2020 Disney Dining Plan Includes Alcohol
Walt Disney World’s vacation packages have been released, and the 2020 Disney Dining Plan will include alcohol for the third year! In this post, we’ll take a look at the original announcement of beer, wine, and cocktails being added to the Disney Dining Plan, and offer some thoughts as to what that means.
Even before it happened, there were rumors about alcohol being added to the Disney Dining Plan. Being something of a cynic, my initial reaction to that was, “oh great, that means they plan on big price increases and want a way to justify it.” It seemed like a plausible rumor on that basis.
My expectation was an increase of about $10 per meal that included alcohol, so potentially $20 for each of the two lower tier plans and $30 for the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan. I have to say I’m a bit surprised by the actual amount of the price increases for the Disney Dining Plan…
The price increases are much more modest. The Quick Service Disney Dining Plan nightly cost is $52.49 per adult, up from $48.19 this year. The standard Disney Dining Plan is $75.49, up from $69.35 this year. The Deluxe Disney Dining Plan is $116.24, up from $106.68 this year.
In terms of percentage increases, these are all almost exactly 9% increases, which is more than the 4-6% jumps last year. While that’s ostensibly significant, adding 2-3 alcoholic drinks to the equation more than offsets those price increases.
In reality, the inevitable, ongoing price increases to menus throughout Walt Disney World is what will help ‘offset’ most of the price increase, making the addition of alcohol gravy, so to speak. At most, I’d say you can attribute at most $2/night of these price increases to the addition of alcohol and/or non-alcoholic specialty drinks. Even if only half your party drinks, that’s good value.
Now, if your party is mostly adults who drink, the value proposition is significantly better. Doing the math, a regular drink at a counter service restaurant has a value of around $3-4. An alcoholic beverage has a value of around $8-10. That’s a value difference of around $5-6. Double that, and the effective value gain is around $10. Not too bad for a $4.30 price increase. And, if you’re dedicated to optimizing your value, you can do even better.
The value maximization possibilities are even better for table service restaurants, where single glasses of the standard “featured wines” at some restaurants can eclipse $20. It’s entirely possible some of these will be excluded, but if not…prepare yourself for a new slew of spreadsheets and blog posts analyzing the restaurants at Walt Disney World with the most expensive wines! 😉
The caveat is that Magic Kingdom does not serve alcohol in its counter service restaurants, and that’s the park where guests spend the most time. So, unless you’re planning a hunger strike or trip to the monorail loop resorts during your Magic Kingdom days (mad props for that value maximization dedication), you are not going to realize full value potential out of the alcohol component.
The other caveat is that families with “Disney adults” who are under 21 must pay the adult price for the Disney Dining Plan, yet only will be able to use credits towards the non-alcoholic specialty drinks, which are generally cheaper than alcohol. Again, full value cannot be realized from the alcohol component from this perspective.
If you don’t drink or want a non-alcoholic specialty drink, you may not look at this change as one for greater value potential. Instead, you might be perturbed. My response: the Disney Dining Plan has always been about giving guests things they didn’t want or need.
That’s been our argument against the Disney Dining Plan for ages, so we’re not exactly receptive to those guests who are suddenly agitated about being “forced” to order alcohol or a specialty drink. Personally, a milkshake you don’t “need” sure sounds a lot better than taking home a Mickey Mouse rice krispie treat you don’t “need,” although each present waste.
All in all, it seems like a low price increase given the potential value of the addition, which makes me wonder if Dining Plan sales were low last year, and this is Walt Disney World’s way of improving sales without decreasing prices. Alcohol is incredibly high-margin, so that would make sense.
If it’s not a matter of stopping a decrease, it’s a matter of wanting to increase sales of the Disney Dining Plan, which itself is also a high-margin product (and also helps “discourage” guests from going off-site). Either way, it’ll be interesting to see whether this strategy is effective.
I think the problem for a lot of guests ultimately comes down to sticker shock. No matter what additions are made to the Disney Dining Plans, the higher sticker price leads many to balk at adding the Disney Dining Plan (unless it’s “free”) to their vacation package. For many, it does not require complex analysis to determine whether the Disney Dining Plan is “worth it.” I can quickly glance at the prices and pretty easily deduce that I could eat for less money by paying out of pocket.
