We BEAT the Disney Dining Plan! See if it's right for you.

[@madmak0384]

Whether somebody chooses to purchase the dining plan or not, this by far is one of the best videos I've seen breaking down the cost of either plan.

[@KrauseMouseAdventures]

Thank you!

[@ThisMumAtHome]

Agreed! Ive watched so many recent videos on this and everyone seems to be not on board with it. Ive kept looking as its our first trip ever from Australia so we think it would be best for us to have to experience all of the restaurants that would otherwise cost us way more!!! This video was great! I didnt even think about using snack credits for specialty coffees or breakfast !

[@KrauseMouseAdventures]

@@ThisMumAtHome Thank you for your kind words! I’m glad you found the video useful. I hope you have a wonderful trip!

[@BeingAMomAndBeyond]

@@ThisMumAtHomeI used to be a Disney travel planner and I’ve been here raving about this video for an hour.😂 It is such a great breakdown of how to do this plan the right way. I still plan trips for family and friends and they’ll be forwarded this video from now on when they ask if the DDP is right for them. For my family, personally, we always use the plan. We went without it once and it was miserable. We didn’t get to eat the things we loved because of cost and we felt like we were scrambling on every meal, quick service included. We also skipped a lot of good snacks due to cost. We enjoy the pre-planning, always get more than our bang for our buck, and just love the convenience. Though it’s not for everyone, I always recommend it for anyone willing to pre-plan and ensure that you’ll get over what you paid. Don’t forget, tips are the one thing not included and in the heat of the moment, it’s easy to want to use that snack credit on a $1 usd cup of cheese, but DON’T DO IT! Save that credit and pay out of pocket to be sure you get your money’s worth. Hope you have the best time at WDW! 😊

[@BFann_19]

This is an awesome video. Thank you for breaking it down!

[@KrauseMouseAdventures]

@@BFann_19 Thanks for your comment! I’m glad you enjoyed the video.

[@AdrienneGarzillo]

This was one of the best descriptions on how to use the Disney Dining plan effectively! My husband and I have not done the dining plan in several years, so this helped us a lot and since we have already made all of our Dining Reservations and also going during Food & Wine Festival we want to use our credits properly and get the most out of them. We are staying for 10 days total! Thanks and now we subscribed!!

[@KrauseMouseAdventures]

@@AdrienneGarzillo Thanks! I’m so glad the video was helpful. Enjoy your trip!

[@Flyingtvteacher]

Such a good breakdown of the plan! Thanks for the tips. Very helpful

[@KrauseMouseAdventures]

@@Flyingtvteacher thank you! I’m glad it was helpful

[@BeingAMomAndBeyond]

This is long, but if you’re still on the fence about the DDP after this video, I promise, this can help you! As a former Disney trip planner and someone who is still the designated Disney trip planner for all my friends and family, this is a fantastic video! A lot of folks swear you cannot beat this plan, but this is EXACTLY how we do just that, every time we visit Disney. I love this video because it’s the perfect break down for how to maximize the DDP! I always tell people that we use this plan, not just for convenience (and boy is it convenient), but because we use more than it costs us, every single time. This plan isn’t for everyone, but if you think it’s right for you and you stick to the pricing guide he provides (or something very similar to it… ours is a tad less on table service and a bit higher on quick and snacks), you can not only beat this plan, but do it by, at least, a few hundred dollars. A few things you’ll need to consider when figuring out if the plan is right for you… 1) are you going to want to stop riding to sit down and eat each night. To maximize this plan you really want to do the dinners bc they cost the most, usually. If you’re not big on meals that might take a couple of hours from your park time (consider travel time, more than just your entree course being included in the cost, etc), this might not be for you. Time is money at Disney so if riding is your to priority, though this might save on expensive meals, you might prefer cheaper, quicker meals, that save you the time. 2) are you the type of person/family who is going to take advantage of the deserts included and the alcoholic or specialty beverages included with the plan? These can really add to the cost of your meals and if you usually skip them, you might save money just paying as you go. 3) are you going to really take the time to do the pre-planning on the best table, quick, and snacks (or use a travel agent willing to do that for you) for your money or are you just going to grab whatever you see when you’re in the heat of that hungry or thirsty moment? If you’re not a big pre-planner (which is totally okay!) and aren’t going to make SURE you will maximize this plan, in advance, you’ll likely save money by skipping it. One additional tip: kids can get specialty drinks as well, instead of just a soda, milk, or water, with the plan. Milkshakes, virgin cocktails, special juices, etc, ARE included with the plan for both 3-9 yo kids, “Disney” aged adults aka 9-20 yo, and 21+ guests. These drinks are a great option for helping to get that bang for your buck and so much more fun than a glass of water. Of course, this doesn’t mean you don’t need to drink plenty of water, but you can do that for free with bottle fillers and free water throughout property! But back to those special drinks… they’re already included! They’re going to add to your meal’s out of pocket price, but not that DDP price, so they’re a fantastic option, not only when adults want to maximize the plan without having an alcoholic beverage, but also when kids want to have that special extra too! Thanks for sharing this video! I hope what I shared will also help people decide if the plan is worth it for them. I know I will certainly be sharing this video, from today forth, with all the folks who ask me that impossible question, “is the ddp right for us?” 😂☺️

