Will Disney Offer the Extended Plan Again in 2019

The Disney Dining Plan is coming back to the parks!

Disney Dining Plan Shirt

And so far Disney has shared that the Dining Plan volition be coming back at an undisclosed time in the futurity. Disney hasn't actually announced also many details about the return of these plans just all the same, which leaves u.s. with a LOT of questions. Most importantly — what will the Dining Plan options look like when they return? Since nosotros tin't quite see into the future yet, we idea we'd take a little trip in our imaginary time machine to the past (*cue air current chime flashback music*). What changes has the Dining Plan seen since it was introduced? And could more changes be in store for our onetime friend the Disney Dining Plan? Here's what we know.

The Basics

If you lot're new to the Disney Dining Plan scene, there'southward a lot to catch upwardly on!

50s Prime number Time Cafe in Hollywood Studios

You tin can read virtually all four of the by Disney Dining Program options hither to get some background info on what Disney'southward almost recent Dining Plan situation was.

Click Here to Read Near All Four Disney Dining Plan Options.

For just a quick summary, before the suspension of the Dining Plan there were four options: the Quick Service Program, the Standard Dining Plan, Disney Dining Plan Plus, and the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan.

Each programme came with a combination of credits for Quick Serviceand/or Tabular array Servicemeals. There were snacks included in the plans besides, in add-on to a resort refillable mug for each guest. Guests could employ the refillable mug to get sodas or hot beverages at their resort.

Cupcakes

Basically, the Disney Dining Programme is a way to pre-pay for your food and drinks before you go to Disney Globe. You would pay the set amount for your plan and receive the appropriate number of credits associated with that program. Then, you lot could redeem those credits throughout your trip to cover the costs of your food. And so instead of paying for that Quick Service meal during your trip, you'd just redeem a quick service credit you had already paid for alee of time. Easy peasy, right?

Importantly, Disney Dining Plans were only bachelor as an add-on for Disney Vacation Packages, meaning you must be staying on a Vacation Bundle at a Disney owned-and-operated hotel and you lot must have purchased at to the lowest degree ane ticket per person.

Ronto Wrap

The Disney Dining Program was first introduced at Disney Earth back in 2005! Since then, it'southward had a lot of changes. Allow's take a look at them hither.

The Scale of the Dining Plan

One of the biggest changes has been how much the Dining Plan program has grown! When the Disney Dining Plan was first introduced in 2005, there was simply one plan offered. Guests could add information technology to their Disney hotel reservations to pre-pay for meals and snacks.

Watermelon Margarita and Shrimp Tacos

Original Dining Program:

Here'southward what the original dining plan featured.

1 Tabular array Service Meal — appetizer, entree, dessert, a nonalcoholic beverage, and the tip

1 Counter Service Meal — entree, dessert, and a nonalcoholic potable

1 Snack — Most snacks $5 or cheaper qualified as a "snack" category for the Disney Dining Plan

There was an option to trade 2 table service meals for 1 Signature Dining Experience or 1 Disney Dinner Evidence. A signature dining experience basically means a fancy restaurant at Disney World, like California Grill at Disney'southward Contemporary Resort. Only select restaurants fall under that category.

Cali-Grilled Angus Cheeseburger

In the years between 2005 and 2020, several unlike dining programme options were added and things were rearranged. Desserts were largely removed from Quick Service meals on well-nigh plans, and appetizers were removed from most Table Service meals (dependant on your plan level). In past years, like 2015, there were things called Premium and Platinum Disney Dining Program options.

Dining Plans Most Recently (2020):

Prior to the pandemic shutdowns and the suspension of the Dining Plan, in that location were four options for Disney Dining Plans. You could become different plans that ranged from the quick-service plan that offered two quick service meals per day (plus other things) to the Deluxe program with a possible iii table-service meals each twenty-four hours.

