Disney’s Magic Your Way Package with the Dining Plan or Magic Your Way Package with the Deluxe Dining Plan can be a great value -- IF you plan and use the options carefully. Click on the link above to see what's included in the Dining Plans.

Please note that all information below is subject to change at any time.

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Helpful Tips for Making the Most of the Dining Plans

• All of the meal credits for everyone in your party are "pooled" in the sense that any member of the party has access to all of the credits assigned to the entire party. For instance, if you have a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids) and stay for 5 nights, you'll have a "pool" of 20 table service credits to use (10 adult credits, 10 child credits).

• You can use the meal credits whenever you want during the vacation. If you want to eat two table service meals one day and three quick service meals the next day, no problem.

• Gratuities are NOT included except for In-Room Dining (room service), Pizza delivery, Disney Dinner Shows and Grand Gatherings Experiences (groups of 8 or more only), so you'll need to budget for that.

• The list of participating restaurants changes occasionally, so be sure to ask if the restaurant participates, especially when you check in for a table service meal.

• If you have kids aged 9 and under, be aware that since October 2006, the kids' meals have changed (particularly at the quick service locations) and there have been some complaints about this. It appears this is primarily a result of an attempt on Disney's part to meet dietary guidelines for food that is marketed to children. The new kids' selections are supposed to be "healthier" but some people say their kids don't like them. See below for specifics on this issue at quick service and table service restaurants.

• You can use table service meal credits at a quick service restaurant. Likewise you can use quick service credits for snacks (but be prepared for the cashier to think you're nuts). You'll lose some value, but gain flexibility.

• If you don't want the drink that is included with your quick service meal, take a bottle of water to go.

• Fresh fruit can be used as a dessert, so if you don't want dessert when eating a quick service meal, take a banana or apple to go and use it as a snack later in the day.

• Any leftover snacks or quick service meals can be used to pack a lunch for the trip home. Your resort's food court has packable food.

• If you have snack credits left over at the end of your vacation, many of the quick service restaurants offer Mickey-shaped rice krispy treats on a stick that you can get with snack credits. These make cute gifts to take home for friends and family -- or you can eat 'em on the plane!

• MouseSavers.com reader Christie B. says she learned "we could use our snack credits to buy German, Swiss and Belgian chocolate bars in the candy store in Germany at Epcot. On our last day we used all of our remaining snacks at the candy store on Main St in the Magic Kingdom. After eating all we could, we brought pounds of homemade fudge, candy apples, truffles, etc. to friends and family back home. Don't think all your snacks have to be used at the carts -- we found out several stores had included items."

Thanks to Heather G and Small World Vacations for suggestions.

Getting the Most Value for Your Table Service Meal Credits

Children's Meal Selections

As noted in the "Helpful Tips" section, kids' selections at some restaurants can be limited. Some table service locations in the theme parks are now using a standardized kids' menu that some feel is not very good. Two things to keep in mind:

• Ask for alternatives. If your kids don't like anything on the kids' menu, ask the server if they can have a child-sized portion of something from the adult menu. Often this will be accommodated.

• Ask to see the chef if your child has an allergy or dietary issue (i.e. vegetarianism) that causes a problem with selecting from the standard kids' menu. Better yet, call Disney Dining at (407) WDW-DINE before your visit and have this noted on your reservations. Disney is very good about accommodating this sort of issue.

• Choose buffet locations, where the selection is broader and your child can pick what he or she likes.

Which Table Service Locations Have the Most Expensive Meals?

The potential maximum cost for one adult dinner including entree, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage are listed below. (Note that the regular Dining Plan does NOT include an appetizer or tips.)

Of course if you don't like the food or atmosphere at a particular restaurant, an expensive meal is not a value for you! The list below reflects only the restaurants with the most expensive items -- not necessarily the best restaurants. If you want to eat at a particular restaurant, don't hesitate to do so just because it's not on this list. Generally you will at least break even on any of the table service meals.

Prices are rounded and provided for reference only. Restaurants participating in the Dining Plan, menu items and prices are subject to change at any time.

Table Service Locations

• $49 - Tutto Italia at Epcot's Italy
• $43 - Coral Reef at Epcot
• $42 - Chefs de France at Epcot's France
• $40 - Le Cellier at Epcot's Canada
• $40 - Maya Grill at Coronado Springs Resort
• $40 - Cap'n Jacks at Downtown Disney
• $40 - Restaurant Marrakesh at Epcot's Morocco
• $39 - Wolfgang Puck Cafe at Downtown Disney
• $38 - Raglan Road at Downtown Disney
• $38 - Boatwright's Dining Hall at Port Orleans-Riverside Resort
• $37 - Kona Cafe at Polynesian Resort
• $37 - Grand Floridian Cafe at Grand Floridian Resort
• $36 - Concourse Steakhouse at Contemporary Resort
• $35 - San Angel Inn at Epcot's Mexico

Signature Table Locations (require two table service options)