With that said, I do think that the Disney Dining Plan is going to be more attractive than this year’s version for a lot of guests. If you’re a drinker or a milkshake fan, it’s easy to see the value of what’s being added to the Dining Plan and get more bang for your buck. This is true even for parties with kids or some adults who don’t drink. Even as someone who is generally critical of the Disney Dining Plan, I think the DDP presents an increase in overall value on balance, and I’d be more inclined to purchase it or recommend it next year. This does not mean I’m suddenly on Team DDP, it just means I think the changes are for the better here, for most people. The Disney Dining Plan is still not for everyone.
Want to know where to eat or if the Disney Dining Plan is right for you? Our Walt Disney World Dining Resources will help. For comprehensive advice, consult our Walt Disney World Vacation Planning Guide! Once you have an idea of what you want to do, or if you want personalized recommendations for Walt Disney World, click here to get a vacation quote from a no fee Authorized Disney Vacation Planner.
Your Thoughts
What do you think about the addition of alcohol to the Disney Dining Plan? Any other concerns it raises for you? Can you think of ways to leverage this change to get greater value out of the DDP? Do you think the prices of the Disney Dining Plans have reached a breaking point, irrespective of what they offer? Hearing your thoughts is half the fun, so please share any questions or comments below!
I have a question. My friend will be 21 and I will be 20 when we go to the park again next year. We will have the ddp and even though im not 21, if my friend orders alcoholic drinks for us, can they remove one drink portion from my plan and another drink portion from his plan? Or will it not work since im not 21 yet?
Is the free dining available for. 3 night stay?
Personally the addition of a glass of wine (and the good ‘free dining’ offers we get in the U.K.) has tempted us to try the Disney Dining Plan for our upcoming trip in January. But I will say I really don’t think it encourages people to drink, I have faith there will be lots of fun ‘virgin’ options to try! Can’t wait!
I wish a separate meal plan would be offered for those who choose to drink alcohol. I have seen alcohol destroyed too many lives and it really bothers me to have to pay for it. The majority of our family are non-drinkers. Nor do we drink the slushy’s that are provided instead of the alcohol. There should be a separate meal plan offered that includes the alcohol. That simple. I believe that would make everyone happy.
I don’t really think you are being forced to pay for alcohol. They would have increased the prices of the meal plan regardless, this appears to be a yearly (or nearly yearly) event. The fact that they have added the addition of an alcoholic beverage, seems to help soften the blow of the price increase for some people. Unfortunately there is no way to make everyone happy.
I’m not a drinker, so adding the alcohol is really of no consequence to me, BUT I do enjoy the ability to have most, or all of our food paid for before we get there and not have to worry about budgeting. A slight bump in price is to be expected, so I’ll roll with it and probably get a milkshake or two.
Do you have to purchase the meal plan all the days you are at the resort or can you purchase just one or two days? Also, the ‘refillable mug’, it states “a refillable drink mug, which is eligible for refills at self-service beverage islands at Quick-Service locations at any Disney Resort hotel.” does that mean not in the parks, but only at the hotels ?
Thanks.
It is the length of your stay and you cannot refill mugs in the parks. But you can bring your already full mugs with you. Hope this helps!
Greetings, is the dining plan available only when you book sleeping room accommodations at Disney Resort? We are looking to reserve a house for family space, for a 15 minute drive to Disney, but instructed dining plans with the Disney characters are available only if staying in the Disney Resort.
Yes, Only if you are staying at a Diseny Resort
Hello,
I have one question about the dining plan. Last time I went, I stayed with my cousins on the same room. We were with the Dining plan, and on the last day, when I tried to use my last snack credit, I HAD NO CREDITS LEFT! A cast member told us that credits for a room are all together, so my cousins might have used mine.
Do you know if this is true?
Thanks!
Your credits are all pooled together with the people on the reservation. You get all the credits when you check in. So yes your cousin could have used your snack credit. You can see what credits you have to use in the MDE app while you are at WDW.
