Affordable Disney World Dining: The Deluxe, Premium, Platinum and Wine Dining Plans

Always ready to offer a variety of options to their guests, Disney has Dining Plans to fit many different needs. Today’s post will discuss the higher priced options: the Deluxe, Premium, and Platinum Dining Plans, and the Wine and Dine Plan. Offering more food than the Basic or Quick Service Dining Plans, these plans are all the same from the dining aspect: the difference in each is in the “extras” that are included with the Premium and Platinum Plans.

One thing to consider as you look at all that is offered in each plan, is that they are not cheap. Having said that, can they be a good value for you? The answer to that truly lies in your plans for your Disney vacation. For example, many folks wish to try a number of Signature or Dining Show experiences: for those families, the Deluxe Plan may be the most affordable way for you to do this. What about tours, recreation, and some of the other “extras” that are included in a couple of these plans? If want to try some of these activities, then do the math to see if one of these plans are less expensive than paying out of pocket for each.

So, what is the difference, what is included, and how much do they cost?

What Food Do You Get With the Deluxe, Premium, and Platinum Plans?

With each of these plans, every guest in your room receives three meals, all of which can be chosen from either Disney World table-service or quick-service restaurants. These 3 meal credits/day for each person in your room can be used in any of the following ways:

• Table-service meal or buffet
  • Breakfast: includes entrée, juice and non-alcoholic beverage OR full buffet
  • Lunch and Dinner: includes appetizer, entrée, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage OR full buffet
• Counter service (counter service or “fast food”) per night. Choose one entrée/combo meal, one single non-alcoholic beverage, and either dessert (lunch/dinner) or juice (breakfast).

In addition, each person in your room enjoys:

• Two Snacks chosen from hundreds of snack options throughout the parks and resorts. As I mentioned in a previous post, I have found that more items ARE snack credits on the DDP than not, but when in doubt, just ask the castmember at the register.

• One refillable resort drink mug. With this mug you get unlimited drink refills at any RESORT HOTEL only.

You can read more information about the various table service meals at Disney World here.

And you can read more about the counter service meal choices and snack choices at Disney World here.

Additional Things You Should Know

Table service credits can be used for any sit-down restaurant, character meal, buffet or dinner show. Note however, that the following locations/experiences will cost you two TS credits:

• Cinderella’s Royal Table
• Any of  the Signature Dining Experiences
• Any of the  Disney Dinner Shows: You can reserve Category 2 or 3 seating at either show, or Category 1 seating at the 9:30 pm Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue (note that gratuity IS included here)
• One room service meal, including entrée, dessert or juice, plus non-alcoholic beverage
• One Pizza Delivery – 1 pizza, 2 non-alcoholic beverages, 2 desserts

As mentioned in Disney Dining Plans 101, you must purchase any of these Dining Plans as an add-on to a Magic Your Way Vacation Package at Walt Disney World. This means you’ll be staying at a Disney owned-and-operated resort, and will have purchased at least a one-day ticket for everyone staying in your room. (The exception being Annual Passholders or Disney Vacation Club Members who may add a Dining Plan on to their room only reservation.) And everyone in the room must be on the same plan, for the entire vacation.

Gratuity is not included for table-service meals on the Disney Dining Plan, unless noted otherwise. An 18 percent gratuity will be added automatically for parties of 6 or more; a gratuity may also be added for items not included in the Dining Plan, such as alcoholic beverages

Children ages 3-9 must choose from a children’s menu, if one is available.

Lastly, and probably most importantly, making Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs) is strongly recommended at all table service restaurants, character meals, and dining experience restaurants throughout the year….and at certain times of year (peak season, holidays, Free Dining) it is vital. No one wants to pay to eat at table service restaurants and then be unable to do so because they are all full.

What Will These Plans Cost?

The cost of the 2010 Deluxe Dining Plan is: $71.99/adult per night; $20.99/child (ages 3-9) per night

You can download the 2010 Deluxe Dining Plan brochure here.

You can download the 2011 Deluxe Dining Plan brochure here.

The cost of the 2010 Premium Dining Plan is: $164/adult per night; $114/ child (ages 3-9) per night

You can download the 2010 Premium Dining Plan brochure here.

You can download the 2011 Premium Dining Plan brochure here.

The cost of the 2010 Platinum Dining Plan is: $220/adult per night; $155/ child (ages 3-9) per night

You can download the 2010 Platinum Dining Plan brochure here.

You can download the 2011 Platinum Dining Plan brochure here.

What Else Do You Get With the Premium Dining Plan?

As mentioned above, the main difference between these plans are the “extras” that you receive. With the Premium Plan, in addition to all the food noted on the Deluxe Plan, you also receive:

• Unlimited use of selected recreation, including golf, guided fishing excursions, water sports etc.
• Admission to Cirque du Soleil show, La Nouba.
• Portrait session and print package from Disney’s PhotoPass Professional Portraits service
• Unlimited admission to Disney’s Children’s Activity Centers
• Unlimited Admission to a number of Theme Park tours, including the popular Keys to the Kingdom, Simply Segway Experience, and more
• Admission to Grand Gathering Experiences, if you have eight or more in your party.
• Access to Preferred Viewing Areas for Wishes and Illuminations (some restrictions apply)

What Else Do You Get With the Platinum Dining Plan?

With the Platinum Plan, in addition to the food of the Deluxe Plan, you receive everything in the Premium package PLUS things like:

• Pre-arrival planning service
• Specialty fireworks cruise
• Reserved seating at Fantasmic!
• Selected spa treatment per guest (age restrictions apply)
• Additional dining options, such as Victoria & Albert’s restaurant, room service, and more.

But Wait, There’s More!

Last, but to a wine-lover, definitely not least, there is one last plan: the Wine and Dine Plan Add-On. This Plan can be added on to any package that includes dining for an extra charge per night. In the 2010 Wine & Dine Plan you will receive one wine selection for $39.99 per night per room. For details and a list of restaurants available on this plan:

You can download the 2010 Wine and Dine Plan brochure here
You can download the 2011 Wine and Dine Plan brochure here

So there you have it: Five Disney Dining Plans. Next week, we’ll start exploring if any of them make sense, from a cost perspective, for your family.

(*Photo courtesy of Disney Dining Plan brochure)