One of the most popular additions to Walt Disney World Resort vacation packages has been the Disney Dining Plan. With the creation of this popular plan in 2005, guests to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida have been able to pre-purchase a vacation that is for all intents and purposes all-inclusive.

Donald at Chef Mickey's restaurant at the Contemporary Resort

The Disney Dining Plan has evolved over the years. As always, there are people who love the Dining Plan and people who hate it. I fall into the "love" category, especially for families with children up to and including age 9.

Read more to find out why...

The Disney Dining Plan is available if you purchase a vacation package including room and tickets from Disney or an authorized agent. Annual Pass holders (if staying on Disney property) and Disney Vacation Club members are also eligible for the Disney Dining Plan.

Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom

Disney Dining Plan options

Quick-Service Dining Plan:

2 quick service meal credits per person per night of stay
1 snack credit per person per night of stay
1 refillable resort mug per person for length of stay

The cost of the 2013 Quick-Service Dining Plan is approximately $37.58 for ages 10+ and $14.32 for children ages 3-9. The prices of the Quick-Service Dining Plan does not change with the pricing seasons.

Plus Dining Plan:

1 table service credit per person per night of stay
1 quick service credit per person per night of stay
1 snack credit per person per night of stay
1 refillable resort mug per person for length of stay

The cost of the 2013 Plus Dining Plan during the value and regular pricing seasons is approximately $55.59 for ages 10+ and $17.16 for children ages 3-9. The cost of the 2013 Plus Dining Plan during the peak pricing season is approximately $56.94 for ages 10+ and $18.16 for children ages 3-9.

Deluxe Dining Plan:

3 meal credits (quick service or table service) per person per night of stay
2 snack credits per person per night of stay
1 refillable resort mug per person for length of stay

The cost of the 2013 Deluxe Dining Plan during the value and regular pricing seasons is approximately $99.97 for ages 10+ and $26.84 for children ages 3-9. The cost of the 2013 Plus Dining Plan during the peak pricing season is approximately $102.27 for ages 10+ and $28.91 for children ages 3-9.

Refillable Resort Mugs

Definitions of terms

Quick service: restaurants where you stand in line to order your food and pick it up; similar to "fast food" outside the World, with many more options! A quick service meal credit will purchase: 1 entree and 1 non-alcoholic beverage for breakfast; 1 entree, 1 dessert, and 1 non-alcoholic beverage for lunch/dinner; or a "meal" including drink, and 1 dessert.

Table service: restaurants where you sit at a table with a server to take your order and bring your food; reservations are usually needed. Buffet restaurants and character meals fall into this category. A table service meal credit will purchase: 1 entree, 1 dessert, and 1 non-alcoholic beverage. For the Deluxe Dining Plan, a table service meal credit also includes 1 appetizer.

Snack: items identified with a purple DDP icon as eligible for a snack credit purchase; options include: popcorn, drinks, frozen novelties, rice krispy treats, and more!

Refillable resort mug: mug that may be used for fountain beverages only at the resort where you are staying for the length of your stay; beverage options include: coffee, tea, lemonade, and other soft drinks. Juice and milk are not included, but can often be "purchased" using snack credits.

Signature dining: specific high-level restaurants that require 2 table service credits per person per meal.

Dinner shows: specific dining events that require 2 table service credits per person per meal; currently these shows include the Hoop-de-Doo Musical Revue at Fort Wilderness and the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show at the Polynesian Resort.

Snack Logo

Important notes

Gratuity is not included in the Disney Dining Plan. For any table service credit used, 18% of the total ordered will be automatically added as a guideline. You may of course tip more.

Alcoholic or specialty beverages (for example, souvenir mugs) are also not included.

Room service is available at select Disney resorts and will require 2 table service credits per person.

Because the Quick Service and the Plus Dining Plans only include 2 meal credits per person per day, you will have to get creative for breakfast. You can do this in one of two ways: share quick service meals so that you can cover breakfast, or use a snack credit plus a drink from the refillable resort mug for breakfast.

Most restaurants on Walt Disney World property participate in the Disney Dining Plan. There are a few, especially at Downtown Disney, that may only participate in certain levels of the plan, so be sure to check when you make your reservations.

Due to the popularity of this plan, it is highly suggested to make reservations 180 days in advance, which is the earliest possible time. It is difficult to find space at a table service restaurant if you "walk in," especially at peak vacation times.

The remaining meal and snack credits are listed on every dining receipt. Make sure to check every receipt to make sure the correct amount has been deducted!

There are no Disney Dining Plans available for children under age 3. These children can eat off an adult's plate. At buffet meals, they are able to eat for free.

Advantages

There are several advantages to the Disney Dining Plan:

It is convenient because you have paid in advance; you don't have to pay for every meal at the time.
It does save money if you spend all of the credits.
It allows you to eat at places you might not eat otherwise.

The Disney Dining Plan is especially advantageous for:

groups with at least one child under age 10. The money saved is significant if you add the costs of children's meals, especially for a child under age 3.
those who want to do a lot of character meals. These meals are often buffets that have a fixed price, so the savings are obvious.

The Deluxe Dining Plan is ideal for:

thos who want to experience Signature Dining restaurants, dinner shows, or other experiences (like Cinderella's Royal Table) that require 2 table service credits.
those who prefer table service to quick service meals; as there is no distinction between credits.
those who may not have the opportunity to return often and want to take advantage of as many dining opportunities as possible.
those who want to bring home many treats from their snack credits!

Artist Point at Wilderness Lodge (Signature Dining)

Personal thoughts

I have participated in both the Plus Dining Plan and the Deluxe Dining Plan, and enjoyed them both.

The main difference for my family was the number of different meal experiences we were able to do in a single trip. My family enjoys participating in character breakfast meals, and when doing so on the Plus Dining Plan, we often paid out of pocket for some food later on. In contrast, we could do many table service meals on the Deluxe Dining Plan, and we were able to try a lot of new restaurants while still being able to experience our favorites.

Supercalifragilistic Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian Resort

I originally thought that perhaps I would regret the amount of time taken at the various table service restaurants. However, I found that my children really enjoyed having the down time, especially if there were characters involved! We had to eat anyway, so the relatively relaxed atmosphere of a table service restaurant rather than the craziness of the quick service locations turned out to be a hidden benefit.

In the past, Disney has offered free dining plans for specific vacation dates. Traditionally, a stay at a value resort has included the Quick Service Dining Plan, while a stay at a moderate or deluxe resort has included the Plus Dining Plan. If you would like a higher dining plan, you can pay the difference in price; I would highly suggest this option if you would like to try the Deluxe Dining Plan but are unsure if it is the best choice for you. The best value in the free dining plan vacations is absolutely the moderate resorts, as they are only slightly more expensive than value resorts, but include the higher dining plan!

What do you think?