There are 3 different dining plan options: Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan, Disney Dining Plan and Disney Deluxe Dining Plan.
Let’s start with the basics — The dining plan works with “credits.” There is no monetary value to a “credit”, but there are different types of credits: snack, quick-service and table-service.
What qualifies as a snack credit?
Anything with the Disney Dining Plan logo next to it qualifies as a snack credit. The variety is enormous. Examples would be something small like a banana, a bottle of water or a granola bar. Snack credits can also be something larger like a Mickey ice-cream bar, a cinnamon roll or bag of 8 oz Chip and Dale Snack Co Trail Mix.
What qualifies as a quick-service (QS) credit?
A quick-service meal is typically cafeteria-style or counter-service venues. You order at a register or on the mobile app, pay for your food and sit down to enjoy your meal. These venues typically do not require a reservation (Be Our Guest QS does require reservations) and are very casual. A quick-service meal includes:
- 1 Entrée
- 1 Non-alcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)
What qualifies as a table-service (TS) credit?
A table-service meal is typically a dining venue where you first check-in with a host/hostess who will seat you at a table, a waiter/waitress takes your order and you enjoy your meal. These venues STRONGLY encourage reservations. Most venues are only 1 TS credit, but there are some Signature Dining venues or Dinner Shows that will require 2 TS credits. A table-service meal includes:
- 1 Entrée
- 1 Dessert
- 1 Non-alcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)
How many “credits” do I get?
Depends on the dining plan you choose. Each dining plan essentially uses a different formula for calculating the total credits. Each plan will receive a resort refillable mug per guest. The dining/snack credit allocation is per person (3 years of age and up) per night stay…
For the Disney Quick-Service Dining plan:
- 2 Quick-Service Meals
- 2 Snacks
For the Disney Dining Plan:
- 1 Quick-Service Meal
- 1 Table-Service Meal
- 2 Snacks
For the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan:
- 3 Meals (quick-service or table-service – your choice)
- 2 Snacks
Now that we have some of the basics down, we need to choose which option works best for you and your family. The number of credits is determined by the number of guests in the room and the number of nights of the reservation. For example: Two adults and two children staying for 3 nights on the Quick-Service Dining Plan would receive 24 QS credits, 24 snack credits and 4 resort refillable mugs (4 people x 3 nights x 2 Quick-Service meals = 24 QS credits). These credits can be used at anytime from 12:01am the day of check-in to 11:59pm the day of check-out. You can use 12 QS one day and 4 QS the next. It is 100% up to you what days you use what, they just have to be used before 11:59pm on check-out day or you lose them. The credits are also the total for the room and are not assigned to an individual person. The total you see on the receipt will always be the total credits left for everyone in your room.
Which dining plan is best for you is answered by which type of meals you want to eat. If you want all quick-service meals with no reservations needed, then Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan is perfect for you. If you are wanting to do a table-service meal a day on average, then Disney Dining Plan is highly recommended (and the most popular). If you are planning to do any character meals, I ALWAYS recommend the Disney Dining Plan. These meals (with the exception of Cinderella’s Royal Table) are 1 TS credit. A dinner at Chef Mickey’s for 2 adults and 2 children will run about $190 + tip or 4 TS credits + tip. I would much rather use 4 TS credits than look at a $190 dinner bill on vacation. If you are at Disney to eat at all the fabulous restaurants and want 2 Table-Service meals per day or want to try a lot of the Signature Dining restaurants (2 TS credits), then the Deluxe Dining Plan is your best option.
How much do the different dining plans cost?
2018 Dining Plan Costs
Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan — $52.50/adult and $21.74/child
Disney Dining Plan — $75.49/adult and $25.75/child
Disney Deluxe Dining Plan — $116.25/adult and $39.99/child
For the 2018 dining plans, the pricing is listed above. The listed price is per night stay of the reservation. For example, 2 adults and 2 children staying for 3 nights on Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan would cost $445.44. If they were on the Disney Dining Plan it would cost $607.44.
The dining plan can appear overwhelming at first, I hope this has helped to answer questions and give a basic understanding of the dining plan.
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