Rebecca, thanks again for stopping by to ask more questions.
Let me start off by saying that my family has not done a dining plan since we took my oldest on his first trip. The reason that we have chosen not to go with a
Disney Dining Plan is more a matter of choice based on the fact that our kids are very light eaters and can often share a meal. We also do not like to get them desserts except for maybe during one or two special meals during our trip. Therefore, we feel that we would be wasting food since each person's plan comes with a dessert whether it be a quick-service or table-service meal.
Now, there are some great benefits to these plans! They are super convenient since you have your dining plan built into your rooms/park tickets package. All you have to decide is where to go and how to use your meal credits. The receipt you get back will keep a tally of what you have used and how many more credits you have for your stay! No need to carry extra cash, travelers checks or charging it to your room. If you think that your kids are super picky eaters, never fear, there are always popular kids menu items such as burgers, nuggets, and fries. The great thing about Walt Disney World is that they have really gone the extra mile to offer healthy options and great variety, too. The kids portions are pretty standard for what you might find in most restaurants around the country. Hopefully, that can help you decide whether you would be wasting food or not. Another thing to consider is how many quick service versus table service restaurants you plan on eating at. The dining plans can be of great value if you plan to eat at some of the more expensive or signature dining spots. Do keep in mind, though, that those restaurants may require two of your table service credits as opposed to one.
Bon Appétit!
~Allison L