Balcony at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge; sunset
  • On Mar 20, 2026
    Shirley from AL Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    We have free dining plan at AKL. Can our 13 yr. old order from the childrens menu and if we dont want to use a sit down credit for her, from the childrens menu, EX: Yak and Yeti, can we use dining credits for us and pay for theirs out of pocket? thanks

    Hi Shirley! Thanks for stopping by planDisney again with another great question! I absolutely love the Disney Dining Plan, so I’ve got you covered on this one!

    How exciting that you’ve been able to take advantage of a free dining offer! Dining is already one of my favorite parts of a Walt Disney World Resort vacation, but when it’s free, it definitely steals the spotlight! This is such a great question about saving your teenager's dining credit at Yak & Yeti™ Restaurant. One of the best things about the Disney Dining Plan is its flexibility. You can definitely use table service credits for the adults and hold onto hers in order to pay separately for an item off of the kids’ menu. Just let your server know when ordering who will be using the dining plan and ask for a separate check for her meal. You can also order appetizers or any other additional items you may want and pay separately for those along with hers. Your dining credits are valid until midnight on the day you check out of your Disney Resort hotel, so you can use her credit for another meal during your vacation.

    Since you are staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, I highly recommend both Sanaa and Boma - Flavors of Africa. These are two of my family’s favorite Disney restaurants! The bread service at Sanaa is a must-do, and while I haven’t had the burger at lunch yet, I hear it’s one of the best burgers at Walt Disney World! Pro tip: At Boma, ask to try the gluten-free Zebra Domes. I order them for myself, but my whole family agrees they’re even better than the original!

    Shirley, I hope you have many amazing meals with your Disney Dining Plan! If you have any more questions, I’m here to help. If you want some great recommendations for your dining plan snack credits, I’ve got the scoop on those for you, too!

    Sending faith, trust, & pixie dust,
    Casey
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Meet the Panelist: Casey, Virginia

Hello from Virginia! I'm Casey, a mom of two teens, teacher, and lifelong Disney traveler. I’ve experienced the magic of Disney from coast to coast and around the world, and I believe the real magic happens in the small moments, from hugs with your favorite characters to firework reflections in little eyes. These moments turn into the memories that will be a special part of your family’s story. I’m excited to help you create the Disney moments you’ll treasure forever!
Learn More About Casey

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