How Disney Parks Is Making Its Dining Plans More Affordable
Currently, Disney is running a dining plan promotion that will give every guest at least a 5-day, 4-night stay at one of its parks a gift card of $750 to be used on food.
The Disney Dining Plan is an optional add-on for people staying at onsite Disney World resorts. The plan is popular with families who find it a convenient way to save money on food while visiting Walt Disney World parks. Now, Disney has revamped its dining plan process to take the guesswork out of vacation dining.
According to Travel+Leisure, the Disney Dining Promo Card replaces the previous Disney Dining Plan. When guests book a 5-night, 4-day ticket and room package at selected Disney Resort hotels, they will receive a card with up to $750 allotted to spend on food. The new card will work like a gift card, allowing guests to use the funds when and where they wish.
The new Disney Dining Plan Promo Card is currently available to most guests who arrive between June 25 and September 14, 2023. As with most discounts, it cannot be combined with any other dining discount or promotion program. Disney expects that the new card will be a huge draw for families who need to budget their dining expenses before traveling.
The former Disney Dining Plan required quite a lot of strategy and planning because guests paid for a certain number of credits that had to be used on specific items. For example, each participant had a set amount to spend on snacks, another amount for quick-service restaurants, and yet another allotment for full-service dining venues. There were four types of dining plans to choose from with varying amounts of credits.
The Promo Card that replaces the old Disney Dining Plan allows you to use your card to buy beverages, snacks, and meals at participating dining venues across the Walt Disney World Resort. Guests can use the full amount in one day or spread it throughout their visit. The Disney Dining Plan Card arrives by email and can be printed out or added to your mobile device’s wallet for scanning at participating locations.
Though the Disney Dining Plan card removes some of the planning required by the previous program, making advance dining reservations is still highly recommended for table-service restaurants. Guests with a valid Disney Resort Hotel reservation can make dining reservations up to 60 days prior to their vacation. The easiest way to make dining reservations is through the My Disney Experience app.
Guests who are staying at designated Disney Value Resorts, such as Disney’s All-Star Resorts, will receive cards valued up to $50 per night stay. Guests staying at Moderate Resorts, such as Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, will receive cards valued up to $100 per night stay. Not surprisingly, guests staying at Deluxe Resorts such as Disney’s Contemporary Resort will receive cards with higher values, up to $150 per night.
Speaking of resorts, Disney is also offering savings of up to 25% on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels. This promo is for guests traveling during the spring and summer of 2023. Before using your Disney Dining Plan card, note that there are some excluded locations, including merchandise shops and candy kitchens.
