Can You Add Disney Dining Plan After Booking? Everything You Need to Know

You’ve booked your Disney World vacation, excitement is building, and then it hits you—should you have added the Disney Dining Plan? Maybe you’ve been researching the benefits, crunching the numbers, or hearing rave reviews from friends. The good news is that you’re not locked into your original decision. But can you add Disney Dining Plan after booking your trip?

Yes, you can add the Disney Dining Plan to your existing reservation—but there are specific deadlines, requirements, and procedures you need to follow. This comprehensive guide walks you through everything you need to know about adding a dining plan after you’ve already booked, including critical deadlines, eligibility requirements, and step-by-step instructions. If you’re still deciding whether the plan makes financial sense, check out our guide on Is the Disney Dining Plan Worth It?

Quick Answer: Can You Add Disney Dining Plan After Booking?

Absolutely, yes. Disney allows guests to modify their existing reservations to add the Disney Dining Plan, provided you meet certain criteria and act before the deadline. However, there are important restrictions and timing considerations that determine whether you’ll be able to add it successfully.

The key factors that determine your ability to add the dining plan include:

When you’re trying to add it (deadline requirements)
What type of reservation you currently have
Whether your entire party qualifies
If you’re booking through Disney directly or through a DVC rental

Let’s break down exactly what you need to know.

Critical Deadlines for Adding the Disney Dining Plan

Standard Disney Resort Packages

You must add the Disney Dining Plan at least 3 days (72 hours) before your arrival date. This is Disney’s official policy for modifying vacation packages to include dining plans.

While some guests report being able to add it closer to their arrival date by calling Disney directly, the 3-day deadline is the guaranteed cutoff. To avoid disappointment, we strongly recommend adding the dining plan well in advance of this deadline—ideally at least a week or two before your trip.

DVC (Disney Vacation Club) Rentals

If you’re staying through a DVC rental arrangement, the timeline is significantly different and more restrictive:

Dining plans must be added at least 30 days before your check-in date. This extended deadline exists because DVC rentals require coordination between you, the rental company, and the DVC member who owns the points.

The 30-day requirement gives everyone involved adequate time to process the addition and ensure it’s properly added to your reservation.

What Type of Reservation Qualifies?

Not all Disney World reservations are eligible for the Disney Dining Plan. Understanding what you need is crucial before attempting to add it.

Vacation Package Required

The Disney Dining Plan can only be added to a Disney Resort Hotel Package. This means your reservation must include both:

A stay at a qualifying Disney-owned resort hotel
Valid theme park tickets

Room-Only Reservations

If you currently have a room-only reservation (just the hotel, no tickets), you’ll need to convert it to a vacation package before adding the dining plan. For more details on this process, see our complete guide on How to Add Disney Dining Plan to Existing Reservation.

How to convert a room-only reservation to a package:

Call Disney reservations at (407) 939-7675
Request to convert your room-only reservation to a vacation package
Add theme park tickets to your reservation
Once converted, add the Disney Dining Plan

This conversion process can sometimes affect pricing, so ask the Cast Member to verify the total cost before confirming the change. In some cases, converting to a package might even save you money, especially during promotional periods.

Eligible Resort Hotels

The Disney Dining Plan is available exclusively to guests staying at Disney-owned and operated resort hotels, including:

Deluxe Resorts (Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Animal Kingdom Lodge, etc.)
Moderate Resorts (Caribbean Beach, Port Orleans, Coronado Springs)
Value Resorts (Pop Century, All-Star Movies, Art of Animation)
Disney Vacation Club Resorts (when booked with points or as a standard room)

NOT eligible:

Swan and Dolphin Hotels (not Disney-owned)
Shades of Green
Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels
Off-property hotels

All-or-Nothing Requirement

Here’s one of the most important rules many guests overlook: If you add the Disney Dining Plan, it must be added for every guest in your party ages 3 and older, for the entire length of your stay.

This means:

You cannot add it for just some members of your party
You cannot add it for only certain nights of your trip
Everyone ages 3+ must be on the same plan type
Children under 3 are not eligible and cannot be added

For example, if you have two adults and two children (ages 5 and 7) staying for 5 nights, you cannot add the dining plan for just the adults or for only 3 of the 5 nights. It must be for all four eligible guests for all five nights.

