Disney Dining Plan

[reelmom]

Just got back Saturday and already thinking about our next trip. DH says we aren't going back for 5 years but overheard him telling our boys we might go back next year. Anyways, is it worth paying for the Dining Plan? I'm not sure how it works or how much you save using it. Any suggestions? Thank you.

 

[dawn8226]

You might want to go check out the restaurant forum, I believe there is a whole section devoted to the dining plan. Anyway, I believe you get 1 table service credit, 1 counter service credit, and 1 snack credit for each night you stay. Each meal, counter or table, you can choose one appetizer, one entree, and one dessert. The snack is worth $4. I think it looks like a good idea if you want to eat a lot of table service, or you eat a lot of 3 course meals. One thing to consider is the number of restaurants that will be accepting the dining plan next year, I believe the number (at least in Epcot) is a lot less.

 

[brentalex]

I think it depends on how your family eats, and the ages of your children. Since kids over 9 are considered adults, they will pay the adult price for the plan. My DD is 12 and does not eat enough to make it worth our while to buy the plan. She would eat pizza or macaroni and cheese every day and be happy. We also don't plan sit down meals once a day, so we would have needed to plan a couple of sit down meals on the same day, breakfast and dinner on one day. So it all depends on how you eat. Some people love it and have been able to eat places they may not have tried. On our last trip we save all our food receipts, and we would have lost money if we had purchased the meal plan.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

There is a whole section on the dining plan. Various websites also have wonderful helpful information. I'll give you some basic information though. For each night of your stay at your disney resort (nights, not days), you receive a table service credit (appetizer, entree, drink and dessert), a counter service (entree, drink, dessert or combo meal) and snack (usually under $4) per person. Note that each person gets an appetizer for table service (not 1 for the whole group). There is a ton of food. Not all restaurants participate, but many do. (I think over 100). You can exchange a table service for 1 character meal, or you can exchange 2 table service for a signature dining restaurant (very expensive restaurants that are fancy), or a dinner show.

Pros: Meals are paid in advance, tax, tip included, saves a lot of money.
Cons: Not worth it for people who don't eat a lot or who usually just order an entree

The dining plan can save you hundreads if you go to more expensive restaurants and order the more expensive entrees. Also, the meals are pooled into 1 account so anyone in your group can have a meal any time any day. You can use all your snacks in 1 day or use 2 counter service in 1 day and then 2 table servie the next day. It's up to you so there is a lot of flexibility. I definetely love the Dining plan!

 

[reelmom]

Thank you so much for all of your information. My kids will be 4 and 5 next time we go, so I don't think the dining plan would be worth the money. They are picky eaters and I don't think they would eat that much. Maybe when they get older, we might try it. Thank you again for everybody's tips and info.