Of all the questions I get about Disney, I probably get the most about the Dining plan. I decided to do a Dining Plan sample to help you understand better. This is a short example, but I think it will help.
This example is for a family with 2 adults and 2 children ages 5 and 7. They are on the Disney Dining Plan (renamed the Table-Service Dining Plan in 2027) and staying for 4 nights 5 days. This means they will have 16 table service meals, 8 adult and 8 child quick service meals, and 16 snacks. They also get 4 resort refillable mugs. Here is how it plays out.
Day 1:
Check into resort and go straight to hotel quick service. They order 3 meals: Burger combo for Dad, Salad for mom, and child’s chicken finger platter for the kids to share. For drinks, they choose 3 bottled waters (or bottled beverages). They save them to bring to the parks later and use their resort refillable mugs for fountain drinks with their meal. They use 3 credits so their receipt says 16 table, 6 adult and 7 child quick service meals, 16 snacks. After lunch and some time in the pool they go back inside and get 2 snacks for the kids (ice cream bars, cookie, bakery item etc.)
They have dinner reservations at a 1 credit restaurant and have a filling dinner together. They get a bill (but only have to pay the tip) and use 4 table credits.
End of day 1: 12 table service, 6 adult and 7 child quick service, 14 snacks remain
Day 2:
Mom goes and gets breakfast to bring back to the room. She brings the refillable mugs with her. She gets 2 child’s breakfast platters with OJ, 2 bagels with cream cheese (yogurt, fruit or other snack item), and fills her mugs with coffee. This uses 2 child quick service meals and 2 snacks.
At the park they stop for lunch and get 3 entrees again. Mom and Dad each get one and the kids share a child’s meal and maybe a little off of mom/dad’s plate. They get 3 bottles of water for their drinks and ask for cups of ice water as well. They drink the water from the cup and take the bottled water with them. Later in the afternoon they each get an ice cream. Thankfully they have the bottled water from the day before and lunch so they don’t need to use snacks for water. They use 2 adults and 1 child quick service and 4 snacks.
The family has reservations for dinner and enjoy a table service meal at the park. They use 4 table service
End of day 2: 8 table service, 4 adult and 4 child quick service, 8 snacks remain
Day 3
They go light on breakfast and get 4 bagels (snacks) and use their refillable mugs for coffee and drinks.
At lunch they get 2 adult and 2 child quick service meals, get bottled water for the drinks and ask for ice water as well.
Dinner is at another fun table service restaurant and the kids get the ice cream included with their meal for dessert.
End of Day 3: 4 table service, 2 adult and 2 child quick service, 4 snacks remain
Day 4
Today they get 4 snacks for breakfast again. Bagels, cinnamon roll, fruit, yogurt etc. Don’t forget to fill the refillable mugs with coffee or drinks.
Lunch is 2 adult and 2 child quick service meals again, water bottles to go and ice water to stay.
Their final night is memorable as they use their last 4 table credits.
End of day 4: 0 table service, 0 counter, 0 snack
Day 5
They are heading home today so they purchase their breakfast. Mom buys each of the kids a Mickey rice krispie treat. She saves them and surprises the kids by putting them in their lunch their first day back at school.
This is just an example that uses the meal plan in various ways. You might keep it simple and use the quick service for lunch, tables for dinner, and buy breakfast. Another option is to use the quick service for breakfast, use the snacks for lunch and buy a little, and use the tables for dinner. You can change it up and use a table service for a big brunch/ breakfast, snack mid day, and then quick services for dinner. I hope this sample illustrates the flexibility of the meal plan.
There are 2 dining plans in 2026 and will be 3 in 2027 so you need to know the Disney Dining Plan Tips. We are here to help.
