Dining Plan Changes

2011 Disney Dining Plan Changes

It’s a new year, and we wanted to walk you through the ins and outs of what’s changed and what’s stayed the same when it comes to the Disney’s Dining Plan (DDP) in 2011! Fans and critics of the DDP will notice only a few changes this year:

Standard Disney Dining Plan

    * The standard DDP was $41.99 per adult per night and has been bumped to $45.99 for the value and regular seasons. The rates for kids ages 3-9 remained the same at $11.99 per night.
    * Peak season 2011 rates will apply February 17-26, March 11-April 30, June 3-August 13 and December 21-31. Adult rates rose from $46.99 per night to $47.99. The nightly rate for children age 3-9 remained the same at $12.99 per night.
    * For Quick-Service, Table-Service and Private In-room meals, the option to order juice at breakfast in addition to a non-alcoholic beverage was deleted. Perhaps guests were enjoying coffee and juice at the same meal, thus depleting Florida’s oranges. ;)
    * It is now noted that the appetizer option for Private In-Room Dining is for lunch and dinner only. Pizza delivery meals now state that the two non-alcoholic beverages that are included must be single-serving. Will this cut down on private parties?!
    * Restaurant Changes:
          o Maji Pool Bar (quick-service, lunch and dinner, Animal Kingdom Lodge)
          o Backstretch Pool Bar (quick-service, lunch and dinner, Saratoga Springs)
          o On the Rocks (quick service, lunch and dinner, Saratoga Springs)
          o La Hacienda de San Angel (table-service, dinner, Epcot)
          o Via Napoli Ristorante & Pizzeria (table-service, lunch and dinner, Epcot)
          o Restaurants removed were Laguna Bar (Coronado Springs), Sand Trap Bar & Grill (Osprey Ridge Golf Course) and Leaping Horse Libations (Boardwalk). Since the pool bars are still on other dining plans, I’ll research this discrepancy further.
    * The most noticeable change which goes into effect on March 1, 2011 involves the popular Le Cellier Restaurant in Canada at Epcot’s World Showcase. Le Cellier Steakhouse will become a Signature Restaurant for dinner, requiring two table-service credits per person.

Deluxe Dining Plan

Disney’s Deluxe Dining plan identifies the same beverage and restaurant changes as noted above, except Leaping Horse Libations and Laguna Pool Bar are still included in the restaurant list. Further investigation into this discrepancy is on-going and I’ll report back soon.

The rate for value, regular and peak season is $78.99 per night for adults and $21.99 for ages 3-9. Last year, the cost was $71.99 for guests over age 9 and $20.99 for kids 3-9.
Quick Service Dining Plan

Disney’s Quick Service Dining Plan is now $34.99 per night for guests 10 and over while ages 3-9 are $11.99. The adult/junior rate is up $3 from 2010 and the child rate is up by $1.

As above, breakfast no longer includes juice in addition to the non-alcoholic beverages. New restaurants added are Maji Pool Bar (Animal Kingdom Lodge), Leaping Horse Libations (Boardwalk), Backstretch Pool Bar and On the Rocks (both at Saratoga). No longer on the list is the Laguna Bar at Coronado Springs. Again, this could be a typo.
Premium Dining Plan

Disney’s Premium Dining Plan is now $169 per day for guests 10+, and $119 per day for ages 3-9. 2010 rates were $164 and $114 respectively.

Restaurant changes are as noted above. In addition, juice has been excluded.

Under recreational opportunities:

    * the Water Sports section has included some helpful information including that parasailing is for guests 6 and over.
    * The tennis rental info now includes ball machine information.
    * The PhotoPass portrait information has been excluded as this service is no longer being offered by the PhotoPass team at WDW.
    * The minimum age for a child to enter the Children’s Activity Center was changed from 4 to 3.
    * The Mickey’s Magical Milestone Tour has been excluded and substituted with Inspiration: Through Walt’s Eyes.

Platinum Dining Plan

Disney’s Platinum Dining Plan has guests 10 and over at $229 per day and $160 per day for ages 3-9. Besides the price increase (previously the plan cost $220 for adults and $155 for kids), all of the changes mentioned in the above entries also apply. In addition, spa treatments are now for ages 12 and over. The minimum age was 10 in 2010.
Wine and Dine Plan

The Wine and Dine Plan remains at $39.99 per reservation per night (not per person). In addition to the new Epcot restaurants — Via Napoli and La Hacienda de San Angel — the Big River Grille & Brewing Works was added to the list of participating restaurants.

Some wine substitutions have been made:

    * In: Atalon Merlot, Napa Valley; Out: Charles Krug Merlot, Napa
    * In: Ridge Lytton Spring Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley; Out: Seghesio Zinfandel
    * In: Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon; Out: Louis Martini Cabernet
    * In: Sequoia Grove Cabernet Sauvignon; Out: Moon Mtn. Reserve Cabernet

DVC Member Information

Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members can select from any of the DDPs. They pay the same price, however they are not subject to the peak pricing rates and pay the regular rate all year.

Members must book the DDP at least 48 hours in advance of their visit. As soon as they book the DDP, payment is due immediately (as a result, some DVC members are waiting to add it closer to their vacations.) Disney Vacation Club members can book the DDP through DVC Member Services.