Affordable Disney World Dining: Quick Service Dining Plan

Continuing our discussion about the Disney Dining Plans, today’s post is about the Quick Service Dining Plan. The Quick Service Dining Plan is the least expensive Dining Plan choice, and as such is the easiest way to plan affordable meals while at Walt Disney World. This plan provides for each person in your room the following items:

• 2 Quick Service Meals (counter service or “fast food”) per night. Choose one entrée/combo meal, one single non-alcoholic beverage, and either dessert (lunch/dinner) or juice (breakfast).
• 2 Snacks per night. There are a large number of snack items throughout the Walt Disney World resort theme parks and hotels. What is available as a snack item is easily identified on the menu at all snack shops and counter service restaurants by the DDP snack item logo. Examples of the kinds of things you can get for a snack credit are ice cream (including Dole Whips and Mickey bars!), fruit, popcorn, chips, muffins, baked items, as well as a number of hot and cold drink items. It has been my experience that more items ARE snack credits on the DDP than not, but when in doubt, just ask the castmember at the register.
• One refillable resort drink mug. With this mug you get unlimited drink refills at any RESORT HOTEL only.

You can read more information about counter service meal choices and snack choices at Disney World here.

What Does the Quick Service Dining Plan Cost?

The Quick Service Dining Plan prices for 2010 are: Adults $31.99 per person per night; children 3-9 are $9.99 per person per night. This fee is added on to the cost for the Magic Your Way package (if not already included), or to the room cost for Annual Passholders or Disney Vacation Club members.

You can download the 2010 Quick-Service Dining Plan brochure here.

You can download the 2011 Quick-Service Dining Plan brochure here.

As already mentioned in Disney Dining Plan 101, everyone in the room must be on the same package. In addition, there is no charge for children under 3: they may share an adult meal, or you may pay separately for them. Children ages 3-9 must order from a kid’s menu when available. All dining credits must be used by midnight the last day of your stay, otherwise they expire.

Tips for Using the Quick Service Dining Plan

It’s important to realize that while each person has the above noted credits for each night, you are by no means REQUIRED to use them that way. In other words, if on one day you want to have 3 counter service meals, and the next day just have 1 counter service meal and 4 snacks each, you can. You can also, of course, supplement the food options in the Quick Service Dining Plan with other meals/food that you pay out of pocket for (say you want to eat at a table service meal one night). Just be careful and think about this first, as a lot of supplemental meals can make this not such an affordable choice.

You can also feel free to be creative, and consider sharing meals, as you will find that it is a lot of food for many folks. Consider also getting dessert to go, or getting fresh fruit or a muffin as a healthy snack for later, or for breakfast the next day.

And if you find you have leftover snack credits, use them for non-perishable treats like Mickey Krispie treats that you can take home with you…or to snack on during your journey home.

Disney Savings Round-Up for August 27, 2010

Disney has a NEW FREE Dining promotion for much of 2011. See below for details!

You can get some great savings from using Restaurant.com at selected Disney property restaurants! In addition, Expedia.com is still running summer sale that expires at the end of August. And be sure to also note the great sales at Hotels.com, and Travelocity for more ways to save money. PLUS the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin are having a great promotion for the month of September as well!

Restaurant.com Promotions

Did you know that you can use Restaurant.com Gift Certificates to save up to 60% off on some meals at Walt Disney World? When you go to the Restaurant.com site and enter “Lake Buena Vista, FL” into the search field, you will find the following Disney property restaurants participating: Todd English’s bluezoo, House of Blues,  Garden Grove,   Kimonos,  Shula’s Steak House , and Il Mulino New York Trattoria.

Save 80% off Restaurant.com $25 Gift Certificates! Use code CLEARANCE at checkout Expires 8/31/10.

You can also use Restaurant.com Gift Certificates for local restaurants or any place you happen to be traveling. We have used the certificates on a number of occasions: it’s easy and it is a great way to save money! This is a great chance to stock up for gifts, and get a few for yourself,  in addition to using some for your Disney vacation.

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Promotions

Book the beautiful Walt Disney World Dolphin, a 4-star Disney Resort, September 1 – 11 including Labor Day Weekend starting from only $99!
Rates from $109 September 16-21, and September 26-28. Rates from $149 September 22-25.

Book the beautiful Walt Disney World Swan, the Dolphin’s sister 4-star Disney Resort, September 1 – 11 including Labor Day Weekend starting from only $109! Rates from $119 September 16-21, and September 26-28. Rates from $169 September 22-25.

Must be booked by Sept. 3, 2010. Book online using rate code TZOO

DisneyStore.com Savings and Promotions

Halloween will be here before you know it! Find great discounts on your favorite Disney Costumes at Disney Outlet!