[@KrauseMouseAdventures]

Thanks for all your extra tips and advice! Great things for people to consider.

[@lesliegallagher2682]

Very informative. I got in on a special with Free DDP. I am actively planning out how to best use the credits for my family of 6. Our group may tour separately at times so this makes it quite difficult to plan. I want to eat at several restaurants that don't have the Dining Plan (such as Space 220 Lounge) so if we pay out of pocket for those it will allow me to have enough credits to eat at both Cinderella and Narcoosie (2 credits). My biggest challenge is how to use up all my quick service credits since we are eating frequently at table service restaurants and attending Festival of the Holidays which takes mostly snack credits.

[@KrauseMouseAdventures]

That’s great you got dining included! You could use the quick service credits for breakfast. Be aware that some of the festival food options may count as quick service instead of snack. Have an amazing trip!

[@BeingAMomAndBeyond]

@@KrauseMouseAdventuresgreat tip. Some of those food and wine snacks are a great meal for just a snack credit!

[@BeingAMomAndBeyond]

These are the moments I wish they still had the premium dining plan. 3 table service a day (you could substitute a quick) to do those two credit meals was a dream, though thinking of what it would cost in the present is terrifying.😂 Good luck with your planning and have so much fun!

[@KrauseMouseAdventures]

@@BeingAMomAndBeyond indeed!

[@matthewbiesiada]

this is a very well done video!!!!

[@KrauseMouseAdventures]

@@matthewbiesiada thank you! I appreciate that

[@natalialynn7596]

Great video!! I love how detailed and to the point it is! This is exactly what I’ve been searching for! I didn’t know that alcoholic beverages were included with quick service meals as well. Definitely learned something new! Just subscribed. ☺️

[@KrauseMouseAdventures]

@@natalialynn7596 Thanks! I’m glad the video was helpful!

[@goingawayguide]

Cinderella's Royal Table is actually one of the only signature dining options that is worth using the credits - it costs $102.79 per adult for dinner with tax and gratuity - then you also get an alcoholic beverage, which adds another $20-25. A single credit for table service is considered good use of the credit if you hit $65 for the meal and beverage, so for two credits you want $120-130 and CRT meets that amount.

[@KrauseMouseAdventures]

@@goingawayguide that’s a great tip!

[@jenniferfarchione13]

Hi! My family of 5 is going in the Spring. We have 2 kids and myself, husband and tween for adults. We’re only going to the park 2 of the 6 days we’re there. Can we prepay tickets for those 2 park days and still buy a dining plan or do you have to have park tickets for all days? It’s not very clear on the WDW website. We’re staying at Caribbean Beach Resort the entire trip.

[@KrauseMouseAdventures]

The dining plan is separate from park tickets, so you can get the plan for your whole hotel stay even if you don’t go to parks each day. Have a great trip!

[@nicolebutler4160]

Great video.

[@KrauseMouseAdventures]

Thank you!

[@michaeldaniels5067]

we just did the Quick Service plan, and were pleasantly surprised at how much food it actually was. But the only reason it makes sense is simply because the food is so expensive. So Disney kinda forces your hand here. And if your not paying attention, and not ordering the most expensive items, you may not get your money's worth. The table service plan, if your not wanting to spend more money on tips, my advice is to stick to quick service. We heard many conversations in ride lines where a couples would be discussing the meal plan and table service. A gentleman was complaining about how confusing it was to his wife and that they had already spent an additional $300 in tips alone, and had no idea what was being charged to the room vs taken off the meal plan. Apparently they had been charged extra on certain items. The quick service plan is easier. With all that said, Disney does allow you to bring items into the park, so you could pack a lunch, drinks.... but who really wants to meal plan everyday on vacation. We broke about even. Most our snacks were beverages, you really don't feel like eating when its so hot. That was our biggest problem. Just no appetite. We just couldn't drink enough and waters free.

