Disney has a prepaid dining plan and for those on a dining budget, the first thing everybody wants to know is whether the Dining Plan is worth it.
Disney has a prepaid dining plan and for those on a dining budget, the first thing everybody wants to know is whether the Dining Plan is worth it. The plan is different depending on what level of hotel you stay at, but it is unclear from the outset whether, or not it saves money. Here I will weigh out the benefits and drawbacks of this popular feature.
How much is it to eat in Disney World?
There are different types of dining experiences around Walt Disney World. Most of them fall under either Quick Service (fast food) or Table Service. Then there are snack carts and kiosks around the park. Snacks can run from around $3-8 with most falling under the $6 mark. Quick Service meals are usually between $10 and $15 per person. A casual dining restaurant can be priced similarly to a quick service restaurant, but most table service is going to cost at least $15 per person.
Lunch at a fine dining, or Signature restaurant can cost up to $60 per person. Dinner at the same place is over $60 per person.
What are the Disney Dining Plans?
Disney Dining Plans are prepaid packages that convert your real dollars into credits. There are different levels of dining plans that correspond to the type of resort you are staying in. There is a quick service plan, a standard plan and a deluxe plan. The credits are added to your account according to the number of nights you are staying. The credits are not assigned to people, or
specific dates. That means, anyone in your party can use as many credits as they want on any day until all of the credits are gone.
The Quick Service Dining Plan provides two quick service credits and two snack credits per person for each night purchased. This is up to a $45 value (per person/per day) if you ate the most expensive snacks and ordered the most expensive item. Each meal credit includes one entree and one beverage.
The standard Disney Dining Plan works the same way except one of the counter service meals now becomes a table service meal, which is good for one breakfast entree and one beverage; or one lunch/dinner entree, one dessert and one beverage. They are also redeemable for a full buffet/family style meal. The maximum value for this is around $60 (per person/per day).
Signature restaurants take 2 meal credits. per person.
The Deluxe Dining Plan has a few modifications to it. You get three meal credits per day to use anywhere and the meal credits include appetizer, entree and dessert. Signature restaurants still cost you two credits. The maximum value of the Deluxe Dining Plan is about $120 (per person/per day.
How do dining and snack credits work?
First you have to go to a place that accepts Dining Plan credits. Most do, but there are some th at do not. The cost of dining in Disney World is factored into the plan. By converting your dollars to credits, you are putting all of the entrees at the same price point. Factoring in a four night package for one, the cost of the dining package per day $52 for the quick service plan, $75 for the standard plan, and $116 for the Deluxe Dining Plan. The only plan that saves money on paper is the Deluxe plan, and that is only by a slight margin. Remember that those are the maximum values, however. So you will probably spend much
less on a pay as you go basis.
It’s also worth noting that you will most likely enjoy more meals than the plan allows, so you will be paying out of pocket some, no matter what.
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