Food, Glorious, Food. Don’t care what it costs me…
Well, I wouldn’t go that far, but I do love Disney food!!! And it is hard to resist a late night scoop of Heavenly Hash from the Main Street USA Plaza Ice Cream Parlor while Happily Ever After Fireworks explode overhead. And just try not to be tempted by the hot and cheesy potato casserole at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall as Snow White and Sleeping Beauty come waltzing by.
But these wonderful indulgences can add up, breaking the budget and still leaving you hungry for more!
In comes The Disney Dining Plan, a pre-paid method for your meals, snacks, and even for those guests over 21 alcoholic beverages.
Is the Disney Dining Plan worth it?
That’s the question I’m asked daily from friends, family, and clients alike, all looking to have a Magical Vacation without spending a fortune. My dual answer is…Don’t or Do bite off more than you can chew. Are you traveling with light eaters? A more spontaneous crew? Paying out of pocket may be right for you.
If your 180 Advance Reservation Day is circled in red on your calendar and are a family wanting to soak up as much quantity and variety of the culinary smorgasboard Disney Offers. Or if dining with Mickey and Friends every chance in every way and topping it off with a Dole Whip a day is more your speed. Then the Dining Plan is the way to go.
WDW Character Dining Lifestyle Shoot. 2013. Photographer: Melanie Acevedo
Whatever the mood or budget…everyone needs to eat. Let’s dive into your four delicious options…Quick Service Dining, Standard Disney Dining Plan, Deluxe Dining Plan and Paying Out of Pocket (my least favorite) And the top four reasons, choosing the Dining Plan is good for you and your pocketbook.
Guests on the Quick Service Plan receive: Two quick service meal credits and two snack credits per person, per night of your package. Additionally, each member of the party will receive one refillable resort mug good for use during the length of the package. Good for only counter restaurants.
The mid range Standard Disney Dining Plan includes one counter service meal, one sit down or character meal , two snacks, two specialty or alcoholic drinks, and a refillable souvenir resort mug for each person in your party.
Guests on the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan receive: Three meal credits and two snack credits per person, per night of your package, plus two specialty or alcoholic drinks, and a refillable souvenir resort mug for each person in your party. The meal credits may be used on table service or quick service meals.
Translation: A LOT OF FOOD
Blizzard Beach photoshoot. 2013. Photographer: Pat Molnar
Because your Meal Credits or Entitlements are linked to your handy, dandy Magic Band, this makes for a stress free way to delight in dining so you can have more fun with family.
If that’s not enough to convince you…
Here are Four (although there is more) Reasons to Purchase the Disney Dining Plan
- Snacks: Who wants to nickel and dime their children on vacation? Not me. A Mickey’s Premium Bar or beloved Mickey Pretzel will run you $5 each EVERY TIME. And who can eat just one? Dining Plan allots for two a day (Starbucks Coffee too). Hooray!
- Character Meals: Ohana, Crystal Palace, Tusker House, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, Hollywood and Vine, the list goes on and on. Characters come to YOU while you drink your coffee. You don’t wait in line for them. And the buffets or homestyle meals are all you can eat…Who smells a bargain?
- Convenience: Dining Plan takes the guessing game out of meal times. Everyone in party has a meal credit that is already paid for. Everyone gets to come to the banquet table. And with the Dining Plan, at the 180 day mark, you can make ADRs for up to 10 days! So you have a better chance of securing that “MUST HAVE” reservation that your family has at the top of your list (Cinderella’s Royal Table)!
- Flexibility: The Dining Plan offers something for everyone and rolls over day to day. Disney Restaurants have huge portions which allow for sharing. If don’t you don’t think you will use all of your table services, you can combine your credits for dinner shows like Polynesian’s Spirit of Aloha Luau , Pizza Delivery to your room, or really treat yourself to the many Signature Dining Restaurants on property (California Grill gets my vote).
Now..who is hungry?
Planning a Walt Disney World or Disney Destination Vacation:
Contact us at How Far Adventures for a no-obligation quote!
