First time in Disney without dining plan some tips

[ahecht]

I'll second the hydration pack recommendation above. I got a cheapish hydration pack from Walmart and my girlfriend got a Camelbak Dream. We would fill them 2/3 full from the sink before going to bed and put them in the fridge, and then in the morning we would fill them to the top with ice. Throughout the day we would request cups of ice from food stands to top off the bags. Not only did we feel much better because we were never dehydrated, but the ice water kept our backs nice and cool.

Unfortunately, in hot humid weather you become dehydrated long before you feel thirsty, and one of the first symptoms after fatigue is to make your stomach feel slightly upset, which makes you less likely to drink. Before bringing the hydration packs I never realized how dehydrated I would get in theme parks in the summer, but the fatigue and lightheadedness I would normall feel compeltely went away on the days we had the packs (although the water park days were tough since we didn't bring them).

 

[vettechick99]

I have been over 25 times and never done the dining plan. I don't think that's it's worth the money unless you normally eat a ton of food or order the most expensive items.

You'll do fine sharing items (their portions are big!), eating breakfast in the room, and feeding yourself healthy snacks before hunger sets in. It's impossible to argue with your stomach when it's hungry and you just passed by an ice cream stand!

 

[*pixie*dust*]

For the most part its cheaper not to do the dining plan unless you and yourfamily are really big eaters. I mean I would not ordinarily order desserts at each meal, plus have snacks. I have found on the dining plan that I get them because they are "included"-- not because I normally would order them. I am also a water drinker so all that soda wouldn't be something I would normally get either.

 

[Crystal0608]

We did no dining plan last year. Flame Tree BBQ in AK had a big plate enough for 2. Boulangerie Pastarie (sp?) french bakery in Epcot had large enough ham & cheese croissants for 1 person for lunch & the quiche looked big for 2, lots of things to snack & share in Epcot World. Freeze & bring water- the only water I liked from a fountain was in Epcot. Order in a stuffed pizza from Giodornos (sp?)- like $20 & enough for 2 meals for 2 people.