Disney Just Reversed Course on Starbucks—And Coffee Lovers Are Celebrating
If you’ve been following the 2026 Disney Dining Plan saga, you know it’s been a rollercoaster. After more than 35 popular restaurants mysteriously vanished from the plan in late December, guests planning 2026 vacations were left scrambling. Now, we have excellent news for caffeine enthusiasts and families who love themed dining experiences.
According to WDW News Today, Disney has officially confirmed that Starbucks locations inside the theme parks are back on the 2026 Disney Dining Plan, along with all Landry’s-owned restaurants including Rainforest Cafe, T-REX, and Yak & Yeti.
What Changed and When
The announcement came on January 4-5, 2026, resolving weeks of uncertainty for guests who had already booked their Disney vacations with the Dining Plan. Here’s what we know:
Starbucks Locations: In-park Starbucks cafés now accept Disney Dining Plan snack credits for beverages and pastries. This is crucial for families who rely on that morning coffee fix before tackling the parks. However, it’s important to note that Disney Springs Starbucks locations still do not accept the Dining Plan—this remains unchanged from previous years.
Landry’s Restaurants Return: All Landry’s-owned locations are back on the plan:
- Yak & Yeti Restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Rainforest Cafe at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Rainforest Cafe at Disney Springs
- T-REX at Disney Springs
Each Landry’s location uses one table-service credit per person for lunch or dinner, making them valuable options for families who want immersive themed dining experiences.
Why Did This Happen?
The sudden disappearance of these restaurants wasn’t a mistake or glitch in Disney’s system. It was the annual contract negotiation shuffle between Disney and third-party restaurant operators. When Disney released early details for the 2026 Disney Dining Plans, guests quickly spotted gaps—several well-known locations were missing from official lists.
Disney has now restored the vast majority of these missing venues to the 2026 Dining Plan roster. The restaurants were apparently missing while Disney worked behind the scenes to finalize agreements with the third-party operators who run many of these establishments.
What This Means for Your 2026 Vacation
If you’ve already booked a 2026 Disney World vacation with the Dining Plan, this is excellent news. You now have significantly more options for both quick caffeine fixes and full dining experiences:
Morning Coffee Strategy: Start your park days with a Starbucks visit using a snack credit. This is particularly valuable at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, where having that morning boost can make or break your rope drop strategy.
Themed Dining Experiences: The return of Rainforest Cafe, T-REX, and Yak & Yeti means families with young children have more immersive dining options that provide entertainment value beyond just the food. These restaurants are particularly popular with kids who love the animatronics, aquariums, and themed environments.
Budget Planning: With these restaurants back on the plan, you can better calculate the value of purchasing the Disney Dining Plan versus paying out of pocket. The return of higher-priced table-service options like Yak & Yeti can increase the overall value proposition of the plan.
Other Notable Dining Plan Changes for 2026
While Starbucks and Landry’s locations returning is significant news, it’s worth noting what else has changed:
Still Missing: Space 220 at EPCOT remains off the Disney Dining Plan, which isn’t entirely surprising given its high prix fixe pricing and history of late contract signings. Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ is also still missing from the plan.
Meal Period Restrictions: Some restaurants now only accept Dining Plan credits during specific meal periods. For example, Via Napoli is currently dinner only, while Tutto Italia is lunch only. The Edison only accepts credits at dinner. This is a new wrinkle for 2026 that guests need to watch closely when making reservations.
Kids Eat Free: Don’t forget that the biggest change for 2026 is that kids (ages 3-9) eat FREE all year when adults in the party purchase a Disney Dining Plan. This perk is stackable with other discounts and represents substantial savings for families.
What to Do Next
If you’re planning a 2026 Disney World vacation with the Dining Plan, now is the time to start making those advance dining reservations. With Starbucks and these popular themed restaurants back on the plan, availability may tighten up as more guests realize they can use their credits at these locations.
Pro Tips:
- Remember that in-park Starbucks accept snack credits, but Disney Springs locations do not
- Check meal period restrictions before booking—not all restaurants accept the plan for all meals
- Book Landry’s restaurants early, especially Rainforest Cafe and T-REX, as these are popular with families
- Consider the kids eat free benefit when calculating your dining budget
The Bottom Line
Disney’s reversal on Starbucks and the return of Landry’s restaurants to the 2026 Dining Plan is a win for guests. After weeks of uncertainty and contract negotiations, these popular locations are back where they belong—available to guests who want to maximize the value of their dining plan.
While some restaurants like Space 220 remain off the plan, and new meal period restrictions add complexity, the overall trajectory is positive. More restaurants are participating, kids eat free, and your morning coffee is covered. That’s what we call a proper Disney vacation.
For the most current list of participating restaurants and any additional changes, always check Disney’s official website or consult with a Disney vacation planner before finalizing your reservations.