Every parent who has taken their kids to Disney World knows that it takes a lot of planning. From deciding on the best hotel to choosing which parks you'll visit, there's so much to do, and if it feels impossible to fit everything into your trip, that's probably because it is! For families trying to prioritize the must-see items on their list, the Disney Dining Plans can simplify one aspect of the trip planning process.
Not only does purchasing a dining plan allow you to prepay for your food, making budgeting simpler, but according to Disney, you can save up to 20% on dining for kids ages 3 to 9 when you purchase a dining plan. But for those who are on the fence about the dining plan, there's good news – Disney announced that in 2026, families can get a free dining plan for kids by purchasing certain vacation packages. If you're looking for a way to save money for your 2026 Disney trip, this might be the perfect way to do it!
What's a Disney Dining Plan?
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Whether you're planning your first trip to Disney or your hundredth trip, you're probably looking for ways to make it more affordable for your family. When you're planning out your days in your favorite parks, it can be challenging to determine exactly how much you'll spend on meals and snacks.
The Disney Dining Plan essentially makes planning and budgeting for your meals simple by allowing you to pay ahead of time, saving money in the process. There are two options for dining plans, but both include a certain number of prepaid meals and snacks that you can use throughout the parks or your hotel.
Here's a bit more information about the two dining plans you can choose from:
Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan
The Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan is perfect for families that plan on being on the go throughout their trip. It's especially useful for those with little ones who don't plan on sitting down at any fancy restaurants but still want the convenience of prepaying for their meals. Per person, this dining plan includes:
- 2 Quick-Service Meals (per night of stay)
- 1 Snack/Nonalcoholic Drink (per night of stay)
- 1 Resort-Refillable Drink Mug
You can redeem your meals, snacks, and drinks any time during your stay, and if you don't use them all, they roll over to the next day.
Disney Dining Plan
The Disney Dining Plan is similar to the quick-service plan, but it includes table-service as well. This dining plan is better for those who plan on spending time in the parks during the day and enjoying a meal at a sit-down restaurant in the evening. This dining plan includes:
- 1 Quick-Service Meal (per night of stay)
- 1 Table-Service Meal (per night of stay)
- 1 Snack/Nonalcoholic Drink (per night of stay)
- 1 Resort-Refillable Drink Mug
The same rules apply for this dining plan as the quick-service plan, and you can redeem your meals, snacks, and drinks anytime during your stay.
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Who Qualifies for the Free Dining Plan?
The offer that Disney announced for 2026 states that when you purchase a Disney Travel Company package for your family, you get a free dining plan for kids (ages 3 to 9). To qualify for this offer, you have to purchase:
- A room at one of the Disney Resort Collection hotels
- A dining plan for all guests in your party, ages 10 and up
Essentially, if you purchase the dining plan for your stay at Disney World, your young kids can eat for free. Considering the Disney Dining plans can range from $25-$30 per night for children, this is a great way to save on your Disney trip.
Keep in mind that this offer may be limited, so check availability before booking. Also, the dining plans don't include gratuities, so be sure to plan accordingly!
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