Tusker House Lunch

We won't go into Full detail for each of the plans, but here's a quick breakdown of what each plan included per twenty-four hours (you tin can click the links to larn more most each program):

Quick Service Plan — 2 quick service meals with beverages, 2 snacks, 1 resort refillable mug

Standard Dining Plan — 1 quick service meal and 1 table service meal (entree and dessert or family-manner/buffet repast) with beverages, 2 snacks, 1 resort refillable mug

Disney Dining Program Plus — ii meals per day of any combination of quick service or table service (entree and dessert or family-style/cafe meal) with beverages, 2 snacks, 1 resort refillable mug

Deluxe Dining Plan — 3 tabular array service (appetizer, entree, and dessert or family-style/cafe meal)or quick service meals with beverages, 2 snacks, i resort refillable mug

Notation that sure specialty beverages were included in the most recent plans, including select alcoholic beverages for those 21 and older.

Aye, that's a hot canis familiaris topped with funnel cake alright.

But by taking a look at the i original programme versus the four most contempo plans, it's clear that the scale of the Disney Dining Plan overall has inverse. Over the years, these various plans have been added to the available offerings. Most recently, the Disney Dining Plan Plus was added for 2020.

Not but take the number of Dining Plan options increased, merely the plans themselves feature unique options and are more customizable, allowing guests to option the one that all-time suits their need. Having more options can help brand the Dining Plan appeal to a wider variety of people visiting Disney.

Roast Beefiness Au Jus

We'll exist breaking downwards the differences of what's included with each credit in a second. But here are some BIG overall differences betwixt the onetime program and the nearly recent ones.

The new plans include two snacks per day instead of just ane like the original programme, and Disney besides added aresort refillable mug to each plan, which guests can use to get soda and hot drinks at their resort.

However, the most recent plans generally did not include appetizers for table service meals, unless you went with the Deluxe Dining Plan.In a way, the second snack has essentially replaced that appetizer. Note you lot DO get an appetizer on the Palatial programme.

Braised Beef Short Rib Wontons at California Grill

It's also important to note that the Dining Plan no longer includes gratuity for table service meals, and so that's something yous'll have to pay for during your trip.

And so overall the past few years have resulted in a Dining Plan that has more options and more than customization to fit your needs.

Click Here to Read More than About the Disney Dining Program Plus Option

We know there are MORE options for the Dining Plan, simply how do the prices for these compare to the original programme?

Prices

Another ane of the changes we've seen over the last 16 years of the Disney Dining Plan is the change in price. And, as you might imagine, these have all been price INCREASES.

2005

The get-go Disney Dining Plan cost $35/dark for adults and $10/dark for kids.Really, it was a pretty good bargain that would likely save you money if you used information technology for all the meals offered in the plan.

Croissant Amandes

We've seen a toll increase in the Dining Plans almost every year since and so. We'll focus on some of the more recent years.

2010

In 2010, the prices for the Quick Service Plan were $31.99/night for adults and $9.99/night for kids. At the time there was as well a Plus (Bones) Dining Programme which price $41.99/nighttime for adults and $xi.99/night for kids (regular season ); and $46.99/night for adults and $12.99/nighttime for children (peak season). The Deluxe Plan was $71.99/night for adults and $20.99/night for kids.

The Ohana Noodles with the Chicken, Kielbasa, and Broccolini!

Note that the Disney Dining Plan Plus was introduced in 2020, so nosotros don't have prices for that plan until more than recently! Note that what was included in these plans was also a chip different than what was included in the most recent plans, so that's something to go along in mind. For case, the quick service plan included two quick service meals and two snacks per person per day (no resort refillable mug and no alcoholic beverages).

2013

Moving upwards to 2013, the Quick Service Plan was $37.58/nighttime for adults and $fourteen.32/night for kids. The Standard Plan was $55.59/dark for adults and $17.16/night for kids (value and regular season); and $56.94/night for adults and $xviii.16/night for kids (peak season).

A Ronto Wrap

The Palatial Plan was $99.97/night for adults and $26.84/night for kids (value and regular flavor); and $102.27/night for adults and $28.91/night for kids (summit flavour).

2016

In 2016, prices for the dining plan increased at the early on part of the year. For purposes of this article, we'll focus on the higher prices that were put in place as of March 9th, 2016. At that time, the Quick Service Programme was $44.13/dark for adults and $xix.04/nighttime for kids. The Standard Program was $63.70/dark for adults and $23.85/nighttime for kids. The Deluxe Plan was $115.08/night for adults and $35.49/night for kids.

