Hi Emma. Every family is different, but the dining option works really well for my family for a couple of reasons. First, nearly everything is paid for before the vacation begins, this helps us to relax and enjoy the magic rather than worrying about the money we're spending. Second, our family love to dine with characters, and the dining plan includes those experiences. Without the dining plan, we would probably only do 1 of these meals during our vacation, but with the plan, we feel like we have the freedom to experience as many as we choose. Third, we have found that the plan really does save us money.
As for BEST places to eat, that depends on what you're looking for and who will be dining. Is your party primarily adults & teenagers, or are you looking to entertain toddlers and small children?
My favorites for the older crowd:
- Jiko - Animal Kingdom Lodge
- California Grill - Contemporary Resort
- Flying Fish Cafe - Boardwalk
Favorites for families with small children
- Crystal Palace - Magic Kingdom - character dining with Winnie the Pooh
- Chef Mickey's - Contemporary Resort - character dining with Mickey Mouse
- Whispering Canyon Cafe - Wilderness Lodge
All of the restaurants listed above are family friendly. It's just that the restaurants included in the first list are a little more sophisticated and offer some of the best cuisine in Walt Disney World.
Hope this helps. Have fun planning!