2017 Disney Dining Plan Decoded

Dining Plans are a great way to save money and to make things much more convenient during your Walt Disney World Vacation.   I personally, think it one of the best things you can do on your vacation to add this!  I previously wrote a blog, Decoding the Disney Dining Plans, but in 2017, there are several changes coming to the Dining Plans!  Hopefully, this post will help you understand what the Dining Plan is, what the changes are, and what works best for your family!

How the Dining Plans work, is for each night, each guest is assigned a certain allotment of meal/snack vouchers.   These credits are kept on your magic band that you swipe to pay with.  It is a pretty cool technology!   Your receipt will show you how many credits left per package (not per person).   The Dining Plan is for all guests ages 3 and up.

Different Dining Plans have different combinations of the following:

REFILLABLE DRINK MUG:  You get 1 mug per guest ages 3 and over.  For each night you stay, you get a day worth of unlimited refills at any of the resorts!  You can resort hop all day and get refills at any of them!  The mugs are new every year and can be kept as a souvenir mug which is an extra perk!  Some guests will take them to the parks and leave to the closest resort.  I personally think its best to just leave those in your room when your visiting the parks.  They can be a pain to have to take everywhere, especially if you are in a large group.

SNACK:  Each Dining Plan now allows every person ages 3 and up to receive 2 snacks per night of your stay.  Wherever you see the Disney Dining Plan Snack Icon (shown below), that shows you that that particular item counts as one snack from your plan!   There is a giant list of items!!!    Ice Cream, Pretzels, Popcorn, Funnel Cakes, Dole Whip, Fruit, Granola Bars, Water Bottle, Coffee, and SO MUCH MORE!

QUICK SERVICE MEAL:  These meal credits are good at restaurants known as Quick Service.   Pretty much these are the restaurants where you order at the counter and seat yourself.   All the resorts have one that is similar to a food court, and the parks have a ton of options as well!  This credit typically includes:  1 entree and 1 non-alcoholic beverage (dessert is now no longer included). 

TABLE SERVICE MEAL:  These meal credits are good at restaurants known as Table Service.  These would be the ones where you are seated and you have a waiter/waitress.  The coolest thing about these is they can be used at Character Dining locations!  That is where you will get the most bang for your buck!  And it also helps to cut back the need to stand in long lines at meet and greets!  Win win all around!  Certain Character Dining locations will take two of your table service credits (For Example, Fairytale Dining at Cinderella's Royal Table takes two Table Service Credits).  All of the Signature Restaurants, Dinner Shows, and In Room Service Dining will also take two table service credits.  This credit typically includes:  1 entree, 1 dessert, and 1 non-alcoholic beverage (dessert not included at breakfast) OR one full buffet or family style meal..

NOTE:   Remember, you are still responsible for gratuity!  If you have a party of 6 or more, you will automatically be charged 18%. However, there are a few places where the gratuity is included.




OK, so now that we have that terminology out of the way, lets start exploring the different dining plans that Walt Disney World has to offer for 2017!   Previously, Disney World offered 5 different plans, for 2017, they dropped the Premium and the Platinum plans are now offering the following 3 plans.


QUICK SERVICE DINING PLAN
This is one of the newest dining plans that Disney launched this year!  If you are working with a tight budget, this is the smallest of the Dining Plans and the one with the least frills. This plan includes the following for each guest (ages 3 and up) per night: Rapid Refill Resort mug, 2 snacks, and 2 Quick Service meals.


DINING PLAN
This plan is the most commonly used plan and one of the best deals in my personal opinion!  It includes the following for each guest (ages 3 and up) per night:  Rapid Refill Resort mug, 2 snacks, 1 Quick Service Meal, and 1 Table Service meal.

DELUXE DINING PLAN
This plan is one I recommend for guests who want to eat all three meals on property or for guests who want to visit more of the higher end restaurants or dinner shows.  This plan includes the following for each guest (ages 3 and up) per night:  Rapid Refill Resort mug, 2 snacks, and 3 meals that can be used at either Quick Service or Table Service locations.


I personally like the 2017 Dining Plan changes.  I think it makes it easier to understand and gives you more control!

If you need help not just in booking your own Disney Vacation, but figuring out which Dining Plan best suits your family's needs, use our recommended Disney Travel Agent:  Ohana 

Adventures Travel!  You can visit their Facebook by clicking HERE.  They also can help you sort through all of the many restaurants to choose for and even make your dining reservations (as well as fast passes!) to make for a care free and truly MAGICAL vacation!  They offer FREE itinerary planning and will even type up a detailed plan for you to take with you!  Contact them today for a FREE quote!