Can You Add a Dining Plan to a DVC Rental?

Posted:  Dining DVC Rentals Tips

It’s a VERY frequently asked question: “Can I add a dining plan if I book through you?”

The short answer is: YES!

Mickey Mouse is seen in a chef’s hat atop the sign for Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The restaurant’s seating area and resort’s tall glass windows are visible in the background.

Now, there are a couple of caveats to that answer. Firstly, you must be staying at a resort at Walt Disney World (other destinations such as Aulani and Disneyland don’t offer dining plans). Secondly, DVC doesn’t offer packages that include dining and tickets, as Disney’s Central Reservations does for “cash” bookings, so we’ll need to assist you in purchasing a dining plan separately after your resort reservation is confirmed. Of course, we’re happy to help and can do so up to 30 days ahead of your check-in date!

Standard and allergy friendly dinner menus are seen on a dark wood table at ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows.

As you may know, when renting DVC points, the DVC owner who booked your reservation is the only one who can make updates to the booking before your stay. This includes the purchase of dining plans, and as we handle all communications with the DVC owners we work with, our team will facilitate that addition for you! If you want to purchase a dining plan, just give our in-office team a call with your payment information!

Cast Members await guests at the entry way into 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Above the blue doors is a pink and gold sign displaying the restaurant’s name.

The buffet at 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Various foods served in white dishes as well as carving stations can be seen on the green and white counters.

Disney Vacation Club requires dining plans to be paid in full at the time they are added to your reservation, so once you call us with your payment information, we’ll then provide the payment details to the DVC owner who booked your stay. This is all done securely by phone, and we’ll never ask you to provide your payment information via email or Live Chat.

A hand holds up a cut of pineapple Dole Whip in the lobby of Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows. A tiki statue and landscaping can be seen in the background.

While we have never had a DVC owner misuse payment information (they’re bound to a contract to prevent any sticky situations!), we know it can still be intimidating to share your credit card details. If you’d prefer to pay another way, not to worry! DVC allows guests to pay for dining plans using either a major credit card OR up to 6 U.S. dollar Disney Gift Cards. They don’t allow you to mix payment methods, so you can’t combine the two options, but you can choose whichever works best for you!

Once we have provided your payment information to the DVC owner who booked you, they can contact Member Services to have your dining plan added! We’ll let you know via email once it’s all been taken care of and provide visual confirmation that the plan has been added to your booking successfully.

A breakfast menu and place setting with gold accents are seen on the table top at the Cake Bake Shop Restaurant by Gwendolyn Rogers at Disney’s BoardWalk Villas.

One thing to note is that, because DVC uses a different system, you won’t be able to see the dining plan added to your booking in your My Disney Experience account until after you check in at the resort for your stay. You’ll also still need to provide a credit card in your My Disney Experience account when you make Advance Dining Reservations in case of “no show” fees as per Disney’s policies, just as you normally would. Some eateries (e.g. Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue) may also still require payment in full in advance even if you have a dining plan. When you arrive at the restaurant for your meal, however, just let the Cast Member know you’re on the dining plan, and they’ll use the appropriate dining plan credits as your form of payment instead!

A hand holds a brown card reading “Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue” along with details about the dinner show while the restaurant’s interior can be seen in the background.

Performers act and sing on stage as guests enjoy their dinner during the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue at Pioneer Hall at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort.

Typically, “free dining” promotions aren’t offered to DVC guests; however, in 2026, for the first time ever, DVC reservations are eligible for the special Free Dining Plan for Kids promo! Kids ages 3-9 get the dining plan for free for stays in 2026 when it is purchased for all those age 10 or older on the booking! (As a reminder, Disney requires the plan to be purchased for your full length of stay and for all guests on the reservation, apart from those under age 3!)

The entry doorway into Olivia’s Café at Disney’s Old Key West Resort. The exterior is painted in tones of turquoise and white, with dark green palm leaves, and the word “Olivia’s” in a golden yellow.

If you’ve got more questions about Disney’s dining plans, be sure to get in touch with our team! We can accept dining plan payment information calls at 800-610-5791 from Monday through Friday, 9am to 5:30pm ET. Our team is otherwise available 7 days a week (with Live Chat and email, too!), and we’re always happy to help in any way we can!

The entry doorway into Olivia’s Café at Disney’s Old Key West Resort. The exterior is painted in tones of turquoise and white, with dark green palm leaves, and the word “Olivia’s” in a golden yellow. Mickey Mouse poses for a photo in his European painter-inspired outfit during breakfast at Topolino’s Terrace at Disney’s Riviera Resort.

Bon Appétit, Friends!

~Stacy

 

About Stacy Revell
Cruise Specialist & Social Media Specialist, David’s Vacation Club Rentals

Stacy has been part of the David’s Vacation Club Rentals team since 2016 and brings years of experience helping guests plan Disney vacations and cruises. An avid traveler and longtime Disney fan, she has a particular passion for Disney Cruise Line and loves helping guests find the right cruise or DVC resort for their vacation. Disney’s Beach Club Villas is her favorite!

 

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