Do you love the Disney dining plan? We do too and we are really bummed that it is suspended. We can’t wait to share the good news that is back. In the meantime we will share some of our favorite dining locations and dining tips.
Disney Snacks
Snacks are everywhere and are some of the best parts of a Disney vacation. Lots of them are Mickey shaped too. Here are some of our favorite snacks that you won’t want to miss.
- Churros
- Mickey Premium Bar
- Dole Whip
- Mickey Pretzel
- Popcorn (and maybe a refillable popcorn bucket)
- Beignets
Snack Tips
- Keep your eyes open because you will find them all over. Some of the best snacks may be in a quick service restaurant.
- Get the larger serving and share. It may make more financial sense to get one bigger item and share it instead of everyone getting their own. Plus some snacks are just really big.
- Some huge serving sizes can be found at the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor at Magic Kingdom.
Quick Service Meals
This is what we would call fast food or a counter meal. This is any restaurant where you walk up, place your order, and take your food to go or to a table to eat. Most of these locations also accept mobile order and that is a great way to save time. Not everything is burgers and chicken fingers. There are some great healthy options as well as vegan/vegetarian options. Allergy friendly options are on the bottom of the app menu. If you are ordering in person let them know first that you need to order an allergy friendly meal and they will assist.
Quick Service Meal Tips
- Again be sure you are getting the best deal possible. It may be the breakfast platter at breakfast or a combo meal at lunch. You can share the meal with another person in your group and make the meals go further.
- You can order off either menu (adult or child). Sometimes it makes sense to order one adult meal and share it between two children and sometimes an adult wants a smaller portion and orders a children’s meal.
- You don’t need to use a meal for each person in your group each time you go into a quick service restaurant. You can just buy one and share now and buy another and share later. This can be a fun way to eat around Epcot or try new locations.
- You can always get cups of ice water if you want to save on beverages.
- Top 10 Quick Service Restaurants
Table Service Meals
These are sit down meals with waiter/waitress service. This can be really enjoyable after walking around the parks or a long day. Sitting and having a nice meal is one of the great parts of a vacation. Table Service locations are everywhere from parks to resorts. Visiting another resort for a meal can be a lot of fun too and a great way to see another resort. Some options are a la carte and others are buffet, family style, or pre fixe menu. Some meals also include character dining. In most cases you will have a reservation but will not pay until you dine. Cinderella’s Royal Table must be paid ahead when you make the reservation and includes the tip.
Table Service Meal Tips
- There are wide range of prices for table service meals. Look for those with the best value.
- You can check in for your dining location from your phone 15 min before your dining time.
- Character dining can be a fun addition to a meal. These meals are at a fixed price. There is character dining in the parks and character dining at resorts.
- Buffets, all you care to eat options are great options if you have children under 3. They can eat for free at the buffets.
- At locations that have a set price, guests 3-9 will pay the children’s price and guests 10 and over will pay the adult price. Keep this in mind when selecting locations. If you have a child 10 and over that doesn’t eat like an adult you may prefer an a la carte location where they can order a children’s meal and pay a children’s price.
- At a la carte locations be flexible in your ordering. Meals can be large and some of the appetizers are so good. Maybe an appetizer or two and then shared entrees may be a good option.
- Top 10 Table Service Restaurants
Resort Refillable Mug
All the resorts sell a resort refillable mug. You can refill the mug as often as you want at any resort for free (not in the parks). There is usually soda, lemonade, iced tea, hot tea and coffee at the self service fountain. (May vary slightly by resort). It’s a nice souvenir too. You don’t have to buy one per person. You can share. We usually buy 1 for our family of 4. You can bring the mug to the park and ask for cup of ice/water if you want, but they will leak if not kept upright. A regular water bottle will do the trick better.
Get all the latest on Dining at Disney and we can’t wait until the Disney Dining Plan is back! We hope these Disney Dining Plan Tips help you have a magical vacation and enjoy some amazing dining.
