Hello, Kristen,
Thank you for sending your question to the Disney Parks Moms Panel about the
Disney Dining Plan. My family has used it, and we have saved money each time we used it. However, I did a lot of research beforehand and selected restaurants where I thought we'd make the most of our investment.
The value of this plan truly comes down to the choices guests make. For example, at Sleepy Hollow at the Magic Kingdom, a guest could purchase a coffee as a snack, which costs around $2.79, or s/he could select a funnel cake with powdered sugar and cinnamon that costs around $6.49 (all prices subject to change). The latter choice is a much better use of that guest's investment in the Disney Dining Plan. If you'd like to read more, you can do an internet search for
Is the Disney Dining Plan Worthwhile as well as
How to Make the Most of the Disney Dining Plan. Many of these articles go into a much more detailed analysis of the Disney Dining Plan and offer advice to make it a good value. I also think it is helpful to see a variety of opinions on it.
To see what it would cost you, you can go through the planning process of a
Magic Your Way Vacation Package to get a quick estimate of the additional cost.
Wishing you a Delightfully Disney Day! Please let us know if we can help with any further questions. -
Kara