And you can also receive FREE Shipping on your shipment of $50 with Promo Code: SHIPFIFTY Expires 8/31.

Don’t forget: Buying Disney items at home BEFORE your Disney trip is a great way to save money.

And you can save $50 when you become a Disney Rewards Visa Cardmember at DisneyStore.com

Expedia.com Special Promotions:

Last weekend to save up to 40% on hotels with Expedia’s  Summer Sale - Expires 8/31/10

Travelocity Special Promotions

Travelocity has some great deals this week! Note that several are only good through mid-September:

Book a cruise with Disney Cruise Line and receive up to $100 Onboard Credit. Ends 9/16.

Book a room at the Regal Sun Resort across from Downtown Disney! Rates start at $55 a night. Ends 9/12.

And be sure to check this out to see if any might be a savings for you: Top Hotel Deals in Orlando

Hotels.com Special Promotions

Summer Sale – Save up to 40% on hotels. Plus book 4+ nights at select hotels and get a free Flip™ camcorder! Use code FLIP5 at checkout.

Walt Disney World Savings and Promotions:

• Book a Disney Vacation Package and Get FREE Dining!  NEW DATES ADDED Through 2011!!: Book a full price 3-night or longer vacation package for stays most nights 10/1/10 – 10/7/10, 10/22/10 – 10/28/10, 11/12/10 – 11/18/10, 11/27/10 -12/2/10, 12/10/10 – 12/21/10, 1/1/11 – 1/5/11, 1/9/11 – 1/13/11, 1/21/11 – 2/3/11, 2/11/11 – 2/17/11, 2/25/11 – 3/3/11, 5/27/11 – 6/2/11 and 8/19/11 – 9/29/11. Stay at a Value Resort and receive Free Quick Service Dining Plan. Receive Free Basic Dining when you stay at a Moderate or Deluxe Resort. Minimum 3 night stay, with 2 day ticket.  You must book by December 20, 2010. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com and click on “Special Offers”.

• Summer/Early Fall Room Discounts: Stay August 15, 2010 through Oct. 2, 2010. Get a 30%-40% discount off regular room rates. You should know that some blackout dates do apply and that not all rates are available at all resorts. You must book by 10/2. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com and click on “Special Offers”.

• Fall/Winter Room Discounts: NEW DATES ADDED Through 2011!! Stay October 3, 2010 through November 23, 2010, November 27, 2010 through December 25, 2010, and January 1, 2011  through February 16, 2011. Get a 25%-40% discount off regular room rates. You should know that some blackout dates do apply and that not all rates are available at all resorts. You must book  by November 21, 2010. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com and click on “Special Offers”.

• Get a FREE Disney Gift Card for up to $500 when you book a full price vacation package, including hotel room and theme park tickets. Stay October 3, 2010 through November 23, 2010, November 27, 2010 through December 25, 2010, and January 1, 2011  through February 16, 2011. You must stay at least 5 consecutive hotel nights with at least a 2-day Base Ticket. Value resorts receive a $200 Disney Gift Card. Moderate resorts receive a $300 Disney Gift Card. Deluxe/Deluxe Villa resorts receive a $500 Disney Gift Card. You must book  by November 21, 2010. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com and click on “Special Offers”.

That’s it for this week everyone! Happy savings!

Affordable Disney World Dining: Disney Dining Plans 101

Without a doubt, questions about the Disney Dining Plans seem to come up more frequently than any other question about meal planning at Disney World. It seems that Disney, in their efforts to provide flexibility and choices to their guests….has also provided a good deal of confusion. So I am going to take the next few weeks to discuss different aspects of the Disney Dining Plans, in the hopes of making things a bit clearer.

What Exactly IS the Disney Dining Plan?

Actually, the Disney Dining Plan is several different plans that allow you to pre-pay for most if not all of your food. In doing this, you (and everyone in your room) receive “credits” for a various number of table service meals, quick service meals, and/or snacks, depending on the Plan that you choose. Done with the eating habits of your family in mind, choosing to use a Dining Plan *can* save you a good amount of money on your meals.

How Do I Purchase a Disney Dining Plan?

You basically have two options for buying a Dining Plan:

1. You add it on to a Disney Vacation Package (or buy a package that has a Dining Plan already included in the cost) that includes accommodations and park tickets for at least one day for each person in the party.
2. If you are a Disney Vacation Club member or Annual Passholder, you may purchase a Dining Plan without purchasing tickets, by adding it to your room reservation or contacting DVC Member Services.

