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Kilimanjaro Safaris; Animal Kingdom; AA
  • On May 6, 2015
    Paige from IN 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 planning my first family vacation. So, My question is, is it better to do the quick service dining plan or pay out of pocket? I'm just not sure what direction I'd like to go.

    Paige:

    The Disney Quick Service Dining Plan is a good value but only under certain circumstances:

    • Are your family members big eaters and would order the combo plate often to get the most value OR do you have children who are 10-years-old and will be considered adults for the plan but are minimal eaters?
    • Do you plan to spend a good portion of time at your resort so that you can fully utilize the refillable mug OR will you be in the parks all day where you cannot use the mugs that come with the plan?
    • Are you going with extended family and like the idea of avoiding the hassle of who's paying for meals?
    • Do you want to budget in advance so that when you get there, you can enjoy yourself?

    The dining plan doesn't have the value it once had, in my opinion, but having vacationed with it several times, I can tell you that the carefree dining of not having to carry cash or worrying what my credit card bill was going to look like at the end of the trip was worth the cost. However, if you're just looking at it to save you money, I'd pay out of pocket, as my hunch is that budget-seekers typically do not buy the refillable mugs or purchase many snacks in the parks, two facets of the plan.

    Wishing y'all a magical vacation!
    Whitney

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Meet the Panelist: Whitney, Mississippi

My family of 6 appreciates Disney's value! Although Ft. Wilderness is our second home, we've enjoyed the resorts for business, reunions and romantic getaways. For me, Disney also means dining: last count, I'd eaten at 55 restaurants around the World! Learn More About Whitney

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