“When will the Disney Dining Plan return?” and “will Walt Disney World bring back Free Dining in 2023?” are frequent reader questions. We’ll attempt to reply primarily based on what we all know concerning the pay as you go meal plan and this common low cost, plus an earnings name replace, restaurant capability, crowds, staffing shortages, and extra. (Updated November 5, 2022.)
When the parks & resorts reopened, Walt Disney World briefly suspended the Disney Dining Plan (DDP) and cancelled Free Dining, together with a number of different issues. In the time since, Walt Disney World has restored or introduced the return of most choices, with the tempo of this dramatically accelerating final summer season. That ought to underscore the momentary nature of those adjustments–the overwhelming majority of which aren’t irreversible or everlasting.
However, the Disney Dining Plan shouldn’t be (but) among the many issues to return–regardless of the corporate releasing an announcement final summer season that it might be again quickly. If you need to be notified when the Disney Dining Plan’s return is introduced, you may subscribe to our free e-mail publication for fast alerts. For now, right here’s all the things you could learn about when the Disney Dining Plan would possibly return this yr or in 2023. If you’ve already learn this publish prior to now, scroll right down to the “November 2022 Update” part for the most recent developments.
We ought to begin by addressing a standard false impression: Disney eradicated the Dining Plan as a cost-cutting measure. This is patently false. The Dining Plan is definitely extremely profitable and advantageous for Walt Disney World in regular occasions. The Disney Dining Plan is a primarily a income engine, however one which’s additionally perceived as a perk by visitors. It was actually a win-win for firm and shopper. As such, it’s a matter of when the Disney Dining Plan will return, not if it should.
The massive caveat right here is the “in normal times” a part of that. Right now, Walt Disney World is seeing record-breaking per visitor spending, which is up a staggering 40% as in comparison with 2019. Consequently, it’s solely potential that visitors paying out of pocket are spending extra on common for his or her meals than they might with the Disney Dining Plan. That’s only a guess on our half, and even when true, that stage of pent-up demand gained’t final without end.
One of the most important causes Walt Disney World presents the DDP is as a result of it retains visitors on-site. If visitors are already locked-into all of their meals at Walt Disney World, they’re much less prone to enterprise to Universal, SeaWorld, and so forth. Even in the event that they do, Disney already has their cash for these meals.
There’s no such factor as a free lunch–Disney advantages from the Dining Plan by capturing visitors’ trip {dollars} and boxing guests into making all of their purchases at Walt Disney World, the place each worth has an on-site premium. Moreover, visitors utilizing the Disney Dining Plan order greater than those that pay out of pocket.
This is quantifiable. Historically, per visitor meals & beverage spending is decrease amongst visitors who don’t use the Disney Dining Plan than those that do. Consider what number of visitors on the DDP find yourself stockpiling Mickey Mouse Rice Krispie Treats on the finish of their journeys as a result of they’ve so many unused snack credit. Now consider what number of visitors do not do this, and as a substitute simply let snack–and even desk service–credit go to waste.
In regular occasions, the portion of visitors who lower your expenses on the Disney Dining Plan is comparatively small. Sure, you may seek the advice of on-line ideas and hacks to leverage it to your benefit, however most individuals don’t have the time or need for that stage of labor.
The overwhelming majority of the park-going public is not studying blogs like this one to meticulously analysis and plan their Walt Disney World trip. They need the simplicity of an “all-inclusive” meal plan and prices recognized up entrance. They don’t care (or understand) they’re doubtlessly losing cash or credit. Suffice to say, on the subject of the DDP, the House of Mouse (nearly) at all times wins.
That’s not the one manner that the House of Mouse nearly at all times wins. In our Disney Dining Plan Info & Review publish, we reverse-engineer a greenback worth for every sort of DDP credit score, with $45 being the quantity ascribed to a desk service credit score. Walt Disney World does the identical and units a reimbursement charge for the numerous third celebration eating places working within the parks and at Disney Springs.
If a third-party desk restaurant accepts the Dining Plan, they’re repaid at a set charge–typically beneath the price of the meal. For instance, the third celebration may be paid $25 by Walt Disney World for every credit score that’s redeemed, though the visitor is ordering $40 value of meals. Without the Dining Plan, Disney is lacking out on this minimize of enterprise at most eating places in World Showcase and Disney Springs.