So in other words, you have to stay at a Disney owned/operated hotel. (And this is one very important reason why, when trying to make your Disney vacation as affordable as possible, you don’t immediately assume that staying off property will be cheaper. When you factor in the potential savings that you may get with one of the Dining Plans, it often *is* cheaper to stay with Disney.)

How Do the Dining Plans Work?

As already mentioned, depending on which Plan you choose, you and each person in your party will receive varying numbers of credits towards table service and counter service meals, and snacks. What exactly you get for each credit can vary somewhat, but roughly, with table service meals you get an entrée, dessert, and non-alcoholic drink. With counter service, it’s an entrée, dessert, and non-alcoholic drink. Snack credits can be used on hundreds of different types of items throughout property, and are identified on menus by the DDP snack symbol.

You can also usually use table service Dining Plan credits at buffets, signature dining (2 credits/person in most cases), as well as dining shows, and dinner packages.

So, once you get to Disney World and are ready to start eating, the process is very simple and works very smoothly. Your party’s total credits for each type are noted in your account: when you get ready to pay for your meal, the number of credits used are deducted from your account by swiping your Key to the World Card, and you get a receipt noting how many of each type of credit you have remaining.

So other than gratuity for table service meals (and any additional items you may order that are not included in your plan), you pay nothing, as it’s all pre-paid.

What Are the Different Disney Dining Plans?

There are a number of Dining Plans available for a wide range of costs as well, so no matter your budget and/or your eating preferences, you are likely to find a plan that works well for your family. Briefly, the most popular choices are:

• The Quick Service Plan is least expensive and provides for 2 quick service meals, and 2 snacks per person/per night, as well as 1 resort-refillable drink mug per person/per visit.
• The Basic Dining Plan provides 1 table service meal, 1 counter service meal and 1 snack per person/per night.
• The Deluxe Dining Plan offers 3 meals per person/per night at either counter service or table service restaurants, 2 snacks per person/per night, and 1 refillable drink mug per person.
• There are also Premium, Platinum, and Wine and Dine Plans.

I will go into detail on each of these plans including costs in the next few weeks.

Is There Anything Else to Know About the Disney Dining Plans?

One of the major complaints about the Dining Plans is that it is a LOT of food. For this reason, it’s really important to think about the eating habits of your family, to determine if any of the plans are a good fit for you. Buying a Dining Plan and then throwing out half the food because you can’t eat it all is not a good value.

Likewise, you will want to consider how you eat and if your habits actually match the credits that Disney dining has allotted to each person each day: while many people love the convenience of having it already paid for, if you find that you are constantly buying additional food beyond what is on your plan, then again, it’s not really going to be a savings for you.

Finally, keep in mind that when you purchase a Dining Plan, everyone in the room must have the same package/ticket options. You cannot purchase a Dining Plan for children under the age of 3, but kids under 3 can eat from an adult meal, or you can pay out of pocket for them if you wish. Likewise, children ages 3-9 will be on the kids Dining Plan and must order from the children’s menu where available.

So there you have your first Disney Dining Plan lesson. Next week, we’ll start discussing the individual types of plans available, to help you decide which, if any, is right for you!

Disney Savings Round-Up for August 20, 2010

In This week’s Disney Savings Round-Up:

Disney announced some NEW promotions this week including an additional FREE Dining promotion for much of 2011. See below for details!

You can get some great savings from using Restaurant.com at selected Disney property restaurants! In addition, Expedia.com is still running summer sale that expires at the end of August. And be sure to also note the great sales at Hotels.com, and Travelocity for more ways to save money. PLUS the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin are having a great promotion for the month of September as well!

Restaurant.com Promotions

Did you know that you can use Restaurant.com Gift Certificates to save up to 60% off on some meals at Walt Disney World? When you go to the Restaurant.com site and enter “Lake Buena Vista, FL” into the search field, you will find the following Disney property restaurants participating: Todd English’s bluezoo, House of Blues,  Garden Grove,   Kimonos,  Shula’s Steak House , and Il Mulino New York Trattoria.

Get 70% off Restaurant.com $25 Gift Certificates! Use code STEAK at checkout through 8/23/10.

You can also use Restaurant.com Gift Certificates for local restaurants or any place you happen to be traveling. We have used the certificates on a number of occasions: it’s easy and it is a great way to save money! This is a great chance to stock up for gifts, and get a few for yourself,  in addition to using some for your Disney vacation.

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Promotions

Book the beautiful Walt Disney World Dolphin, a 4-star Disney Resort, September 1 – 11 including Labor Day Weekend starting from only $99!
Rates from $109 September 16-21, and September 26-28. Rates from $149 September 22-25.

Book the beautiful Walt Disney World Swan, the Dolphin’s sister 4-star Disney Resort, September 1 – 11 including Labor Day Weekend starting from only $109! Rates from $119 September 16-21, and September 26-28. Rates from $169 September 22-25.

