Hey, friends! We’re back with another DFB Video today, and we’re talking about how to make the most of the Disney Dining Plan!
No Way Jose Sundae at Beaches and Cream
If you’ve chosen to participate in the Disney Dining Plan during your Disney World vacation, you want to make sure you’re absolutely getting the most bang for your buck. So today’s video gives you tips and tricks on how to do exactly that so you are maximizing the value of your Dining Plan. Are you ready to learn how to master the Disney Dining Plan? Then settle in and watch our latest DFB YouTube Video!
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So check out the video and then let us know: What is your best tip for maximizing the value of the Disney Dining Plan?
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I love your videos AJ! I have been to WDW 7 times and planning my 8th trip now. Your videos always show me something new that I haven’t thought of or tried before….I have recommended your videos to others who are traveling with me because they are so wonderful! Keep up the great work!
You guys do a great job educating and your passion shines through. I have done it both ways several times over the many years and have come to different conclusions. If you love to eat, and quantity too that is, and like high end foods like steaks and lobster, then if you do some research it does pay to purchase the dining plan. Especially with alcohol added this year, as AJ said you really need to enjoy drinks to bring the cost basis down, for both counter and table service. And yes, use your snacks on expensive items like funnel cakes and waffles at Sleepy Hollow, and not on bananas or waters.
But, if you like to snack beyond your allowed 2/day, then this adds to your cost basis. I always found myself too full to buy extra snacks that I really wanted to try. So, in this case, the meal plan prevented me from enjoying so many of the things Disney has to offer. So, if you find yourself still buying things in addition to the expenditure of the meal plan, then maybe its not worth it. If you don’t want to or feel pressured to eat at the buffet’s and gorge yourself to justify the cost of the plan, don’t get it. Eat smaller meals, and most of disney’s meals are shareable, but then it leaves you all that extra money to buy and enjoy lots of snacks you otherwise would either be too full to enjoy or feel guilty spending over and above what you paid for the meal plan.
Convenience plays a big part in decision making too. Some just want to wave a band and pre-book and pay and be done with the money stuff. But with charges to room on magic bands its not an issue with either decision anymore.
Personally, I have always kept my receipts over the years just for this very article, to see if its worth it or not. I personally don’t like to overeat at buffet’s to “justify” my paying a high cost. I ate way too much and wasn’t able to enjoy all the great snacks Disney has to offer as a result. When I didn’t buy the meal plan, my family and I spent so much less on full meals as we shared 2-3 between the 4 of us which left a lot of money and room to buy all the snacks. And trust me, we are foodies!! I would forgo a $50 buffet to try 10 different snacks incl muffins, cupcakes, ice cream, funnel cakes, dole whips, citrus swirls, carrot cake cookies, blue milk shakes, and on and on. We like variety in small portions , not monster buffet pig outs. We may do 1 a trip but love to graze every hour instead of big meals.
That’s the toughest decision, be forced to research and itemize to justify spending for the meal plan and make it cost effective, or just winging it and buying what you want not what you feel you should to justify the cost.
Its the age old Q at Disney that has no correct answer!
AJ another great video. I would just like to remind people that if they have not used all their meal credits, they can be redeemed for snacks when you are leaving. A full service meal credit is worth 3 snacks, as is a quick service meal. but you must cash it once. i.e. you have to get 3 snacks at the same time. This is important to know as you can take some of your favorite snacks home with you, and relish in your vacation for a couple of more days when you get home.
Great reminder, Mike!
I have a question regarding the alcoholic drinks included with the dining plan. If you are getting a counter service breakfast at your hotel (I’m staying at All Star Music) can you get an alcoholic beverage (like a can of beer) and take it back to your room to save for later? I wasn’t sure if the alcohol would be included with breakfasts also.
Katie, if you use a Quick Service for breakfast, an alcoholic beverage is still included.
You recommended that we not use credits for breakfast. I was planning on using a table service for a character breakfast buffet at Crystal Palace or Tusker House. Would you say I should pay out of pocket for that as well and not utilize my credits in that way?
AJ,
It appears as though the Highway in the Sky Dine Around disappears on June 30, 2019. I’ve been watching Disney’s reservations page anticipating booking the tour for my stay in mid-September, but apparently will not be able to. Can you please confirm whether it has, in fact, been terminated?
Wayne, Highway in the Sky Dine Around is one of those WDW experiences for which reservations are released closer to the date — not in a 180-day window. They tend to hold on advance scheduling because they haven’t set the fireworks show time that far in advance (fireworks viewing being included in the event). Keep checking!
I’m heavily considering getting the plan as I want to go to several character meals which would be at least $40 since they’re a prix fixe. Would you say this leans more towards the “worth it” side or not? Looking at Ohana, Trattoria, and maybe Crystal Palace and/or Topolinos.