Hello Sharonda!
Welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel and thank you for bringing this particular question to us! Having purchased a dining plan quite frequently, I would definitely recommend it. Though I appreciate having a full kitchen while on vacation at the Walt Disney World Resort, I definitely do not plan to spend my entire vacation in the kitchen! When we have a full kitchen, we typically purchase the Magic Your Way Package Plus Disney Dining Plan which, for 2017 and ages 3+, provides one quick service meal, one table service meal, two snacks, and one resort refillable mug per person per night of your stay. We usually eat breakfast in the room and then use our meal plan for the remainder of the day in the parks. As you have speculated, the cost of snacks in the parks can be surprising! But, they are so delicious and you will want to enjoy them during your stay. We find the resort refillable mug to be especially useful in saving money on drinks at the resort. Since you get unlimited refills, it is perfect to take with you to the pool or to just enjoy in your room.
Of course, if you are really on a budget, you can always bring your own snacks with you and take them to the parks. Guests are allowed to bring snacks and drinks to the parks within limits. Please check the
Park Rules for a list of what items are prohibited from the parks. I typically pack snack bars, bottled water, and fruit. We then use our dining plan for those oh so super yummy Disney snacks.
In case you have not made your
Dining Reservations, may I remind you that you can do so up to 180 days prior to arrival? Use
Character Meals to see some of your favorite characters!
Happy Planning!