New! Disney Dining Plan Plus... Is it right for your family?

Disney released a new dining plan today and I have several examples below that show how the different dining plans can be used and whether they are worth it for your family or not! 

Now, there are 4 Disney dining plans. 

The Quick Service Dining Plan includes two quick service meals and two snacks per person per night of a trip, and a refillable mug for unlimited coffee, tea, and soda at resort only. 

The Disney Dining Plan (Also referred to as Disney Dining Plan #1) includes one table service, one quick service, two snacks per person per night of a trip, and a refillable mug for unlimited coffee, tea, and soda at resort only.

The Disney Dining Plus Plan (Also referred to as Disney Dining Plan #2) includes two meals that can be used for either quick service or table service dining per night, two snacks per night, and a refillable mug for unlimited coffee, tea, and soda at resort only.

The Deluxe Dining Plan includes three meals that can be used for either quick service or table service dining per night, two snacks per night, and a refillable mug for unlimited coffee, tea, and soda at resort only.

Quick service meals include entree, side, drink (including alcohol or specialty beverage for adults).  Table service meals include entree, side, drink (including alcohol or specialty beverage for adults, and dessert). 

Now, here's the challenge...  What do you choose? 

Generally, if you're planning to do one sit down meal per night of your stay, the Disney Dining Plan is the best option.  If you're planning to do TWO sit down meals for more than HALF of your days or more than TWO signature meals, the Dining Plus Plan is the best option.  If you're planning to do more than THREE signature meals or two meals for MOST of your days, the Deluxe Dining Plan is the best option.

Let's consider the math...
Quick Service - Adult  $57/ Child $28
Disney Dining Plan (#1) - Adult $80/ Child $32
Disney Dining Plus Plan (#2) - Adult $97/ Child $37
Deluxe Dining Plan - Adult $121/ Child $50

For easy math, let's use one adult and one child, age 3 - 9. 

Breakfast - Be Our Guest (Quick service)
Adult - Feast al la Gaston (scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, fruit, platter of pastries) and Peach Bellini $29/$11
Child- Fifi's French Toast with fruit and Chocolate milk $16/$2

Lunch - 2 Mickey Pretzels and Cheese $7 each

Snack -2 Mickey Ice Cream Bars - $5.75 each



Dinner - Chef Mickey Buffet (Bay Lake Sunrise cocktail for adult)
Adult - $60/$14
Child - $39

Snack - 2 Popcorn boxes - $5 each

Total cost out of pocket - $206.50 (not including gratuity)

Meal plan cost - Disney Dining Plan (#1) - $112

Obviously, the Disney Dining Plan saves a LOT of money here.  This is because the cost of the child's dinner is MORE than the cost of the meal plan for the entire day including snacks and a quick service. 


Now, what if we wanted to have TWO sit down meals? 

Epcot-

Breakfast at Akershus
Adult with Mimosa - $53/$11
Child - $34

Lunch - Festival of the Arts Kiosk
Red Wine Braised Short Rib - $8
Artist's Palate Chocolate Chip Cookie - $5.50

Dinner - Rose and Crown

Adult - Fish and Chips, Sticky Toffee Pudding, and Guinness
$23/$9/$10
Child - Cheesy Pasta with Fruit Cup and Trifle
$9

Snack - 2 Mickey Bars - $5.75 each

Cost out of Pocket - $174
Disney Dining Plus Plan (#2) - $134
NOTE: On the Deluxe Plan, adults also EACH get an appetizer at restaurants that have them!

There is still a savings here (not to mention the refillable resort cup!)

So I know what you're thinking...  Why would anyone want the Deluxe Plan?  Well, if you're looking to do signature dining like Cinderella's Royal Table, this can save you money. 









Well, Cinderella's Royal Table for dinner is $75 per adult and $45 per child.  If you add a meal like 'Ohana for breakfast ($42 per adult, $27 per child), you're already at $189 for the two guests before we even add snacks and the refillable mug.  The cost for the deluxe plan for an adult and a child is $171. 

Overwhelmingly, the huge cost savings comes with children under 10 years of age, but there is still savings to be had for teens - they get adult portions and can have specialty beverages like smoothies, milkshakes, and non-alcoholic drinks which are at a premium cost.

Best of all, the meal plan is pre-paid, so there is no huge bill at the end of the week, and you can say YES without hesitation to the "Can I have a snack?" pleas of the kids and kids at heart. 

You know what they say!  A Mickey Bar a day on vacation keeps the Grumpy Dwarf away!  (Ok, I'm the only one that says that, but it's TRUE. 

Do you want to make sure that one of the Disney Dining Plans are right for your family?  Contact me today and let's talk about YOUR trip! 
Katie@HiHoVacations.com

https://www.facebook.com/groups/DisneyDDR/