Dining plan tips/tricks/little knowns

[Mandi Bartz]

Over many months I have seen numerous tips on the dining plan. Now as my trip is quickly approaching Im wondering if I will remember them. For instance yesterday I read you can get an extra snack instead of your drink or dessert at a CS.

Any other tips like that!!


Thanks!!

 

[ChasingLeslie]

For the best value, use snack credits for items over $4 and use TS credits for character meals or more expensive dishes (like steak).

 

[heywagners]

We don't drink soda, so we get water bottles with every QS meal and then share the bottles at the meal. We use the extra bottles throughout the day as we get thirsty and refill them in water fountains.

 

[Jgeauxmo]

If you dine at your resort, get a bottle drink with breakfast to take to the park with you and fill up your refillable cup to drink with breakfast.

 

[Stan's MaggieMouse]

You can get cups of free ice water at any quick service location, just ask. I carry flavor packets in my bag because I don't care for water.

 

[pampam]

When paying out of pocket, at counter service places an adult can order from the child's menu if they only want something small or light.

 

[jon18uk]

If you are paying for the dining plan just remember that a counter service meal needs to be around $19 per person otherwise you are losing money. So dessert/side of $4.50, drink of $3 and entree over $11.50.

As the DDP brochure now states that any snack can be used as dessert/drink you can have a side (such as onion rings) and a speciality drink such as mandarin lemonade or a slushy (where available).

Unless you aren't using them up quick enough avoid using snack credits for bottled drinks and low value items, try and get as close to $5 or over as possible. So ice cream sundaes are a better use of a credit than a Mickey bar.

If you are using your refillable mug then you could pick up a bottled drink or another snack for to save for breakfast instead of using the drink portion of the QS credit

 

[Pumbaa_]

at some point, it is less about 'getting a value; and more about using the plan as it meets the need of your family

Some don't like to use snack credits on drinks, but then some end up with a ton of credits at the end while paying cash out earlier in the trip

it is very good to be as educated as you can about the plan and options, but at the end of the day, don't sweat it. If you want a mickey bar, get a mickey bar! don't worry about the value as much as what do you WANT to eat/snack on

 

[crabbygal902]

Do your research before the trip to squeeze every bit of value from your DDP dollar. I pick only the most expensive TS restaurant credits (mostly character meals), CS credits (places like WPE and Tangierine Cafe), and snacks (4.75 and over). This is fun for me and my family likes this, so it works for us.