How will inflation impact 2024 Disney Dining Plan prices?
UPDATE: Disney Dining Plan prices have been released. Details here.
Much to the delight of Disney fans, the Disney Dining Plan is returning to Walt Disney World in 2024 for the first time in four years. While many fans were thrilled with the announcement, there is one question remaining: How will inflation impact the Disney Dining Plan price?
Whether paying a grocery bill or a restaurant check, we have all seen how food prices have soared in the past few years as the economy reopened after the COVID-19 pandemic and immediately struggled with supply chain issues, and more. Since 2020, food prices in supermarkets and eateries have increased about 20%, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, which publishes the Consumer Price Index, the basis for the most commonly cited consumer inflation statistics.
The dining plan was discontinued after Walt Disney World was shut down in March 2020 because of the pandemic. It will return for stays starting Jan. 9, 2024, with reservations for the dining plan as part of hotel and ticket packages starting May 31, 2023. Prices for the plan should be announced shortly before the May 31 window opens, but we wanted to look at what the plan used to cost and what it may cost after 3 years of inflation.
When the dining plan returns in 2024, there will be two plans offered:
The Disney Quick Service Dining Plan offers dining options at a variety of quick-service locations. Everyone in the travel party (ages 3 and up) will receive 2 quick-service meals per night and 1 snack/nonalcoholic drink per night of their package stay — along with 1 resort-refillable drink mug.
The Disney Dining Plan offers dining options at both quick service and table-service restaurants, including character dining experiences. Everyone in the travel party (ages 3 and up) will receive 1 table-service meal, 1 quick-service meal and 1 snack/nonalcoholic drink per night of their package stay—along with 1 resort-refillable drink mug.
Prices are quoted per person, per night. The last time the dining plan was offered in 2020, prices were:
- Disney Quick Service plan: $55 for adults and $26 for children (3 to 9)
- Disney Dining Plan: $78.01 for adults and $30.51 for children (3 to 9)
In the past Disney’s annual increase has outpaced inflation, because inflation has been relatively quite low for years. However, the inflation rate over the past three years is higher than Disney’s annual increase. If the 2024 prices were to reflect real food inflation, the costs could be hard to swallow.
From 2017 to 2020, Disney prices for Quick Service increased 14.1% for adults and 24.52% for children, compared to a 9% inflation increase, according to the Consumer Price Index. The index provides inflation rates for limited-service meals and snacks, and for full-service meals and snacks, which roughly equate to Disney’s to Quick Service and Dining Plans.
The Disney increase from 2017 to 2020 for the Dining Plan was 12.4% for adults and 24.5% for children, while inflation was only 8.5%.
From 2020 to 2023, the inflation rate for limited-service meals is 23.6%, while the price of full-service meals has gone up 20%.
If Disney’s prices track the rate of inflation, the cost for Quick Service Adult would be $67 for adults and $32.13 for children, and the cost for Disney Dining Plan Adult would be $93.61 for adults and $36.61 for children.
That’s a hefty increase of $13-$15 for adults and $6 for children. Remember, that is per person, per night. That would be a significant increase in prices, even with large food cost increases.
Here’s a look at the cost of the Quick Service and Disney Dining plans since 2013.
| Year | Quick Service Adult | Quick Service Child (3-9) | Dining Plan Adult | Dining Plan Child (3-9) |
| 2013 | $37.58 | $14.32 | $56.94 | $18.16 |
| 2013 (June Update) | $39.64 | $15.75 | $58.68 | $18.88 |
| 2014 | $41.99 | $16.03 | $60.44 | $19.23 |
| 2015 | $41.99 | $16.03 | $60.44 | $19.23 |
| 2016 | $42.84 | $17.47 | $61.84 | $20.96 |
| 2016 (March Update) | $44.13 | $19.04 | $63.70 | $22.85 |
| 2017 | $48.19 | $20.88 | $69.35 | $24.95 |
| 2018 | $52.49 | $21.74 | $75.49 | $25.75 |
| 2019 | $52.49 | $23.78 | $75.49 | $27.98 |
| 2020 | $55 | $26 | $78.01 | $30.51 |
