Hi Kelly!
Welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel.
I really enjoy using a
Disney Dining Plan when I visit Walt Disney World, and I love the flexibility and convenience it offers across Walt Disney World Resort - at the theme parks, the two water parks, the Disney Resort hotels and select locations at
Disney Springs. All Disney Dining Plans are available to use from time of check-in at your Resort hotel (if you use
online check-in, your Dining Plan can be used from 7.00am on your arrival day) and at that time you will be allocated the total amount of credits for everyone on your Resort Reservation for your entire stay. It is up to each individual Guest how we use our own entitlements, which means you can use some credits on your first day, and the rest of your credits will be available to use whenever you choose, up until midnight on your departure day (as long as you have enough credits remaining).
You can opt to use more dining credits on one day, and less on another, especially if you want to use your Disney Dining Plan for a signature restaurant (such as California Grill, Narcoossee's or Cinderella's Royal Table) or dinner show (Disney's Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show or Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue) that requires 2 Table-Service credits per person.
It's worth noting that if you find you have some dining credits left at the end of your vacation, it is sometimes possible to convert one Table-Service credit into one Quick-Service credit, and this could also be converted to 3 Snacks, but this is always at the discretion of the dining location or shop. In the past I have been able to convert all my unused Dining credits into Snack credits at the gift shop of my Disney Resort hotel and have taken home bags of snacks and sweet treats! Snack credits can also include fresh fruit, bottled drinks, including water, ice cream and a variety of bakery goods. It's always worth asking.
Please come back and visit us if you have any further questions. We will be happy to help you plan your magical vacation to Walt Disney World Resort, and for all the latest official news and updates on events happening during your trip, keep an eye on the
Disney Parks Blog.
Sue