense.
And unless you really like spending tons of time sitting down for meals each day or are doing all specialty dining, I would never suggest the Disney Deluxe Table-Service Dining Plan. It is going to be way too much food or time for most guests there to enjoy the parks.
When it makes sense:
“All-Inclusive”: You want to prepay for dining before you go on the trip. Dining plans help with the “all-inclusive” feeling.
Character Dining: You want to hit multiple character meals that are not 2 table service credits. You get the most bang for your buck using table service credits for more expensive 1 credit meals. If you are set on the 3 character meals that require 2 table service credits, it likely isn’t a great use of the dining plan.
Disney Dining Promo: These are great when they apply to your reservation.
Enjoy Beverages: Yes, you get a lot of beverages with the dining plan including alcoholic and specialty options. If you want one of these at each meal, dining plans can be very helpful.
Steak Eaters: Let’s be honest, steaks are more expensive than most things on the menu. If you plan on enjoying meat heavy meals, you will get more savings out of the dining plan (but avoid the 2 table service credit options)
When I would consider skipping:
Picky or Light Eaters: Don’t make your life harder and just skip the dining plan or be prepared to eat more than you normally would.
Groups with mixed appetites: Everyone on the reservation ages 3 and up has to have the dining plan, so you can't have just the hungry teenager on it. If half your group would split a meal, you'll likely end up with food (and credits) you don't use.
Water Drinkers: Sadly this is me…I prefer water all of the time, which means I will lose money using the dining plan. You need to at least enjoy pop or other soda drinks to make it worthwhile.
Vegetarians or Vegans: Your meals are normally cheaper so you likely won’t save with the dining plan.
Specialty Dining: If you have more than one specialty dining meal on your list that takes 2 table service credits, skip the dining plan. These are not a good use of your credits.
FAQs
Can I add the Disney Dining Plan after I arrive?
Nope! The dining plan has to be added at least 48 hours before your check-in date, so decide before you go.
Do Disney Dining Plan credits roll over?
Yes! Unused meals and snacks roll over day to day, so you don't have to eat a set number of meals each day. Just keep in mind they expire at midnight on your checkout day.
What happens to leftover dining plan credits?
They disappear. Anything unused by midnight on checkout day is wasted, so plan to use every last credit. (A last-day souvenir snack run counts!)
Can I use quick service credits for snacks?
Not anymore. This was allowed before COVID but is no longer an option. Snack credits are for snacks, and quick service credits are for quick service meals.
Can I use dining plan credits at Epcot festivals?
Usually, yes! Snack credits can typically be used at the festival kiosks, which makes them a fun way to use credits on festival food.
Are tips included with the dining plans?
No, gratuities are not included with the dining plan. Please ensure you still tip on your table service meals.
Does my child (aged 3-9) have to order from the kids menu?
Yes, if your child is using the dining plan, they must order from the kids menu.
One person on my reservation doesn't want the dining plan, but the rest do. Can I buy for only a part of the group?
Every person age 3 or older on a reservation must get the same dining plan. It is all or nothing for dining plans.
Are all Disney World restaurants included in the dining plan?
Sadly, no. Most are, but not all, and each restaurant lists online whether it accepts the dining plan and how many credits it uses. Some notable exclusions (not a full list) are:
Space 220
Monsieur Paul
STK Steakhouse
Wine Bar George
Summer House on the Lake
Victoria & Albert's
California Grill
The Cake Bake Shop
Are specialty drinks and alcohol included in the dining plan?
Yes! Guests 21 and older can choose one alcoholic drink instead of a nonalcoholic one with their meal, and there are specialty nonalcoholic options like milkshakes, smoothies, and premium hot chocolate for guests of all ages too. I highly recommend taking advantage of these, since they're pricier and are where you really make the plan pay off.
Which table service locations require 2 table credits?
There are a handful of table service locations that require 2 table service credits mostly including signature dining, select character meals, and dinner shows. This list is accurate as of October 2026:
Location | Restaurant | Notes |
Magic Kingdom | Cinderella's Royal Table | |
Magic Kingdom | Be Our Guest | |
Epcot | Akershus Royal Banquet Hall | Lunch and Dinner: 2 credits Breakfast: 1 credit |
Epcot | Le Cellier Steakhouse | |
Hollywood Studios | Hollywood Brown Derby | |
Animal Kingdom | Tiffins Restaurant | |
Animal Kingdom Lodge | Jiko - The Cooking Place | |
BoardWalk | Flying Fish | |
Fort Wilderness | Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue | |
Grand Floridian | Cítricos | |
Grand Floridian | Narcoossee's | |
Riviera Resort | Topolino's Terrace | Dinner: 2 credits Character Breakfast: 1 credit |
Wilderness Lodge | Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White | |
Yacht Club | Yachtsman Steakhouse | |
Disney Springs | The BOATHOUSE | |
Disney Springs | Jaleo by José Andrés | |
Disney Springs | Morimoto Asia | Dinner: 2 credits Lunch: 1 credit |
Disney Springs | Paddlefish |
Confused on if you want a dining plan or not? I help my clients with this decision all of the time. Get in touch to plan your vacation and we can ensure you are set up with the right option for your group.
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