Dining plan return?

[Taylor Newman]

Any idea when the dining plan will return?

 

[lockets]

Nope.

 

[meremac]

Take this with a grain of salt, but I was told by a CM that it won't return until they have enough staff to consistently operate restaurants at full capacity.

 

[Narcoossee11]

Take this with a grain of salt, but I was told by a CM that it won't return until they have enough staff to consistently operate restaurants at full capacity.

This is TOTALLY correct. No way Disney can have a meal plan with so limited availability. It may be next year 2023 at this point.

 

[Her Dotness]

Supply issues will be a factor, too, I'm thinking. Those are projected to continue nationwide until sometime next year.

Places where we'd formerly been eager to get both appetizer and dessert on our Deluxe plan had nothing very appealing last trip in the fall.

While we missed the dining plan immensely, it wasn't a great loss due to scanty menus.

 

[Taylor Newman]

Thanks all! Makes sense!

 

[Someone28624]

I wish by my end of March trip, but don't see that happening. It's so much easier to splurge if you don't see the prices. I might just put $75/day on a gift card and consider that my "dining plan" so I don't feel like I need to cheap out.

 

[Starclassic]

I wish by my end of March trip, but don't see that happening. It's so much easier to splurge if you don't see the prices. I might just put $75/day on a gift card and consider that my "dining plan" so I don't feel like I need to cheap out.

This isn’t a bad idea actually. I’m already stressing about food budget. Lol

 

[Micca]

I might just put $75/day on a gift card and consider that my "dining plan"

So you're just eating breakfast???

 

[jenrus]

food prices will be crazy without dining plan...but when we do dinning plan we eat much more than normal

 

[michiganfam]

I’ve actually looked at what we spent on the dining plan and real receipts. I think we would have come out ahead on the gift card option and had more flexibility.

 

[VandVsmama]

I wish by my end of March trip, but don't see that happening. It's so much easier to splurge if you don't see the prices. I might just put $75/day on a gift card and consider that my "dining plan" so I don't feel like I need to cheap out.

We do this sometimes for Disneyland trips and it works out pretty well.

 

[RNRMOM]

I really miss the dining plan but it doesn't look like it's returning. I know it doesn't work for every family but we are a family that eats two table service meals per day. We also like to try character meals/buffets and we always came out ahead with the dining plan. I miss having everything (except tips) purchased before we arrived.

 

[Grumpy4196]

I really miss the dining plan but it doesn't look like it's returning.

Disney has already confirmed the Dining Plan would be returning. Unfortunately they did not give a timeline. My best guess is after the 50th celebration is over.

 

[A_NY_Outlaw]

I was told by one cast member that Disney is definitely bringing back the DDP in 2022, but the time frame is unknown. There are a few different Disney blogs that speculate the DDP might be around late April or May after the rush of the Spring Break crowds have subsided. The concern was that if they tried to bring it back too soon, restaurants were not properly staffed to help navigate through the rush of people returning to WDW and during a slower period before the summer crowds ramps back up, Disney will have an idea on how to address the staffing shortages. I hope this is right, because we are making our first trip in over 10 years and I don't know if I would be overly happy with the prospect of no DDP- regardless of whether its overpriced or not.

Regarding price, the price is expected to be increased significantly- at least according to the other blogs and newsletters I have read.

 

[MiraclesTakeTime]

I hope this is correct! Love having the dining plan!

 

[DaviVascaino]

quick question: I booked a BWV studio for Feb 2023 (rented DVC points). Will I be eligible for DDP when it comes back?

 

[Faldred]

quick question: I booked a BWV studio for Feb 2023 (rented DVC points). Will I be eligible for DDP when it comes back?

If the DDP is operational by then, you should be able to purchase it through the person you're renting points from. You won't be able to add it directly like you would with a standard resort stay.

 

[DaviVascaino]

If the DDP is operational by then, you should be able to purchase it through the person you're renting points from. You won't be able to add it directly like you would with a standard resort stay.

ah, got it. thanks for the info

 

[Haygar2]

So you're just eating breakfast???

My mom gave me a $100 gift card for my upcoming trip. I said "WOOHOO! One dinner is paid for." She replied "well, I hope you get more than one dinner out of it". Uhhh...okay. Sure. NOT! She just doesn't understand. LOL