Must be booked by Sept. 3, 2010. Book online using rate code TZOO

DisneyStore.com Savings and Promotions

Halloween will be here before you know it! Find great discounts on your favorite Disney Costumes at Disney Outlet!

Don’t forget: Buying Disney items at home BEFORE your Disney trip is a great way to save money.

And you can save $50 when you become a Disney Rewards Visa Cardmember at DisneyStore.com

Expedia.com Special Promotions:

You can still save up to 40% on hotels with Expedia’s  Summer Sale - Expires 8/31/10

You may also want to take a look at the Family Getaways for special deals on  the top 10 family vacations of which, of course, the Orlando area is one! Save up to 40% on hotels! – Expires 8/21/10

Travelocity Special Promotions

You might also want to check out this promotion to see if it is a savings for you:  Find Top Secret Hotels in Orlando and save up to 45%.

Hotels.com Special Promotions

Summer Sale – Save up to 40% on hotels. Plus book 4+ nights at select hotels and get a free Flip™ camcorder! Use code FLIP5 at checkout.

Walt Disney World Savings and Promotions:

• Book a Disney Vacation Package and Get FREE Dining!  NEW DATES ADDED Through 2011!!: Book a full price 3-night or longer vacation package for stays most nights 10/1/10 – 10/7/10, 10/22/10 – 10/28/10, 11/12/10 – 11/18/10, 11/27/10 -12/2/10, 12/10/10 – 12/21/10, 1/1/11 – 1/5/11, 1/9/11 – 1/13/11, 1/21/11 – 2/3/11, 2/11/11 – 2/17/11, 2/25/11 – 3/3/11, 5/27/11 – 6/2/11 and 8/19/11 – 9/29/11. Stay at a Value Resort and receive Free Quick Service Dining Plan. Receive Free Basic Dining when you stay at a Moderate or Deluxe Resort. Minimum 3 night stay, with 2 day ticket.  You must book by December 20, 2010. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com and click on “Special Offers”.

• Summer/Early Fall Room Discounts: Stay August 15, 2010 through Oct. 2, 2010. Get a 30%-40% discount off regular room rates. You should know that some blackout dates do apply and that not all rates are available at all resorts. You must book by 10/2. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com and click on “Special Offers”.

• Fall/Winter Room Discounts: NEW DATES ADDED Through 2011!! Stay October 3, 2010 through November 23, 2010, November 27, 2010 through December 25, 2010, and January 1, 2011  through February 16, 2011. Get a 25%-40% discount off regular room rates. You should know that some blackout dates do apply and that not all rates are available at all resorts. You must book  by November 21, 2010. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com and click on “Special Offers”.

• Get a FREE Disney Gift Card for up to $500 when you book a full price vacation package, including hotel room and theme park tickets. Stay October 3, 2010 through November 23, 2010, November 27, 2010 through December 25, 2010, and January 1, 2011  through February 16, 2011. You must stay at least 5 consecutive hotel nights with at least a 2-day Base Ticket. Value resorts receive a $200 Disney Gift Card. Moderate resorts receive a $300 Disney Gift Card. Deluxe/Deluxe Villa resorts receive a $500 Disney Gift Card. You must book  by November 21, 2010. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com and click on “Special Offers”.

Hope you find some great Disney savings this week!

Who Wants Some Disney Giveaways?

If there is one thing I love to do, it’s to go shopping.

And going shopping while on vacation is even better. So it should not be a big surprise that I came home from Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort with a few souvenirs…..but the cool thing is that they are for you!!!

So this is to let you know that next week, I am going to have a series of giveaways each day, Monday through Friday. One item each day. Now to make it fair, as I have Disney friends all over the internet, I am going to target different places each day for the giveaway:

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday will be for fans of  my Facebook page.

Tuesday will be a special Travel Tuesday blog post for readers here on The Affordable Mouse.

And Thursday will be a special giveaway on Twitter.

Now there is a “little” catch: to be eligible for each day’s giveaway, you will have to do something, like answer a question, provide a tip, share a favorite….something like that. No biggies, so no worries, it won’t be hard, I promise.

Hopefully, just a lot of fun!!

And if you want to increase your chances of winning, then before next week, go to Facebook and *Like* us, and go to Twitter and *Follow* us.

Alrighty then! Get the word out, share with your friends, and we’ll have some fun and prizes happening next week on The Affordable Mouse!

Photo courtesy of topsistasites.

