Crunching Dollars on the Disney Dining Plan

There are many decisions that go into planning and preparing for your Walt Disney World vacation including dining. What will you eat? Where will you eat? What will it cost? One of the most common dining questions I am asked is, “Should I do the Disney Dining Plan?” That’s a great question!

Lots to Consider

There are many things to consider when determining if the Disney Dining Plan is best for you:

• Do you enjoy sitting down for meals and/or wish to partake in character meals?
• Do you typically order appetizers, desserts or both?
• Do you like to order the more expensive menu items?
• Do you enjoy having your meals already paid for?
• Do you have kids under the age of 10 who will be with you?
• Will you maximize meal credits?
• WIll you spend most of your time on Disney property (parks and resort)?
• Do the adults typically enjoy alcoholic beverages during a meal?
• Will you order Disney snacks such as Mickey pretzels, Dole Whips and Mickey ice cream bars?

Numbers Focus

While these are all great questions when considering purchasing the Disney Dining Plan, today we are going to focus on just the numbers – cost. If you purchased your meals out of pocket, how would that compare to using the Disney Dining Plan?

I recently spent 4 nights at Walt Disney World with my two sons, ages 18 and 20. We purchased the Disney Dining Plan and kept track of all expenses. Let’s see how everything compared.

Setting The Stage

Before crunching the numbers, let’s establish a few parameters:

• We are examining the Disney Dining Plan which includes:
  • 1 Quick-Service Meal Per Night of Stay
  • 1 Table-Service Meal Per Night of Stay
  • 1 Snack or Nonalcoholic Beverage Per Night of Stay
  • 1 Resort-Refillable Mug
• All prices are before tax and tip. The Disney Dining Plan does not include the tip. That’s extra. So I’m not including that in our totals.
• Remember that the Disney Dining Plan is for the actual number of nights you are staying on Disney property, but you get to use it for the duration of your days on your trip. In our case, we spent 4 nights which is 5 days. We were able to use our credits throughout all 5 days.
• We are not figuring in any Annual Pass or DVC dining discounts that someone may qualify for. We are comparing the regular price of the Disney Dining Plan to the regular menu price paid out-of-pocket.
• We used every credit available to us. We didn’t leave anything “on the table.” Yes – that pun was intended!
• We purchased the Disney Dining Plan for 3 Adults for 4 Nights.
  • The Standard Disney Dining Plan pretax cost is $98.59 per adult per night. Let’s do the math!
    • Total Cost
      • 3 Adults X $98.59 Per Adult X 4 Nights = $1,183.08 Total
    • Total Entitlements
      • 12 Quick-Service Meals
      • 12 Table-Service (Sit-Down) Meals
      • 12 Snacks or Non-Alcoholic Drinks
      • 3 Resort Refillable Mugs (Usable Throughout Stay)

Actual Costs By Day

Now that we know the total prepaid cost was $1,183.08, let’s look at what everything would have cost if we had paid out of pocket. Let’s break it down day-by-day.

Getting Started – Day 1 – Friday, June 27

• $26.37 – Columbia Harbour House (Magic Kingdom)
  • $14.79 Maple-Mustard Glazed Salmon + $4.79 Soda (1 Quick-Service Meal)
  • $6.79 New England Clam Chowder (1 Snack)
    • Totals
      • 1 – Quick-Service Meal (11 Remaining)
      • 0 – Table-Service Meal (12 Remaining)
      • 1 – Snack (11 Remaining)
      • 0 – Resort Refillable Mug (3 Remaining)
• $85.46 – Everything Pop (Pop Century Resort)
  • $12.49 Pasta with Meatballs + $4.00 Bottled Water (1 Quick-Service Meal)
  • $22.99 X 3 Refillable Mugs
  • Totals

• 1 – Quick-Service Meal (10 Remaining)
• 0 – Table-Service Meal (12 Remaining)
• 0 – Snack (11 Remaining)
• 3 – Resort Refillable Mug (0 Remaining)