This is the standard evaluation of why the Dining Plan advantages Walt Disney World, but it surely fails to account for on-the-ground circumstances. To that time, it’s value addressing inflation and the wave of worth will increase on a whole bunch of meals objects at Walt Disney World.
This occurred as soon as in the direction of the beginning of the yr, and once more in Fall 2022. The newest wave of worth will increase had been extra complete and sweeping, with all the things from snacks (once more) to character eating experiences going up in worth. This latter one is especially vital, as a result of character meals are notably common with visitors who sometimes buy the Disney Dining Plan.
Our robust suspicion has at all times been that larger menu costs made the Disney Dining Plan extra enticing and pushed visitors in the direction of it. People evaluating menu costs to package deal costs would see that, though the DDP is expensive, so too are particular person entrees, snacks, desserts, drinks, and so forth.
At least, this has at all times been our principle, and the previous precedent of each growing across the similar time made it believable. It’s thus at all times notable when Walt Disney World will increase menu costs, as that might be an indication that they’re making ready for the return of the DDP.
Then there’s inflation, which has dominated the actual world information and has been a serious downside for Americans in all places. It’s no secret that inflation has hit the price of meals particularly arduous. The USDA tracks a breakdown in its Food Price Outlook web page, which reveals that the price of meat, poultry, fish, and eggs specifically has all skyrocketed.
It ought to go with out saying, however companies try and cross larger prices on to shoppers. This is clearly what’s taking place at grocery shops, however the USDA’s “food away from home” index reveals that eating places haven’t elevated in lockstep with grocery shops on the CPI. This is regardless of larger components prices and larger labor prices.
We’ve observed this at Walt Disney World eating places within the time since reopening. Don’t get us mistaken–desk service entrees are very expensive at Disney, however they’ve been for years. That’s nothing new. Walt Disney World’s aforementioned worth will increase disproportionately influence snacks and different impulse purchases and not objects which have seen the best inflation.
One potential industry-wide rationalization is trepidation amongst eating places about their means to cross on larger costs to shoppers with out seeing a corresponding drop in demand. Those similar issues probably exist with the Disney Dining Plan. Even in the previous few years pre-closure, the speed of its worth will increase had slowed considerably. Menu merchandise will increase had outpaced Disney Dining Plan worth will increase pre-closure, making the DDP a higher worth in early 2020 than it was in ~2017.
The principle for that was Walt Disney World had reached its worth ceiling (or near it) with the Disney Dining Plan, however not with particular person part costs. Now, meals prices are even larger. Consumers may be extra keen to pay this impulsively and in smaller increments, however balk at a ~$90 common Disney Dining Plan. The firm thus would possibly modify (a constructive spin on “reduce”) what every tier of the DDP contains to maintain margins excessive.
It’s additionally potential that meals inflation is one motive why the corporate has been hesitant to carry again the Disney Dining Plan. If visitors are capable of pre-pay for his or her meals 6 months to a yr prematurely, they’re able to lock-in present costs to some extent. With a lot volatility in meals and different enter prices, Disney could view this as problematic. Of course, that is all completely speculative–however predictability and pricing psychology are necessary to Disney.
Of course, all of this isn’t instantly related to the approaching return of the Disney Dining Plan. Nevertheless, hopefully it supplied useful context explaining how and why the Dining Plan is a revenue heart for Walt Disney World and never only a visitor perk, and in addition, how that evaluation would possibly differ within the present inflationary surroundings. Even for those who’re a fan of the DDP who’s personally capable of leverage it to your benefit, it must be apparent that it’s additionally helpful to Disney. It’s not like free FastPass+ or different perks that the corporate minimize and can by no means carry again.
To the entire above factors, Walt Disney World confirmed in an announcement about theme park early entry and prolonged night hours on-site visitor perks that the Disney Dining Plan will return, however that the corporate is “not quite ready to share an update on timing.” Disney indicated that the guest-favorite possibility could be again quickly, with extra updates on eating places to return.
The operative query right here is thus, when is it potential to carry again the Disney Dining Plan?
November 2022 Update
We’re again with an replace, regardless of no main information or bulletins concerning the return of the Disney Dining Plan. Readers proceed to ask about it on a near-daily foundation and there was extra incremental progress, so we take a look at that. However, we’ll warn you up entrance that you simply gained’t discover any official bulletins or ‘seismic shifts’ right here.
