Restaurants Not Accepting 2020 Dining Plan?
Over the last few weeks, dozens of readers have asked about Walt Disney World table service restaurants that are no longer participating in the 2020 Disney Dining Plan. Since we have 1,382 posts about the DDP (slight exaggeration), we figured it would make sense to answer this frequently asked question as a quick standalone post where we could explain why this happens–and is not cause for concern.
As you may know, many restaurants at Walt Disney World are owned and operated by third parties. (If you didn’t, sorry to burst that bubble.) This isn’t just at Disney Springs, which is home to chains and outposts of renowned celebrity chefs. It’s also true at some resort restaurants, and in both Epcot and Animal Kingdom. This includes Homecomin’, Maria & Enzo’s, Morimoto Asia, Chefs de France, Via Napoli, Coronado Springs dining, and more.
Walt Disney World negotiates with these third party restaurants about the terms of their participation in the Disney Dining Plan. Actually, “negotiate” might be a strong word; I don’t have insight into the process, but assume it’s more a take it or leave it offer by Walt Disney World with uniform contract terms…
In our 2020 Disney Dining Plan Info & Review post, we reverse-engineer a dollar value for each type of DDP credit, with $45 being the amount ascribed to a table service credit. Walt Disney World does the same (minus the reverse-engineering part) and sets a reimbursement rate for these third parties.
In other words, if a third-party table restaurant chooses to accepts the Disney Dining Plan, they are paid a rate below the actual value of each DDP credit, with Disney also taking their cut. For example, the third party might be paid $25 by Walt Disney World for each credit that’s redeemed. (This is an example and $25 is not the actual amount restaurants are paid–we don’t know the true amount.)
What we do know is that it’s low enough that third party restaurant operators have to weigh the low reimbursement rate against the ubiquity and guest adoption rate of the Disney Dining Plan.
For third party restauranteurs, it’s a lesser of two evils scenario: do these venues accept reduced profits per meal or a reduced fill-rate for tables?
Inevitably, nearly all third party restaurants end up choosing the former. The final DDP participant list for 2020 will be almost identical to what it was last year (plus the new restaurants that open later).
There’s always a chance a restaurant or two will “break ranks” and opt out of the Disney Dining Plan, but I can only think of a few instances of that happening over the last decade.
There are rumors that this has occurred with STK at Disney Springs this year, but we cannot confirm that because we’ve yet to dine there in 2020.
Honestly, STK is about the most logical restaurant to drop the Disney Dining Plan. It doesn’t cater to the normal DDP crowd–it’s something of an anomaly of Walt Disney World dining, eschewing families for convention guests and locals on date night. (Again, we don’t know whether it’s true, but STK dropping the Disney Dining Plan would probably be best for all involved.)
Almost always–if not always–restaurants continue to accept the Disney Dining Plan will negotiations are ongoing even if they are not listed as a participating restaurant. It’s a safe rule of thumb that if a restaurant accepted the DDP last year, it accepts it this year with the same terms. However, it’s always best to check upon arrival to confirm that this is the case.
If a restaurant no longer accepts the Disney Dining Plan, they can cancel your Advance Dining Reservation at the check-in podium without penalty. This would be our recommended course of action. Finding an alternate option with walk-up availability in Disney Springs or Epcot at this time of year that does accept the Disney Dining Plan should be relatively easy.
Usually, the only thing that causes a change in Disney Dining Plan status is a menu change made for the express purpose of elevating the status of a restaurant or removing it from the Disney Dining Plan.
We’ve seen this with Le Cellier, Monsieur Paul, and Be Our Guest Restaurant–but these changes have never coincided with a change in the calendar, and Walt Disney World always provides ample advance notice of these changes. In other words, if a restaurant required one table service credit last year, it’s safe to expect the same this year.
On a related note, we’ve received “confirmation” from two separate Cast Members that Restaurantosaurus Burgers & Sundaes (which we highly recommend to those using the Disney Dining Plan) is still one counter service credit on the 2020 Disney Dining Plan despite some online info to the contrary. We’re told this is in error, but we haven’t dined there yet in 2020 and tried to use the DDP, so we can’t make a 100% definitive proclamation there.
To that end, we haven’t dined anywhere using the 2020 Disney Dining Plan yet (our first DDP stay will be later this month), so we’re going off a mix of past precedent and inquiries to Walt Disney World for all of the above. If you have already used the 2020 Disney Dining Plan and can definitively confirm that certain restaurants are or are not participating, please leave a note in the comments so we can update this accordingly.
In short, this same scenario with the Disney Dining Plan plays out every single year. Readers start asking about this in the fall, with some understandable “freaking out” come January. It does seem that we’re receiving far more questions about it this year than normal, and it doesn’t help that info on DisneyWorld.com seems inconsistent from page to page. Nevertheless, this should not be a huge worry at this point.
