The Disney Dining Plan has remained suspended since the parks reopened last summer.
The Crystal Palace
While Disney has not indicated when it could return, we have seen that it is not available (for now, at least) to add to vacation packages in 2021 and 2022. However, today Disney announced a 2022 50th anniversary vacation package for U.K. residents — which includes a “Disney Dining Credit.” So…what does this mean for the Disney Dining Plan? Well, here’s what we know.
Historically, the Disney Dining Plan has allowed guests to pre-pay for a select number of meals and snacks for their vacation. Depending on which Dining Plan you used, you would be given be given a specified number of snack credits and fast food and/or sit-down meal credits per day, along with a refillable mug for each guest. Essentially, this means Dining Plan guests could pre-pay for most of their food (excluding gratuity at Table Service restaurants) before their trip even began.
Mickey and Pluto at Garden Grill!
Now, the new U.K. 50th anniversary package includes up to a $950 Disney Dining Credit per room (your credit level scales depending on what level of resort you’re staying at), so long as that room is booked for a minimum of 2 weeks. It’s basically a gift card for food! The Dining Promo Card can be used at “select participating food and beverage locations within the Walt Disney World Resort” — and cannot be used to purchase merch or anything else in the parks.
Not a Bad View!
Although the Disney Dining Credit is by no means identical to the Disney Dining Plan (for starters, we’re looking at a set amount of “cash” instead of credits), you could argue that this means the Disney Dining Plan is returning in some capacity in 2022. But how do these 2 offers compare? Well, for starters, the U.K. Disney Dining Credit offers significantly less bang for your buck.
Housemade Spring Rolls in Adventureland
Even that max $950 credit, when divided up over 2 weeks, adds up to roughly $68 per day. That doesn’t really come close to covering your family’s food in the parks — but the Disney Dining Plan did (for the most part). So yes, the Disney Dining Credit will help towards food costs — and it’s definitely a nice perk to the package! — but it won’t cover all of your expenses. In this way, we can’t really equate it to the Disney Dining Plan.
The Plaza Restaurant
Still, the idea of prepaid meals (even in gift card form) does sound kinda like a modified version of the Dining Plan — at least until its return. You could argue that it’s an answer to the Dining Plan while it’s on pause! And with the DDP currently unavailable through 2022 (although that is subject to change), this seems like the closest we’re going to get at the moment. You can check out the full package here!
Like we mentioned, Disney hasn’t indicated when the Disney Dining Plan as we know it will return — so U.K. residents, enjoy this version for now. And stay tuned to DFB — we’ll keep ya posted with the latest updates.
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You realize Disney is testing this right? To see if the public will tolerate less value. Another way for Disney to raise prices, to give you less value. I love Disney with all my heart but every time they pull these tricks giving less and less value my heart breaks a bit more. Poor Walt must be spinning in his grave.
Please bring back all the dining plans for 2021. We have a resort vacation planned & reserved. We really need the free quick service for our family. It takes the worry & stress out of meal planning.
I agree with Rose. Disney is not fooling anyone. I have been to Disney World many times before Covid. I enjoyed every time. I guess that will be it for me. I am sure there are gullible people that will pay for the dream out there still. It won’t be me. Keep raising the prices. Happy trails.
I agree 100% Rose, Profit is way ahead of Guest Satisfaction!
I’m a DVc member in the u k and we have used the free dining offers in the past so we can do a split holiday part offer part DVc
What we have sadly noticed is that if you look at this offer holiday price compared to the current room only offers it’s about $1000 more than this year so not a real deal ??? Also it’s only in sone rooms not all like art of anim studios not included some standard rooms are not included . For a family of 4 or 5 it wouldn’t pay for a counter service a day !
Better than nothing but increased room costs negate it !
I think it is horrible that Disney is not offering this in the US. To just offer for UK visitors shows that Disney would rather have UK visitors than US visitors. Other parks have a form of dining there is no reason Disney can not do the same. Planning on going this November if had dining plan would do all meals in park but with no dining plan we will be taking a picnic meal and soft drinks into park. When will they understand that they lose money without dining
I agree with Rose that Disney does continue to chip away at the value, but I watched the imagineers series on Disney plus and raising money was always Walts big concern so I think he’d be fine with it and as a DVC member and AP holder I get a little more disappointed in Disney all the time
Rose – I would point out that this is actually $950 in free food- so it’s no way less. Unless you got “free dining” this is a better deal. Also “free dining” wasn’t actually free because you usually paid full price for your room. I like this has you get more choice in how your food dollars are used. Add this to Disney gift cards you’ve already bought it can go a long way if your smart
It is only for guests from the UK so not really a “perk” to get excited about or feel left out of, plus requires a 2 week stay. Not enough restaurants open right now to have the original “ dining plan”.
You didn’t specifically clarify this in the article.
Are you paying up front the $950 for them to turn around and load onto a restrictive Gift Card?
Or… are they doing it like when they used to offer the “FREE” Dining Plan. Then just charge a bit more for the room?
Either way… I would just put book the less expensive and non-restrictive room option and put $950 on a gift card from the store with no restrictions.
Unfortunately, UK customers aren’t really winning with Disney World at the moment. We’ve got a trip booked for October this year (provided the borders reopen to UK residents) and tried to book Boo Bash tickets, only to be told that we’re not allowed to buy them until we arrive at Disney, if they’re still available. It’s so crazy, part of the reason we booked for October was to go to Boo Bash, but now it sadly looks like we’ll miss out. And this is with a hotel and ticket package, staying in a Disney hotel. It makes me so mad!
It’s a credit per room too so if you have four people in your room that 68 dollars a day does not stretch far. Also it is only deluxe resorts giving that much, moderates is down to about 500 dollars for two weeks (per room). Still better than nothing!
Nicole,
Yes 950.00 in *free* food is nothing to sneeze at. However since you have to stay at a Deluxe resort for 2 weeks to get that *free* food I don’t consider that a benefit that most people are going to be able to take advantage of. The least expensive deluxe resort I could find is The Beach/yacht club standard view @504.00 a night (value season) which would come to 7,056.00 for 2 weeks, before taxes and other fees. Even if there is a break for an extended stay that is a lot of money. I think if the average person could afford that, they are not concerned if Disney is going to give them free food. Plus it is my understanding that you also have to be from the UK to receive this benefit. Maybe since they come from so far this is a common amount of time for them to stay?
I just feel that at every turn Disney is taking the opportunity to raise their prices. Offering less amenities and perks is just another way to raise prices. I also feel like the average every day family is no longer able to afford a vacation at Disney. You shouldn’t have to go into debt to take a vacation with your family. I do understand that you don’t have to stay at Disney to go to the parks. But really isn’t that part of the magic that makes Disney a dream vacation? It makes me sad for my family because I know that the dream I of sharing the magic of Disney with my son is never going to happen. It also makes me sad because I don’t believe that making Disney unaffordable for the average family was Walt’s dream either.