Are you planning a trip to Walt Disney World in 2024 (NOW UPDATED FOR 2025) and wondering “Is the Disney Dining Plan worth it?” With various dining options and costs to consider, it’s important to look at the pros and cons of the Disney Dining plan and see if it makes sense in your Disney budget. 

Is the Disney Dining Plan Worth It?

When planning a trip to the Walt Disney World Resort, one of the most common considerations is whether to purchase the Disney Dining Plan. The Disney Dining Plan returned in 2024 after a multi-year pause, and now in 2025, it’s still going strong—with some important updates.

In this post (UPDATED JUNE 2025), we’ll dive into the cost of the 2025 Disney Dining Plan, updated plan options, eligibility, pros and cons, and the all-important question: Is the Disney Dining Plan Worth It for your trip?

What is the Disney Dining Plan?

The Disney Dining Plan offers a way to prepay for meals and snacks during your stay at Walt Disney World. It simplifies budgeting, and depending on your dining habits, it may save you money.

The structure of the dining plan gives guests the flexibility to explore Disney’s diverse and delicious dining options across its resorts and theme parks. Whether you’re grabbing a quick breakfast before rope drop or enjoying a leisurely character dinner, the dining plan allows you to focus on the experience rather than the expense.

To determine if the plan is right for you, consider:

• Number of nights you’re staying
• Preferred meal types (quick service vs table service)
• Age of each guest (children under 10 have reduced pricing)
• Frequency of snack purchases

2025 Disney Dining Plan Options and Costs

As of 2025, Disney continues to offer two dining plan options: The Deluxe Dining Plan and Dining Plan Plus. These options were unavailable and have not been reinstated since the pandemic-era suspension.

Standard Dining Plan

• 1 Table-Service meal per night
• 1 Quick-Service meal per night
• 1 Snack or nonalcoholic drink per night
• 1 Resort-refillable drink mug per person
• Adults (21+) may substitute alcoholic beverages

Quick Service Dining Plan

• 2 Quick-Service meals per night
• 1 Snack or nonalcoholic drink per night
• 1 Resort-refillable drink mug per person

2025 Prices:

• Standard Dining Plan: $97.79 per adult (ages 10+), $30.56 per child (ages 3-9)
• Quick Service Dining Plan: $59.14 per adult, $24.71 per child

These prices reflect a modest increase from 2024. The rise is typical of Disney’s annual price adjustments and reflects slight increases in food costs and operational expenses.  Though prices have increased at Disney parks they have across the board increased at restaurants, so the rate doesn’t seem to outweigh the rest of the U.S., though it still doesn’t mean the Disney Dining Plan is worth it-read on to dive into the math on this!

Free Dining Plan Promotion (2025)

For the first time in forever, ok well, years, Disney has reintroduced the Free Dining Plan offer! 

This has historically been one of Disney’s most popular promotions, and its return is big news for Disney planners.

Details:

• Travel Dates: May 27 – June 26 and July 7 – Aug 6, 2025
• Must book a non-discounted Walt Disney Travel Company package 

• Package Requirements: Non-discounted hotel + ticket package including at least 3 nights at a Disney Resort Hotel and a minimum 3-day Park Hopper ticket

Dining Plan Tiers:

• Guests at Value & Moderate Resorts receive the Quick Service Dining Plan
• Guests at Deluxe & Deluxe Villa Resorts receive the Standard Dining Plan

Eligible resorts include:

• Value: All-Star Movies, Music, Sports; Pop Century; Art of Animation (family suites only)
• Moderate: Caribbean Beach; Coronado Springs; Port Orleans French Quarter & Riverside
• Deluxe & Deluxe Villas: Animal Kingdom Lodge, Contemporary (and Bay Lake Tower), Grand Floridian, Polynesian Village, Beach Club, Yacht Club, BoardWalk Inn, Wilderness Lodge, Riviera Resort, Saratoga Springs, Old Key West

Who Can Purchase the Dining Plan?

To buy a dining plan, you must:

• Book a Disney World vacation package with a Disney Resort Hotel stay
• Add theme park tickets to the package

DVC Members:

If they are staying on points at a DVC (Disney Vacation Club) resort, members can purchase a dining plan for every night of their stay. It must be paid in full and booked at least 48 hours in advance.

