Hi Julianne,
Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel!
When determining the value of a
dining plan, I check the menus of some of the restaurants my family would like to visit to get an idea of how much the meal would cost if we do not purchase a dining plan. Since I like to know exactly how much money we spend on food during each trip, I also save receipts. At
Whispering Canyon Cafe on a prior visit, we paid $81.55 for two adults and two kids to eat dinner (including an 18% gratuity). My husband and I drank water and did not order dessert. On the 2017
Disney Dining Plan, we would have each received an entrée, dessert and non-alcoholic drink with dinner.
The Disney Deluxe Dining Plan also includes an appetizer with lunch or dinner. For each guest 3-years old and over, each dining plan includes two snacks per night of stay and a resort refillable mug. Since our girls still enjoy character meals, we often dine at 1900 Park Fare. On our last visit, breakfast was $144.84 for four adults before the tip. To check the prices for table-service restaurants, just click on "view menu" on a restaurant's webpage. If the meal is buffet or family style, I always call 407-939-1947 to check prices for our trip dates.
Julianne, use the
dining list to find restaurants your family might like. My family now prefers the Disney Deluxe Dining plan because it provides three meals per night of stay while the Disney Dining Plan includes two.
Magic, memories and Minnie Mouse hugs,
Donyell