If you choose to stay at a Disney World hotel during your trip, you can get a lot of SWEET perks that could make your trip even that much better. For example, you can get into theme parks a half hour before everyone else (and some hotel guests can even get to stay in parks for a few hours after they close). You can even get a free water park ticket for your arrival day if you’re visiting during the summer.

Kids’ Meal

Now, many of these perks are returning in 2027, but one perk has changed…a LOT. In 2026, if you purchase a Disney Dining Plan, your kids can eat 100% free. Well, in 2027, that’s changing, and it’s a serious downgrade.

So here’s what’s changing in 2027: instead of a FREE dining plan for kids if you purchase a dining plan for yourself and other adults in your group, you just get up to 20% off dining for kids. So this perk has gone from FREE meals for kids to just a small discount. And, yes, that is a SERIOUS downgrade. However, we’re still going to try to look at this new 20% off for kids deal objectively and give you the pros and cons.

Kids’ Meal at Regal Eagle in EPCOT

Also note, that in both 2025 and 2026, you had to be staying at a Disney World hotel to get this deal, so that’s going to be something you’ll need to know if you’re interested!

Pros

Okay, so the biggest thing you’re going to get out of this if you purchase a Disney Dining Plan is that your kids will still get SOME kind of discount on food, even if it is no longer free. This could add up quite a bit, especially if you’re planning on eating at table service restaurants. The savings will add up, no matter what.

Kids’ Meal from Friar

The 20% off perk, though, is also a really good deal if you have multiple children. If you’ve got multiple little mouths to feed, you’ll end up saving at least something on their food. You’ll get a good value out of it if you’re bringing more than one kid to Disney World.

Docking Bay 7 Kids’ Meal

Another pro of getting this deal is that you can combine it with other deals. So if you also want to use a deal for tickets, hotel rooms, or a vacation package, you can get that deal, too. It’s valid as long as you also purchase a Disney Dining plan for adults.

You can combine it with other deals, including hotel discounts

Finally, the biggest draw for many who choose to purchase the Disney Dining Plan is that it helps with budgeting for meals. If you pre-pay for your meals, you won’t end up with sticker shock and go over your budget at restaurants. You’ll still be able to do that, but you’ll just have to account for the price of kids’ meals in your math.

Cons

Clearly, the biggest downside and con of the new 20% off offer is that Disney is that it’s no longer free. It seems unfair that something that was once FREE is now just a small discount. Free will always be the better deal, so this is the biggest reason the new offer is a downgrade.

Kids’ Mickey Waffles

Another downside is that you can’t get the deal UNLESS you purchase the Disney Dining Plan. So if you want to get 20% off kids’ meals, you have to lock yourself into the dining plan. That means you’ll also have to research how best to use the Disney Dining Plan in Disney World, as well as where you can use it. You’ll also need to know which restaurants require extra credits to dine there, like some signature dining experiences.

Disney Dining Plan symbols

You need to know how to get the most out of the dining plan to make it worth it. If you want to use the dining plan properly, you’ll need to compare what things cost to what you paid for the dining plan and figure out how to get the most bang for your buck (it’s usually by ordering the most expensive item on the menu). Pro tip: get the DFB Disney Dining Plan Guide!

Ale & Compass spread

You’ll also have to account for the fact that some restaurants will not have kid-friendly menus. This is especially true at signature dining restaurants, meaning that you might not even be able to find food your kid will like at some places you plan on using your dining plan credits at. You could also find yourself challenged if you’ve got a kid who’s a super picky eater.

Kids’ meal from Rosie’s All-American Cafe

Here’s another thing you need to think about: you don’t have to purchase a Disney Dining Plan. In fact, for many, the Dining Plan may end up costing you MORE than if you just pay for your meals at Disney World restaurants. This is probably even more true now that the kids’ free dining is only a small discount, so you’ll want to consider if the Disney Dining Plan is for you or not.

Kids meal in EPCOT!

Fear not, though! The Disney Dining Plan can be tough to navigate, but we’ve put together the Disney Dining Plan Guide that will help you figure out how to make the most out of the dining plan, should you choose to purchase it. You’ll learn how to make the most of every single dining credit.

Disney Dining Plan Guide

We’ll also get you all our best tips and tricks for deciding if the Disney Dining Plan is for you or not, so stay tuned to DFB for more.

How to Maximize Your Disney Dining Plan Credits!

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What do you think of this Disney Dining Deal perk change? Sound off in the comments!