Dining Plan 2026 questions

[Torontogal]

I have been to WDW many times but this is the first time we are getting the Dining Plan for 4 adults. I want to make the most of it and wondering: (1) Are there any great websites or threads with helpful tips? (2) Is there a cheat sheet which shows all the places & type of meals one can grab food using the meal plan? Thanks!

 

[Mle8308]

There have been quite a few vloggers who have made videos about maximizing the DDP. It can be done, it's just a lot of food people would not normally order just to make it worthwhile. Which is basically the opposite of worthwhile! And you have to tip based on the actual cost because tip is not included (for TS). Do a search on YouTube for DDP and you should fine some information. Disney Food Blog may also have some online/written content. Polite Pig at DS is a good value QS location. More third party restaurants were just added back to the plan in the past few days, so more options. If you don't drink alcohol, it is basically impossible to make the DDP work out in your favor. If you just want worry free dining when it comes to the check, then the DDP is the way to go. It's overall not a money saver.

 

[PatsGirl]

Allears.net has all the menus with prices, hours, etc. I make my itinerary first and then decide where we would most likely eat and how often. A spreadsheet of sorts. I just finished mine for an upcoming October trip. Because we will be in a villa with full kitchen that's one meal off the spreadsheet (breakfast)...we'll eat that in the room or during travel to the park. I've always hated spending time on a QS resort breakfast anyways. Four adults (one toddler, one infant that would be free) taking into account three character meals over four days and it works out better to pay OOP. That, and the fact that in order to get the best bang from the DDP you really have to work they system and while I'm all for that, the others in my group area already getting a chuckle out of my pre-planning. I'm not sure they'd like the idea of being told when/where we'll eat all our meals LOL. Anyways, it comes out at $1300 OOP vs. $1600 DDP. That includes Storybook, Hollywood and Vine, and Crystal Palace character meals. That doesn't include any alcohol. Again, with a villa I expect we'll be doing the majority of happy hour on our balcony.