Do’s and Don’ts of the Disney Dining Plan
Let’s be honest. We’re all out of practice with the Disney Dining Plan.
After all, Disney hasn’t offered this option in three years. It’ll be four years by the time the Disney Dining Plan returns on January 9th, 2024.
We’ve all forgotten plenty. So, now is the perfect time for a refresher course. Here are the Do’s and Don’ts of the Disney Dining Plan.
Do: Buy the Disney Dining Plan
For whatever reason, the Disney Dining Plan has proven divisive to some.
However, loyalists like me swear by the program and hate visiting Walt Disney World without it.
For those of you unfamiliar with the program, here’s a guide. The vital part is that you’ll pay a set daily fee.
In exchange, Disney will provide you with two daily meal entitlements. You can use them at breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Depending on the kind of dining plan you purchase, you may receive a Table Service entitlement as well.
For the purpose of this conversation, I’ll assume that you’re buying the one called the Disney Dining Plan, not the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan.
With this plan, you won’t need to worry about the price of any individual meal.
Instead, you’ll exchange an entitlement, aka dining credit, for a meal at a Walt Disney World restaurant.
In the process, you’ll eliminate the stress that comes from reading the bill for your meal.
Since you’re paying with an entitlement, you won’t worry as much. You’re on vacation and deserve less stress, right?
Don’t: Worry Whether You’re Getting a Good Deal
Disney carefully evaluates pricing for its various dining plans. The company wants consumers to feel as if they’re getting their money’s worth.
When you use the dining plan for your meals, you’ll save roughly 20 percent, give or take a bit.
The total value of your savings depends on your understanding of the program and how to maximize your savings.
Still, as long as you use all your entitlements, you’ll come out ahead…and enjoy a more relaxed vacation as well.
Do: Read the Rules about the Program
I’d encourage you to read the guide I linked earlier. Also, you should read Disney’s official site.
I say this because knowledge is power when it comes to Disney vacations.
You likely know from experience about the dangers of unplanned meals in tourist areas.
Thankfully, you really can’t go wrong with any Walt Disney World restaurants, but some are objectively better.
By reading the rules, you’ll know which restaurants participate in the program, as well as what you’ll need to do to use entitlements.
This stuff is a snap once you’re used to it. First-timers and those who haven’t used the dining plan in a while should do their research, though.
Don’t: Expect That You’ll Use the Dining Plan at Every Meal
The military trains its soldiers to eat three square meals a day.
While some diets and training regiments call for a slightly different approach, virtually all of them suggest that you’ll dine at least three times.
I presume you’ll follow that same behavior at Disney, although the line between a snack and a meal can get blurry here.
Given that fact, you can do the math and understand the rationale here.
The dining plan comes with two daily entitlements. When you eat three times daily, you won’t have enough credits.
Now, you may find that works well for your purposes. For example, EPCOT hosts international festivals on most dates.
You can feasibly grab something at a pop-up food stand here that will fill like a full meal for $10 or less.
Similarly, when you snack through a bunch of churros and popcorn, you may not need/want a full meal, either.
So, Disney’s strategy makes sense. You’ll find that two daily entitlements work perfectly. In fact, you may have extras the day that you check out.
Don’t worry! You can eat something before you depart Orlando. Your dining plan lasts until 11:59 p.m. on your checkout date.
Do: Try to Maximize Your Value
The tip I just provided about EPCOT festivals applies to all parts of the dining plan.
Since you’re paying for this plan, you might as well get your money’s worth!
You’ll find several strategies for maximizing the dining plan, many of which revolve around character meals and the like.
Some Disney restaurants charge more because they include unique backdrops and amenities.
For example, Garden Grill Restaurant hosts a character meal starring Chip ‘n’ Dale and Mickey Mouse, among others.
You’ll enjoy an exceptional meal here thanks to the fresh ingredients. Plus, you’ll adore the photo ops when the characters visit your table!
Several restaurants provide better value for the dining plan, as they’re among the finest at Walt Disney World.
What I’d politely suggest is that you can contact an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner at MickeyTravels.
These experts are Diamond level agents, the highest possible acknowledgment from Disney.
They know more about Disney restaurants and the dining plan than anyone else and are happy to help.
That’s not even the best part, though! Their services are totally free to you as a potential vacationer!
So, there’s no reason whatsoever why you wouldn’t contact them for dining plan/restaurant advice!
Don’t: Use Table Service Credits at Breakfast
I’ll readily admit I’m hypocritical for saying this. My family loves the ‘Ohana breakfast character meal.
However, when we last used the dining plan, we enjoyed three daily Table Service credits as we had purchased the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan.
Disney doesn’t even sell that plan right now, and it may be defunct for all we know.
When you own a maximum of one Table Service credit per person per day, you want to save it for the most expensive meals.
This thought process ties back to maximizing your value, but it works in reverse.
Table Service restaurants generally charge significantly more for lunch and dinner than for breakfast.
Also, you can grab a quick but excellent breakfast at your Disney resort on your way to the park. It’ll be nearly as good and save you an entitlement!
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Feature Photo: Disney