Mickey and I are glad you visited the Disney Parks Moms Panel, Michael! I'd be happy to give you some
food for thought!
When planning a Walt Disney World Resort trip, many guests appreciate the option of paying in advance for as many components of their vacation as possible. My good friend says it helps her keep the magic alive when she's not worried about looking at a bill when her meal is over. Depending on the make-up of your family and your dining style, there are four different
Disney Dining Plans, and over 100 participating dining locations, so you have the flexibility to pick the plan that's best for you. Just this week, a new plan called the
Disney Dining Plan Plus was released; with it, everyone in your party receives two meals (any combination of Table-Service and Quick-Service) per night of your stay.
Deciding whether you'll save money by getting the Dining Plan depends on a few factors, however. When our Mouseketeers were little, adding it was a no-brainer for us. When they became "Disney Adults" at age 10, things became a little trickier, as my kiddos had the appetite of a
mouse until about the age of 14 (older teens are a whole different story, though)! First of all, you'll need to decide where you'll be eating- some of my fellow panelists put this information into an Excel spreadsheet. Next, check the menus of these restaurants on the Walt Disney World website, and plug in the costs of the meals (including cocktails, appetizers, and desserts if applicable). Compare these costs against the Disney Dining Plan you are considering.
Being an Annual Passholder myself, I like to bookmark the
Passholder Discount page on my computer, and I check it often. Many Table-Service restaurants offer a 10% (and some 15%- 20%) discount that applies to the non-discounted price of food and non-alcoholic beverages. Since my Prince Charming and I like to enjoy a glass of wine at dinner, and we often dine at Signature Restaurants, I usually purchase a
Tables in Wonderland Card. This membership is exclusive to Florida Residents, Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members, and the benefits include a 20% discount on food and beverages, including alcohol, at over 100 participating restaurants at the Walt Disney World Resort. Although there is a fee associated with the yearly membership, I've found that it has saved me hundreds of dollars (I have a running total I keep on the notes section on my phone). If you're interested in getting more information, call (407) 566-5858.
I hope this helps, Michael! See ya' real soon!
Eean