Hello Emily,
How exciting to be planning your first Disney vacation with your the family. I can't think of a more magical trip!
I am a big fan of the Disney Dining Plan (DDP). But I know not everyone agrees.
Because the DDP is part of the Magic Your Way vacation package, you pay for your meals before arriving on property. So in essence, you're showing up worry-free. Your meals are paid for. That's a big perk for me.
I like the traditional "Dining Plan" which consists of one table service meal, one quick service meal, and one snack for each night of your stay. I have a sweet tooth so dessert is a big deal. So I like that with my table and quick service meals, you get an entree, a dessert and a (non-alcoholic) drink. My family usually does breakfast on the go, so our snack credits are used for a piece of fruit or a muffin in the morning. The DDP really does give us three square meals daily.
I know a lot of people who have complained that this is a lot of food. But for me and my family, Disney's not just about the attractions and the parks. We love to experience the restaurants too. The DPP allows us to taste foods we never would have been able to try!
To learn more about the Disney Dining Plans, click
here.
Hope this helps! Good luck!