Beginning today, 31st May 2015, Disney has made some changes to the popular Disney Dining Plan option. The changes include; a wider choice of snack options, subsitutions, and changes to adult/child entitlements.
Snacks
Snacks were usually considered any item under $5, or that was marked with the purple DDP icon. Snack options generally didn't include anything with dips or toppings (pretzels, ice cream with topping etc.). Changes to the DDP have also changed what is and isn't included in the plan - snack credits can now be used for; any single-serving item, soup, any side dish at a quick-service restaurant, a side of breakfast foods, toppings and dips with other items, up to 2 scoops of ice cream, or any regular sized sundae.
Quick Service Meals
These traditionally included an entree, dessert and drink. Now, gues can choose any snack item, or a bottled drink, as a replacement for the dessert. You can therefore replace your dessert with another side item. Adult and child quick service credits can now be used interchangably, so you can use childrens credits to purchase adult meals. Finally, any quick service credits can be used and exchanged for 3 snack items - but this can only be done in certain food courts and merchandising locations.
Table Service Dining
Guests are now able to choose an alternative to a dessert - this can include; salads, soups and fruit plates. Park guests can now use as many DDP credits as they wish to pay for a table service meal - for example, if a guest is bringing others who do not have DDP to the meal, they can use their credits to pay for them. Although QS credits are interchangable between children and adults, table service credits cannot be exchanged unless guests have the Deluxe, Premium or Platinum dining plans.
There is also a change to some locations that will accept DDP as payment. For example; Aloha Isle in the Magic Kingdom no longer accepts DDP payments. Please check guide map, menu or restaurant board for further information.