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  • On Feb 24, 2018
    Christi from TX Asked Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.

    Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    I'm getting a head start on planning our 202 trip to WDW. We are staying off resort and was wondering if we could still purchase a dining plan while visiting the parks. We will have a 4-day pass.

    Hi, Christi! Thanks for stopping by with your question. At this time, only guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel are able to take part in one of the Disney Dining Plans. These plans can be a great way to save money on dining during your vacation; however, they are not the only way to do so!

    Each time we visit The Most Magical Place on Earth, I sit down to make a quick list of dining locations I know we plan to visit and an approximate cost for each meal. Once I add it all up, I compare it to the cost of what I would pay expect to pay for a dining plan. If we would do better by paying out of pocket for our meals, then I set aside the money I plan to use and purchase Disney Gift Cards. Check various stores around your home, Christi, and I bet you can find a few that offer Disney Gift Cards at a discounted price or offer "benefits" for purchasing them. In my home state of SC, Sam's Club, Costco, and several grocery store chains offer great discounts, while Target offers a percentage off if I use their Red Card. My older daughter's school offers a program that allows parents to buy gift cards and a certain percentage of the purchase goes towards a fundraising account for her field trips. These are just a few of the ways to save money on Disney Gift Cards, which can then be used to pay for all of those magical Disney meals ... especially all of those Dole Whip Floats I am sure you will be enjoying!

    Have you looked at the Disney Visa Card? I am a proud account holder and love using the earned rewards each trip! This last visit with my daughter, I had enough on my rewards card to pay for a fantastic character meal.

    Thanks for stopping by with your question and please let us know if we can help you plan any part of your upcoming magical visit!

    Brandy
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Meet the Panelist: Brandy, South Carolina

Hi, I'm Brandy, a speech pathologist and busy driver of daughters to marching band and dance events. My Annual Pass is used often to check out new Disney must-dos and resort changes. I enjoy giving advice about itinerary and FastPass+ planning, Epcot's fantastic festivals, Memory Maker, and transportation at the Resort. The time I spend at Walt Disney World Resort is distinctive because it is the one place I can forget other responsibilities and focus on having the time of my life with my family!

 Learn More About Brandy

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