“OFF-PEAK” TRAVELING CAN OFFER MORE THAN LOW CROWD LEVELS; FREE DINING!!!

Another huge benefit to "off-peak" traveling is that Disney often offers their dining plans for free as an incentive for potential guests.  For those of you who may not be familiar with the Disney Dining Plan, it is a prepaid, all inclusive food plan.  What is included depends on the plan selected and is reflected in the cost.  A family of four will save an average of $1018.50 for a 7 day vacation.  The cost is broken down to $55.59 per adult per day and $17.16 per child per day.  These prices reflect the “Plus Dining” plan.  This plan includes 1 table service, 1 quick service and 1 snack per day.  There are four other dining options available as well.  The Quick Service plan includes 2 quick counter services and 1 snack per day.  Deluxe, Premium and Platinum are the other options you may choose.  Each option offering slightly more than the last.  All dining plans also include a refillable mug.

Unlimited Refillable Mug for Each On-site Guest

In our experience, Plus Dining is not only the most economical, but it is the most practical.  When traveling, we enjoy having nice meals where we are able to sit and relax.  This plan provide us with this opportunity once per day.  This allows us to maintain to our boot camp-like schedule as well as enjoy some pretty amazing meals.  In my opinion, the Deluxe, Premium and Platinum plans offer wonderful meals, but you will spend the majority of your vacation sitting in a restaurant.  Where as the Quick Service plan leaves you eating fast food-like food for a week straight.  Our family definitely prefers the Plus Dining plan!  More detailed information on each dining plan can be found on the Disney website (https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/planning-guides/in-depth-advice/disney-dining-plan/).

All the plans are based on credits.  These credits are tied to your room card.  Otherwise known as your “Key to the World.”  All credits are tracked by Disney and may be used anyway you wish.  When using the Plus Dining plan for a family of four on a seven day  vacation, cards are be loaded with 28 table services, 28 quick services and 28 snacks.  When any card from your family is used, the service will be deducted from your total.  You may choose to use 2 quick services one day, 2 table services the next and all your snack credits in 3 days.  Which ever you choose, the credits will be deducted accordingly.  The type of snacks can range from a bottle of water to a Mickey Mouse ice cream.  Just remember, when your credit balance is zero, you have to start paying cash.  So use your credits wisely!

When using the Dining Plan, it is highly recommended to make reservations prior to your arrival.  With the increased popularity of these plans, it is very difficult to walk into any Disney restaurant without one.  You are able to make reservations as soon as 180 days prior to your trip.  I know you are thinking…180 DAYS!!!!  It may seem ridiculous, but in most cases it isn’t.  Depending on the time of year and what restaurant it is, even if you call 179 days before you may not get what you want.  On the other hand, if you aren’t that picky or don’t care to be that organized, reservations will still be available.  But for my wife, this is part of the planning excitement!  We try to eat at different restaurants with every visit.  So my wife begins by looking at the list and narrowing down to our choices for the upcoming trip. 

This year we have selected T-Rex (Downtown Disney,) Via Napoli (Epcot,)  Donald’s Dining Safari (Animal Kingdom,)  Be Our Guest (Magic Kingdom,)  Sci-Fi (Hollywood Studios,) Coral Reef (Epcot,)  and Crystal Palace (Magic Kingdom.  Calling 180 days before, my wife was able to make reservations at or around the times we preferred for all restaurants.  In some cases, the restaurants that we want to eat at drive which parks we will visit on certain days during our trip.  After having the benefits of free dining our last 2 trips, my wife and I are convinced that it is a luxury that we are willing to pay for.