2012 Disney Dining Plan Changes – Now with new restaurant listings

Future Disney travelers beware! Many people booked their Disney vacations to take advantage of the free dining offer in early 2012. The savings is fabulous and everyone needs to eat, so you really can’t go wrong with the Disney Dining Plan. There are a few changes to the Disney Dining Plan for 2012, so here is what you need to know.

Quick service dining:

• 2011: Includes two snacks per person, per night
• 2012: Includes ONE snack per person, per night

Plus dining:

• 2011: Regular dining plan does not include a resort refillable mug
• 2012: Regular dining plan DOES include a resort refillable mug

Deluxe dining:

• 2011: Standard pricing year round
• 2012: SEASONAL pricing that varies year round

Miscellaneous changes:

• The Wine and Dine plan is no longer offered
• The Premium and Platinum Plan(s) require a minimum stay of 3-nights
• The tours included in the Premium Plan and Platinum Plan has changed from, “Through Walt’s Eyes” to “Walt Disney: Marceline to Magic Kingdom
• The resort photo session is no longer included in the Platinum Plan

New Table Service Dining Locations Include:

• Bongos Cuban Cafe at Downtown Disney
• House of Blue at Downtown Disney
• Paradiso 37 at Downtown Disney
• Portobello at Downtown Disney
• Rainforest Cafe at Downtown Disney and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park
• T-Rex at Downtown Disney
• Fulton’s Crab House at Downtown Disney-requires 2 table service dining credits
• Bistro de Paris at Epcot-World Showcase at France-requires 2 table service dining credits
• Wolfgang Puck Cafe: The Dining Room at Downtown Disney-requires 2 table service dining credits

New Quick-Service Dining Locations Include:

• Landscapes Cafe at the new Art of Animation Resort
• The Paddock Grill at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
• Katsura Grill at Epcot-World Showcase at Japan
• Bongo’s Cuban Sandwich Window at Downtown Disney
• Marketplace Snacks at Downtown Disney

Here are the PDF’s of the 2012 Disney Dining Plans.

Know before you go:

• Gratuity: In past years gratuity was included in the Disney Dining Plan; this is not so anymore. It’s not a recent change but for folks who don’t travel to WDW annually, that fact might have slipped by unnoticed. You can tip your server in cash, credit card, or on your Key to the World Card (which you can link to a credit card at check-in). There are exceptions to the gratuity policy: gratuities ARE included at dinner shows, private in-room dining and Cinderella’s Royal Table.

• Your receipt: You will receive a receipt with every food and beverage purchase and your receipt will tell you everything you need to know about your dining plan. The top center of your receipt will tell you how many credits remain for adults and children. Below that, the first line item will tell you the type of entitlement used (quick service, table service, snack, etc.). Below the entitlement used you will see the number of entitlements used and at the very bottom will be a “guest i.d. purchase” line item-these are the charges that aren’t included in your dining plan (alcohol, gratuity, etc.)

• Kids dining plan: Children under age 3 are not eligible for the dining plan, this doesn’t mean you have to starve them! Tiny tots have two options: Share off another family members plate, or pay out of pocket for their meal. Children ages 3-9 must order off the child’s menu when one is available (and trust me, the kids menus are always available!)

• Availability: Unlike “other” Orlando area attractions offer meal tickets and plans but none are as all inclusive as the Disney Dining Plan. Virtually every food location in all of the parks and resorts on Disney property are included in the dining plan. Dining reservations are STRONGLY recommended and you will be able to make your Advanced Dining Reservations 180-days prior to your check-in date. To see where you should (or shouldn’t) be eating visit our friends at Disney Food Report for food and restaurant reviews and more.

If you have questions about the Disney Dining Plan or aren’t sure if it’s right for you,  Chris W. and Michele are authorized Disney vacation planners with Pixie Vacations and also write here at Chip and Co. For free quotes or to have your questions answered email them: ChrisW@PixieVacations.com or Michele@PixieVacations.com

Related articles

• New Restaurants Join the 2012 Disney Dining Plan (disneyfoodblog.com)
• 2012 Disney Dining Plans Just About Finalized (easywdw.com)

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