We often get asked if a Disneyland Paris dining plan is worth it, but it really depends. This guide provides an overview of meal plan costs, the types of meal plans available, and when they are worth it and when they are not worth it.
So, to know whether your dining plan at Disneyland Paris is worth it or not, you need to know a few things.
First, let’s take a look at the meal plans available and their costs.
What are the Disneyland Paris dining plans and costs?
First, let's look at the Disneyland Paris meal plan options: You can choose to include one, two, or three meals per day.
The one meal option is breakfast. This option includes a full breakfast buffet and beverages served at the hotel or Annette's in Disney Village. If you stay at Davy Crockett Ranch, a breakfast basket is provided in your forest chalet.
However, if you want full board or half board, you can choose your desired level from:
- Standard Options – (Full Board or Half Board);
- Plus Option – (Full Board or Half Board),
- Premium – (full or half board), but only available to Disneyland Hotel guests.
memo: There was also an Extra Plus option, but it is not currently available (February 2024) so it is not included in this guide. Once this is restored we will update the guide with information about it.
Disneyland Paris Standard Option
Disneyland Paris' standard optional dining plans are available in full-board and half-board options and include:
- Table service menu with exclusive meal plan menu
- buffet
- quick service restaurant
The costs are as follows:
- Children (3-11 years) from £26.26
- Adults from £45.42 for half board option.
For full board, lunch or dinner is also provided on the last day.
All prices in this guide are for reference only and may change depending on your arrival date.
plus option
Disneyland Paris' Plus Option Dining Plan is available in full-board and half-board options and includes:
- Table service menu with exclusive meal plan menu
- buffet
- quick service restaurant
The costs are as follows:
- Children (3-11 years) from £36.34
- Adults from £54.51 for half board option.
For full board, lunch or dinner is also provided on the last day.
premium
Premium is the newest dining plan option and is only available to guests staying at the Disneyland Paris Hotel, the most expensive hotel on site.
This dining plan includes table service, buffet and quick service restaurants, as well as character dining restaurants such as Auberge, Plaza Gardens, La Table de Lumiere and Royal Banquet.
Costs start as follows:
- Children (3-11 years) from £64.81
- Half board options start from £115.73 for adults.
What are the benefits of meal planning?
So why would you want to have a meal plan? Personally, I think the best reason to meal plan has to do with budgeting and knowing how much money you want to spend.
Even if you're at Disneyland Paris on a budget, we don't recommend the meal plan as there are cheaper ways to eat and supermarkets nearby. However, there is comfort in knowing that you have paid for your food in advance and know exactly how much it will cost.
When is a Disneyland Paris dining plan worth it?
So when is a Disneyland Paris dining plan worth it? Personally, I think meal planning is only worthwhile if it encourages you to answer the following questions:
Planning on having a sit-down breakfast?
Personally, I don't sit down and eat breakfast while I'm at Disneyland. That's because I love taking advantage of Early Magic Hours at the parks. This is one hour before regular park openings, allowing on-site guests to enter the park and significantly shorter queues for rides.
So I usually eat breakfast on the go. For this reason it's not worth it to me.
However, if you plan on having a proper breakfast, it may be worth it.
Are you planning a table service meal?
For your dining plan to be worth it, you need to have a table service restaurant on your itinerary. Quick service restaurants have meal plans for less than 20 euros per person. So if you want a quick service restaurant for your main meal, it's probably not worth it.
Have a picky eater with you?
Are you traveling with a toddler who is part of the beige brigade? Or maybe you have a picky family member at your party? If so, I think it would be a good idea to take a closer look at the table service and buffet restaurant menus before making your decision.
Quick service restaurants have a variety of options for picky eaters, including Mickey pizza, burgers, fries, and more, but not all table service restaurants and buffets are suitable.
For example, the Agrabah Buffet is great, but has more Middle Eastern and North African flavors that picky eaters may not enjoy. And table service restaurants offer more upscale menu options for kids. For example:
- At Walt's, kids get chicken and mashed potatoes, mac and cheese or arctic char.
- The children's menu at Remy's includes chicken and potatoes, ratatouille, pasta or cod.
- The kids' menu at Captain Jack's includes coconut chicken, mahi mahi or pasta.
So, if you're worried about having a picky eater, make sure your table service and buffet have options for this.
Could you please make a reservation in advance?
One of the things that surprises many first-time visitors to Disneyland Paris is that many of the restaurants are fully booked months in advance. So you need to be organized to make sure you can make reservations at a time that suits your family, so you don't miss out on events like parades or shows.
However, I personally prefer to go with the flow while at the park and don't like having my schedule revolve around restaurant reservations.
So if you want to plan a meal, you have to be willing to make reservations and time commitments months in advance and make a day out of it to work this out.
Is the Disneyland Paris Dining Plan Worth It?
So I no longer purchase the Disneyland Paris dining plan when I'm at the park. Here's why:
- We only eat breakfast on the go.
- There's more than one picky eater in our party
- Because we prioritize rides and character meet and greets, we don't like to be tied down by time and don't like to sit and eat for long periods of time.
- We love character dining, which is not included in the meal plan for those not staying at the Disneyland Hotel when it comes to sit-down dining.
However, if you plan to:
- eat breakfast every day,
- I like that I can make a reservation and sit down to eat every day.
- You can make a reservation in advance,
- There's no one like you who's a picky eater.
If so, a meal plan may be worth it to you.
Do you have any frequently asked questions (FAQs) about meal planning?
Now you know what questions to ask before deciding whether or not to purchase a meal plan.
Can children under 3 years old make meal plans?
Children under 3 years of age do not require or receive a meal. Instead, your 3-year-old is expected to eat off your plate.
Can I get a meal plan if I stay off-site?
no. Unfortunately, the meal plan is only available to Disney hotel guests.
Are Disney Village restaurants included?
There aren't many Disney Village restaurants included in the dining plan. Restaurants in town included include:
- Annette and
- New York style sandwich.
However, if you want to eat at:
- rainforest cafe,
- Rosalie,
- McDonald's,
- five Guys,
- Vapianos and
- earl of sandwich
Not included in meal plan.
What happens if the meal costs less than the meal plan?
If you have a meal plan but your cost for the day is less than the prepaid meal plan, unfortunately you will not be able to receive a refund.
What happens if my meal costs more than my meal plan or I want to add character dining?
If your cost for the day is more than allowed in your meal plan or you wish to add a Character Dining meal to your itinerary, you will be responsible for paying the difference between the meal plan cost and the excess fee.
I hope this helps you decide whether or not to choose a dining plan at Disneyland Paris. If you have any additional questions, please leave them in the comments below and I will do my best to answer them. If you've ever been to Disneyland Paris, I'd love to hear your experience about the meal plan and whether or not it was worth it for you.