Hi Nina,
Welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! I am delighted to hear that you are planning to use one of the
Disney Dining Plans!
Although you can convert your table-service meal entitlements to quick-service or snack entitlements, I like to get the most out of our dining plan, so I pre-plan our meal entitlements to be sure we use them all. Remember that your dining plan entitlements are calculated per night of stay. So, if you are planning a six-night stay using the Disney Dining Plan, each member of your party 3-years old and over would receive 12 meal entitlements (six quick-service and six table-service) in addition to 12 snack entitlements and a resort refillable mug. If using the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan with a six-night stay, each person 3-years old and over would receive 18 meal entitlements and 12 snack entitlements along with a resort refillable mug.
Since restaurants fill quickly, we always make advanced dining reservations for our table-service meals and for any quick-service meals at Be Our Guest Restaurant. On the Disney Dining Plan, we typically do one table-service meal on the first night we arrive and we save one meal entitlement for the day we depart. We use the rest of our entitlements on the days in between. Instead of losing meal entitlements, we make reservations at signature restaurants that require two table-service meal entitlements per person. Dining at California Grill during the Happily Ever After fireworks is just stunning!
Nina, before every trip, I create a chart that includes our meal plans. I note breakfast, lunch and/or dinner and the reservation confirmation number if we have a reservation for a particular meal. Then, I know when and how we will use all of our meal entitlements!
Magic, memories and Minnie Mouse hugs,
Donyell