Let’s Talk About the Current State of Disney Dining
I’ve lost count of how many times people have asked me about the Disney Dining Plan in recent months.
Disney had promised to bring back this dining option in 2022. Instead, we’re about to enter September, and we’re still waiting.
Remarkably, that’s not even the only sticking point for park fans. So let’s talk about the current state of Disney dining while also answering some of your questions.
No New Updates Regarding the Dining Plan
I swear that MickeyBlog will tell you as soon as we learn anything. Several of our staff members have connections within Disney.
Sadly, what we’ve learned is that most Disney rumors regarding the Disney Dining Plan don’t hold water.
For those of you unfamiliar with the program, the Disney Dining Plan (DDP) entitles guests to pre-paid meals during a Walt Disney World vacation.
Disney offers the DDP in tiers that vary wildly in scope. Some come with as little as two Quick Service meal entitlements per day.
With that version of the dining plan, you’ll eat for free at charming establishments like Woody’s Lunch Box and Satu’li Canteen. It’s an incredible perk.
Remarkably, some versions of the DDP vastly surpass that one. For example, you’ll find some that include a daily Table Service and Quick Service entitlement.
With that dining plan, you can eat pretty much everywhere on the Disney campus for free.
My favorite is the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan, as I often travel with parties of five or more. This dining plan gives me three meal entitlements daily.
I can pick either Table Service or Quick Service for each meal. Also, since my family often Rope Drops rather than eats breakfast, we wind up with extra entitlements.
That means we can buy free meals for our friends and family members! It’s a fringe benefit of the dining plan.
So, I feel your pain over the continued absence of this program. But, alas, we’re all stuck at the moment.
The Reality of the Disney Dining Plan
Disney’s current financial situation has caused management to prioritize revenue. Executives brag about customers paying more per visit today.
I honestly don’t think this behavior is permanent. Instead, it’s reflective of Disney having to pay down a $71 billion Fox purchase combined with revenue lost in the pandemic.
Still, dining plans cost Disney money since guests aren’t paying out-of-pocket for meals. So I fully understand why Disney hasn’t brought them back yet.
Loss leader programs don’t make sense when you carry excess debt. Similarly, you don’t need to offer discounts when many will pay full price.
Realistically, I’ve pretty much given up on Disney bringing back the dining plan this year despite what was previously said.
I’m hopeful some version will return in 2023, but I’m also not holding my breath.
WE WILL TELL YOU WHEN WE KNOW SOMETHING, THOUGH!!!
The Changes in Restaurant Reservations
Disney has changed something else with its restaurants, but this one is subtle.
Guests who haven’t visited Walt Disney World in a while need to know the difference, though.
Until 2020, Disney accepted and, in fact, strongly suggested Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs) for its Table Service Restaurants.
That statement still applies. However, since the pandemic, Disney has adjusted the booking window.
Until March of 2020, guests could book ADRs up to 180 days in advance. Obviously, not many people did that much planning.
So, the longer window benefited those of us willing to schedule our trips six months early. As a result, we could book the most popular Disney restaurants.
Unfortunately, Disney has since shrunk that window, albeit for understandable reasons.
Many guests complained about the rules. Disney didn’t want its less experienced visitors to miss some of the best restaurants.
The booking window for dining reservations has now dropped to 60 days.
What does this mean? Well, I can use myself as an example. I will visit Walt Disney World on October 27th.
Thus, my ADR booking window opens on August 28th, 60 days before my arrival. Honestly, this change doesn’t impact most people.
Disney has leveled the playing field for park newbies against grizzled veterans who know how to work the system. And that’s a good thing.
When Will Tables in Wonderland Return?
The short answer is that it may not ever come back.
No, that’s not what you want to hear. Also, it may not prove accurate. We’re all just guessing about the future of Tables in Wonderland.
As a reminder, this service provides a discount for its owners. People pay an annual subscription for Tables in Wonderland.
Historically, the cost was $175 for Florida residents or $150 for Disney Vacation Club members/annual passholders, the only three groups who could buy Tables in Wonderland.
That may seem like a lot until you hear what you get with this service. Disney discounts most meals by 20 percent.
When you eat just ten $100 meals, i.e., dinner at Table Service restaurants, you start to save money.
Once you reach the breakeven point on the annual fee, all additional meals come with that automatic discount.
Disney fans who know what they’re doing can save a fortune each year with a Tables in Wonderland subscription.
Not coincidentally, Disney disabled this program during the pandemic. However, even before then, its future appeared in doubt.
The new leadership at Disney wants to maximize theme park revenue. Unfortunately, you cannot do that by offering 20 percent discounts on meals to Florida locals.
Realistically, the only way I could see Tables in Wonderland returning is if the economy turned south, lessening tourism demand.
Even then, I’d expect Disney to increase the cost for Tables in Wonderland to make it harder to reach the breakeven point on pricing.
Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below and one of the agents from MickeyTravels, a Platinum level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, will be in touch soon!
Feature Photo: Disney