Hi Brandi!
I am a HUGE fan of the Disney Dining Plan.
View details about each of the plans on the
Disney Dining Plan page of the Walt Disney World site.
The Disney Dining Plan for 2012 has been modified slightly and now includes a Resort Refillable Mug (valued at $14.49 + tax) for each person in your resort reservation party as well as 1 Quick Service Meal, 1 Table Service Meal and 1 Snack per person per night of resort stay. You may choose to use your Table Service credit for Character Dining as you wish and you are not required to use a credit up at breakfast time if you prefer not to. There is also a Quick Service Plan and a Deluxe Plan, depending on the
type of dining you wish to be able to enjoy during your holiday.
The pricing of the 2012 Dining Plan outlined above fluctuates slightly by season ranging from approximately $51-54/night of stay per adult (ages 10+) and approximately $15-16/night per child (ages 3-9). Prices do not include table service gratuities and groups of 6 guests or more will have an automatic gratuity of 18% added to their check. Children 3-9 must order from the children's menu and guests 2 and under dine for free sharing from an adult's meal.
Disney Dining Plans must be purchased for the same number of nights as your Magic Your Way resort package.
Pricing quoted is as of today's date and subject to change.
Your credits in the plan are a 'pool' to be used for the duration of your stay, with availability beginning from the moment you check in and with credits expiring at midnight on the day of check out. You can use the credits in the parks, in the resorts, at Downtown Disney - wherever you choose! You definitely don't have to be in the parks in order to use the plan.
I hope this helps you plan for your Walt Disney World holiday Brandi!
Kirsten