Disneyland Dining Vouchers?

[DisneyBabies]

Hi everyone!

I have never been to Disneyland before, but my son's school chorus group is planning a trip there and we had an informational meeting last night. One of the parents said that you could buy dining vouchers instead of sending cash with your child to eat while on the trip. I have looked all over the Disneyland website and I haven't seen anything except dining vouchers for World of Color.

What am I missing?

Thanks for any help you can give us.

 

[ParkHopper1]

There used to be a meal plan that was a rip off and I think since discontinued. There are vouchers for character meals but that will not help ya.

Best way to go is load up a Disney Gift Card which you can buy online or any Disney Store and send him with that for food expenses.

 

[Steven G]

The vouchers for character meals can be used at any Disney restaurant. They have a set dollar value.

But yeah, using a gift card is probably the way to go.

 

[Khokhonutt]

One of our kids' first band trips to WDW, they got food vouchers as part of their travel package. If I remember correctly, though, they were something purchased through the travel agent and not anything I've ever seen for sale separately. The vouchers worked well, for making sure the kids got fed well. They were only for counter service but entitled them to any entree, desert and a drink.

 

[lalasmama]

One of our kids' first band trips to WDW, they got food vouchers as part of their travel package. If I remember correctly, though, they were something purchased through the travel agent and not anything I've ever seen for sale separately. The vouchers worked well, for making sure the kids got fed well. They were only for counter service but entitled them to any entree, desert and a drink.

You ended up on the DL side of the boards, where the vouchers are nothing like WDW unfortunately!

At DL, they were for a set amount, without any change back. So, if there was a $20 voucher, but the person only wanted a hamburger, fries, and a soda at Tomorrowland Terrace, they would end up losing the last $4 or whatever amount.

For the original poster, as others have said, gift cards are the way to go. They are accepted nearly everywhere--including most (all?) snack carts now.

 

[ParkHopper1]

One of our kids' first band trips to WDW, they got food vouchers as part of their travel package. If I remember correctly, though, they were something purchased through the travel agent and not anything I've ever seen for sale separately. The vouchers worked well, for making sure the kids got fed well. They were only for counter service but entitled them to any entree, desert and a drink.

Pretty sure they do not have those a DLR. Did a full day training program that was sponsored by Disney in the parks a while back and part of the package included a $50 meal voucher to cover our three meals throughout the day. They just gave us $50 gift cards that morning.

 

[Khokhonutt]

You ended up on the DL side of the boards, where the vouchers are nothing like WDW unfortunately!

At DL, they were for a set amount, without any change back. So, if there was a $20 voucher, but the person only wanted a hamburger, fries, and a soda at Tomorrowland Terrace, they would end up losing the last $4 or whatever amount.

Thanks. I knew what side of the board I was on, I just happen to be frequenting the DLR boards lately because we're planning a trip there this summer. I understand that WDW and DLR may not be the same (this was also going on 10 years ago, too), which is my I mentioned where we used the vouchers. I was mainly offering my experience to suggest that it might be worth asking whoever was coordinating the trip if there were any other options. There was a time when our kids got something called Disney bucks, those were a specific dollar amount and you did get change back from them. There was also a time when they had vouchers that worked similar to a meal plan. A flat rate was paid and you picked what you wanted and got no money back, but you could pretty much pick any entree and desert and any drink at the counter service restaurants. We had no idea how much any of that cost because it was all rolled into the total with transportation and lodging.

 

[Steven G]

In any case, there are no vouchers at this time that are generally available like you describe.

The closest are the character dining, which could be used like what you are describing, but would be a bad use of them.

Here is fine print for the character dining vouchers
Prices include tax and gratuity. Vouchers are not redeemable for cash and are non-transferable. May be applied up to its retail price at any full-service or counter-service restaurant. Not valid for alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, room service, holiday buffets and merchandise. No change given. Not valid at restaurants or outdoor carts in the Downtown Disney District. Daily operating hours may vary. May not be used for admission or towards the price of admission to any Disneyland Resort theme park. Separate theme park admission may be necessary. Not valid in combination with other discounts or promotions. Restaurant seating is subject to availability. Reservations are recommended. All dining locations, hours, menus and character experiences, and all elements are subject to change without notice.

 

[Midnightred]

I use the Disney Gift Cards which I purchase on the Disney Store website. I load about $50 per person, per day and have one card for each day. I think it's a great way to budget for meals.

Midnightred

 

[DisneyBabies]

Thanks so much everyone! I'll let our chorus director know and she can inform the other parents.