Disney Dining Plan returns January 2024 (plus park reservations ending for date-based tickets)

If you’ve been waiting for news about the Disney Dining Plan returning to Walt Disney World, then here you go!

Disney World announced on Monday, May 8 that two Disney Dining Plans are finally returning in January 2024.

And that’s not the only exciting news — park reservations will soon no longer be needed to enter any of the Disney World theme parks but only for date-based ticket holders.

There is a lot to break down, so let’s get to it!

The Disney Dining Plan returns for stays beginning January 9, 2024

Beginning May 31, you can add a dining plan to Walt Disney Travel Company packages that include a Disney Resort hotel stay with arrivals on or after January 9, 2024.

There will be two dining packages for guests to choose from:

Disney Quick Service Dining Plan

Everyone in your 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. Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during the stay.

Disney Dining Plan

Everyone in your travel party (ages 3 and up) will receive 1 Table Service meal per night, 1 Quick Service meal per night and 1 snack/nonalcoholic drink per night of their package stay, along with 1 Resort-refillable drink mug. Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during the stay.

Important: While some dining plan information is currently available on the Walt Disney World website and on the My Disney Experience app, complete details and participating locations will be shared beginning May 31, 2023.

Theme park reservation requirements are being removed for dated-based tickets

Starting with park visits on January 9, 2024, theme park reservations will no longer be required for date-based tickets (these are the standard ticket options offered at Disney World).

So, when getting your ticket, you will select a start date for January 9, 2024 or later, complete your purchase, and then you will be all set.

However, for other admission types, including non-dated tickets, theme park reservations may be required to help Disney “continue managing attendance and delivering a great experience for everyone.”

So, if you’re visiting now through January 8, 2024, here’s what you need to know about park reservations:

And, if you’re visiting on or after January 9, 2024, here’s what you need to know about park reservations:

“Good-to-go days” announced for Annual Passholders and Cast Members

Disney is introducing “good-to-go days” for Annual Passholders and Cast Members.

This means that starting sometime in 2024, Disney plans to offer select days on which Annual Passholders and Cast Members may visit Disney World theme parks without needing a park reservation. 

Once introduced, they will roll out these good-to-go days on an ongoing basis. This will be in addition to the recent update which offers Passholders the opportunity to visit the theme parks after 2 p.m. without needing a park reservation, except on Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom.

Per Disney, “Good-to-go days may vary by park, and pass block out dates and capacity limitations continue to apply like they do today.”

These “good-to-go days” for Annual Passholders in 2024 will replace the current “bonus” reservations offered to Passholders on select days.

Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours will continue

For those planning to stay at a Disney Resort hotel, Disney will continue to offer Early Theme Park Entry every day, across all four theme parks for visits through 2024.

For those staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts and Deluxe Villas, Disney will also continue to offer Extended Evening Theme Park Hours on select dates at select parks through 2024.

Disney hopes to “simplify” the Genie+ experience

While we don’t yet have further details about this, Disney has teased they are hoping to simplify the Genie+ experience in 2024 by introducing ways to plan with the Genie+ service and Individual Lightning Lane selections before the day of their park visit.

As stated by Disney, “Our goal is to give you the opportunity to spend less time planning in the park and more time enjoying your visit with friends and family.”

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Stay tuned for more information, especially come May 31 when we’re supposed to learn more details about the return of the Disney Dining Plan!

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Allyson Koerner

Allyson was able to take her lifelong love of Disney and her education (Bachelor’s Degree in English/minor in writing and a Master’s Degree in Print & Multimedia Journalism) and turn it into a career writing about all things Disney parks. Her writing can be seen in a few places, including her site, Magically Main Street. Email Allyson

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