Every year, contracts between Walt Disney World and the third party restaurants are inked at some point around the beginning of the calendar year. We can’t say with certainty when all of these deals will be finalized and Walt Disney World will update its lists, but we’d recommend patience and holding onto your Advance Dining Reservations for now. We’ll keep you posted on whether there’s any reason to cancel anywhere.
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Your Thoughts
Have you had issues with any Walt Disney World restaurants accepting the 2020 Disney Dining Plan? Any restaurants listed as “Dining Plans Not Accepted” where you’ve been able to use the DDP this year? Do you agree or disagree with our advice? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Hi Tom.. do you know pls if Disney has put new restrictions on sharing dining credits?
I’m planning a trip, party of 5, two rooms, thinking on DDP for room 1 and sharing credits with room 2. Is it allowed? Thanks!
We are 2 adults (60 young) wondering if it is worth it to get the DDP for a 5-day visit?
i’m not tom, but my husband and i liked having the regular/mid-tier dining plan on our brief (4.5/5 day) trip in fall of 2018. it was nice not to have to think about menu prices on vacation, and we tried to balance “this is the best dining plan value!” against “i’m not actually best-value hungry right now” when we made our reservations and menu selections.
staying at Port Orleans FQ also helped to nudge us over to the ‘get the dining plan’ side of things because we were able to use snack credits on the beignets at the food court, which: yum.
KatoKat: I don’t think a DDP (Deluxe Dining Plan) is worth it for 5 days. 3 TS credits each per day is an awful lot of food, and the amount of time you’d give up for two sit-down meals per day would take a lot out of your day. The DP (Dining Plan) gives you more flexibility because, in addition to the combined 10 QS credits you’d have, you could use 1 TS credit each for a sit-down meal on some days and also take some of your combined 10 TS credits and fit in some Signature Dining meals which are 2 TS credits each. Because the 2-credit Signature meals give you an appetizer, an entree, a dessert and a beverage, you could even split the order and maybe add in an extra appetizer and beverage. That depends, of course, on how much food each of you usually eat in one sitting. If saving money is an absolute priority, you could spend a lot less paying as you go over the course of 5 days. Otherwise, for 2 adults just looking to enjoy themselves for 5 days, I do think the DP is a good deal.
Good comments and info. Thanks kindly everyone.
So, a friend has told us that with Disney dining plan, the counter service credits are now being divided into adult counter service credits and children counter service credits, with the latter only being redeemable for stuff off the kids menu. This alters our use of the counter service drastically, and lowers the value of the DDP bc we would always just get full size adult meals with the counter service credits and make them stretch further bc our kids could share.
Tom, are you hearing anything about this? We are heading down for 5 nights in a few weeks and are trying to game plan.
This is accurate. I was just there over New Years and it rolled out on Jan 1st. We were all surprised, as Disney didn’t even communicate this to their cast members. Really changes how you use the dining plan.
Last September my husband and I stayed at Coronado and El Mercado was part of the dining plan. Disney however listed on their website That is no longer part of DDP anymore. Does anyone know if this is correct?
I was looking forward to using my quick service credit at Tangierine Cafe this weekend, but it looks like it’s also off the list 🙁
The WDW dining plan website is outdated and needs to be updated to reflect the latest for the 2020 DDP. For example, the dining website states that all of the restaurants (except Toledo Tapas, Steak & Seafood) at Coronado don’t except the DDP. I had just booked a reservation there, so I was concerned. I called yesterday and they confirmed that they in fact DO except the DDP and the website has errors.
As an Orlando STK employee, I can confirm that, as of January 1st, we no longer accept the Disney Dining Plan. I cannot speak dollars and cents, but the general consensus is that the restaurant was not turning much of a profit from the plan. At one point, certain items were an additional cost (even if the plan was used), but that changed roughly eight months ago so that even those items were included in the plan for no additional charge.
How much you wanna bet there Back on the Dining Plan due to sub-par Attendance! No Restaurant on Disney property is Worth It from a Cost Standpoint , and those that Might Think they are will Pay the Price, So to Speak!
Let me add I am not down on STK, I just think it’s stupid to pay there price for a good meal, whenI can have an excellent one off my backyard BBQ Grill for less than 1/2 the price. Furthermore, the overcrowding at WDW taxes the staff of the eateries to the point of subpar performance.
Wish I would have seen this comment in time! Had a reservation on the 7th at STK and was super excited. Was using the Deluxe Dining Plan. We were seated and then told that STK no longer accepts the dining plan. My boyfriend (who had been counting down the days till he tried his first dry aged steak) and I were heartbroken 🙁 We needed to use those 4 credits so we headed to the boathouse.