Step-by-Step: How to Add the Disney Dining Plan to Your Existing Reservation

Method 1: Online Through My Disney Experience (Recommended)

Step 1: Log into My Disney Experience

Visit the Walt Disney World website or open the My Disney Experience app
Sign in with your Disney account credentials

Step 2: Navigate to Your Reservation

Click on “My Plans” or “My Reservations”
Locate the reservation you want to modify

Step 3: Modify Your Reservation

Select “Change Reservation” or “Modify Reservation”
Look for the option to add the Disney Dining Plan
If available, you’ll see both plan options (Quick Service and Standard) with pricing

Step 4: Select Your Dining Plan

Choose between the Quick Service Dining Plan or the Standard Dining Plan (learn more about What Does Disney Dining Plan Include)
Review the total cost for your entire party
Confirm the modification

Step 5: Complete Payment

The additional cost will be added to your reservation total
Complete payment for the dining plan addition
You’ll receive a confirmation email with your updated reservation details

Important Note: The online modification option isn’t always available, particularly if you’re close to the deadline or have a complex reservation. If you don’t see the option to add the dining plan online, proceed to Method 2.

Method 2: Call Disney Reservations

When to use this method:

You’re within 7 days of your arrival (closer to the 3-day deadline)
You have a room-only reservation that needs to be converted
The online option isn’t working or showing
You have questions about your specific situation

Step 1: Call Disney Reservations

Phone: (407) 939-7675
Hours: 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM EST daily

Step 2: Prepare Your Information Have ready:

Your resort reservation confirmation number
Your My Disney Experience account email
Credit card for payment
Number of guests and their ages
Arrival and departure dates

Step 3: Speak with a Cast Member

Clearly state that you want to add the Disney Dining Plan to your existing reservation
The Cast Member will verify your eligibility
They’ll quote you the total cost for adding the plan
Ask any questions you have about what’s included

Step 4: Complete the Addition

The Cast Member will add the dining plan to your reservation
Provide payment information
Receive confirmation number for the modification
Ask for an email confirmation to be sent

Pro Tip: Call early in the morning (right at 7 AM EST) for shorter wait times. Avoid calling on weekends or during peak vacation planning seasons (post-Thanksgiving through early January) when wait times can exceed an hour.

Method 3: Work with Your Travel Agent

If you booked through an authorized Disney vacation planner or travel agent, contact them directly to add the dining plan. They can handle the modification on your behalf and often have direct lines to Disney that avoid long phone wait times.

2025 Disney Dining Plan Pricing

When adding the dining plan to your reservation, here’s what you’ll pay per person, per night:

Disney Quick Service Dining Plan

Adults (ages 10+): $59.14 per night
Children (ages 3-9): $24.71 per night

Includes per night:

2 Quick-Service meals
1 Snack or non-alcoholic beverage (see What Counts as a Snack on Disney Dining Plan)
1 Resort refillable mug (for length of stay, details in Disney Dining Plan Refillable Mug)

Disney Standard Dining Plan

Adults (ages 10+): $97.79 per night
Children (ages 3-9): $30.56 per night

Includes per night:

1 Table-Service meal
1 Quick-Service meal
1 Snack or non-alcoholic beverage
1 Resort refillable mug (for length of stay)

Example Cost Calculation: Family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children ages 5 and 8) staying 5 nights on the Standard Dining Plan:

Adults: $97.79 × 2 × 5 = $977.90
Children: $30.56 × 2 × 5 = $305.60
Total: $1,283.50

Why You Might Want to Add the Dining Plan After Booking

Many guests initially skip the dining plan during booking, only to reconsider later. Here are the most common reasons people choose to add it after the fact:

Budget Certainty

Paying for the dining plan upfront means no surprises when restaurant bills arrive. You’ll know exactly what you’re spending on food before you even leave home, making it easier to budget the rest of your vacation spending.

Convenience Factor

Using the dining plan means no need to constantly check prices, calculate tips, or carry credit cards to every meal. Simply scan your MagicBand or room key, enjoy your meal, and move on with your day.

Character Dining Value

Character dining experiences are expensive when paying out of pocket—often $40-65+ per adult. These meals represent excellent value on the dining plan, where they “cost” just one table-service credit. Explore options like Disney Dining with Characters and Disney Dining with Princesses to maximize your plan’s value.

Trying New Restaurants

The dining plan encourages you to try restaurants you might skip due to cost. Since you’ve already paid, there’s no hesitation about booking that signature dining experience you’ve been curious about. Check out Best Restaurants Disney Dining Plan for recommendations.

”Free Dessert” Psychology

The Standard Dining Plan includes dessert with table-service meals. Many families skip dessert when paying out of pocket to save money, but with the dining plan, it’s already included—adding perceived value to each meal.

