Dining at Disney is one of my favorite parts of each trip (for that matter, it’s one of the favorite parts of my existence). Still I, like everyone, want to know that I am making the most of my Disney dining dollars…because who doesn’t like to save money? With that in mind then, here are a few tips to get you started:
BYO food to the parks!
Yes, you can bring food into each park! For our travel party, that means snacks like goldfish crackers/cereal, granola bars and a few apples. We travel in August, so I’m not lugging around sandwiches or other items that might make me sweat more than I already am. We also bring in filtered water bottles to refill throughout the day. Please note there a few restrictions regarding what can be brought into the parks.
Share a meal
The portions at Disney are typically very large. At all counter service options, consider sharing a meal between two adults, or some combination of adults and kids. Even if you add on an additional drink or side, you’ll still save.
Eat at Non-Disney Restaurants at Disney
Several restaurants within the gates aren’t owned by Disney. For instance, the Landry company operates T-Rex, Yak and Yeti, and the Rainforest Café, so if you will be dining at these restaurants, see if a Landrys Select Club membership will help you save. I’ve also occasionally seen discounts for Todd English’s Blue Zoo (WDW Dolphin) at Restaurant.com.
Save even more offsite
If you are staying offsite, your accommodation may have a kitchen or at least a kitchenette. Consider a stop at a local grocery store to save some dough. Many airport car services also include a stop at a grocery store in their pricing. You might save by:
- Eating breakfast at your hotel
- Cooking some evening meals after long days at the parks
- Stocking up on snacks and beverages (see more below!)
Staying on Disney property?
You can save too, even if the Magical Express won’t pull over at Publix. If you have room in your luggage, bring a few items that won’t take up a lot of space. Microwave popcorn (assuming access to that appliance) folds flat and fits into suitcase crevices. Small cereal boxes, apples, bananas, nuts, energy bars, and yes, wine, usually make our trip.
A grocery service like Garden Grocer will bring any selected items to your hotel for a fee. I would recommend this option only if you plan to eat several meals in your rooms.
Disney Dining Plans
To book the dining plan or not… always a question. There are many variations of the Disney Dining Plan from Quick Service to Platinum and several in between.
Our family has traveled to WDW several times recently, each with the standard Dining Plan. I always wanted the all-inclusive feel of having everything paid for in advance. While we ate breakfast in our rooms most mornings, everything else all meals were covered by the plan.
Note of Caution: Many of my friends get excited when free dining is offered. Sometimes Disney offers other discounts that are better for your wallet than free dining. A good travel agent (like Nancy!) can help you crunch the numbers and see what makes the most sense.
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Amy works as a college administrator and instructor in the Philadelphia area, where she lives with her husband and two children. She visited Walt Disney World for the first time as an adult for a conference. But Amy truly caught the “Disneybug” when she traveled with her young daughter. Amy loves all things travel and especially enjoys trip preparation and strategy: trying to find the best deals, exploring new resorts and restaurants, and planning an extra something special for each trip.
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