A Brief Introduction to the Disney Dining Plan
If you’re not sure you understand the Disney Dining Plan, this Clue In ought to clear things up a bit.
For purposes of explanation, we will begin with the regular Disney Dining Plan and use that as an example.
Disney Dining Plan Elements:
Each guest receives ONE Table Service credit, ONE Quick Service credit, and TWO Snack credits per person per NIGHT of their stay on Disney property. They each will also receive a refillable mug.
Let’s look at each of these elements, shall we?
Credits
A credit is your mode of virtual currency. They are stored in your online account and accessed via your MagicBand. At the end of your meal, your wait staff will scan your MagicBand, and the appropriate number of credits will be deducted from your account. Only one person’s MagicBand needs to be scanned.
A Table Service (Reserved meal) Credit
A table service is any restaurant that requires a reservation. There is an extremely limited supply of Table Service reservations. You need to book restaurants as soon as possible - never count on simply walking in. 90% of all locations and experiences cost 1 credit. Dinner shows, Signature Dining, and In room Dining all cost 2 credits. Adult and Child Table Service credits are NOT interchangeable. Children must order off the children’s menu, if one is available.
A Quick Service Credit
A Quick Service is anywhere that serves a full meal, but does not require a reservation*. You walk up to a counter and order your meal OR you order in advance using mobile ordering on your My Disney Experience app. All Quick Service cost 1 credit. Adult and Child credits are interchangeable at Quick Service. Disney doesn’t care who uses them - Mom or little Sally.
*Presently, Be Our Guest Restaurant is the only Quick Service restaurant the requires a reservation.
For purposes of explanation, we will begin with the regular Disney Dining Plan and use that as an example.
Disney Dining Plan Elements:
Each guest receives ONE Table Service credit, ONE Quick Service credit, and TWO Snack credits per person per NIGHT of their stay on Disney property. They each will also receive a refillable mug.
Let’s look at each of these elements, shall we?
Credits
A credit is your mode of virtual currency. They are stored in your online account and accessed via your MagicBand. At the end of your meal, your wait staff will scan your MagicBand, and the appropriate number of credits will be deducted from your account. Only one person’s MagicBand needs to be scanned.
A Table Service (Reserved meal) Credit
A table service is any restaurant that requires a reservation. There is an extremely limited supply of Table Service reservations. You need to book restaurants as soon as possible - never count on simply walking in. 90% of all locations and experiences cost 1 credit. Dinner shows, Signature Dining, and In room Dining all cost 2 credits. Adult and Child Table Service credits are NOT interchangeable. Children must order off the children’s menu, if one is available.
A Quick Service Credit
A Quick Service is anywhere that serves a full meal, but does not require a reservation*. You walk up to a counter and order your meal OR you order in advance using mobile ordering on your My Disney Experience app. All Quick Service cost 1 credit. Adult and Child credits are interchangeable at Quick Service. Disney doesn’t care who uses them - Mom or little Sally.
*Presently, Be Our Guest Restaurant is the only Quick Service restaurant the requires a reservation.
In general, a snack is considered a single serve item. In general.
This sign is usually found next to something that is considered a snack. If you want a Mickey Bar, it’s a Snack. If you want just a side of bacon - Snack. If you want a cup of soup - Snack. Unsure? Just ask!
Per Person
As we stated at the beginning, on the regular Disney Dining Plan, each person on the reservation gets one of each of these credits per night of their stay.
Everyone staying in the same room MUST be on the dining plan. Just because your 9 year old eats like a fly, doesn’t mean you can keep him off the plan. ALL must participate.
Per night
Don’t count the number of DAYS you are there, and assume you get credits for all of these days. Count the number of nights.
What’s constitutes a Quick Service meal?
In general, a meal is 1 entree and 1 non-alcoholic beverage (or alcoholic if over 21).
What’s constitutes a Table Service meal?
In general, a meal is 1 entree and 1 non-alcoholic beverage (or alcoholic if over 21), or 1 Full Buffet, or 1 Family Style meal. Dessert is included at lunch and dinner.
What about the kids?
Children age 9 and younger must order off the children’s menu, if one is available. Children 10 and older pay as adults.
Beginning and Ending the Dining Plan
You must check in to initiate the dining plan. Online check in is sufficient.
The dining credits expire at midnight of the day you check out.
What about Tipping?
Gratuity is NOT included in the Disney Dining Plan, and 18% is automatically added for parties of 6 or more.
Distributing your credits
Disney does not care how you distribute your credits. You can use every single one of them on your first day, or spread them out a bit more comfortably. You can book a lunch and dinner Table Service one day, and all Quick Service the next. When you use them doesn't matter. But-- if you don’t use them, you lose them. Disney is not going to refund money.
Is there a special Disney Dining Plan menu?
99% of the time, you will be able to order any entree on the menu. This is not a major consideration.
Keeping track of credits
Every time you use a credit, your credits used and credits remaining will be printed on the bottom of your receipt. Check It. Disney does make errors. And fixing it after the fact is time consuming and, well, not what you want to be doing on vacation. Dining credits can also be followed on your My Disney Experience app.
Other Dining Plans
There is a Deluxe Dining Plan that offers 3 meal credits and 2 snack credits a day. A lot of food, but it could work if you want to do a lot of Signature Dining. Be careful -- you don’t want to spend more time in restaurants then you do in the park. Or, maybe you do!
And there is a Quick Service Dining Plan. This offers 2 Quick Service credits and 1 snack credit per day. There is no Table Service dining included.
Is that it?
Well, of course there are more details. But generally speaking, this covers most of it. Want to see how Disney explains it? Check out this link.
From everyone at HelpAroundtheMouse.com -- We hope this information, and all of our Help Around the Mouse Clue Ins, helps you have an even more magical Walt Disney World vacation! K
6/19
99% of the time, you will be able to order any entree on the menu. This is not a major consideration.
Keeping track of credits
Every time you use a credit, your credits used and credits remaining will be printed on the bottom of your receipt. Check It. Disney does make errors. And fixing it after the fact is time consuming and, well, not what you want to be doing on vacation. Dining credits can also be followed on your My Disney Experience app.
Other Dining Plans
There is a Deluxe Dining Plan that offers 3 meal credits and 2 snack credits a day. A lot of food, but it could work if you want to do a lot of Signature Dining. Be careful -- you don’t want to spend more time in restaurants then you do in the park. Or, maybe you do!
And there is a Quick Service Dining Plan. This offers 2 Quick Service credits and 1 snack credit per day. There is no Table Service dining included.
Is that it?
Well, of course there are more details. But generally speaking, this covers most of it. Want to see how Disney explains it? Check out this link.
From everyone at HelpAroundtheMouse.com -- We hope this information, and all of our Help Around the Mouse Clue Ins, helps you have an even more magical Walt Disney World vacation! K
6/19