First Table Service Meal – Day 2 – Saturday, June 28

• $24.77 – Pinocchio Village Haus (Magic Kingdom)
  • $12.99 Pepperoni Pizza + $4.79 Soda (1 Quick-Service Meal)
  • $6.99 Breadsticks (1 Snack Credit)
    • Totals
      • 1 – Quick-Service Meal (9 Remaining)
      • 0 – Table-Service Meal (12 Remaining)
      • 1 – Snack (10 Remaining)
      • 0 – Resort Refillable Mug (0 Remaining)
• $21.27 – Landscape of Flavors Food Court (Art of Animation Resort)
  • $11.79 Pepperoni Pizza + $4.49 Chocolate Milk (1 Quick-Service Meal)
  • $4.99 Mickey Rice Krispy Treat (1 Snack)
    • Totals
      • 1 – Quick-Service Meal (8 Remaining)
      • 0 – Table-Service Meal (12 Remaining)
      • 1 – Snack (9 Remaining)
      • 0 – Resort Refillable Mug (0 Remaining)
• $66.04 – Columbia Harbour House (Magic Kingdom)
  • $18.99 Lobster Roll + $4.79 Soda (1 Quick-Service Meal)
  • $16.49 Shrimp Skewer + $4.79 Soda (1 Quick-Service Meal)
  • $16.49 Shrimp Skewer + $4.49 Chocolate Milk (1 Quick-Service Meal)
    • Totals
      • 3 – Quick-Service Meal (5 Remaining)
      • 0 – Table-Service Meal (12 Remaining)
      • 0 – Snack (9 Remaining)
      • 0 – Resort Refillable Mug (0 Remaining)
• $204.00 – Teppan Edo (Epcot)
  • $48.00 Steak & Shrimp + $19.00 Pinot Noir + $10.00 Mousse Cake (1 Table-Service Meal)
  • $48.00 Steak & Shrimp + $10.00 Virgin Pina Colada + $10.00 Lava Cake (1 Table-Service Meal)
  • $48.00 Steak & Chicken + $5.00 Soda + $6.00 Ice Cream (1 Table-Service Meal)
    • Totals
      • 0 – Quick-Service Meal (5 Remaining)
      • 3 – Table-Service Meal (9 Remaining)
      • 0 – Snack (9 Remaining)
      • 0 – Resort Refillable Mug (0 Remaining)
• $18.58 – The Milk Stand (Hollywood Studios)
  • $9.29 Blue Milk (1 Snack Credit)
  • $9.29 Green Milk (1 Snack Credit)
    • Totals
      • 0 – Quick-Service Meal (5 Remaining)
      • 0 – Table-Service Meal (9 Remaining)
      • 2 – Snack (7 Remaining)
      • 0 – Resort Refillable Mug (0 Remaining)
• $15.78 – Landscape of Flavor Food Court (Art of Animation Resort)
  • $7.99 Soft Pretzel with Cheese Sauce (1 Snack Credit)
  • $7.79 Mickey Brownie Sundae (1 Snack Credit)
    • Totals
      • 0 – Quick-Service Meal (5 Remaining)
      • 0 – Table-Service Meal (9 Remaining)
      • 2 – Snack (5 Remaining)
      • 0 – Resort Refillable Mug (0 Remaining)

‘Ohana Feast – Day 3 – Sunday, June 29

• $18.74 – Docking Bay 7 (Hollywood Studios)
  • $13.99 Ronto Wrap + $4.75 Bottled Water (1 Quick-Service Credit)
    • Totals
      • 1 – Quick-Service Meal (4 Remaining)
      • 0 – Table-Service Meal (9 Remaining)
      • 0 – Snack (5 Remaining)
      • 0 – Resort Refillable Mug (0 Remaining)
• $39.46 – ABC Commissary (Hollywood Studios)
  • $13.69 Chicken Club Sandwich + $6.49 Strawberry Lemonade Slushy (1 Quick-Service Meal)
  • $12.79 Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich + $6.49 Strawberry Lemonade Slushy (1 Quick-Service Meal)
    • Totals
      • 2 – Quick-Service Meal (2 Remaining)
      • 0 – Table-Service Meal (9 Remaining)
      • 0 – Snack (5 Remaining)
      • 0 – Resort Refillable Mug (0 Remaining)
• $18.58 – The Milk Stand (Hollywood Studios)
  • $9.29 Blue Milk (1 Snack Credit)
  • $9.29 Green Milk (1 Snack Credit)
    • Totals
      • 2 – Quick-Service Meal (2 Remaining)
      • 0 – Table-Service Meal (9 Remaining)
      • 2 – Snack (3 Remaining)
      • 0 – Resort Refillable Mug (0 Remaining)
• $225.24 – ‘Ohana (Polynesian Village Resort)
  • $65.00 ‘Ohana Dinner + $16.50 Pina Colada (1 Table-Service Meal) 
  • $65.00 ‘Ohana Dinner + $6.99 Virgin Pina Colada (1 Table-Service Meal) 
  • $65.00 ‘Ohana Dinner + $6.75 Stitch Smoothie (1 Table-Service Meal)
    • Totals
      • 2 – Quick-Service Meal (2 Remaining)
      • 3 – Table-Service Meal (6 Remaining)
      • 0 – Snack (3 Remaining)
      • 0 – Resort Refillable Mug (0 Remaining)