• $65 - Narcoossee's at Grand Floridian Resort
• $56 - Yachtsman Steakhouse at Yacht Club Resort
• $53 - Artist Point at Wilderness Lodge
• $50 - Flying Fish on the Boardwalk
• $49 - Citricos at Grand Floridian Resort
• $48 - California Grill at Contemporary Resort
• $47 - Jiko at Animal Kingdom Lodge

Getting the Most Value for Your Counter Service Meal Credits

• MouseSavers.com reader Dawn from South Carolina offers this information: "we were enjoying Downtown Disney one pleasant Florida evening and were searching for a place to eat. We wanted to use a counter service meal if possible and we noticed Wolfgang Puck Express on the list of counter service restaurants. After checking out the menu, we couldn't believe it was counted as just a counter service. We asked the cashier and she said it was, with the exception of the meatloaf and ravioli. My family of five had a wonderful meal worth over $70 for just a counter service credit (drink and dessert included)! Great food too!"

• Disney's Value and Moderate resort food courts tend to have the greatest selection of high-end quick service food selections. Pop Century's Everything Pop Food Court and Coronado Springs' Pepper Market are probably the Top Two when it comes to resort counter service options. Everything Pop has a great selection, including flatbreads (pizzas), grill items, Italian and Asian options. Pepper Market is actually a "partial-service" location. The wait staff will seat you and bring you drinks. You go to various stations and pick the food you want from a broad selection. Options include steaks and other high-end items. There is a 10% gratuity assessed at Pepper Market, due to the partial service, which is not included in the Dining Plans.

• Among the Deluxe resorts, the best and most innovative quick service food is at Mara in Animal Kingdom Lodge and Captain Cook's Snack Company at the Polynesian. Roaring Fork Snacks at Wilderness Lodge has some nice sandwich and salad options. Other than that, the quick service options at the Deluxe resorts are mediocre at best, with a heavy emphasis on standard fare like burgers and chicken strips.

• As noted in the "Helpful Tips" section, kids' quick service selections can be very limited. At some pizza locations, the kids' menu doesn't include pizza and at some burger locations, kids can't get a burger! At some locations, the only side orders listed for kids are carrot sticks, grapes and applesauce and all the drinks are "healthy" (milk, juice, water), but I'm told you can usually substitute french fries and soda if you wish. Some kids' meals include sugar-free jello as the only possible dessert, while other kids' meals do not include a dessert at all. (Meanwhile, adults can often get ice cream, cake or pie with their meal at the same location.) There are some ways around these problems:

  • A few quick service locations don't have a kids' menu. That means you can order any combo or entree on the menu with a child credit. These locations are: Casey's Corner and Pete's Doggone Good Dogs at Magic Kingdom; Toy Story Pizza Planet, Catalina Eddie's and Toluca Legs Turkey Company at Disney's Hollywood Studios; Cool Wash Pizza at Epcot (Future World), Sommerfest at Epcot (Germany) and Yorkshire County Fish Shop at Epcot (UK)

  • You can buy your two adult meals at a location offering meals the adults like, then go to another location that has better kids' options and buy their meals there.

  • Complain to Disney, preferably in writing.

• If you are on the regular Dining Plan, you may want to consider sharing quick service meals. For instance, a family of four might try ordering two adult quick service meals and sharing the food, possibly supplementing the meal by paying out of pocket for a few a la carte items (like extra side orders or drinks). If this works for you, you may be able to stretch your quick service meals to cover two meals a day. Some of the best locations for this strategy:

  • Cosmic Ray's at Magic Kingdom - Half Chicken & Barbecue Ribs Combo meal can easily be shared by two people with moderate appetites

  • Tangierine Cafe at Epcot (Morocco) - Shawarma Platter is very shareable

  • Sunshine Seasons at Epcot (Future World) - there's an Asian combo that allows you to pick two entrees and two sides, plus they have a much more extensive selection of desserts than most counter service locations

  • If you like chicken, the following restaurants offer a half chicken meal, which can serve two people who aren't big eaters: Flame Tree Barbecue at Animal Kingdom; Cosmic Ray's at Magic Kingdom; Mara at Animal Kingdom Lodge

What Can You Get With Snack Credits?

Disney generally defines a "snack" on the Disney Dining Plan as a single serving item under $4 (pre-tax) that is edible, non-alcoholic, non-merchandise and non-souvenir. Some items that you might think would be included under this definition are excluded, but not many.

Snacks can be redeemed at quick service, theme park shop, resort shop or snack cart locations. Qualifying locations display a "dining plan" logo on their menus indicating items for which you can use your snack credits.

Among the items usually available with Dining Plan snack credits:

• ice cream novelty
• frozen fruit bar
• box of popcorn
• piece of fruit
• snack-sized bag of chips
• nachos
• bakery items
• fudge
• caramel apples
• Mickey rice krispy treats
• bottled soft drinks
• bottled Powerade
• bottled water
• bottled fruit juice
• plain or flavored milk

Also, during the Food & Wine Festival, snack credits can be redeemed for most "tasting portions" offered in the booths around World Showcase.

Thanks to Sue Pisaturo of Small World Vacations for updated information.

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