Important Restrictions and Fine Print

Before you add the Disney Dining Plan to your reservation, be aware of these important restrictions:

Payment Requirements

Once added, the full cost of the dining plan must be paid according to Disney’s payment schedule for vacation packages:

If arrival is 30+ days away: $200 deposit, full balance due 30 days before arrival
If arrival is within 30 days: Full payment required immediately

Cannot Be Partially Refunded

If you need to cancel part of your trip (shorten your stay), the dining plan cannot be partially refunded. It’s all or nothing—cancel the entire trip or keep the entire dining plan.

Credit Expiration

All dining plan credits expire at midnight on your check-out day. Any unused credits are forfeited, so plan carefully to use all your meals and snacks.

Not All Restaurants Participate

While most Disney-owned restaurants accept the dining plan, some notable exceptions exist:

Space 220 at EPCOT (see Space 220 Disney Dining Plan for current status)
Some Disney Springs restaurants (varies by location)
In-room dining (room service)

Gratuity Not Included

The dining plan covers your meals, but gratuity for table-service dining is NOT included. Disney will add an automatic 18% gratuity to your bill, which must be paid separately.

DVC Rental Specific Information

If you’re renting Disney Vacation Club points, adding the dining plan works differently than standard Disney resort reservations.

30-Day Deadline

As mentioned earlier, DVC rentals require 30 days’ notice to add dining plans. This is non-negotiable due to the additional coordination required.

Work Through Your Rental Company

Contact your DVC rental company (DVC Rental Store, David’s Vacation Club Rentals, etc.) directly. They’ll coordinate with the DVC member to add the plan to your reservation.

Additional Processing Time

Adding a dining plan to a DVC rental may take several days to process and confirm. Don’t wait until the last minute.

Cost Structure May Differ

Some DVC rental companies charge a small administrative fee for adding dining plans after booking. Confirm any additional fees before proceeding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I upgrade from Quick Service to Standard Dining Plan after booking?

Yes, you can upgrade between plan types using the same methods described above, as long as you’re within the deadline window.

What if I’m past the 3-day deadline?

While Disney’s official policy is 3 days before arrival, call anyway. Cast Members occasionally make exceptions, especially if you’re just past the deadline by a day or two. Be polite, explain your situation, and ask if they can help.

Can I add the dining plan at check-in?

Generally no. The 3-day deadline is firm for most situations. Don’t count on being able to add it when you arrive at your resort.

Will adding the dining plan affect my existing dining reservations?

No. Any dining reservations (ADRs) you’ve already made will remain unchanged. You’ll simply use dining plan credits instead of paying out of pocket when you dine. Learn more about How to Make Disney Dining Reservations.

Can I remove the dining plan after adding it?

Yes, you can remove the dining plan from your reservation before the final payment deadline without penalty. After final payment, cancellation policies apply, and you may face cancellation fees. See How to Cancel Disney Dining Reservation for more details.

Does adding the dining plan lock in my hotel rate?

No. Adding or removing the dining plan does not affect your hotel room rate or ticket prices. It’s an add-on component of your package.

Is Adding the Dining Plan Worth It?

Whether adding the dining plan makes financial sense depends on your dining style and preferences. Here’s a quick assessment:

The dining plan is typically worth it if you:

Plan to eat at table-service restaurants most days
Enjoy character dining experiences
Prefer all-inclusive style vacations
Want to try signature dining locations
Value convenience over potential savings
Have moderate-to-hearty eaters in your party

You might save money paying out of pocket if you:

Prefer quick, grab-and-go meals
Have light eaters or picky kids
Plan to eat breakfast in your room
Leave the parks mid-day for breaks
Visit during less crowded times when you can order lighter meals
Use mobile ordering to customize less expensive options

Pro Tip: Calculate your probable dining costs by looking up menu prices at restaurants you plan to visit, then compare that total to the dining plan cost for your party. This gives you a realistic picture of whether you’ll save money.

Making Your Decision

Adding the Disney Dining Plan after booking is absolutely possible and surprisingly straightforward when you understand the requirements and deadlines. Whether it makes sense for your vacation depends on your dining preferences, budget priorities, and how you value convenience versus cost savings.

If you’re within the deadline window and meet the eligibility requirements, you can add the dining plan using your My Disney Experience account or by calling Disney reservations. For DVC rentals, contact your rental company with at least 30 days’ notice.

The most important thing is to make your decision before the 3-day deadline (or 30 days for DVC rentals) so you don’t miss your opportunity to add this popular prepaid meal option to your magical Disney World vacation.

Ready to secure your dining reservations? Whether you add the dining plan or not, remember that popular restaurants book up quickly—start making your Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs) at the 60-day mark to ensure you get the restaurants and times you want!