Wondering if anyone can offer clarity here: can I get an alcoholic drink if I use my credit at a buffet? The wording makes me wonder if I can’t. We’re right up on the edge of whether or not the plan is “worth it”… if I can get a cold beer in Florida in August, I think I can be easily persuaded.
“Each Table-Service meal includes (for lunch or dinner):
1 Entrée
1 Dessert*
Non-alcoholic Beverage (or Alcoholic Beverage, for Guests 21 and older)
-OR-
1 Full Buffet** or Family-Style Meal
Thanks!
Yes – any place that has alcohol on the menu (including breakfast venues and quick service) will honor the drink up to $14. There seems to be some wiggle room on the $14 if there is an extensive wine list. We also found that if you’re at a quick service that has alcohol you can also order a drink there – at quick services we often ordered adult meals for the kids with a beer or mixed drink and then made them drink water… It feels like since they have rolled this change out more venues are offering alcoholic drinks, but still nothing in MK. (We were there on a standard dining plan Mach 2018)
Super. Thanks 🙂
Hi, can you name a few counter service that have alcoholic drinks? I’m trying to think of some. Thanks!
I admit we do the dining plan, but I have a family of adventurous eaters. They love to try new things, especially from around the world in Epcot and some of the resort restaurants. We do the deluxe plan, but we always come early on the day we arrive and stay late on the day we leave – so 5 days worth of food according to the dining plan over 6 days. We do do at least one or two signature ones, so that takes 2 credits each. So basically, for us the dining is as much of an event as the rides. We also do all table service, so It gives us the breaks we need from the heat to go all day at the parks each day. We end up enjoying about 13 amazing meals over 6 days. We do drink, so the we will enjoy the wine, etc with meals. I did the math on our upcoming trip and we will save $100’s of dollars, but my kids will order the duck, venison, steak, etc. If my kids did not like this type of thing, I would never buy it since they are of an adult plan age. Biggest draw back is the tip total becomes very large if you get your money’s worth out of the plan – although the savings will cover most of my tips. We are foodies and we have pages in our vacation album dedicated to the beautiful appetizers, entrees and desserts had on our trips. The food is amazing and should not be missed if you can do it. We go less often, so that when we do go, we can let them go all out. I also love that the kids get a great appreciation of the Epcot park and the countries represented there. I love the fact that Disney has those areas staffed with cast members from those countries. It is a great way to discuss and experience those countries especially if a trip to those places is not possible.
How much do kids cost on the dining plan? (WHY does Disney make it impossible to find this on MDE?)
Depends on which dining plan you’re asking about. It’s $25.75 a day for a child 3-9 years old on the regular dining plan. It will be more on the Deluxe and less on the Quick Service
My family hasn’t been to Disney World since 2005 so a lot has changed. Since you can now only get the quick service plan if your staying at value resorts, are you able to pay extra and upgrade it to the standard dining while staying in the value resorts? Thanks
Since when??? I have stayed mostly at All Star Sports and Pop Century and have only had the Deluxe Dining Plan with no problem…I think you should call WDW directly and inquire about this. They are super friendly and knowledgeable.
i think she means with the free dining offers. from what i understand you can upgrade and pay the difference out of pocket, but I would call to be sure
We stayed at POP but got the standard dining with 1 table service and 1 quick meal. Our Disney travel agent booked this for us and there was a very minor surcharge. I have never been able to book on line myself and stay at a value resort and get standard dining. I would get with a Disney agent cuz it can be done
What is include with the alcohol? Is it one drink per meal or can we go out one night and have a few drinks and it’s covered? We are looking to go down for our honeymoon in the fall
It’s one drink per meal entitlement and has to be used at time of meal. They are tied together. In example, you could go have three meals and enjoy one alcoholic beverage with each meal. But, you couldn’t go enjoy meals without alcohol and then say,” well I haven’t drank yet, I would like to have my beers now.” One per meal entitlement whether you use it or not. In my opinion, since I never drink during the day because it makes me tired and DW is not the place to be tired, I think I will not do the dining plan this trip. Normally we do the quick service plan and pay out of pocket for apps and sit downs, which works out well. But, if I’m gonna be charged for alcohol and milk shakes even if we don’t order them, I think no dining plan and strategic food ordering is now the best option for my family of 3
I agree. Also, now Disney Dining also offers quick service plans to hotels surrounding Walt Disney you don’t have to stay on Disney Property to get the quick service. No smoking but lets drink & drive!! Disney isn’t Disney any longer….more drunks. Just what we need. The place is so commercialized….Starbucks instead of Main St. Bakery….just isnt the same.
