Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel, Lauren! Thank you for bringing us your question!
One of my favorite things about the
Disney Dining Plan is the convenience and flexibility it offers. For my family, having our meals budgeted and paid for gives us that peace of mind so we don’t have to worry about that portion of our trip. Add to that the flexibility of using your credits as you choose; it’s a no-brainer for us! I like to save a few snack credits for the end of the trip and on our way out have the kids pick a few pre-packed snacks at the resort gift shop. They double as souvenirs too!
I’m happy to share that you can choose to pay for your meal with your credits or out of pocket as you wish during your stay at the Walt Disney World Resort. Simply let the Cast Member know how you are wanting to pay and they will be sure to either use your credits or take payment at the end of your meal. Some restaurants require pre-payment upon making your reservation. Conversely, if you wish to utilize your DDP credits at these restaurants, just inform the Cast Member upon your arrival, and you will get reimbursed.
Lauren, your credits will all load into your My Disney Experience account and MagicBand upon check-in. Each time you use a credit, you will get your remaining balance printed in your meal receipts. It’s an easy way to keep track of what you have used and what you have remaining.
One last tip: Be sure to get a jump start on your
Advance Dining Reservations for your favorite restaurants. You can begin making those as early as 180 days in advance.
Please do come back and see us again soon. Have a magical day!
~Emille