We recently stayed 2 nights at the Island Tower at Disney's Polynesian Villas and Bungalows, and for this short stay, we decided to try out the Disney Dining Plan. I kept track of every meal, snack, and sip to answer the big question: Did we beat the dining plan?
But first—what even is the Disney Dining Plan? And how do you know if it’s worth it?
What Are the Disney Dining Plan Options?
There are currently two dining plan options available at Walt Disney World:
1. Quick-Service Dining Plan
includes per person, per night of stay:
2 Quick-Service Meals
1 Snack or Nonalcoholic Beverage
1 Refillable Resort Mug
This is great for guests who want to grab meals on the go and don’t plan to sit down at restaurants.
2. Disney Dining Plan (This is what we chose)
Includes per person, per night of stay:
1 Quick-Service Meal
1 Table-Service Meal
1 Snack or Nonalcoholic Beverage
1 Refillable Resort Mug
We picked this plan because we wanted to enjoy a mix of table-service dining and flexibility. With two adults (who enjoy a cocktail here and there) and two teens (Disney charges them as adults, but they can't order alcohol), we wanted to see if the value worked in our favor.
Who Does the Disney Dining Plan Work Best For?
The Disney Dining Plan isn’t one-size-fits-all, but it can be a fantastic value for the right kind of travelers. Here's who it works best for:
- Planners who like to prepay: If you love knowing everything is paid for in advance, the dining plan is ideal. It simplifies budgeting and helps you enjoy your trip without constantly checking prices.
- Guests who enjoy alcoholic beverages: Each meal (quick or table service) includes a drink—and yes, that can be a cocktail, beer, or wine! If you take advantage of this at both meal types, you’ll get more value and are more likely to break even or come out ahead.
- Fans of character dining: Most character meals cost around $59.99+ per adult. If you plan a few of these, the dining plan is a smart way to bundle them in.
- Families with younger kids: For kids under age 10, the dining plan can actually save you a lot of money—especially at buffets and character meals—because the cost for a child’s dining plan is often cheaper than what you’d pay out of pocket for just a character meal.. The children's meal plan is $30.66 a day and dinner at Chef Mickey's is $44.00. In 2026 Disney is offering a FREE dining plan for kids 9 and under.
- Once your child turns 10:They’re charged the adult rate—but can’t order alcoholic drinks. That makes it a bit tougher to “beat” the plan unless they’re big eaters or you’re doing higher-end table-service dining.
What We Ate (and What It Would Have Cost Without the Plan)
Here’s the breakdown of everything we ate during our 2-night stay:
Day 1: Arrival Day
4 Refillable Mugs = $97.94
Dinner at Teppan Edo (EPCOT) = $274.774 adult meals, 2 cocktails, 2 non-alcoholic beverages
Day 2
- Lunch at Docking Bay 7 (Hollywood Studios) = $99.73
4 adult meals, 3 Cokes, 1 alcoholic beverage
- Snacks – 2 Mickey Ice Cream Bars = $13.40
- Dinner at ‘Ohana (at Polynesian Resort) = $320.834
4 adult meals, 2 smoothies, 2 cocktails
Day 3: Departure Day
lunch at Gasparilla Grill Island Grill (quick service at the Grand Floridian) =$124.37
4 adult meals, 2 adult beverages, and 6 snacks
The Final Numbers
Item Amount
Total Food & Drink Value $931.04
What We Paid for the Plan. $788.72
We Saved. $142.32
- Yes, we beat the Disney Dining Plan!
Was It Worth It?
For us, absolutely. Not only did we save over $140, but we didn’t have to think twice about prices while on vacation. We ordered what we wanted, tried new drinks, and always had something prepaid ready to go.
The convenience of having everything included—especially when traveling with teens who are charged as adults—was a huge perk.
Would We Do It Again?
Yes! The Disney Dining Plan was a great value for our family on this trip. Of course, whether it's the right fit for your trip depends on how you like to dine at Disney.
