The Disney Dining Plan is BACK, and some things are DIFFERENT!

Disney Dining Plans have returned after being unavailable for a few years, with January 9th being the first day that guests can use the plans. We’ve already noticed a few major differences, and there’s one change in the Disney World app that we think you’ll love!

You can keep track of your Disney Dining Plan credits in the My Disney Experience app, but that’s not the only update to the app that we spotted today!

Suppose you want to use Mobile Order at quick service restaurants to skip the line and get your food faster (which we highly recommend!). In that case, you can do so and still pay with your Disney Dining Plan (DDP) credits, as long as the restaurant where you’re Mobile Ordering is participating in the Disney Dining Plan. In fact, the app will automatically apply your DDP credits to your order!

As you’re ordering, you can view your complete order and edit or delete items that you’ve added. But now, Disney has added a cool new feature to the top of the “My Order” page! The app will let you know if you’ve left something out that’s included in your Disney Dining Plan credits.

For example, when we ordered a Chili-Cheese All-Beef Foot-Long Hot Dog from Casey’s Corner, the app updated to say, “Don’t Miss Out — Your dining plan allows you to add another Standard Beverage to your meal.” We hadn’t added a drink to our meal, and a beverage is included in the Quick Service meal credit, so the app reminded us to add that!

This is a great feature so that you can really make the most of each Dining Plan credit.

If you want to Mobile Order and just pay — NOT using your Disney Dining Plan credits — you can do that as well. You’ll just need to click “Modify” when reviewing your order and select “I don’t want to use my dining plan for this item.”

As a reminder, here’s what is included in each plan:

Quick Service Dining Plan

Inclusions Per Person in the travel party (ages 3 and up), Per Night: This plan includes counter service (i.e., fast food) meals and snacks at most quick service dining locations in the Walt Disney World Resort.

• Two Quick Service meals — entrée or combo meal at lunch and dinner and a beverage; Guests under 21 years of age can choose one non-alcoholic beverage (including specialty beverages for guests 10 years old and over — i.e. Artisanal Milk Shakes,  Fresh Smoothies, Premium Hot Chocolates, or Soda, Coffee or Tea — where offered). Guests 21 and older can can choose either one non-alcoholic beverage (including specialty beverages where offered) or one single serving mixed cocktail, beer, or wine (where offered) within their meal entitlement.
• One snack/nonalcoholic drink
• One Resort refillable drink mug per person, per package

Standard Dining Plan

Inclusions —  Each person on the meal plan will receive credits for the following, per night:

• One table service entrée, dessert (lunch and dinner only), OR full buffet;
  • Guests under 21 years of age can choose one non-alcoholic beverage with their Quick Service and Table Service meal (including specialty beverages for guests 10 years old and over — i.e. Artisanal Milk Shakes,  Fresh Smoothies, Premium Hot Chocolates, or Soda, Coffee or Tea — where offered).
  • Guests 21 and older can can choose either one non-alcoholic beverage (including specialty beverages where offered) or one single serving mixed cocktail, beer, or wine (where offered) within their meal entitlement.
• One quick service meal, including entrée OR combo meal;
  • Guests under 21 years of age can choose one non-alcoholic beverage with their Quick Service and Table Service meal (including specialty beverages for guests 10 years old and over — i.e. Artisanal Milk Shakes,  Fresh Smoothies, Premium Hot Chocolates, or Soda, Coffee or Tea — where offered).
  • Guests 21 and older can can choose either one non-alcoholic beverage (including specialty beverages where offered) or one single serving mixed cocktail, beer, or wine (where offered) within their meal entitlement.
• One snack/nonalcoholic drink
• One Resort refillable drink mug per person, per package

There’s a lot you need to know before you use the Dining Plan in Disney World, but we’ve got you covered with all kinds of resources and guides. Check out our FULL GUIDE below!

Click here to see our FULL GUIDE to the Disney World Dining Plans.

You can use the Disney Dining Plan at most restaurants at Disney World: Here’s a FULL LIST of qualifying restaurants.

Want help planning your upcoming trip and finding all the best deals and discounts? Our friends over at Small World Vacations are a great resource! They’ll help you with all the planning, and their services are completely free.

Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney World updates! 

Are you going to use the Disney Dining Plan on your next trip? Let us know in the comments.