A Character Breakfast – Day 4 – Monday, June 30

• $252.38 – Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera (Riviera Resort)
  • $52.00 Breakfast + $15.50 Classic Bellini (1 Table-Service Meal) 
  • $52.00 Breakfast + $15.50 Island Fusion Punch (1 Table-Service Meal) 
  • $52.00 Breakfast + $6.79 Peche Repose (1 Table-Service Meal) 
  • $52.00 Breakfast + $6.59 So Many Wishes Non-Alcoholic Beverage (1 Table-Service Meal)
    • Totals
      • 2 – Quick-Service Meal (2 Remaining)
      • 4 – Table-Service Meal (2 Remaining)
      • 0 – Snack (3 Remaining)
      • 0 – Resort Refillable Mug (0 Remaining)
• $41.76 – Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe (Magic Kingdom)
  • $16.99 Truffle-French Onion Burger with Parmesan Garlic Truffle Fries + $4.79 Soda (1 Quick-Service Meal) 
  • $15.19 Hand-Dipped Fried Chicken Sandwich with Parmesan Garlic Truffle Fries + $4.79 Soda (1 Quick-Service Meal)
    • Totals
      • 2 – Quick-Service Meal (0 Remaining)
      • 0 – Table-Service Meal (2 Remaining)
      • 0 – Snack (3 Remaining)
      • 0 – Resort Refillable Mug (0 Remaining)
• $27.87 – Plaza Ice Cream Parlour (Magic Kingdom)
  • $9.29 Brownie Sundae (1 Snack) 
  • $9.29 Brownie Sundae (1 Snack) 
  • $9.29 Brownie Sundae (1 Snack) 
    • Totals
      • 2 – Quick-Service Meal (0 Remaining)
      • 0 – Table-Service Meal (2 Remaining)
      • 3 – Snack (0 Remaining)
      • 0 – Resort Refillable Mug (0 Remaining)

Day 5 – Tuesday, July 1

• $133.00 – Teppan Edo (Epcot)
  • $48.00 Steak & Shrimp + $15.00 Pina Colada + $6.00 Ice Cream (1 Table-Service Meal)
  • $48.00 Steak & Shrimp + $10.00 Virgin Strawberry Pina Colada + $6.00 Ice Cream (1 Table-Service Meal)
    • Totals
      • 0 – Quick-Service Meal (0 Remaining)
      • 2 – Table-Service Meal (0 Remaining)
      • 0 – Snack (0 Remaining)
      • 0 – Resort Refillable Mug (0 Remaining)

TOTALS

Now it’s time to total things up!

Getting Started – Day 1 – Friday, June 27

• $26.37 – Columbia Harbour House (Magic Kingdom)
• $85.46 – Everything Pop (Pop Century Resort)
  • DAY 1 TOTAL – $111.83

First Table Service Meal – Day 2 – Saturday, June 28

• $24.77 – Pinocchio Village Haus (Magic Kingdom)
• $21.27 – Landscape of Flavors (Art of Animation Resort)
• $66.04 – Columbia Harbour House (Magic Kingdom)
• $204.00 – Teppan Edo (Epcot)
• $18.58 – The Milk Stand (Hollywood Studios)
• $15.78 – Landscapes of Flavor (Art of Animation Resort)
  • DAY 2 TOTAL – $350.44

‘Ohana Feast – Day 3 – Sunday, June 29

• $18.74 – Docking Bay 7 (Hollywood Studios)
• $39.46 – ABC Commissary (Hollywood Studios)
• $18.58 – The Milk Stand (Hollywood Studios)
• $225.24 – ‘Ohana (Polynesian Village Resort)
  • DAY 3 TOTAL – $302.02

A Character Breakfast – Day 4 – Monday, June 30

• $252.38 – Topolino’s Terrace (Riviera Resort)
• $41.76 – Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe (Magic Kingdom)
• $27.87 – Plaza Ice Cream Parlour (Magic Kingdom)
  • DAY 4 TOTAL – $322.01

Wrapping Up – Day 5 – Tuesday, July 1

• $133.00 – Teppan Edo (Epcot)
  • DAY 5 TOTAL – $133.00

Daily Totals

• DAY 1 TOTAL – $111.83
• DAY 2 TOTAL – $350.44
• DAY 3 TOTAL – $302.02
• DAY 4 TOTAL – $322.01
• DAY 5 TOTAL – $133.00
  • TOTAL DINING – $1,219.30

The Big Reveal

• Total Dining – $1,219.30
• Disney Dining Plan Cost – $1,183.08
• Savings – $36.22

Final Thoughts

This field test shows the results of 3 adults, two adults who are not 21. Could you save more money? Absolutely! If all “adults” were over 21 and ordered adult beverages, that would result in about another $100 in savings. In addition, we did not having any children, ages 3-9 on the plan. At $31.94 per night, it’s possible to spend that on select table-service meals alone. 

As you look ahead to whether the Disney Dining Plan is for you, keep in mind that saving money is one key, but as mentioned above, there are many other factors to determine if such a plan is best for your travel party. Of course, your travel counselor is happy to discuss additional factors, but the final decision lies with what you feel is best for your situation.

We Are Here to Help!

Your travel counselor at The Magic For Less Travel can help guide and assist you with booking your vacation, navigating the parks and any other parts of your Walt Disney World Resort vacation. Reach out for a vacation quote today!