Food tips
Don’t go with the Disney Dining Plan if you don’t want to be forced to eat.
One negative aspect of the Disney Dining Plan is that it kind of forces you to eat. Since you have certain amount of credits each day, you have to use them all so that you don’t waste your money. And honestly, you might have times when it’s your last day at Disney and you still have 4 table service, and 5 snacks left over.
Use the dining plan (2 table service credits) at Cinderella’s Royal Table.
You’ll save more money going this route as opposed to paying out of pocket. This is the only exception to tip number 97 above.
Don’t ever use the meal plan when dining at Signature Dining restaurants.
Since these restaurants require 2 table-service credits ($86), you’ll never truly maximize your credit.
When in doubt, use table service for a buffet, especially something like ‘Ohana, Biergarten, or 1900 Park Fare.
Buffets, especially character buffets (for dinner) are usually the most expensive restaurants. It’s honestly the best value for your money.
Use your table service meal credit at a character dinner.
Character dinners are generally the most expensive so be sure to book some of these. One of the best is Chef Mickey’s where an average meal costs around $43-45.
Snack credits are worth $5 so be sure to make the most of it.
Don’t worry, there are quite a few places that offer pretty pricey, yet extremely delicious snacks. Just don’t waste it on something cheap, like bottled water.
Table Service meal credits are worth $43 so be sure to make the most of it.
Since you need to make the most out of $35 I recommend that you order the most expensive things on the menu. Or better, go to some typically expensive restaurants like Ohana (dinner), Boma (dinner), 1900 Park Fare (dinner) and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (average meal cost is $44-$52 per person).
Quick Service meal credits are worth $20 so be sure to make the most of it.
Be sure to find the most expensive (and most delicious) options at quick service locations so that you get your money’s worth. Don’t go for the salad, go for the barbecue rubs and chicken combo (Flame Tree Barbecue at Animal Kingdom)!
Get the dining plan if you plan on eating more that $68 worth of food (per person).
The way the Disney Dining plan works is that you typically get a certain number of credits to use during your trip. These credits are for snacks, table service restaurant meals, and quick service meals. Most people tend to go with the Basic or Plus plan which gives you one snack credit, one quick service credit, and one table service credit. All of these credits will equal out to around $68 a day for food. If you know for sure that you can eat more than $68 worth of food, then get the plan. If not, it may not be for you. But also, don’t forget, Disney is pricey so $68 might be pretty easy to attain.
Mobile Order is king
Ordering your dole whip, chicken nuggets, or any other snack on the My Disney Experience app and thus skipping the line is by far the quickest way to get food. Here are some of my favorite DDP tips and money maximizing strategies.