Le Cellier Steakhouse

You'll note that by this indicate, price differences for the standard plan for regular/value season vs. summit flavour were done away with and a single toll was instead utilized for the entire yr.

2020

As y'all tin can encounter, prices take risen pretty steadily over the past few years. Hither's the breakup of the Disney Dining Plan prices as of 2020:

Quick Service: $55/nighttime for adults, $26/night for kids

Standard Dining Program: $78.01/night for adults, $30.51/dark for kids

Disney Dining Plan Plus: $94.61/night for adults, $35.01/night for kids

Deluxe Dining Plan: $119/night for adults, $47.50/dark for kids

Sanaa Bread Service

Although the prices tend to rise just a little bit at a time year after yr (generally a few dollars' departure each twelvemonth), the change from 2005 to 2020 is substantial! The Quick Service Plan is now well-nigh $twenty more per adult than the original Dining Plan (which gave you more than food!).

The original Dining Plan was closer to the Standard Dining Programme, however, in terms of including a tabular array-service and quick-service option. If you compare those plans, the price increase is even steeper — a difference of $43.01 between 2005 and 2020. Merely the plans featured different benefits.

The original plan had fewer snacks and didn't include the resort refillable mug or the choice for adults 21 and older to get select alcoholic beverages included in the plan. But the original plan didinclude an appetizer and gratuity for tabular array-service meals, which aren't included in the Standard Program now. So it seems like the offerings for each plan have shuffled around as the price rises steadily.

Mickey Water ice Foam Bar

The steady and frequent price increases take meant that in the Dining Plan's short 16-year lifespan, it's grown to be quite a bit more expensive than the original plan.

Though the prices accept gone up, some Dining Program perks have grown/changed as well like we noted with the change in the refillable mug and every bit we'll discuss with other perks beneath. Permit's see what the changes have been over the years every bit far as what you get for each credit in the plan.

What'due south Offered for Each Credit

There are three kinds of credits for dining plans: snack credits, quick service credits, and tabular array service credits.

Dole Whip counts every bit a snack credit!

The names for these have generally stayed the same over the years, simply what you get for each has changed a bit.

Here's what was included in each credit in 2005:

Snack credits: A snack credit was good for various snacks throughout the parks, which were marked with a Disney Dining Program symbol. They were usually $five or cheaper and included things like Mickey's Premium Ice Cream Bars, a box of popcorn, a 20 oz bottle of Coke, and select other items.

Quick Service credits: Each quick service credit included an entree, dessert, and a nonalcoholic beverage.

Table Service credits: Table service credits included an appetizer, entree, dessert, and nonalcoholic beverage. The tip was too included in the credit, which was usually between 15% and eighteen%, depending on the eating place.

Yak and Yeti Table

In 2005, guests were able to trade ii table service credits for 1 signature dining repast or ane Disney dinner show experience.

Hither's what was included in each credit in 2020:

Snack credits: Near recently, snack credits were worth a bit more, with more than snacks in the $7 and under range qualifying as a "snack" nether the plan. Though you could as well get some MORE expensive items for a snack credit as well. They'd always be noted with the Disney Dining Plan snack logo.

It seems that every bit the prices for food take increased over the years (we've certainly seen a lot of increases recently in 2022), the base of operations level of the food included under the snack credit category has as well increased, which makes sense. If the popcorn you used to get for under $X is now above $X in terms of pure toll, then it makes sense that the overall price of the snacks included in the snack credit be increased to suit for this.

Colossal Mickey Cinnamon Roll

As of 2020, you lot could go some pretty good snacks for this credit, such as loaded fries from Casey's Corner, the Jumbo Cinnamon Curlicue from diverse spots, or even a Mickey Waffle with Strawberries and Whipped Cream from Sleepy Hollow!

Click Hither to Read Almost the Best Disney Snack Credit Options in Disney World from 2020!

Quick Service credits:A quick service credit now is an entree and potable or a combo meal at a quick service location (which includes a drink).

