Hi there John, and welcome back to planDisney! Thank you for sending us your question. It sounds like you’re looking forward to a magical trip to
Walt Disney World Resort this October. With all of the incredible dining options available throughout the parks and resorts, it’s smart to plan ahead and think about how to make the most of your dining plan.
At Walt Disney World, the
dining plan credits are specific to the type of meal, so a quick-service credit cannot be directly applied toward a table-service meal. The two types of credits are separate, and Disney does not allow you to trade up by using a quick-service credit and then paying the difference in cost for a sit-down restaurant. If you would like to enjoy a table-service meal, you would need to pay for it out of pocket rather than apply your quick-service credits.
That being said, there are ways to get the most value out of your plan while still enjoying a mix of dining experiences. Many families will use their quick-service credits for breakfast or lunch and then pay out of pocket for a table-service dinner. This approach allows you to enjoy the convenience and coverage of the plan while still reserving a special meal or two at a sit-down restaurant.
If you find yourself with more quick-service credits than you need, you do have some flexibility. In some cases, a quick-service credit can be exchanged for three snack credits at resort food courts or certain snack locations. This is a useful option if you want to pick up items to share, stock up on treats for later, or bring home Disney-branded snacks.
Planning ahead is the best way to make your dining plan work for you. Using your credits strategically for higher value meals and deciding in advance which table-service experiences you would like to pay for can help balance convenience with the special dining moments that many families look forward to during a Disney trip.
John, I hope this helps you feel prepared as you get ready for your upcoming visit to Walt Disney World Resort. With so many dining options to enjoy and a little planning ahead, you’ll be able to make the most of your dining plan while still experiencing some memorable table-service meals. Thank you so much for stopping by planDisney with your question, and I wish you a trip filled with delicious meals and magical memories!
Kay