I found this on Disney’s site today.
https://secure.cdn1.wdpromedia.com/dam/disney-world/dining/2020-DDP-Locations-1019.pdf
Maybe this will help. Of course this was as of Oct 19, so any changes wouldn’t show up here.
Any information on Chefs de France and the 2020 dining plan? I will need to cancel and rebook another restaurant for our mid February trip if Chefs will not accept DDP
Chiefs de France will be reduced to selling Via Napolies Left Over Pizza if they Came Off the DDP!
Chefs de France is back on the dining plan as of Jan 8.
Are you sure still not listed on Disney Dining plan participating restaurants.
LB…are you looking at a list? Go directly to Chefs de France on the Website and click on “some dining plans accepted.” You’ll see it there.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/epcot/chefs-de-france/
I’m wondering about the Eagle Regal Smokehouse and whether it will be on the Quick Service Dining Plan??? I too have been following the Restaurantosauus evening meal and have been getting mixed messages about it being on the Quick Service Dining Plan?? Thanks for your help!
One only need to review there menu to realize it’s a Counter Service Caliber.
I have wondered that as well. Looking forward to the Regal Eagle in May, but not if it isn’t on the QS plan.
What about quick service restaurants participating this year, any word? The participating QS list for Epcot in particular, is very small.
Marques of Queensbury is obviously trolling (just Google the name); there’s no need to engage.
Ironically, the trolling isn’t even accurate. I’m an email subscriber at STK, which is specifically for the purpose of receiving coupons. They offer more coupons and discounts than literally any other restaurant at Walt Disney World.
The reason I think it’d be better if they were off the Disney Dining Plan is because this is a Las Vegas venue with a very different atmosphere, and many families (the primary DDP demographic) don’t realize this until it’s too late. If the restaurant weren’t on the Disney Dining Plan, it would save a lot of confusion and frustration, and allow that particular restaurant to cater to its primary demographic.
I still don’t understand why this restaurant was built at Walt Disney World, but that’s another story entirely.
I am a vegetarian, but my husband is not. Every now and then we go to a steakhouse for him. This past 4th of July STK had THE BEST coupon. We were in Florida at the time so I had to book. I think the coupon was $50 off your bill if you made reservations through their website. They even had a lobster tail and shrimp add on for $17.76. I think we spent more on alcohol than we did for the meal Couponing at it’s finest!!!
We dined there on jan 4 2020 and it was still a quick service credit. The lady at the door directing you says “to the right quick service, table service to the left” but she misspoke. We confirmed at the podium and it’s all quick service. The menu is slightly different but you can order off of either for the reservations. Highly recommend, especially if you’ve got a kiddo that wants to play in the sand later since their meal comes with a shovel and bucket.
To clarify, you’re talking about Restaurantosaurus Burgers & Sundaes, correct? Thanks!
Yep, restaurantosaurus. Should also mention the quick service credits now are specific to adult or child. No one, including disney staff, seem to know about this but it did roll out on jan 1st. Used to be able to order any quick service regardless but now it’s like the table service in terms of tracking.
My husband and I get the DDP every trip more so for convenience than anything and because of usual eating habits we end up saving a little money too. We have reservations for Morimoto and Paddlefish for next week, both of which say they no longer accept the DDP on the website. I called both restaurants and according to both the people I spoke to, they still accept the DDP and almost seemed confused when I said the website said that they no longer accepted it. Hopefully nothing changes!
The Morimoto page on Disneyworld.com absolutely says they accept Disney Dining Plans. It’s 1 redemption for lunch and 2 for dinner.
Likewise Paddlefish clearly states it too accepts Disney Dining Plans, however Paddlefish is now 2 redemptions for either lunch or dinner.
As always neither location accepts DDP at their lounges and does not accept Quick Service Dining redemptions.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/disney-springs/morimoto-asia/
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/disney-springs/paddlefish/
(For any restaurant on Disney world.com simply click the “Some Dining Plans Accepted” link under the pricing information on the resturant’s landing page.)
Mark Ruiz, STK is the full name of the restaurant. It’s a steakhouse in Disney Springs.
STK is an awesome upper level restaurant. Its not the kind of place where coupon clippers tend to dine. I’d say if they don’t accept the DDP it would be better for their business; keeping the poor people from ruining the experience for the rest of us.
Just because people clip coupons doesn’t mean their poor. Your just a rude arrogant thing ! You think your better than everyone! You should watch your nasty posts.
You are so sad of a person to say something like that about poor people. Be ashamed!
Say what you want about the Marques, Vic, but at least he uses correct grammar.
