Curious about the worst age to get the Disney Dining Plan? This Disney mom found out on her last trip that once a child reaches a certain age, the dining plan becomes a waste of money.

I’ve always loved the Disney Dining Plan. Paying for my meals in advance gives me peace of mind, and I appreciate knowing how many quick-service and sit-down restaurants I need to plan for ahead of time. I enjoy booking my sit-down meals ahead of time, and I value the all-inclusiveness of prepaying for all my meals. I’ve read all the articles about how the dining plan might not be the most cost-effective option, but I still added it to my recent trip, as I always do. However, my loyalty to the Disney Dining Plan is starting to waver, and here’s why. 

Why Ten is the Worst Age for the Disney Dining Plan

My son is now 10 years old, which means he no longer qualifies for child ticket prices or the Disney Dining Plan price, available only to children under 9. As a fan of the dining plan and someone who appreciates the convenience of prepaid meals, I didn’t realize how significant this change would be until my family arrived at Disney World and had our first meal. My son only wanted to eat from the kids’ menu, even though I had prepaid for him to order from the main menu with the Disney Dining Plan, since he is now 10 years old.

Dinner at ‘Ohana. Photo by Marisa Avarado

Kids Menu vs. Main Menu 

Every child is unique, and their eating habits can vary widely. While some kids have no issue choosing meals from the adult menu—and may even prefer it—my son was not among them. He preferred the kids’ menu options; however, when I finally convinced him to choose a meal from the main menu, it turned out to be wasteful because the portion was too large for him to eat. His appetite is better suited for the kids’ menu (and he’s much happier choosing from the kids’ menu for now!), and the Disney Dining Plan doesn’t make much sense for him now that he’s 10.

Buffets for the Win 

The Disney Dining Plan proved especially advantageous for family-style restaurants and buffets, as the cost is a fixed price per person. It was much easier to enjoy the dining experience without constantly worrying about the individual costs of each meal, as I had done after our first table service meal. I decided to adjust our dining reservations to prioritize buffets, character dining, and family-style options. Being able to pivot and adapt my dining strategy helped me maximize value from the dining plan, particularly since I had discovered that the Disney Dining Plan wasn’t cost-effective for my family now. 

Tusker House Buffet. Photo by Jeff Chiu

I’ve decided to pause the Disney Dining Plan for now until it makes more sense for my family, especially since my child still has a smaller appetite. If your child has turned 10, make sure they will be happy eating from the main menus before considering adding the Dining Plan for your trip. If your kids are still under 9, enjoy the lower cost!