Hi Kimberly,
Welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! I am happy to greet a fellow North Carolinian!
It sounds as if you plan to use the
Disney Dining Plan - this is one of my family's favorite
dining plans. Using your dining plan will be relatively easy once you arrive. We always ask a cast member for clarification of what counts when we arrive to a dining location. Many restaurants have signs that identify items eligible for a dining plan.
Before our trips, we always plan most of our meals so that I can be sure we have enough meal entitlements to last for the entire trip. Remember that meal entitlements are calculated per night of stay so that if you are on the Disney Dining Plan and staying for six nights, each person in your party on the dining plan will receive 12 meal entitlements (six quick-service and six table-service). Once we identify the restaurants we plan to experience, I check each restaurant's website looking for a link that says "Some Dining Plans Accepted." If that link is available, I click on it to see which dining plans are accepted. Or, check the
2018 Disney Dining Plans Participating Location List (updated each year).
Kimberly, remember to download the My Disney Experience Mobile App if you have not done so yet. With the mobile app, you can check remaining dining plan entitlements. Also, make advanced dining reservations for table-service meals and for Be Our Guest Restaurant (quick-service service at breakfast and lunch). We adore The Crystal Palace, Cinderella's Royal Table, Chef Mickey's, 1900 Park Fare and 'Ohana!
Magic, memories and Minnie Mouse hugs,
Donyell