Will kids be able to get the light up cup specialty drinks on the new 2018 dining plan, since they can’t order alcohol and that would be a similar price?
No anything that is considered merchandise is not included. You can order any beverage in the virgin form if you choose, honestly if you are not a drinker there is little value in this “addition” you could already order milkshakes before this change. There are very few speciality drinks that are non alcoholic drinks.
Thank you Tina. I thought that might be the case.
We did end up with one light-up item while there in mid January as the waitress suggested it and I said I thought that was not included and she said I was told last week it was and if its not I will just take it off the bill. She said she clarified it was not included but my daughter was happy to have the extra at that meal. So it does not hurt to ask but I am sure they will get the details worked out soon.
Also the virgin pina coloda at Sci-Fi was amazing and I will have that next time for sure.
Why is everyone leaving out another change? Yes, there is now alcohol. But quick service also lost the desert… Thats like $10 a day they took away!
Don’t forget they added a snack, so now you have 2 instead of 1 snack per night of stay. This is better as you can choose where you want your desert. We love this much better. So you didn’t really lose a desert, you get more choices. Now a few years back, free quick dining used to have 2 meals and 2 snacks per night. So if you compare to then, then yes we lost a snack, but not compared to last year.
Back in the day tips were already included in the DDP. But no more. We have gotten an inexpensive appetizer instead of the dessert. Just ask you would be surprised how flexible sons of the wait staff is
Back in the day tips were already included in the DDP. But no more. We have gotten an inexpensive appetizer instead of the dessert. Just ask you would be surprised how flexible sons of the wait staff is
its not just the money you save , or don’t save, but its the stress free feeling of eating anywhere and anything you want and not thinking about the price- dining inside the parks and hotels are just as much a part of the expirience – i would never skip the dining plan- its so much fun!!!!
Free dining has always been a deal breaker for us. We go at the end of August and always stay in the value resorts. With the last couple of years, the savings of buying the DDP went from 30% to 10% approximately. Personally I think the DDP is worth is only if it is free, as it has many restrictions as to where you can eat. If I had to pay out of pocket, I would not take the DDP. We love the free dining, but the choices are limited.
I just wanted to add that back in 2008-2009, free dining used to be 1 table and 1 quick. We are grateful we got a chance to do character meal, but boy do they ever take a chunk of time. We really don’t mind just the quick dining. Just wish they had no limits on the restaurants.
We always book the ddp. We chose to eat sit down. Air conditioning , getting the kids cooled down and rested. We go again this June. The plan took all character dining. The only thing extra was the Aloha dinner show. The ddp allows meals without worrying about $$$ budgeted foe meals. The only cash we bring is for gifts for family and friends
The dining plan has restrictions, not every restaurant is recognized. The DP used to save about 30% a few years ago, some would say. Well, unless you really want to buy all that food, get the DP, otherwise I would say the DP is not worth it. Why don’t you add your credit card to your magic band and then you can really “eat anywhere and anything you want ” . We take the DP when it is free.. it is a deal breaker for the vacation, period. But our whole family agrees, it is ALOT of food we would never otherwise eat like this…. Do the math, all the menus and prices are online.
I’m starting to think that after paying the up charge to stay in a value resort but still get standard dining with 1 table and 1 quick meal and then have to pay for park hopper option and now increase cost for way to much food we would be better off to just pay as we go. Normally the lunches can be split. But that is just us. When we can work it to be there for FREE dining we do that and use the snack credits for snacks gir the road trip home
I think for the under 21 and the non drinkers you should have your choice – alcohol or an appetizer . or make it a price point anything under the price of 16.00.