Great Places to Eat That Are Out of the World (Disney World that is)

There are a number of reasons why you might want to eat off Disney property: visiting attractions that are not Disney (yes, you might want to do that ), price, convenience if you are staying off Disney property….all of these things just might have you looking for some great places to eat that are out of the (Disney) World.

Fortunately, you will have thousands of choices, as the Orlando area is, of course, a major tourist destination, offering locations for most major chain restaurants, as well as many, many “local” options as well. So no matter what you and your family like, or where you are, chances are you will have a number of choices.

Saving money is also likely, as prices, even in restaurants that rival Disney’s top dining choices, will still be lower than Disney’s. So eating off property, if you want to do so, can help you reduce your food budget.

Things to Keep in Mind

Eating at non-Disney restaurants will require transportation to get to them. If you are staying off property, you may very well already have access to a car, so that won’t be a problem. But if you don’t have a car, you will still find a number of great choices right in Downtown Disney….just a short Disney bus ride away.

The other thing to think about is that you can save a bit more by using the discounts offered by Restaurant.com or the Entertainment book. I also always recommend becoming a Facebook “fan” of any local places where discount coupons may be offered exclusively for those on Facebook: we have been very successful in getting some surprise discounts this way. Also, if you are staying in a non-Disney hotel, ask at the front desk about coupons for local restaurants as well.

Popular Choices to Consider

While you clearly will have many choices, Disney fans all over the internet have their favorites. Here are a few:

• Earl of Sandwich in Downtown Disney is the choice of many. Hot sandwiches and salads are large, and prices are reasonable. They also have some great options for breakfast sandwiches if it is convenient to where you are staying.
• Panera Bread is a personal favorite of ours for reasonable prices and freshly made (and delicious) soups and salads.
• Sweet Tomatoes is within walking distance of several of the Downtown Disney hotels, and offers a salad bar and all-you-can-eat buffet with lots of choices for a reasonable price.
• Ghiradelli for some delicious…and affordably priced…..ice cream options. (Check for a coupon on the bottom of your receipt for a discount on your next visit.)

In addition to these popular choices, I recently asked for some recommendations on our Facebook page and on Twitter. Here are a few of our readers’ favorites:

• Chris: I used to love Sonny’s BBQ when I lived in Tallahassee and I usually try to go there when I’m in Orlando.
• Emily: Chipotles and Earl of Sandwich
• Kristin: Chevy’s!!!! Very kid friendly!!
• Tammy: Bahama Breeze   Sit outside, with the fresh Florida air…There is one on I drive, and one on Vineland Avenue in Lake Buena Vista (that’s the one I go to). I don’t often eat outside of the world, but when I do, this is the place – food is really fresh, and the atmosphere puts me right in the islands. (ed. Note: Bahama Breeze is quite popular and does not take reservations, but you can “call ahead” to put your name on the seating list.
• Amy reiterates: Use Restaurant.com for several DTD restaurants, as well as others nearby.
• And from Twitter, @disneynine: The Olive Garden most definately! And any of the all you can eat buffets, Ponderosa a personal favorite. Also TGIFriday!

Thanks to our readers for their recommendations! Now I would love to hear what your favorite places are to eat that are “out of the World”?

Disney Savings Round-Up for August 6, 2010

In This week’s Disney Savings Round-Up:

Disney’s FREE Dining promotion ends on August 14. Be sure to make your reservations now so you don’t miss out!

Please make note of the promotion deadlines, as there won’t be a Round-Up next Friday due to vacation. Disney Savings Round-Up will return on August 20.

You can get some great savings from using Restaurant.com at selected Disney property restaurants! In addition, Expedia.com is still running a special Disney sale that expires next week. And be sure to also note the great sales at DisneyStore.com,  Hotels.com, and Travelocity for more ways to save money.

Restaurant.com Promotions

Did you know that you can use Restaurant.com Gift Certificates to save up to 60% off on some meals at Walt Disney World? When you go to the Restaurant.com site and enter “Lake Buena Vista, FL” into the search field, you will find the following Disney property restaurants participating: Todd English’s bluezoo, House of Blues,  Garden Grove,   Kimonos,  Shula’s Steak House , and Il Mulino New York Trattoria.

You can also use Restaurant.com Gift Certificates for local restaurants or any place you happen to be traveling. We have used the certificates on a number of occasions: it’s easy and it is a great way to save money! This is a great chance to stock up for gifts, and get a few for yourself,  in addition to using some for your Disney vacation.

DisneyStore.com Savings and Promotions

FREE Shipping when you buy any Kids Clothes or Kids Accessories at DisneyStore.com with Promo Code: KIDSFREE.  Expires 8/10

Don’t forget: Buying Disney items at home BEFORE your Disney trip is a great way to save money.

