The DisMom – Travel with Laura

Should you or shouldn’t you purchase one of Disney World’s Dining Plans?My easy answer is Absolutely! Walt Disney World has three great dining plans.  The Deluxe Plan, The Plus Dine Plan and the Quick Service Plan.  Each has their own unique benefits.

The Deluxe Dining Plan gives you a lot of flexibility and allows you to experience even more Signature Dining locations.  These locations offer some of the best dining experiences I have had. Not only is the atmosphere unique, but the food is awesome.  Kuddos to the chefs!   It is really hard to pick my absolute favorite — I actually select the location by what I want to eat.  If I want a great filet and sushi – I head to the California Grill.  For Seafood, the Flying Fish and for some great African wine and a unique dish – Filet on Mac and Cheese Jiko’s is the place! Of course, one of everyone’s favorites is The Royal Table in Cinderella Castle.  If you have a Prince or Princess — or even just the King and Queen – you will enjoy this unique dining experience.

The Deluxe Dining plan gives you the option of 3 meals a day. You can choose Counter or Table Service Meals. You can combine 2 of the meals to check out some of the signature dining locations.  Each member in the party receives a Resort Refillable Mug and 2 snacks. **Based on 2011 packages.

The Plus Dining Plan or the Basic Plan as I like to refer to it – is the most popular.  This gives you opportunity to select a Table Service Dining locations either in a park or at one of Disney’s Resorts.  Some of these locations are Character Dining Experiences, such as the Crystal Palace, Chef Mickey’s and Hollywood and Vine. This is the perfect way to meet the characters, get autographs as well as photos.  The Characters will visit you at your table and often will be around a second time just in case your little one is a little shy the first time. Table Service Dining locations are located at Disney Moderate and Deluxe Resorts and Villas as well as Downtown Disney and the 4 Theme Parks.  They are easily accessible and great food.  Some locations are buffets.

The Plus Dining is 1 Table Service Meal, 1 Counter Service Meal and 1 Snack per person per night.  *** Based on 2011 packages

The Quick Service Plan is great for those of you who don’t want to sit down to a meal and don’t mind having quick service food for your meals.  I am not a big fan — only because I love to experience a nice meal – in air conditioning – with refills on drinks and an occasional meal with my favorite character – Mickey!  But — having said that I do see value on the shorter visits when you want to pack a lot in in just a few days.  Getting a meal here and there is good. Quick Service Dining locations are located at all Disney Resorts and Theme Parks.

The Quick Service Plan is 2 Quick service meals, 2 snacks and the resort refillable mug. **based on 2011 packages.

Another good investment if it isn’t included in your Dining Plan is the Resort Refillable Mug.  With drinks avg. about $2.50 – the purchase of a mug for each person in your family takes care of those trips to the soda fountain  at your resort.

If you have any questions about the Disney Dining Plan  – contact me at laura@kingdommagic.com!