Hiya, Delaney, and welcome to planDisney! Hearing about a family's first visit to
Walt Disney World Resort makes my heart soar, so let's jump right in and do some planning.
First, let's talk about one of my favorite subjects: food! Many guests rejoiced when
Disney Dining Plans returned for 2024. Since your visit is next year, this is one option for you to consider. When you book your Disney Resort Hotel, you'll have the option of choosing a
Vacation Package. The advantage of booking a package is that you only pay a deposit, and you can add options like
Park Hopper,
Memory Maker, and dining packages. You'll be prompted before payment to choose a specific dining package, so at that point, you will see how much it would cost for your family. You will make payments during the year, so your entire package will be paid for before your trip arrives. Feel free to call
Disney Resort Hotel Reservations for more details on Vacation Packages.
Another option is to
browse the dining options online and click View Menu to see current pricing. Some restaurants offer Table Service, where you sit down and have a traditional restaurant experience. Others are Quick Service, where you order at a counter or on your
My Disney Experience Mobile App. My family typically eats a light breakfast of fruit or cereal at our hotel before leaving for the theme parks. We grab Quick Service for lunch, and I usually book a Table Service meal for dinner. Once you've estimated how much you think you'll spend each day on food, you can set aside that amount.
As for your souvenir budget, you can
browse shopDisney to get an idea of what might be available in the theme parks. You can see the pricing for items like T-shirts and ear hats since those are popular souvenirs. I recommend purchasing a
Disney Gift Card and adding money throughout the year. It's like a savings account! You could also buy gift cards for meals if you don't opt for the dining plan, and then you'll be stress-free during your trip.
Delaney, every family is different, so it's hard to estimate how much is too much. But with a little online exploring, you'll get a good idea of what to allow for food and fun. Please
stop by planDisney with any other questions because my panel pals and I love to help new guests. I'm sprinkling pixie dust your way!
Magic awaits,
Elaine