Annotation that the drink offerings in 2020 were more expansive for your meals. Guests nether 21 years of historic period could choose 1 non-alcoholic beverage with their Quick Service (and Table Service) meal (including specialty beverages — i.e. Artisanal Milk Shakes, Fresh Smoothies, Premium Hot Chocolates, or Soda, Coffee or Tea — where offered). Guests 21 and older could tin can cull either one not-alcoholic drink (including specialty beverages where offered) or one unmarried serving mixed cocktail, beer, or wine (where offered) within their meal entitlement.

The inclusion of specialty beverages (especially select alcoholic beverages) was a Big alter for the Dining Programme. Surprisingly though, it didn't dramatically increase prices. From 2017 (no specialty drinks included) to 2018 (specialty drinks now included) the price alter for quick service was $48.nineteen to $52.49 for adults; standard plan went from $69.35 to $75.49; and palatial went from $106.68 to $116.24. An increase for certain, but perchance not equally dramatic equally might have been expected.

Inside Pecos Bill at Magic Kingdom

Table Service credits: Finally, with the nearly contempo dining plans, a table service credit was good for an entree, dessert, and a drink (alcoholic or nonalcoholic — again, come across the notes on drinks above in the Quick Service credits section). This credit is also valid for a total buffet or family-way meal entitlement per person.

The Deluxe Dining Plan includes an appetizer every bit well with Tabular array Service credits.

See Which Quick-Service Restaurants had the Best Value for the Disney Dining Plan in 2020!

And so what are the biggest differences or changes that accept been fabricated with the plan equally it began and equally information technology existed in its virtually contempo form?

For starters, yous could get more expensive snacks with the most recent Dining Plan — giving you the chance to really get a good bang for your buck (though some of that may simply accept to do with the fact that the toll of food has increased over the years, naturally leading to an increase in the base of operations value of snacks included in the snack credit).

Second, specialty beverages have been included with quick service and table service credits, including select alcoholic beverages for those 21 and up. This is a change that was fabricated dorsum in 2018.

Finally, most table service credits now don't include an appetizer or tip (only yous could go an appetizer included with the Deluxe Programme as of 2020).

Margarita flying at Coronado Springs

With all the changes to the overall price, items included, and the value of each credit, ane more large affair to await at is which Disney Earth restaurants participate in the Disney Dining Plan, because that's inverse likewise!

Restaurants Included

Each year, Disney has also made changes to which restaurants around the parks and resorts will accept the Disney Dining Program. For example, in 2011 for the Standard Dining Plan Disney added a few table-service locations to exist included in the plan, like La Hacienda de San Angel and Via Napoli in EPCOT.

Via Napoli

A big alter that we've also seen taken place over the years is that more and more restaurants accept been added to the Signature Dining list. These restaurants crave two table service credits for each meal (as opposed to but 1). In 2011, dinner at Le Cellier in EPCOT became a Signature meal, and in mid-2018 (equally of July 27th, 2018) dinner at Be Our Guest joined the list of Signature Dining Experiences as well.

Be Our Invitee Restaurant

Adding more restaurants to the Signature Dining Experiences list is i way to subtly require guests to pay more than when using the Dining Program. You'll demand to pay out-of-pocket for meals once your Dining Program credits are all used up. If you intend on visiting various restaurants that now fall nether the Signature Dining Experience category (requiring 2 tabular array service credits as opposed to ane) it will mean you could utilise up those Table Service credits quite speedily.

If you lot don't stop upward having enough credits to cover all of your meals throughout your trip since you'll be using more up for these signature experiences, and then you'll have to pay out of pocket for the additional food costs. But this change may also just ameliorate reflect the prices of the dishes at that restaurant (which accept too likely increased over the past several years) and Disney'southward perception of the value of the experience.

Click Here to Come across Details About Disney World'due south Cheapest Sit-Down Restaurant!

Gratis Disney Dining

Before the Dining Programme was discontinued, in that location was an awesome deal that a lot of people planned their trips effectually: free dining in Disney Earth! Aye! This is sometimes a thing!

