Is the Disney Dining Plan About to Return?

The Disney Dining Plan was a favorite amongst Disney Guests and was known to provide an all-inclusive experience when visiting the Walt Disney World Resort. It was not offered in the Disneyland Resort, Disneyland Paris, or other Disney Parks around the world, making it exclusive to the Walt Disney World Resort. Other Disney Resorts do offer meal plans, but they are completely different to those that have been offered in Lake Buena Vista. The ability to enjoy great-tasting food in excellent restaurants, dine in unique settings, flexibility and savings were just some of the reasons why Guests would choose to add a Disney Dining Plan to their Disney vacation package.

Unfortunately, the Disney Dining Plan has been unavailable since March 2020. It is yet to return, despite many other experiences having returned to the Walt Disney World over the past couple of years. The requirement for Park Reservations, limiting the number of Guests in dining locations, and staffing issues are possible reasons why the Disney Dining Plan has yet to return for Guests to book when visiting the Disney destination in Orlando. The Walt Disney Company, however, have previously confirmed that it will return, but they have yet to confirm when this will happen.

It is noted that the Disney Dining Plan logo continues to be used throughout the Disney theme parks, on snack items, and at the EPCOT International Festival booths. The Walt Disney World website also states that Dining Plans are currently unavailable, with Guests unable to modify or add to them at this time.

Disney Dining Plan

The Disney Dining Plan has previously been a package that Walt Disney World Resort Guests have been able to add to their vacation. The addition of the Disney Dining Plan transforms a vacation by providing Guests with dining credits that can be used throughout their visit to the Walt Disney World Resort. Dining Plans have previously been available for all members of each party and were priced per night of a Disney vacation. Previously, there were three different plans available, providing something for every budget:

• The Quick-Service Dining Plan including two quick-service meals; 1 drink per meal (alcoholic and non-alcoholic choices included); 2 snack credits; and a refillable mug per Guest each night of a stay.
• The Disney Dining Plan including one full-service meal; 1 quick-service meal; 1 drink per meal (alcoholic and non-alcoholic choices included); 2 snack credits; and a refillable mug per Guest each night of a stay.
• The Disney Dining Plan Plus including two full-service meals; 1 drink per meal (alcoholic and non-alcoholic choices included); 2 snacks; and a refillable mug per Guest each night of a stay.
• The Deluxe Disney Dining Plan including three full-service or quick-service meals; 1 drink per meal (alcoholic and non-alcoholic choices included); 2 snack credits; and a refillable mug per Guest each night of a stay.

When offered by The Walt Disney Company, Disney Dining Plans are available to Guests of Walt Disney World Resort hotels to book. The Disney Dining Plan reduces the need for Guests to carry cash to pay for quick-service dining or the purchase of snacks in the Disney Parks and Resorts.

Suppose Guests use the Dining Plan to its full potential. In that case, they can save considerable money when it comes to dining, especially if they use credits at Disney character dining and family-style restaurants. Generally, the Disney Dining Plan is a way to budget for meals during a Disney vacation ahead of traveling. This could go a long way, especially with the addition of the Disney Genie+ that Guests may wish to purchase to reduce the time they have to wait in line for attractions during their vacation. It also encourages Guests to dine in a Disney restaurant each day of their vacation.

Are they about to return?

Over the last couple of years, U.K. Guests have been able to book their Disney vacation package with an offer that provides them with a dining credit. This offer replaced the previous package that included a free Dining Plan when Guests booked to stay in select Disney Resort hotels. While this has been different from the Disney Dining Plan, it has contributed substantially to the cost of dining in the Disney Parks and Resorts for Guests who have taken advantage of the offer. The offer that ran this year was available to Guests who booked a 2023 Walt Disney World vacation by July 2022. Once the offer end date arrived, Guests who were looking to book a Walt Disney World Resort vacation were only been able to make Disney Resort hotel and theme park ticket reservations. Until now.

Just today, U.K. Guests received an email informing them of a new 2023 vacation offer coming soon.Guests have to click on the email to find out more information, where they are directed to the Walt Disney World website. The news is announced with the slogan ‘the power of magic.’ As of December 15, an incredible package is launching for Guests wishing to book a Walt Disney World vacation for 2023.

Guests visiting from the U.K. are already eligible to make a reservation in a Disney Resort hotel and book Disney Park tickets, where they receive 14 days for the price of 7. Guests also receive 15% off an order with shopDisney and a Little Big Book of Vouchers, offering discounts to take advantage of during a Disney vacation. While the incredible package that Guests have been teased with today could relate to something else, we’d love to see the dining credit being offered again.

December 15 is just days away, and while we are speculating what this Disney offer will provide for prospective Guests visiting the Walt Disney World Resort in 2023, we’re definitely hoping it is the news we have all been eagerly awaiting. The addition of a Disney Dining Plan certainly adds to the Disney experience that Guests can enjoy during their vacation. We’ll be watching closely to see what the new Disney vacation package will entail when it is released on Thursday. Check back later this week to see if the Disney Dining Plan will return in 2023.