It has now been over one full yr (!!!) since Walt Disney World confirmed that the Disney Dining Plan could be again quickly, however that they had been “not quite ready” to make an announcement. Apparently Disney has a distinct definition of “soon” than can we.
Officially, nothing has modified with particular regard to the DDP since then. There have been appearances of the Disney Dining Plan in advertising supplies and remains to be current on Walt Disney World’s official website. There proceed to be a couple of “fakeouts” in Disneyworld.com reserving course of the place it seems you may add the Disney Dining Plan, however nothing actual.
Every new menu that goes up for the 2022 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival additionally options the DDP image subsequent to eligible snacks, as if meals & beverage groups are making ready for it to probably return at any time. However, the corporate has not since said that the Disney Dining Plan is returning imminently.
Most eating places have reopened, to the purpose that the variety of areas which are unavailable is pretty insignificant within the grand scheme of Walt Disney World’s eating capability (See Open & Closed Restaurants at Walt Disney World). Additionally, eating places which have been open for months have continued to scale up operations, bringing again breakfast, buffets, or different lacking meal providers.
This gained’t materially change capability, but it surely’s yet one more vital step in restoring normalcy to Walt Disney World’s eating scene. It’s additionally indicative of Walt Disney World’s intentions to carry extra again to regular with regard to lacking meal providers at its desk service eating places.
Character eating experiences proceed returning and extra eating places are reopening. Just this month, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall reopened for dinner, turning into the primary face character meal to return in full kind. (Well, ‘full’ kind minus breakfast and lunch.) This is sweet information, but it surely’s taking place slowly and with an amazing quantity of lead-time.
Other beforehand lacking meals have been coming again in the previous few weeks. This contains all meals at Crystal Palace: A Buffet with Character that includes Winnie the Pooh and Friends, Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast at Cape May Café, and ‘Ohana Best Friends Breakfast that includes Lilo and Stitch. The buffet at Tusker House additionally simply returned this month.
Unfortunately, not all the things is 100% on the character eating entrance. As of November 2022, Cinderella’s Royal Table is open however nonetheless doesn’t function princesses. Likewise, Bon Voyage and 1900 Park Fare stay closed. Not to damage the phantasm, however Walt Disney World is at the moment experiencing a pronounced ‘princess shortage.’
To that time, staffing stays the important thing obstacle to this throughout all Walt Disney World eating places, and that goes for each operational and closed areas. The firm introduced again the College Program and undertook a hiring blitz final yr, and that has helped. Nevertheless, staffing shortages persist for a number of key positions.
The result’s many areas unable to function at full capability, and should go away many tables unfilled. Breakfast isn’t being supplied at many eating places as a result of Disney can’t fill sufficient Cast Member shifts–including breakfast to the slate would require reducing hours at dinner. This reinforces the truth that simply because most eating places are reopened doesn’t imply they’re firing on all cylinders. Dining capability has improved, however remains to be fairly removed from 100%.
Unfortunately, Walt Disney World fell (barely) wanting having full operational normalcy by across the begin of the brand new fiscal yr final month. While big strides have been made, it’s wanting unlikely that issues will probably be again to regular till 2023.
Nevertheless, Walt Disney World continues on its hiring spree of job festivals, dubbed the Hiring Celebration. There are massive hiring occasions on the Casting Center on November 9, 16 & 30, with highlighted roles together with Culinary & Quick Service Foods. The firm is providing begin bonuses for choose roles, in addition to larger wages.
There’s one other constructive be aware on the staffing entrance: Cultural Representatives Have Returned to Walt Disney World. We’ve already noticed these Cast Members round EPCOT within the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Norway, Germany, and Italy. The worldwide applications are smaller than the College Program, however nonetheless assist restore capability at a mess of World Showcase eating places.
The greater influence is that it’ll release non-international Cast Members to maneuver to different roles, thereby enhancing restaurant capability elsewhere. This is notable, because the month-to-month hiring festivals and hiring bonuses mentioned beneath aren’t getting the job accomplished. CEO Bob Chapek has instantly addressed this downside, stating that Walt Disney World’s self-imposed capability constraints are as a result of inadequate restaurant capability to serve extra individuals.
Now for the dangerous information. Like clockwork, Advance Dining Reservation availability is as soon as once more restricted. After a couple of months of excellent availability–together with a variety of walk-up choices–the vacation season has far fewer choices even over a month prematurely. This is unsurprising, because it’s the identical factor that occurred final yr. Christmas is at all times a preferred time for ADRs, with vacationers and locals alike competing for restricted reservations. Our expectation is that this vacation season will really be worse than final yr.