Since 2005, Disney has occasionally offered FREE Disney Dining Plans at times when the park omnipresence was expected to be lower. But even Free Dining offerings have changed over the years.

Popcorn Chicken at the Joy of Tea in EPCOT

Initially Complimentary Dining was generally offered once a year. In some futurity years it switched to being offered more than than once per year. For example, in 2019 Free Dining was offered 2 times, once for dates July 5 – September xxx, 2019 (bookable January through February), and once for dates September 1 through September 18, 2019, November 17 through November 27, 2019, and December 8 through Dec 23, 2019 (bookable July through September). So fifty-fifty just that procedure has inverse.

And then, dorsum in 2020, Disney announced a vacation parcel that included a Disney Dining Program for select guests who had trips booked during office of the time when the Resort was closed due to COVID-nineteen. But and so the state of affairs with this offering later changed and the private offer was discontinued for new reservations.

One of our favorite views!

The Dining Plan itself hasn't been bachelor for over a year, and Disney hasn't said yet if the Free Dining will come dorsum with it at whatsoever signal in the future.

As we mentioned, Gratis Disney Dining was typically offered during times park attendance was expected to be slower. Merely are there really whatsoever "dull" periods in the parks anymore?

Disney has filled in some of the previously slower times with things like the Festival of the Arts in EPCOT in Jan and Februaryand the extension of Halloween parties (like last year's Boo Fustigate) into August and September. At that place's a special reason (an EPCOT festival, holiday party, etc.) to visit Disney Earth during almost every month of the twelvemonth now!

Decorated Fourth of July Weekend!

So is Free Dining even needed to entice guests to visit the parks anymore? But time will tell if Disney decides that Free Dining is necessary to become more guests to visit and and then brings this offer back.

There you have it! That'south a general look at the evolution of the Disney Dining Plan. Essentially, the number of plans offered has gone up, the offerings included in the plans accept sometimes changed, the prices for the plans take increased, and what is included in each point or plan has also adult over time. Now, what could the future concord for the Dining Plan?

What Could the Future of the Dining Plan Agree?

And then far Disney has indicated that the Dining Plan will return at some bespeak in the time to come and that'south almost IT. Disney hasn't noted what the prices will be, how many plans will be available, what each programme volition include, what the credits within each programme will include, etc.

Could prices increase once again? Nosotros think it's unlikely that Disney will but resurrect the verbal prices for the 2020 plans for whenever the Dining Program returns. Given the price increases we've seen on in various spots in Disney and the hundreds of cost increases at restaurants in Disney World, it'south likely that prices will increase for the Dining Programme likewise.

Cheeseburger Pods for the win

Volition the future of the Disney Dining Plan feature new plan offerings or new program structures?It's certainly possible. We've seen the number of plans and their offerings change over the years. Nosotros could get less plans, more plans, or just plans with different mixes of offerings. More snack credits? Less snack credits? A snack credit only plan (hey, it could happen!)? At that place are a lot of possibilities for the future.

It'southward possible that the future dining plans will have more offerings than the virtually recent ones, or that we'll lose benefits from the most recent plans. There are a lot of questions hither.

It'due south also possible that the list of restaurants included could modify. Nosotros've seen this listing change over the years. Since the plan was suspended in 2020 we've also seen a number of changes come to Disney World'southward restaurants. New spots (like Infinite 220) have opened up, and other spots (like Trail'south End Restaurant) have (at least temporarily) changed to family unit-style dining. Lunch is nonetheless not dorsum to quick service at Be Our Guest, and character dining has not returned to select spots. Will more restaurants get added to the list or will some get taken away? Will more restaurants be placed under the 2-table-service-credits required Signature Dining level? It'due south all possible.

Fourth dimension to Dig in!

Ultimately, the future of the Dining Plan has a number of unknowns.We're looking for any and all updates regarding the Dining Plan and we'll be sure to let you know of whatsoever updates.

Subscribe to the DFB newsletter to make sure you get the update as soon every bit news about the Dining Plan is released!

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Click Here to Read Virtually Another Possibility in the Future of the Disney Dining Plan!

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