Hi Stacy,
Disney Dining Plans are a fabulous option for many families visiting Walt Disney World Resort. I'm glad you're considering whether or not adding the
Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan makes sense for you. It all comes down, in my opinion, to your eating habits while on vacation and whether or not convenience is important to you.
If you tend to select the more expensive meals at quick-service restaurants and plan to enjoy a tasty milkshake or refreshing alcoholic beverage with your meals, then the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan is likely to save you money. For example, let's say you're exploring Disney's Animal Kingdom and you hear some growling. Assuming that's your stomach and not one of the furry residents of the theme park, you decide to grab lunch at
Flame Tree Barbecue. If you order the Ribs, Chicken and Pulled Pork Sampler accompanied by a Safari Amber, you've ordered a meal that is worth more than half of what you paid for the day's Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan. And you still have another meal and two snack credits to use! Don't forget you also receive a refillable mug that you can use repeatedly at the Walt Disney World Resort hotels throughout the length of your stay. Those coffee refills can certainly add up over the course of a vacation.
If, however, you more frequently order items that cost significantly less and skip the more expensive beverages, then it may save you money to order food and drinks à la carte.
I know folks who purchase a Disney Dining Plan simply because they want the convenience of pre-paying their meals. There's definitely something to be said about the value of knowing in advance exactly what your food budget will be for your vacation.
Good luck with your decision!
Jill