There are a variety of distinctive wrinkles with reservations, and we addressed this comparatively just lately in What’s Up With ADR Availability? That defined the present dynamic, which has morphed over time and turn into a matter of staffing shortages and decreased capability in consequence (amongst different issues). Suffice to say, ADRs really will probably be powerful to attain for Christmastime.
What this implies is that the Disney Dining Plan nearly definitely won’t return in 2022. That a lot was most likely already apparent provided that it’s November, and it’s unlikely that Disney will merely announce that the Dining Plans are coming again, and have them accessible for buy and use tomorrow. Nevertheless, we all know a few of you had been holding out that hope.
The motive that is unlikely is due to excessive natural demand, and in addition as a result of Walt Disney World wouldn’t carry again the DDP when ADR availability is so restricted. It appears like eons in the past, however Disney had this situation from time to time throughout “Free Dining” when bookings had been so robust that the Disney Dining Plan successfully couldn’t be utilized, inflicting complaints and mitigation measures to rise. Same thought right here.
So, when might the Disney Dining Plan theoretically return in 2023? To borrow a line from Ernest Hemingway, change occurs “gradually, then suddenly.” His well-known quote about private funds additionally applies to company ones, in addition to provide and demand, financial outlooks, and even the return of the Disney Dining Plan. Thus far, progress to put the groundwork for its return has epitomized a gradual change.
However, that might change immediately. In explicit, the decision of staffing shortages leading to across-the-board will increase to restaurant capability might collide with a slowdown in shopper spending and pent-up demand working its course. When (not if) that occurs, the Disney Dining Plan’s expeditious return (a minimum of to the extent Disney does something “expeditiously”) gained’t be too far behind.
With all of that in thoughts, our prediction for the Disney Dining Plan’s earliest potential return is January 1, 2023.
This is the “clean break” situation that will imply bringing again the Disney Dining Plan for anybody who has already booked–or books–a 2023 trip package deal. If this had been to happen, we’d anticipate an announcement comparatively quickly given the lead time wanted to carry again the DDP. Probably an announcement no later than mid-December–ideally by round Thanksgiving, as that’s when households actually begin getting critical about planning subsequent yr’s holidays.
Frankly, I wouldn’t wager the farm on a January 1, 2023 return of the Disney Dining Plan. For one factor, the vacation season doesn’t actually finish on New Year’s Day–it wraps up as soon as winter break ends for colleges and the Walt Disney World Marathon is over. In actuality, January 9, 2023 is the precise begin of the winter low season, with that working till February 17, 2023. So if ready till demand slows down is a key consideration, that window is extra vital than January 1, 2023.
However, that window can also be comparatively brief earlier than Presidents’ Day, Mardi Gras, Spring Break, and Easter all spike crowds for an additional couple of months earlier than the pre-summer lull. It’s solely potential that it takes till then for pent-up demand to fizzle out, extra lacking meals to be restored, staffing shortages to be absolutely resolved, and fewer of a provide v. demand imbalance. The totality of these circumstances might pave the way in which for the Disney Dining Plan’s return and, proper now, it looks as if the beginning of 2023 or winter low season are believable occasions for that to occur…or that it might take till late April 2023.
That’s an enormous vary of predictions, however as is fairly clear by now, we do not need a crystal ball, and circumstances proceed to vary. Given how profitable the Dining Plan is for Walt Disney World in “normal times,” I by no means would’ve predicted it might be gone for this lengthy. But clearly these usually are not regular occasions. In any case, you may signal as much as our free e-mail publication and we’ll maintain you posted as quickly as Walt Disney World makes an announcement or there’s extra information concerning the DDP’s return in 2023.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Learn about inns on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To lower your expenses on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips publish takes a novel have a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, one of the best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for all the things you could know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
When do you anticipate the Disney Dining Plan to return? Do you agree or disagree that it might nonetheless be some time with ADRs filling up and per visitor spending skyrocketing? Think Walt Disney World will carry again the DDP on January 1, 2023? Or, do you assume Disney will probably be extra sluggish and conservative, ready till pent-up demand absolutely fizzles out and spending begins decelerating? Would the Disney Dining Plan’s reinstatement make you extra prone to e book a visit? Any questions we will help you reply? Hearing your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!