And you can save $50 when you become a Disney Rewards Visa Cardmember at DisneyStore.com

Expedia.com Special Promotions: Note the Disney promotion will expire next week.

Expedia is running a Disney Spotlight where you can find great deals for your vacation, including resorts from $89! – Expires TOMORROW 8/7/10

You may also want to take a look at the Family Getaways for special deals on  the top 10 family vacations of which, of course, the Orlando area is one! Save up to 40% on hotels! – Expires 8/21/10

Travelocity Special Promotions

You might also want to check out this promotion to see if it is a savings for you:  Find Top Secret Hotels in Orlando and save up to 45%.

Hotels.com Special Promotions

Orlando from $68 at hotels.com! Travel by August 31, 2010

Summer Sale – Save up to 40% on hotels. Plus book 4+ nights at select hotels and get a free Flip™ camcorder! Use code FLIP5 at checkout.

Walt Disney World Savings and Promotions: Note the FREE Dining Expires Aug. 14

• Book a Disney Vacation Package and Get FREE Dining!  NEW DATES ADDED!!: Travel August 15 – October 7,  October 22-October 28, November 12-18, November 27 – December 2, and December 10-21.  Stay at a Value Resort and receive Free Quick Service Dining Plan. Receive Free Basic Dining when you stay at a Moderate or Deluxe Resort. Minimum 3 night stay, with 2 day ticket.  You must book by August 14. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com and click on “Special Offers”.

• Stay through August 14, 2010 Get a 15%-30% discount off regular room rates. You should know that some blackout dates do apply and that not all rates are available at all resorts. You must book by 8/14. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com and click on “Special Offers”.

• Stay August 15, 2010 through Oct. 2, 2010 Get a 30%-40% discount off regular room rates. You should know that some blackout dates do apply and that not all rates are available at all resorts. You must book by 10/2. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com and click on “Special Offers”.

• “Kids Stay and Play for Free“: This special offer has been extended and is now valid for stays most nights May 2 – Oct. 2, 2010. Purchase a 4 night/5 day Magic Your Way vacation package (room and theme park tickets) and a child (age 3-9) stays in the room and gets a 5 day park pass for Free. This is basically providing free tickets for one child of this age…or two if there are two adults in the room…which can be a substantial savings! To receive the package deal, you must book by August 14, 2010. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com and click on “Special Offers”.

Good luck getting some great Disney vacation savings this week!

Get Over to Chip and Co. to See How to Get Around at Disney World

Transportation is something to consider when figuring out costs for your Disney World vacation…and keeping those costs down, of course, helps make your Disney trip more affordable. Using Disney transportation while you get around “the World” is one way to do it, and I am talking about just that over at Chip and Co.:

There is a lot to think about and plan for on your Disney vacation. Have you thought about how you plan to get to and from the parks…and any other place you plan to visit while there? You actually have some options, and as with everything when it comes to Disney….planning ahead will save you time and money.

Your options will somewhat depend on whether you are staying on Disney property and can take advantage of Disney’s free transportation from the airport and to the theme parks…or if you are staying off-site, will you need a rental car and/or other transportation options.

You can read the rest here: Getting Around Walt Disney World I look forward to you joining us over there today!

Have a magical day!

Affordable Disney World Dining: Quick Service and Snacks

Continuing our series on Disney Dining, this week we’re going to discuss the largest food category at Disney World…and the one that nearly everyone will experience multiple times throughout a Disney vacation: Quick Service meals and Snacks.

When it comes to food choices in the Quick Service category, there are literally hundreds of places to eat. Over two hundred in fact, between the parks, resorts, and Downtown Disney. And if you add in the many, many more places where you can just grab a quick snack and keep on going….well there are a lot more than that. In other words…..you name it when it comes to food…and Disney has probably got it somewhere.

Quick Service meals are also known as “counter service” meals, and are of course, those meals where you get in and out quickly. You’re at a theme park for heaven’s sake: there are rides to ride and shows to see! Quick Service meals make it easy for you to get in and out, and Disney, being Disney, is pretty good for the most part, at making the process of eating….well…..quickly, pretty smooth.

So what kind of food is available as Quick Service….and what is it going to cost you?

While many QS places are lunch only, there are some (most, but not all, at the resorts) that also offer breakfast items. Nearly all offer a variety of foods beyond the basic entrees that are featured, with sides, desserts, fruit in some cases, and of course drinks available as well. Here you will also find kid’s meals, and happily Disney lately now offers healthy options for little ones (and parents who are *trying* to minimize the junk, fat, and sweets), with fruit and veggies instead of fries and dessert.