[@KrauseMouseAdventures]

Yeah, it can be tricky to eat and drink enough to make it worth it. You definitely have to look for the most expensive items.

[@Kikoodelamort]

Hello, the video was pretty great thank you but maybe I've missed an information that I can't seem to find anywhere and maybe could you answer it. I was wondering, how the one credit for table service works once you're at the restaurant ? I mean, do you get to choose one starter, main course and dessert for each person, considering every starter, main course and dessert on the menu, or is there a specific menu for dining plans or specific starters, main courses and desserts that you can't choose ? Thank you

[@KrauseMouseAdventures]

Good question. You order off the regular menu. Just tell the server that you’re using the dining plan, but it’s the same menu.

[@PhoenixAurelius-138]

I'm Confused! How were you able to use only on meal ticket per person at Garden Grill? It says on the app that it's character dining and therefore two tickets each person! 🤔

[@KrauseMouseAdventures]

@@PhoenixAurelius-138 Some character dining uses 1, some 2. For example, Cinderella’s royal Table, Akershus, and Be Our Guest use 2 credits.

[@krizzkaos4983]

I'm thinking of going and staying on a resort for 5 nights which is 4 full days. I want to buy just a 3 day Disney park pass and do universal one day. Are they gonna make me get a 4 day meal plan if I do this?

[@KrauseMouseAdventures]

@@krizzkaos4983 They make you buy the meal plan for your full stay (number of nights) so it would be 5 days. You might want to think about a split stay. Universal gives good benefits if you stay at their premium hotels. Or another option is to split stay at 2 Disney hotels and get the meal plan for 1 of the hotel stays.

[@ClarkytheSharky]

It looks harder if you aren’t a Disney kid anymore but would still kind of be a kid because then you won’t eat as much and you can’t get alcohol

[@michaelreinhart7022]

What's the math if you take out all the stuff you wouldn't have gotten had you not had the plan? Sounds like you would have saved more?

[@KrauseMouseAdventures]

@@michaelreinhart7022 yeah, if we didn’t use the plan we wouldn’t have gotten as much alcohol or the resort refillable mugs. But the plan allows you to splurge a little

[@tylrls8728]

how much did you end up tipping ?

[@KrauseMouseAdventures]

@@tylrls8728 Good question. We left 18% at the sit-down restaurants.

[@JackScott-s9n]

@@KrauseMouseAdventuresdid you include tips into your bill totals for savings calculations?

[@KrauseMouseAdventures]

@@JackScott-s9n I didn’t include the tips in the calculations because we would have paid tips without the dining plan too

[@KrauseMouseAdventures]

@@tylrls8728 about 18% for sitdown dining

[@harajukukid126]

Ugh i wish this video was for the quick service plan 😭

[@KrauseMouseAdventures]

@@harajukukid126 It’s harder to make the quick service plan worth it. You want to order alcohol for both quick serves per day.

[@aeronmarvelous3393]

Choice 1 - budget $95 per day. Eat whatever you want whenever you want. Sometimes spend more, sometimes less, be worry free. Choice 2 - prepay $95 per day for company coupons and use excel spreadsheet on your phone during your “vacation” to try to not get ripped off. Best case scenario you get a 10% discount on food marked up 300%. Hmmmm,,,, which to choose…

[@KrauseMouseAdventures]

That's a legitimate technique. The upside of the plan is that you can save money while eating at a lot of great places.

[@BeingAMomAndBeyond]

There are positives and negatives to both options. The DDP is right for us, and offered to your way, because 1) we love the convenience of pre-planning and knowing exactly what we’re going to eat, 2) we eat a lot of things that would cost us FAR over $95 per person a day, and 3) we like that everything is taken care of before we go. We can even estimate our tips ahead of time! It’s funny because, you stated you just eat what you want when you don’t do the plan. The one time we didn’t use it was the only time we DIDN’T eat what we wanted, and that just proves my point that people are different. We benefit both financially and mentally from this plan. 😂 Does this mean it’s right for everyone? Absolutely not, and when I was a Disney travel planner, i made sure people knew this, but you can’t negate that everyone is different and some folks enjoy doing it the OPs way, including my family. The OP is simply showing who might benefit from the plan and he did a dang good job of breaking it down. There will always be different strokes for different folks, but this video is one of the best I’ve seen, to help people decide if the plan is right for them. It even drove home the point that it’s NOT right for you! You can’t ask for much more from a Disney planning vid. 🤷🏻‍♀️☺️