If you are traveling to Walt Disney World, it is important that you understand how to use the Disney Dining Plan. It isn’t overly complicated but there are some things that you need to keep in mind.
The number of dining entitlements that you are issued is based on the number of nights you stay at your Disney resort. If your vacation is for 8 days and 7 nights, you would receive 7 days worth of dining entitlements. That would leave one of your days in the parks without any entitlements available.
When you check-in at your Disney resort, your dining plan entitlements are activated. That means that on your very first day you are issued the full number of Table-Service, Quick-Service and Snack entitlements that your chosen Dining Plan provides. This gives you the freedom to choose how you want to redeem them. You can use these entitlements in any order and any frequency. If you wanted to book 3 Table-Service Meals in one day and use your entitlements to pay for each meal, you could!
Your dining plan entitlements are tracked for you at the bottom of each receipt you receive from a restaurant and in the My Disney Experience App. You can also contact your Resort Concierge or Guest Relations to obtain your remaining entitlements.
Most of the restaurants in Walt Disney World accept the Disney Dining Plans. If the Table-Service or Quick-Service location participates in the Dining Plan, almost all of their entrees are eligible for the dining plan.
If you are visiting a snack location (walk up windows, carts, select merchandise locations and Quick-Service restaurants), you need to look for the following Disney Dining Plan icon.
This purple icon indicates that the food item qualifies as a snack on the Disney Dining Plan. Not all snacks qualify, so make sure you look for this symbol or ask your Cast Member.
When you are ready to redeem your entitlements, the process is super simple. Your cashier or waiter will ask if you are on the Disney Dining Plan. They will make sure that you have chosen food that qualifies on the plan and that you have chosen all of the options available to you (one meal entitlement covers the entree, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage). You then tap your MagicBand at the register or on the device that your server carries in their pocket (isn’t technology fun?). The entitlements will be redeemed from your allotted amount and if you are at a restaurant where the tip is applicable, you will have the option to tip on your receipt just like at a regular restaurant back home. You can choose to either charge the tip to your MagicBand, another source of payment or you can leave cash.
Using the Disney Dining Plan is a very simple process once you get the hang of it. Just make sure that you choose food that helps you to get the most value for the dining plan. I recommend that you spend at least $50.50 on your meal at Table-Service Restaurants (that is the combined cost of entree, beverage and dessert), $16.50 at Quick-Service Restaurants (entree, beverage) and $5.50 on each of your 2 snacks.
Make sure you avoid these 10 mistakes that guests make with the Disney Dining Plan.
Photo above is of the Head-On Shrimp at Jungle Skipper Canteen Restaurant.
Learn more about Walt Disney World Dining and get suggestions for where to eat, how to use the Disney Dining Plan and more.