What is the Disney Dining Plan at Walt Disney World all about?

Question

I have read some websites about it but wanted details from people who have actually used it. Does it have to be part of a package? I booked the Disney land and cruise package and was wondering if I can add the dining plan to my days at the park. Also trying to find tips for saving money on food, snacks, and drinks at the park. I will be traveling with my husband and 3 and 5 year old. I am used to being able to bring lots of snacks, drinks, etc. into Disneyland park. Can you bring these things into WDW? Also, where is a place to get them nearby? We won't have carseats so we will be stuck on Disney property. Any ideas or tips? Thanks!

Answer 1

I am going to answer this in sections:

"I have read some websites about it but wanted details from people who have actually used it. Does it have to be part of a package? I booked the Disney land and cruise package and was wondering if I can add the dining plan to my days at the park"

Yes, it does have to be part of the package. The Disney Dining plan is an AMAZING deal. We used it on our last visit and saved a ton in addition to eating better than we ever have. You get one counter service, one snack, and one table service per person , per day. The table service CAN be a character meal! We ate character meals every night! For a family of four, that alone tops a hundred a day. The counter service for four people will usually run over thirty dollars, easy. We used our snack to purchase fruit bowls or something of the like for breakfast. We were SO FULL the entire time and like I said CHARACTER MEALS EVERY NIGHT! YAY!

"Also trying to find tips for saving money on food, snacks, and drinks at the park. I will be traveling with my husband and 3 and 5 year old. I am used to being able to bring lots of snacks, drinks, etc. into Disneyland park. Can you bring these things into WDW? "

My husband and I BOTH take backpacks into the park. In them we have sippee cups, snacks, often peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I have no idea how many times we have been but they have always searched the bags and never said a word. I have even seen mothers sit down and pull out entire jars of peanut butter and jelly and make sandwiches within the park. Disney does not question their guests and you will find they are the most family friendly place you will ever go.

One great thing I did which saved a ton was to purchase Kool Aid and Crystal Lite singles. There are an abundance of water fountains in the park and the water is always icy cold. I take a rubbermaid drink bottle for everyone and mix drinks up throughout the day. The kids don't miss the cokes and such if they are getting Kool Aid!

Also, purchase as many souveniers ahead of time as possible. Go to Wal Mart and such. Mickey Mouse stickers, pens, shirts, iron ons, stuffed animals, etc. I usually spend about thirty bucks on things for each kid before I go and it saves a ton in the long run. Mickey leaves a "present" for each kid on their pillow every day. What I do is walk a little ahead of my husband on the way back to the hotel and put them out real quick. The presents are small, stickers or a pen or something. On the last day, I usually surprise them with something they spied in the park.

I HIGHLY reccomend purchasing an autograph book for EACH child. They are five dollars in the gift shops and you can bring your own pens (they suggest clickable sharpies as they are easier for the gloved characters to hold). This will be by far your cheapest and most memorable souvenier.

I purchased some name tags engraved with my kid's names at "the twelve days of Christmas" store in Disney Village and I love for us all to wear them. Often, the characters sign autographs to our children directly that way.


"We won't have carseats so we will be stuck on Disney property. Any ideas or tips? Thanks!"

There is no such thing as "stuck on Disney Property"!!! There are SO MANY THINGS TO DO!! You have no idea....
Go to Disney Village for a day if you find yourself bored, but truly we have not once been able to cram everything into a seven day trip. Unless you are going to be there for two weeks, I don't see it happening! ~smiles~

I would be sure to plan on a scheduled nap each day. Disney is very stimulating and it seems every kid has a little Disney meltdown daily. We always come back before lunch time. We have a bite to eat in our hotel or food court and then go rest for an hour or two before going back to the parks refreshed. The rest will be good for you and your husband too! If you are going in the hot season, it is always nice to have a change of clothing as what you have on will be soaked. (are you familiar with summers in the south?). Schedule the time you go back to your hotel WELL before the kids are tired and cranky.

Feel free to email me for more information. One thing I cannot reccomend enough is that you get a copy of the "Walt Disney World Passporter". That one book will make sure you get the most value out of your Disney vacation. It is filled with tips and information that you are certain not to know about! I buy the new one each year it comes out. It is my bible!

Anything else I can help you with?

Answer 2

DOES IT HAVE TO BE PART OF A PACKAGE: Yes, the dining plan needs to be purchased in a package with tickets and room. It is a special offer for guests that do the package, Disney offers fewer promotions for room only each year.