The Disney Dining Plan makes me infuriated.
I WANT it to be an even remotely good value. I know myself, if I leave myself the option to be a cheapskate, I will be a cheapskate. Meaning I know that if I don’t purchase the dining plan, we will eat little or nothing from Disney grounds; we will be taking a bus back to the resort and driving off site for literally every meal and eating goldfish crackers out of a backpack while in the parks.
I’d *like* to give my kids the opportunity to pick out little treats from the snack shacks and sit down for dinner and wave at Mickey Mouse, but that dining plan is not a freaking discount. You can barely get your money’s worth by intentionally trying to bleed the most value out of the plan.
Why the heck can’t they just make it a clear value? An easy decision? They ramp up the prices from what was already mind-bendingly high and throw in a cocktail at lunch? Yeah a cocktail at lunch with my kids is exactly what I need… Well 3 cocktails at lunch might be exactly what I need…
My point is that it would be fantastic if it were anything remotely close to a value so I could tell myself, “hey it’s a little pricey but I get to give my family that magic of Disney experience and dine nearly wherever we choose without leaving the park and eat MM rice crispy treats all while saving a bit off sticker price”
Instead it’s like I’m getting suckered into spending $200 per day on food while still throwing cash around as gratuity all the while knowing I’d spend less than half that by just dragging my family out of the park.
I feel I’ll end up NOT getting the plan, barely buying a single treat inside park grounds, wasting time getting off-site to eat and still resenting the price tag of that dining plan
Once we kept all our meal and snack receipts for a 7 day stay. The cost was well below the cost of the dining plan. The way you went, you should figure the times wasted going back and forth to you car. Also the price of gasoline. When you prepay, the anxiety goes way down. Stress is limited and you can enjoy yourself.
The DDP is only a good value of you do to of math, usually ordering the most expensive items on the menu. My husband and I felt it wasn’t a good value because it was just too much food.
If you want to feel like you’ve paid for your meals in advance and don’t have to think about it, there’s another way. Keep an eye out for Sam’s Club or Costco discount Disney gift cards. You only save 3-5%, but you can stack that discount if you’re credit card is doing a cash back deal on “warehouse stores.” Buy a couple gift cards each month leading up to your vacation. Then your meals will be “prepaid” and you can eat whatever you want! Plus if you don’t use up all the gift card money you can spend it on merch or save it for your next vacation.
We also pay for our trip with Disney Gift cards – buy them at Sam’s to save money off the cards usually around $25 saved per $500. Or I often buy from Kroger when they have 4x fuel points and save at least $30 in gas per $500 cards purchased – bigger gas tank= even more savings so I don’t save as much as some people would. Buy over the months leading up so you can use all of those fuel points. Charge the gift cards on a cash back credit card you pay off and save even more. You can usually save a few hundred bucks extra leading up to your trip this way.
My wife and I are from Canada so Disney is already expensive enough and adding a dining plan does not make economic sense. We try and visit every fall and the room discounts offered then are much more attractive than free dining. We don’t drink and we maintain a healthy diet, even on holiday. We still dine out, but often times outside the park. When the exchange rate adds 25% to our bills it is a no-brainer for us. We do eat cheaper than the Disney Dining plan.
Ok so I just planned our dining for an upcoming trip in 2018, family of 3. We are not drinkers so I never even looked at the drink prices but for a 4 night 5 day stay the difference for paying out of pocket and the deluxe dining plan was going to be $165 more than oop. Then I calculated the refillable mugs and snacks to be a $150 value, and we would have 7 additional dining credits to utilize while onsite (we will have some others joining us for some of the time so we can pay for a meal and utilize the credits). If we utilize 5 of those credits at whispering canyon like we are currently considering that meal will be about $237. Now that is a majority of character meals, but my point is just do the math. Pick where you want to eat then check the price comparison at that point don’t try to justify eating more than you would just because its a better value justify with actual numbers, for me I also like its already paid for so there is less stress when we are at the parks.