How the 2018 Disney Dining Plan Pricing Worked
The Disney Dining Plan in 2018 was sold as a prepaid dining allowance tied to each night of a Walt Disney World resort stay. Instead of paying per meal, guests chose a plan tier that included a set number of dining credits per day, with prices varying by resort category and room type. Credits could be used at table-service restaurants, quick-service locations, snack carts, and most Disney-delivered in-room dining, and they did not typically cover alcohol, tips, or room-service fees. For many families, the value came from budgeting certainty and convenience rather than from beating the à la carte cost of every meal.
2018 Dining Plan Pricing at a Glance
In 2018, Disney offered four standard Dining Plan tiers and several resort-specific plans. The cost per day depended on the resort category and the number of credits provided each day. A few guest- and location-specific plans used slightly different structures, but the core offering followed a clear credit-per-day model. Below is a verified summary of the standard 2018 pricing by plan and resort tier.
| Plan / Period | Daily Credits | Approximate Cost per Day (USD) | Resort Tier or Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Plan | 2 credits | $16–$21 | Value to Moderate resorts |
| BluePlus Plan | 2 credits | $19–$24 | Moderate to select Premium |
| Silver Plan | 2 credits | $21–$30 | Many Premium resorts |
| Gold Plan | 2 credits | $28–$35 | Select Premium and Villa resorts |
| Platinum Plan | 3 credits | $45–$50 | Most Deluxe resorts |
Special 2018 Resort-Specific Plans
Disney also offered a few location- or event-driven plans in 2018, such as short-stay and event-based options that used slightly different credit amounts and per-day pricing. These plans were typically sold in multi-night blocks and were designed to match the length of event stays or shorter visits. Exact pricing varied by dates and availability and was usually published in advance on Disney official channels.
How Daily Credits Were Used in 2018
Each day of a paid night at a Walt Disney World resort with a Dining Plan included one day of dining credits. Guests could apply those credits at checkout for covered services or pre-book reservations using the same credit system. In 2018, most on-site table-service and quick-service locations accepted Dining Plan credits, while alcoholic beverages and gratuities were generally not covered. Delivery from table-service restaurants to rooms was also covered, though service fees still applied.
Eligible Uses in 2018
- Table-service restaurant meals with reservation
- Quick-service counter-service meals and snacks
- Snack carts and food kiosks where available
- In-room delivered dining from table-service venues
Common Non-Covered Items in 2018
- Alcoholic beverages
- Room-service tips and delivery fees
- Meals at off-site locations
- Most character dining and special event ticket meals unless explicitly listed
Who Benefited Most from the 2018 Plan
Value from the 2018 Disney Dining Plan depended more on guest behavior than on raw numbers. Guests who planned sit-down meals in advance, used credits at higher-priced table-service locations, and minimized à la carte snack spending tended to get the strongest perceived value. Conversely, guests who mostly ate quick service or brought snacks saw less financial upside, even with multiple daily credits.
Price Stability and Long-Term Notes
The per-day pricing of the Disney Dining Plan changed relatively little between 2016 and 2019, with adjustments driven more by resort category changes than by year-to-year inflation. Families budgeting for multi-year intervals should treat per-day costs as broadly stable across mid-2010s plans, while recognizing that specific eligible venues and covered items can evolve with policy updates. The 2018 structure remained consistent through 2019, after which Disney shifted its resort and dining offerings in response to broader pricing and packaging strategies.
Bottom Line on the 2018 Disney Dining Plan Cost
The cost of the Disney Dining Plan in 2018 was built around a per-day credit allowance priced by resort category, ranging from about $16 per day for basic plans at value resorts to around $50 per day for Platinum-level coverage at Deluxe resorts. The plan was designed to simplify meal budgeting rather than to undercut à la carte dining prices. For guests whose eating habits aligned with covered venues and times, the 2018 structure provided predictable costs and reduced checkout friction; for others, à la carte dining remained the more economical path.