Are you afraid they would use the wrong fork or not dress the way you would like. You sound like a person who is very proud of the fact that you have a lot of money.That money does make you any better than anybody else. We are all the same in Gods eyes.
STK is an awesome upper level chain steak restaurant, with locations across the US. If you check their website you’ll notice they don’t list any prices. For anyone looking to take advantage of DDP or any other type of couponing, this is not the place for you. This chain is geared toward the wealthy, beautiful people. Don’t ruin everyone’s dining experience by accepting coupons. Better to let those people dine at Wendy’s or KFC.
Wow that is so rude!
I presume you are wealthy and beautiful, or you think you are
But remember your looks won’t last forever and one day you might lose your wealth and be not so rich, so will you stop dining at STK
And yes I do like Wendy’s and KFC but I like to try all the different restaurants while on holiday using the DDP
After all Disney does not insist on how rich you are or what you look like the purchase the DDP and encourage even guests staying at the budget resorts to try meals at other resort restaurants
Wow it’s people like you that ruin Disney dining. I personally don’t use the dining plan but feel it is a great option for some. I hope you get to sit near someone with six screaming kids at all your meals. Enjoy! Bitch of Queensbury.
WDW1974, you’re back with a new name! 😉
Are you joking? I can’t believe you are that rude.
You do realize that the DDP is not a coupon?
You do realize that the DDP is not a coupon, right? Most of the time it is actually more expensive in the long run.
Chefs de France was on my bucket list and we experienced its awesomeness on Christmas Day. Glad I was able to eat there, before the changeover. My son is a CM [at Hangar Bar] in he said to us that it was no longer going to be accepting the DDP in the near future. I’m also upset that The Wave is going to be changing to a steakhouse.
He said that Chefs de France was pulling out?
Kim, I’m so sorry to hear that about the Wave. My family and I always love the Wave, and call it one of Disney’s hidden treasures! The food and service is so good there, I wonder why they would be changing a good thing 🙁
Would love to hear official word about Restaurantoaurus when you have it.
I would as well. I had made reservations for dinner, but when QS wasn’t listed online I cancelled them. Is there still hope?
Which restaurant is STK?
I am not a disney dining newbie but I have no idea which restaurant that is?
When you write an article, you need to spell out the restaurant the first time you mention it before using abbreviations.
For Mark: https://stksteakhouse.com/venues/orlando/
Mark, with all due respect Tom write’s some of the best articles about WDW and he has made no mistake with the name of the restaurant here. STK is literally the name of the restaurant, it’s located at Disney springs.
Me too! We are going to Disney next month and have the quick service plan.
Any recent updates on Space 220 and the dining plan? I have a feeling it’ll be 2 credits.
I’m with you Sarah. Will be good to know. Hoping it’s just one, even for lunch if not all meals.
I’m curious about this for this August. However, Disney’s page for Space 220 currently says Dining Plans Not Accepted. I don’t know if this is more placeholder since it’s currently not open and they’re playing it safe in that a decision has not yet been made (never looked or noticed that on any other restaurant page that they’ve set up but that has not opened yet).
I wish more restaurants at least at the upper end would stop taking the credits and get off the dining plan! With everyone getting all the packages with dining. Back in the day I could get a reservation without having to book a crazy amount of time in advance. Due to this issue I now eat my dinners off properly at places like Fogo de chao or maggianno’s and so on because I don’t plan my trips 3 months in advance!
Any chance tukimi tei will be a 2 credit option for 2020? We would check it out if they did that.
If bookings are low, I could see Takumi Tei being added to the Disney Dining Plan (definitely as a 2-credit option), but my understanding is that Mitsukoshi wants to avoid that if at all possible, and retain the authenticity and quality of this dining experience.
First off the DDP is not couponing . Some trips it is less expensive to pay outright for meals rather than use the DDP. Also I’ve never seen poor people at Disney with the cost of a week at the park being close to $10,000.00 most “poor” people could not afford to go. Yet those people have the right to book any venue that is on the DDp they paid for.
The DDP is a plan of convenience for most people being able to plan ahead gives you more time for vacation , less of a headache of looking for a spot to dine while on vacation and with multiple levels to purchase it makes sense for families in most price ranges.
Yes a reservation my take months in advance & that is annoying if you just want to go the week or night you plan but it is after all a vacation spot and not a small town. If you go to N.Y. some of the best places take reservations months in advance also .
The dining plan gies through this every year so people expect to look for what restaurants are available. One great way to go with kids is to purchase the walk-up plan & then get a sitter to go to the nicer restaurants and pay separately because many small children would not enjoy the dining experience at a place like STK . That being said there are many children that we ould behave better that adults !
Melina….”purchases the walk-up plan…?” Is this just a cute way of saying cash or credit? 🙂