One of the nicest surprises for many folks who are visiting Disney for the first time, is just how much of a variety of food choices there are for QS meals. Yes, you can still get that theme park staple of burger, fries, and a soda…but you also can get many QS food options from countries all around the world, in addition to wraps, salads, “noodles”, turkey legs, sandwiches, chili, rotisserie chicken, soups…and a whole lot more. In fact, there is probably as much variety at Disney World in the QS food category, as there is in the Table Service category.

As to cost, there is again, a variety, but you can expect most QS adult entrees to be between $5-$7 each, but typically under $10. Not cheap, but the portions are also large, so it is very easy to make one entrée serve two people…or at least one adult and one child.

And what about Snacks?

When it comes to snack items, you will find these pretty much everywhere. Many “snacks” are located at the QS places, and if you are on a Disney Dining Plan, you will find all snacks identified with the DDP snack designation. In addition, there are snacks at many little counter areas and carts all around the parks. Some snacks, like packaged chips, pretzels, and candy are available in shops (if you are trying to use DDP snack credits, always ask if you are not sure, as this does change). And again, you’ll find a lot of choices! Breakfast snacks include bagels, croissants, muffins, and breakfast sandwiches …and increasingly, fruit and yogurt.

Snacks for the rest of the day? Well, you name it and it is probably in Disney World somewhere! In fact, there are some really incredible snack options available, with many folks having some strong opinions as to the “best” snack available! In fact, entire articles have been written to describe some of these fantastic snacks, so if you want to really have an idea of specific items that you just HAVE to try, check out these blog posts:

• Chip and Co: Disney Food Snacks shares great snack ideas (as well as other great foods too)
• Disney Food Blog: “You Won’t Believe This!” Snack Series (mouthwatering, so don’t read these at lunch or dinner time!)

As to cost for snacks? These can really add up if you are not careful. Here is where a food budget can easily be blown, even if you are on one of the Dining Plans because you buy stuff on a whim because it just “looks so darn good!” In general, you will find snack prices to vary widely from a dollar or so, up to $4-$5 each. (Tip: If you are using the Dining Plan, and think you will consume more snacks than your daily allotment of Snack Credits….save the Credits for more expensive items, and pay cash for cheaper things like fruit etc.)

What is available back at the resorts?

At the resorts, you will find a wide variety of Quick Service and snack options as well. At the Value and Moderate resorts there are food courts, while Deluxe properties don’t typically have food courts, but instead have snack shops or counters where you can get a QS meal or purchase snacks. Because these are in the resorts, most have a decent selection of breakfast items, and some are open 24 hours (always check though, as we have tried to get “late night” snacks a few times and missed out because they were closed).

One of the most important things to keep in mind when it comes to QS meals or snacks is that being creative can provide you with some delicious food…and possibly save you some money as well….so try some new things, share large portions, watch for healthy choices, and use those Dining Plan credits wisely,

Our favorite Quick Service and Snack locations…

In case you are wondering, here are some of our family’s favorite places for a Quick Service meal, as well as some yummy Snacks:

• Magic Kingdom: Columbia Harbour House for lots of *different options* like soup and chili (and be sure to check out the upper level for a quieter place to eat)
• Epcot – Future World: Sunshine Seasons in the Land Pavilion for practically everything! There are tons of great options, and here you will find many of the healthier choices in Disney as well. Great place for breakfast too.
• Epcot – World Showcase: Nearly every country in Epcot has great QS options. It’s a fun way for kids to *try new things* without the expense of a Table Service meal. (We especially like the lovely garden behind Japan, for a peaceful, un-themepark-like place to eat.)
• Hollywood Studios – Rosies All American Café has a nice variety of food.
• Hollywood Studios – Starring Rolls Bakery for….well everything!
• Animal Kingdom – Flame Tree Barbecue for the smoked chicken: easily large enough for two people!

And if you would like more suggestions on great Quick Service or snack options, be sure to check out these great posts from the Disney Food Blog:

• Best Disney World Counter-Service Restaurants
• 5 Best Quick Service Dining Credit Values
• 5 Best Uses for Disney Dining Plan Snack Credits
• “The Best Thing I Ever Ate in Disney!”: Snacks and Drinks
• Tips for Where and How to Eat Healthy in Disney World

We are pleased that this post is part of the Disney Blog Carnival. Be sure to head on over there to see more great Disney-related posts and articles from some of the internet’s most interesting and talented bloggers!

Disney Savings Round-Up for July 30, 2010

In This week’s Disney Savings Round-Up:

A number of promotions are set to run out shortly, including Disney’s FREE Dining which must be booked by mid-August. Be sure to make your reservations now so you don’t miss out!

