So you’re planning your next trip to Walt Disney World. And we all know that the FastPasses are the most important detail to cross off your list, right?

Wrong. Because the real reason we go to Walt Disney World? The Snacks!

Okay — they’re both important. But I bet that we can agree — one of the biggest reasons we both love Disney is the amazing variety of food choices, and fun snack options E-BER-Y-WHERE.

But the sheer volume of choices can be overwhelming! After all, how do you choose? And once you choose, how do you budget in order to try everything on that must-have list you’ve been compiling?

I totally get it! And that’s why we’ve dedicated a large section to snacking — our favorite Disney recreation — in our best selling DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2015!

Let’s talk through some of my Best Tips for Snack Budgeting. And if these tips are helpful to you, pick up your copy of the Guide today for $4 off using code “2015” right here!

Budgeting Money or Snack Credits

Whether you’re paying out of pocket for your snacks, or you’ll be using Disney Dining Plan Snack Credits, planning ahead is the key to ensure you enjoy the treats you’ve been been dreaming about.

One of my favorite features of the DFB Guide Books are the worksheets that we provide you to plan every facet of your eating journey. And snacking is no exception!

Use the handy worksheets to jot down all of the snacks that you’re anxious to try. Our Snacks Chapter is a great resource for browsing all of the possibilities! With full lists and reviews of snacks throughout Walt Disney World, you have everything compiled in one easy place!

Brainstorm everything you’d like to sample, and include their locations. Then, figure out where the snacks fit into your master plan.

If you’re paying for food out of pocket, the keep in mind that most Disney snacks run between $2 and $10, with many of them priced in the $3-5 range. If you’re working with Snack Credits, a general rule of thumb is that a single serving food under $5.19 is usually available for your Snack Credit.

Budgeting Stomach Space

So you’ve done the planning, and you know exactly which snacks you want to try on your next visit. You’ve worked out the budget, and the money and credits are there to cover it all.

Now comes the next big question: how do you budget stomach space??

Before you go crazy planning snacks, there’s something you must remember: Disney meals are huge! Really big. Many people — myself included — often find that they just don’t have the appetite to indulge on in-between-meal bites.

My best advice: consider how you and your family eat at home before you over-plan or over-buy.

So if there’s a snack you’re really anxious to try, consider eating lighter meals, or share snacks between a couple of people. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!

Making Meals Out of Snacks

But there’s also another great way to have your (cup)cake and eat it too — consider making a meal out of that snack you’ve been dying to try!

Disney snacks run the gamut of food choices. There are so many things to choose from, and some of them can definitely pull double duty as a light meal.

For breakfast, I love to stop by one of the great bakeries on property. Many of the pastries they offer at Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie in the France Pavilion, like their AH-MAZING Frangipane Triangles, make great low-priced meals.

At lunch or dinner, I enjoy savory options that many spots offer. Choose a cup of filling soup, (Tomato Basil at Pinocchio Village Haus is one of my favorites!), or enjoy a Baked Potato or Corn on the Cob. Or if you’re looking for a more exotic option, try Egg Rolls or a Curry Chicken Pocket.

And who can forget giant-sized “snacks”, like Turkey Legs and Pork Shanks? These definitely sub well for a meal.

And there is no end to dessert options. 🙂 So go ahead and indulge in that Cake Cup, or select a healthier option, like a Fruit and Cheese Plate.

Ready for All of Our Best Tips?

We’ve got TONS of Disney World Dining Tips — including so much more great Snack AND Budget info — in our big, bold, 490-page DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2015 — and the guide is your ticket to planning your best Disney trip yet!

The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2015 is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 20+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs!

With sample dining itineraries, plus our “Disney Dining at a Glance” section, featuring “Where Can I Find?” options, you’ll have everything you need to plan the best vacation ever. Click here to get your copy of The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2015 E-book — and use code 2015 for an extra $4 discount for a limited time!

Now let’s hear from all of you! What are your best tips for budgeting to get in all of those must-have snacks? Leave a comment and share your wisdom!