Adding the Disney Dining Plan to your Disney World vacation is more of a convenience than a savings. However, with some planning and tips it can still be a good deal. Learn these 5 tips for your next trip using a Disney Dining Plan.
1. Understand What You Get
Knowing what you get can make planning ahead easier. Learn what you get for each of the 3 Disney Dining Plans below. Note the stars indicating changes starting 2018 for Dining Plans.
Quick Service Plan
- 2 self-service meals
- 1 non-alcoholic/alcoholic drink per meal**
- 2 selected snacks
- Refillable mug
Disney Dining Plan
- 1 waiter service meal
- 1 self-service meal
- 1 non-alcoholic/alcoholic drink per meal**
- 2 selected snacks
- Refillable mug
Deluxe Dining Plan
- 3 waiter or self-service meals
- 1 non-alcoholic/alcoholic drink per meal**
- 2 selected snacks
- Refillable mug
** For guests with stays starting in 2018.
These are per guest per night of stay.
2. Check Menu’s before your Trip
Sure you could wing it. However, by spending a bit of time researching Disney Menu’s online you can save precious park time during your vacation. Check menus ahead either online or on the My Disney Experience App, save money by knowing which restaurant serves foods you will like. Save time by planning on your Fastpass+ selections around where you plan to eat.
3. Bottled Water To Go
Your meals will come with a drink, substitute this for a bottled water to go. This is especially true if you eat any meals at your Resort’s food court, since each dining plan comes with a refillable mug and your meal will still come with a drink on top of that. Bottled waters are great to bring into the parks or have in your resort room.
4. Epcot
Looking for some unique options to use your snack credits on? Epcot has many delicious snack options, from 11 different countries, consider these 5 must try snacks from the World Showcase. If you happen to be there during the Food & Wine Festival, even more snack options will be available. Many of these snacks are a great value. Look for items that cost around $5 or more.
5. Breakfast
Breakfast is not the most important meal on the Disney Dining Plan. Meaning, it is the worst value to use your credits on. This is since breakfast prices are typically less than the price point you need to spend to break even per meal. It is best to eat a quick breakfast in your resort room or pay out of pocket for breakfast.
Learn more about Walt Disney World Dining and get suggestions for where to eat, how to use the Disney Dining Plan and more.