Hi Sara,
Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! Thanks for bringing this great question to us.
My family has used the
Disney Dining Plan and the
Disney Deluxe Dining Plan. With both plans, we love the variety of dining options we are able to enjoy. In our experience, restaurant menus have been organized differently although there are generally the same basic components (appetizers, entrées, and desserts). While some restaurant menus like the
Be Our Guest lunch menu are relatively clear, others like the
California Grill dinner menu include additional categories. To be sure, we always speak with the Cast member who serves us to verify which items count as an entrée, appetizer, or dessert on our dining plan. The Cast members also explain which drinks on the menu are included with our dining plan entitlements.
Prior to every trip, my family reviews the menus of all of the table-service restaurants we plan to visit. If, for example, we are on the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan, we all decide which appetizer, entrée, and dessert we plan to order. When we arrive at each restaurant, we confirm that our particular dining plan includes our selections and then we order. Knowing what we want to eat and placing our entire order as soon as we can saves us time at the restaurant. To locate the menus online, just visit each restaurant's home page and click on the link that says "View Menu." Then, select the meal (i.e. breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner) that you plan to experience.
Sara, I also recommend that you consider
Mobile Food and Beverage Ordering during your visit. Although we prefer table-service restaurants, we also have rides to ride and
special tours to do, so we love that mobile ordering is available at so many dining locations. The great news is that you can use Mobile Ordering with your dining plan!
Magic and memories,
Donyell