DISNEY LAND AND SEA: When you buy the Disney Cruise with a Land and Sea Package, you are only able to get your room and tickets that are offered by Disney Cruise Line. Since they are seperate companies they don't work together and you can't change things using the seperate companies, therefore you cannot get the dining plan with a Land and Sea package. If you wanted to do the dining plan you would have to change your cruise to the sea only portion and then book your land portion seperately and add on the dining plan.

CAN YOU BRING SNACKS TO DISNEY WORLD: You shoudln't have any problems as long as you don't bring a cooler. Bring a bag, purse, backpack, or whatever, for each person in your family, fill it with all the things you need, suntan lotion, hats, maybe a few activities for the kids, etc. You can then bring some water bottles (bringing them empty and filling them as you go makes the load a lot lighter) snacks, etc. Also, if you don't want to bring water bottles, you can always buy drinks in the parks or you can just go to any restaurant and ask for water, they will give a large cup with ice. If the longs are long though, it can be a bit of a hassle. Since you have younger kids bringing food in is no problem. People bring baby foods and formula all the time, as well as any dietary needs and things like that. Remember, each bag will be checked at security, but the majority of the time they just take a quick peak and you are on your way.

SNACKS NEARBY: There are a lot of convenience stores, grocery stores, Wal-Mart, etc. nearby. However, since Disney tranportation does not take you to these places, you would need to find a way to get there on your own. Taxi and private towncar are the most popular and easiest options, but can be a little pricey. The easiest thing, in my opinion, is to get a private transfer to take you to your resort, most companies in Orlando offer a 30 minute grocery stop to pick up a few things. It is plenty of time to just run a few things you may need and you get your transfer to your resort, which is a low quicker than taking buses and you get some food. Another thing to do is to pack some snacks in your suitcase before you leave. Anything that is packaged (like lunch box snacks, except for fragile cakes and things) is pretty easy to just slip in the suitcase and use it when you need it. It will save you money over having to get to a store, save you time since you don't have to spend your vacation buying snacks and also save you a little money since your groceries at home are more than likely less expensive. Some people will ship snacks ahead of time, this is not really an economical way to go with shipping prices. What you could do is bring an extra suitcase that is just for your snacks, then as you eat them you empty that suitcase and can use it for souvenirs on the way home (most people end up needing more space) Another option is to have them delivered, but again, if you are looking for ways to save, probably not the best choice.



You really aren't stuck on Disney property if you don't mind spending the money to get around. Public transportation vehicles don't require car seats, so you are allowed to go even if you don't have them with you. Many companies will have at least one seat available, but this isn't always the case, if you call for a taxi or towncar you can usually get them to bring some along though.




Hopefully this answers all your questions. If not, feel free to e-mail me. I go to Disney several times a year.


Have a great time, you have a really nice vacation ready to go!

Answer 3

Here is how it works. For every night your package is for each person gets the following, one snack, one table meal, and one counter meal. The table meal includes appetizer, entree, dessert and all non-alcoholic beverages. The meals can be used for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and can be used whenever you want. For example, you can use all your table meals in one day if you would like (though I wouldn't recommend).

Please not that all glowing ice cubes, pictures and other novelty items are not included unless specified.

To have a meal in a park you do need tickets to the park. You can also eat at resorts. Please be aware that signature dining experiences require 2 table meals/person, so plan carefully. Yes you can go to any restaurant in any resort.

Also tax and gratuity are included in the dining plan so you don't need to tip if you don't want to. Please see the adobe file. It explains everything very well and tells you what restaurants you can use it at and what kind of meals they have!

One tip is go to as many of the expensive restaurants as possible, that way you really get your money's worth. If you can, make reservations at Cinderella's Castle for breakfast, lunch or dinner (dinner is my fav). You get a lot, but it is a signature expierence. Also, I would spend more of your table and counters mals on lunch and dinner as opposed to breakfast. You can always bring cereal or pop tarts or something like that for breakfast. Lunch and dinner are traditionally more expensive so they are more worth your money. My best advice is to bring or provide or buy your own breakfast, use the counter meal for lunch and the table meal for dinner. Have one special breakfast that you can use your table meal for. (I like the Akershus Princess Breakfast in Norway if you have little girls or are a princess at heart. You also get into Epcot slightly early if you do this one)

Please e-mail with any other questions!

Answer 4

too confusing to answer--go to www.allearsnet.com they go over the entire thing~~~~~~