What is the Disney Dining Plan? What is it? The concept of all-inclusive vacations, where you get accommodations, food, and entertainment for one fixed price are very popular.  They have been available at many resorts and on many cruise ships for a long time.  And they are available at Walt Disney World in Florida too.  The Disney Dining Plan is a way to pre-pay for your meals on Disney property.  You don’t have to worry about paying for your bill after your meal – you just give your server your room key. What do you get? There are four basic plans, each with more bells and whistles:  Basic, Deluxe, Premium and Platinum. Plus there is an add-on for a bottle of wine. Basic Dining Plan Cost: $37.99 plus tax for ages 10 and up $9.99 plus tax for ages 3-9 Guests under 3 may share their parent's meal You get: one table service meal one quick service meal (the nice term for fast food) one snack Deluxe Dining Plan Cost: $69.99 plus tax for ages 10 and up $19.99 plus tax for ages 3-9 You Get: three meal credits to use at either table or counter service two snack credits per person per night, plus one refillable mug per person Premium Plan Cost: $149 plus tax for ages 10 and up You Get: Meals plus a selection of golf, guided fishing excursions, boat rentals, a ticket to the Cirque du Soleil La Nouba show, access to Disney Children's Activity Centers, and Theme Park tours Platinum Plan The Platinum Plan is only available to guests staying at a Deluxe Resort or Deluxe Villa. Cost: $199 plus tax for ages 10 and up You Get: The items in the Premium plan plus personal itinerary planning, spa treatments, reserved seating at the Fantasmic! show, a Fireworks Cruise, private in-room babysitting Wine and Dine option For an extra $39.99 per day you can get a daily bottle of wine. How do you sign up and use for the Disney Dining Plan? 1 – When you reserve your vacation directly with Walt Disney World, ask for the “Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining”.  This gives you the table service, quick service, and snack based on the package level (Basic, Deluxe, Premium, Platinum).  2 – When you are on your vacation, show your Disney Magic Your Way Ticket to your server before you order.  Tell them you want to use your Disney Dining Plan credit. 3 – You can get information about how many meals you still have remaining on your meal receipt. Note that the the Swan, Dolphin, Downtown Disney Reports, and Shades of Green do not participate in the Disney Dining Plan. Getting Fancy You can trade in two table service meal credits for a Dinner Show or “Disney Signature Dining”.  Dinner shows include: Spirit of Aloha at the Polynesian Resort Mickey's Backyard BBQ at the Fort Wilderness Resort Hoop Dee Doo Revue at the Fort Wilderness Resort Signature Dining includes Room Service, Pizza Delivery, and nicer restaurants such as: Jiko at the Animal Kingdom Lodge Flying Fish Cafe at the Boardwalk Inn California Grill at the Contemporary Resort Citricos and Narcoossee's at the Grand Floridian Artist Point at the Wilderness Lodge Yachtsman Steakhouse at the Yacht Club Safari Celebration Dinner at Animal Kingdom The Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Cinderella's Royal Table at the Magic Kingdom What is not included? Generally speaking, Disney no longer includes gratuity as part of your Dining Plan credits.  So it is now up to you to tip your server.  Disney automatically adds an 18% gratuity for parties of six or more.  The Disney Dining Plan also does not include merchandise, photos, in-room mini bars, glow cubes, souvenir or refillable drink cups, alcoholic beverages and some bottled drinks, some outdoor food carts. There is no provision for refunding unused meal credits – you must use them all or you will lose them. Who can use it? You must stay at a Disney Resort and purchase at least a one day admission with a Magic Your Way Disney Ticket.  Your entire party must sign up for the Disney Dining Plan. You must purchase one day of the Disney Dining Plan for each nigh of your stay. If you are a member of the Disney Vacation Club and you are staying at a resort using your Club points, you can also purchase the Disney Dining Plan.  This carries the same condition that everyone in your part must sign up, but you don’t have to purchase any days of admission to the parks.  You may also purchase the Disney Dining Plan if you purchase a Disney Cruise Line package. Our Take / Summary The Disney Dining Plan offers convenience of paying with your room key and the comfort of knowing you will pay a fixed price for your meals while on vacation.  The fixed price is nice since food at Disney Resorts is expensive, as it would be at any resort.  If your family likes sit down meals and enjoys eating, the Disney Dining Plan can be a good deal.  If you don’t eat much or if you don’t like sit down meals, the Disney Dining Plan may not be worth the cost.  More Information Disney Dining Plan http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/resorts/benefitDetail?id=BenefitDisneyDiningPlanDetailPage Note that prices for the Disney Dining Plan generally change each year. Check with Disney for the latest pricing information.