Hey Amanda!
This is a great question. We aren't currently using the Disney Dining Plan on our family vacations because of our kid's ages, but we still want to make sure we do Character Dining while staying within our budget.
Your best option is to choose breakfast. Breakfast dining is typically less expensive than lunch or dinner. We also love the food choices at the breakfasts for our kids. There is always something they are guaranteed to be in the mood to eat that day. We spend the morning meeting our favorite characters and then we're fueled up and ready to take on the day!
Our favorite Character Dining experience for breakfast is
The Crystal Palace with Pooh and his friends. If you can, snag a reservation prior to park opening. You'll get to be one of the first people to enter Magic Kingdom Park and it makes for amazing photo opportunities on Main Street, USA.
Thanks so much for coming to see us, Amanda! Please let me know if there's anything else I can help you with.
Have a magical day,
Ashley