Dining at Disney
Whether or not you are using the Disney Dining Plan, you probably have questions about dining at Disney. What is a quick service meal? What’s considered a ‘snack’? How do you eat breakfast and run for the bus at the same time? The information included in this Help Around the Mouse Clue In should move you much closer to understanding how to make tasty and economical dining decisions at Disney World.
If paid for out of pocket, the price of a snack varies greatly. As low as $2, or as much as $7! On a menu, a store, or a food cart, the snack item will be accompanied by the Disney Dining Plan snack symbol. Generally, any sign serve item is considered a ‘snack’.
A Quick Service doesn’t necessarily mean less food. And, if your thinking Quick Service means a burger and fries, you will be pleasantly surprised. You can get a 1/2 slab of Ribs, Baked Beans, Corn Muffin and a Soft Drink.
The best times to eat at Quick Service locations are BEFORE most people think to eat. Lunch between 11 - 11:45, dinner between 5 - 5:45. This is when there are no lines, and clean tables. Most locations offer Mobile Food and Beverage Ordering via your My Disney Experience app. Order before you get on the ride before lunch — pick up when you get to the restaurant. We strongly suggest this.
Table Service Meals
Table Service meals can be buffets, prix fixe, family style or a la carte. The best way to stretch your dollar is to eat at a la carte locations. That way -- if little Lucy just wants to eat 1 french fry -- she can share with her dad. If Mom just wants an appetizer and a glass of wine -- that is fine. Compare this to a buffet, where everyone pays the same price.
If you are interested in truly fine dining, in room dining, or a Disney dinner show, they are available to you. Most have a resort casual dress code, and a children’s menu. The only dining venue that has an age requirement (10+) is Victoria & Alberts -- which also has a suit coat requirement for gentlemen.
Gratuity is not included on the Disney Dining plan. You can pay cash, use a credit card, or charge it to your room using your MagicBand. In some locations, and for some party sizes, Disney automatically adds an 18% gratuity to your bill.
When is a Reservation not a Reservation?
Though they're called Reservations, most reservations at Disney World don’t guarantee you a table at a specific time as they would at your typical hometown restaurant. They are promising to seat you a soon as they can, and always before someone who has not made a reservation. This means that if you have a reservation at a very popular restaurant at a very popular dining time at very busy time of year, you could wait a good while to be seated. You might not -- but you might.
Eat Breakfast in your Room
One easy way to save is to bring your own breakfast and eat your it in your room. Not only does it save money and dining credits, but it it allows you to "hit the road" earlier and get to the parks before the crowds arrive. Most of us simply do not have time to get everyone out the door, walk to the food court, order, wait, and eat, and still get to the bus stop on time.
If you have room, create a spot in your luggage for your in room food items. You can fill this space with souvenirs when you come home. Keep TSA requirements in mind when you pack anything into your carry on.
Another idea is to ship non-perishable food items in advance to your hotel. Amazon carries over 10,000 bulk-pack grocery products, including individual serving containers of cereal, granola bars, boxed milk that doesn't require refrigeration until opened, and lots more. Note: Disney will charge $6 for each package received at the front desk that they need to deliver to your room— so pick it up yourself!
If you will have a car, or are willing to pay for a taxi or Uber, there are plenty of supermarkets near Walt Disney World. Some private car services also include a quick grocery stop in their fee. Just ask.
Garden Grocer will deliver your grocery order right to your Disney resort. They offer up to 10% off if you order far enough in advance. There is a delivery fee, and prices are a little higher than if you shopped yourself. But-- you aren’t. And that convenience can be worth it while on vacation. While they deliver to all Disney resorts, there are rules. Make sure you read.
A final word about purchasing groceries for Disney
Remember, it is hot, and most of us eat less when we are warm. And, if you are on the Disney Dining Plan, it provides plenty of food. It might be best to be conservative, and stick to a few breakfast items, and a bag of trail mix to snack on during your flight and breaks.
Bringing Food into the Disney Parks
Guests are allowed to bring food items, and bottled water and soft drinks into any Walt Disney World theme park. However, you will NOT be allowed to bring in the following: hard-sided coolers, large coolers, pull behind coolers, glass containers, or alcoholic beverages. Also, you cannot bring any type of straws (even the little ones attached to juice boxes) into Animal Kingdom.
Bottled Water
#1 savings tip for beverages at Walt Disney World: bring in your own water to the parks! Disney allows it, and at $4.00 a bottle, it you will save a small fortune. You will need to drink a lot of water when you are at Walt Disney World. It's very hot and humid for most of the year, and you'll be walking great distances - easily 5-7 miles a day. This can add up to dehydration all too easily. So-- please, stay hydrated, and make sure your children do as well. You can refill bottles at any water fountain, and all of the counter service restaurants in the theme parks give out FREE ice water.
Reusable bottle strap in all of the theme parks for about $4, which makes it easy to carry your water bottle over your shoulder.
Many find they dislike the taste of the tap water at Walt Disney World, so, consider carrying some small packets of sweetened Kool-Aid or Crystal Light with you and adding those to your water bottle to mask the taste.
Refillable Mugs
All of the Disney resorts offer refillable insulated mugs for about $19. These are included on most Dining Plans. For the rest of your stay, refills on coffee, sodas (Coca-Cola products), iced tea and sometimes cocoa are FREE. (Milk and juice are NOT included.) If you are staying for a week or so and you drink a lot of coffee or soft drinks, this can save you quite a bit of money. These mugs are RFID equipped. They will only work at resort hotels (don’t lug them to the parks), and will no longer work once they expire.
From everyone at HelpAroundtheMouse.com -- We hope you have a great Walt Disney World vacation! K
6/19