Hi Karen,
Thank you for bringing another question to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! Clearly, you have done your homework. We always do a dining plan. For my family, it takes some of the worry away from budgeting for meals. We use it to take advantage of character and signature meals that we would not normally purchase. So, for example, on our last visit, we purchased the
Disney Deluxe Dining Plan. With this plan, each guest over age three receives three meals and two snacks per day along with a refillable drink mug. It made sense for our family because we wanted to eat at Cinderella's Royal Table and the California Grill which both require two table service credits per guest. We also enjoyed meals at the Crystal Palace, Chef Mickey's and Hollywood & Vine along with a host of other fantastic restaurants. Although we have used the
Disney Dining Plan in the past, we found the Deluxe Plan works best for our family. Our girls are ten years old now and can eat, so we get our money's worth!
I would add that snacks can be expensive at the parks, so part of the dining plan value comes with the ability to use those snacks. For us, part of the magic of a Walt Disney World Resort vacation comes with the dining experiences. So we have learned to eat like royalty while on the dining plan!
If you decide to do the Deluxe Dining Plan and use it to eat more table service meals, remember to estimate the additional tip costs for the Cast Members who serve you.
Keep thinking and remember to make your
Dining Reservations 180 days in advance. Character meals fill quickly!
-Donyell