Disney Dining Plan

{{Short description|Prepaid guest meal package at the Walt Disney World Resort}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}

{{Infobox electronic payment

| name = Disney Dining Plan

| image = 180px

| caption = The logo pointing out foodstuffs that count towards snack credits on the Disney Dining Plan

| location = Walt Disney World Resort

| launched = 2005

| technology_1 =

| technology_2 =

| technology_3 =

| operator = Walt Disney Parks and Resorts

| manager =

| currency = USD ($48.19–$106.68 per adult, per night; $20.88–$38.75 per child, per night){{cite web|url=http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-dining-plan.htm|title=Disney Dining Plan Information and Planning Tips|website=WDWInfo|access-date=March 24, 2017}}

| maximum_credit =

| minimum_credit =

| stored_value = Prepaid meals and snacks

| credit_expiry = End of Walt Disney World guest's stay

| automatic_recharge =

| unlimited_use =

| service_1 = Select restaurants, food carts, and stores in Walt Disney World's parks, resort hotels, and Disney Springs

| sales_location_1 = Online

| sales_location_2 = Telephone

| variant_1 = Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan

| variant_2 = Disney Dining Plan

| variant_3 = Disney Deluxe Dining Plan

| homepage = [https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/planning-guides/in-depth-advice/disney-dining-plan/ Information page] on the Walt Disney World website

}}

The Disney Dining Plan is a prepaid meal package that guests staying at Walt Disney World hotels can purchase to receive discounts of up to 30% on food in the complex.Gindin (2009), p. 15. It was first introduced in 2005 and has developed in complexity over time, so there are now many different plan forms.Miller (2011), p. 102. The Disney Dining Plan allows guests to eat at park restaurants without needing to have cash on their persons.Bradshaw et al. (2012), p. 87. The plan does now include alcoholic beverages but not gratuities.Veness & Veness (2012), p. 44. More than 100 Walt Disney World restaurants accept the plan.{{Cite news|work=Orlando Sentinel|title=Disney World Resorts Offering Free Dining Plan|date=May 8, 2014|author=Mauney, Matt|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2014/05/08/disney-world-resorts-offering-free-dining-plan/|access-date=April 1, 2015}} The plan is particularly cost-effective for families who intend to eat many meals at sit-down restaurants or character dining restaurants.{{Cite news|work=The Express-Times|title=Money-Saving Tips, Booking Advice from a Disney World Vacation Planner|author=Huth, Kelly|date=May 11, 2014|url=http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/entertainment-general/index.ssf/2014/05/money-saving_tips_booking_advi.html|access-date=April 1, 2015}} However, to get the most value (or to break even) when using the plan, families must be mindful when using their Dining Plan Credits otherwise they may risk spending more than if they ordered the same food but paid out of pocket.{{Cite web|url=https://wdwprepschool.com/|title=WDW Prep School - a Disney World planning site|website=WDW Prep School|language=en-US|access-date=2018-10-05}}

The plan has been criticized for various reasons, including that servers need to be more knowledgeable about which food items are considered meals and which are considered snacks.Sehlinger & Testa (2014), p. 129. The introduction of the Disney Dining Plan resulted in more parents bringing their children to Walt Disney World's most expensive restaurants, which Kim Wiley and Leigh Jenkins write in their book Walt Disney World with Kids 2013 "is indirectly taking a little of the adult feel and glamour out of these top restaurants."Wiley & Jenkins (2012), p. xvi. In the book Mousejunkies!, Bill Burke complains that the Disney Dining Plan has restricted restaurant menus.Burke (2011), p. 4. Annie Oeth of The Clarion-Ledger argues that the Disney Dining Plan is a poor choice for families with picky eaters.{{Cite news|work=The Clarion-Ledger|author=Oeth, Annie|title=Disney World: How to Plan Your Trip|date=January 3, 2015|url=http://www.clarionledger.com/story/life/2015/01/03/disney-world-plan-trip/21233581/|access-date=April 1, 2015}}

After Disney World closed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the dining plan was suspended. On May 8, 2023, Disney announced that the dining plan would return on January 9, 2024 with bookings starting on May 31, 2023.{{cite web |last1=Vieregge |first1=Sierra |title=🚨 BREAKING: 🚨DISNEY DINING PLAN WILL RETURN in 2024! {{!}} the disney food blog |url=https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2023/05/08/disney-dining-plan-will-return-in-2024/ |website=Disney Food Blog |access-date=8 May 2023 |date=8 May 2023}}