Hi Kristi,
Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! Hooray for your first trip to the Walt Disney World Resort
Let's talk about the
Dining Plan options first. Whether or not the dining plans are a good value really depends on your family's dining preferences. My family prefers three meals per day along with snacks. When I have compared the cost of a dining plan to our estimated food costs for prior trips, a dining plan has always come out to be a better value.
To get the best cost comparison, you need to identify the restaurants you plan to enjoy, check the menus and price each meal. I always call 407-939-1947 to get the price of character meals for the dates of our visit. Remember that you generally pay separately for drinks and snacks if not on a dining plan. And, when we have used the resort refillable mugs on a dining plan, we have usually refilled them at least three times per day. I calculate those costs as well. Once you review a few menus like the one at
Coral Reef Restaurant, you will get a good idea of dining costs at the Walt Disney World Resort.
My family has used the Disney Dining Plan and the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan. We prefer the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan because it provides three meal entitlements per night of stay and those could be table-service or quick-service entitlements. The flexibility is fantastic.
Kristi, my favorite value resort hotel is Disney's Art of Animation Resort and my favorite moderate resort hotel is Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside. The Little Mermaid Rooms at Disney's Art of Animation Resort are super cute and I love the family suites. The Royal Guest Rooms at Disney's Port Orleans Resort -Riverside might also be perfect for your princess!
Magic, memories and Minnie Mouse hugs,
Donyell