Annual Passholders:

Annual Passholders can purchase a dining plan when booking a resort-only package. Tickets aren’t required since you already have an annual pass, but all standard package policies apply.

Snacks and Dining Plan Credits in 2025

Credits are the currency of the dining plan:

• Table-Service Credits
• Quick-Service Credits
• Snack Credits

Some Table-Service meals require 2 credits. These are usually signature dining experiences or character meals like Cinderella’s Royal Table, Storybook Dining at Artist Point, and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall.

Snack Credit Examples (2025 Expanded List):

Disney expanded the snack program in 2025 to include more savory options and festival items. Here are updated examples:

• Dole Whip Floats
• Cheeseburger Spring Rolls
• Baked Mac & Cheese with Pulled Pork
• 2 scoops of hand-scooped ice cream
• Festival items at EPCOT food booths
• 20 oz bottled or fountain drinks
• Side items like cheese sauce or soup cups

Tip: The increased snack flexibility makes the dining plan even more appealing for guests who like to “snack around the World” at EPCOT or indulge in limited-time seasonal treats at festivals or special park events.

Pros & Cons of the Dining Plan

Pros:

• Prepaid meals simplify budgeting
• Alcohol is included for adults
• Great for character dining experiences
• A refillable mug can save money on beverages at the resort
• Expands your dining choices and encourages trying new things
• Less stress over food prices once on property

Cons:

• Must purchase for all guests (age 3+) for every night of the stay
• May not save money if you skip meals, don’t drink alcohol, or prefer smaller portions
• Requires advance planning (especially ADRs at popular restaurants)
• Not all meals offer the same value per credit—some may be “overpaying

Does the Disney Dining Plan Actually Save You Money in 2025?

It depends on your dining style.  If you often eat planned-out, pricier meals on vacation, then yes, it can save you money.  Or if you like to indulge in signature cocktails or always have desserts and appetizers with a full meal, then yes also.  For a family of five like we have, who likes to rope drop and use early entry to get as much done as possible, it doesn’t work.  

But let’s look at a sample comparison for pricing purposes so that you can make the best decision for you:

Standard Dining Plan:

• Table-Service Meal with drink and dessert: $60–$75
• Quick-Service Meal: $15–$25
• Snack: $6–$10
• = Potential daily value: $85–$110 vs. $97.79 cost

Quick Service Dining Plan:

• 2 Quick-Service meals: $30–$40
• Snack: $6–$10
• = Potential daily value: $36–$50 vs. $59.14 cost

Tips: If you order alcoholic beverages, dine at high-value restaurants, or participate in EPCOT festivals, you’re more likely to break even or come out ahead.

Bonus Tips for 2025:

• Children 3–9 must order from kids’ menus when available
• Kids under 3 eat free off a parent’s plate
• Refillable mugs are only usable at resort beverage stations (not parks)
• Dining credits are pooled and can be used flexibly across your stay
• Guests staying at Disney resorts May 21 – Sept 7, 2025, get complimentary water park admission on arrival day
• Use the My Disney Experience app to track remaining dining credits and eligible items
• You can purchase the dining plan for only one leg of a split stay—for example, if staying 2 nights at Pop Century and 3 nights at Port Orleans, the plan can apply to just one of those stays.

The Wrap Up

The 2025 Disney Dining Plan offers expanded options, more flexible snack usage, and a welcome return of the popular Free Dining promotion. It’s not a guaranteed cost-saver—so definitely factor in your family/travel party, how much you eat and how big your Disney budget is- but for many guests, especially those who enjoy character meals, signature dining, or alcohol with meals, it can be a game changer and add convenience and value to your Walt Disney World vacation.

This post has been fully updated with 2025 Disney Dining Plan pricing, eligible resorts, and current promotions.

Check back often or follow us on Instagram @pixiepackingtravelco for the latest Disney planning tips!

Have you used or do you plan to use the Disney Dining Plan on your Walt Disney World vacation? Tell me your thoughts and tips in the comments- I would love to hear them!

 

You may also like:

• 9 Insanely Helpful Tips to Plan Your Disney Vacation
• 5 Easy Steps to Plan a Disney Budget
• Disney Budget: How to Choose the Best Disney Value Resort

And check out my Pixie Park Plan Strategies to save you hours and hours of planning and wait times on your next Disney World vacation!