You can get some great savings from using Restaurant.com at selected Disney property restaurants! In addition, Expedia.com is still running a special Disney sale that expires next week. And be sure to also note the great sales at DisneyStore.com,  Hotels.com, and Travelocity for more ways to save money.

I also want to remind everyone that it seems likely that Disney will be raising their ticket prices…..as they have done every year for the past several years….on August 1. If you have plans to visit Disney World at any point in the future, you can save yourself some money buying tickets now: they won’t expire until you start using them! Undercover Tourist is my recommended source for discounted Disney tickets, as they are reliable, helpful, and offer free shipping. Again, if you can, save yourself some money by getting your tickets before the price increase!

Restaurant.com Promotions

Did you know that you can use Restaurant.com Gift Certificates to save up to 60% off on some meals at Walt Disney World? When you go to the Restaurant.com site and enter “Lake Buena Vista, FL” into the search field, you will find the following Disney property restaurants participating: Todd English’s bluezoo, House of Blues,  Garden Grove,   Kimonos,  Shula’s Steak House , and Il Mulino New York Trattoria.

This is a fantastic promotion that they are currently running: Save 80% Off Restaurant.com $25 Gift Cert. Use code PLATE and pay $2 through 7/31/10 which is tomorrow.

Paying $2 for a $25 gift certificate is an amazing deal!!

You can also use Restaurant.com Gift Certificates for local restaurants or any place you happen to be traveling. We have used the certificates on a number of occasions: it’s easy and it is a great way to save money! This is a great chance to stock up for gifts, and get a few for yourself,  in addition to using some for your Disney vacation.

DisneyStore.com Savings and Promotions

It’s hard to believe but Back to School time is nearly here. DisneyStore.com has a nice promotion for Back to School shopping: FREE Shipping On Your Entire Shipment With Any Back-to-School Item with Promo Code: SCHOOLSHIP.

Don’t forget: Buying Disney items at home BEFORE your Disney trip is a great way to save money.

And you can save $50 when you become a Disney Rewards Visa Cardmember at DisneyStore.com

Expedia.com Special Promotions: Note the Disney promotion will expire next week.

Expedia is running a Disney Spotlight where you can find great deals for your vacation, including resorts from $89! – Expires 8/7/10

You may also want to take a look at the Family Getaways for special deals on  the top 10 family vacations of which, of course, the Orlando area is one! Save up to 40% on hotels! – Expires 8/21/10

Travelocity Special Promotions

Travelocity has a great promotion that is valid through the end of July: Orlando Makes Me Smile! $50 off a 3+ night GoodBuy hotel booking to Orlando, Use PROMOCODE: SMILE50. Ends 7/31/10 (tomorrow!).

You might also want to check out this promotion to see if it is a savings for you:  Find Top Secret Hotels in Orlando and save up to 45%.

Hotels.com Special Promotions

Summer Sale – Save up to 40% on hotels. Plus book 4+ nights at select hotels and get a free Flip™ camcorder! Use code FLIP5 at checkout.

Walt Disney World Savings and Promotions: Note the Military Promotion expires at the end of July.

• Book a Disney Vacation Package and Get FREE Dining!  NEW DATES ADDED!!: Travel August 15 – October 7,  October 22-October 28, November 12-18, November 27 – December 2, and December 10-21.  Stay at a Value Resort and receive Free Quick Service Dining Plan. Receive Free Basic Dining when you stay at a Moderate or Deluxe Resort. Minimum 3 night stay, with 2 day ticket.  You must book by August 14. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com and click on “Special Offers”.

• Stay through August 14, 2010 Get a 15%-30% discount off regular room rates. You should know that some blackout dates do apply and that not all rates are available at all resorts. You must book by 8/14. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com and click on “Special Offers”.

• Stay August 15, 2010 through Oct. 2, 2010 Get a 30%-40% discount off regular room rates. You should know that some blackout dates do apply and that not all rates are available at all resorts. You must book by 10/2. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com and click on “Special Offers”.

• “Kids Stay and Play for Free“: This special offer has been extended and is now valid for stays most nights May 2 – Oct. 2, 2010. Purchase a 4 night/5 day Magic Your Way vacation package (room and theme park tickets) and a child (age 3-9) stays in the room and gets a 5 day park pass for Free. This is basically providing free tickets for one child of this age…or two if there are two adults in the room…which can be a substantial savings! To receive the package deal, you must book by August 14, 2010. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com and click on “Special Offers”.

• Military Discount of up to 40% on select Disney Resort rooms, for stays most nights through Sept. 30, 2010. You must book through July 31, 2010. In addition, active or retired members of the military can get a 4 day park ticket for $99. For more information visit the Military Special Offer page on disneyworld.com.

Good luck getting some great Disney vacation savings this week!