Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
be mentally exhausting, especially for kids. One option might be to schedule a meal
at a Disney Signature restaurant, which requires two full-service credits, and have no
scheduled sit-down meal on another night in the middle of your trip, allowing every-
one to decide on the spot if they're up for something formal.
As already noted, many of the most popular restaurants are fully booked as soon
as their reservation windows open. If you're still interested in the dining plan, book
your restaurants as soon as possible, typically 90-180 days before you visit. Then de-
cide whether the plan makes economic sense for you and your family. (For more on
If you're making reservations to eat at Disney hotels other than your own, a car
allows you to easily access them. When you use the Disney transportation system,
dining at the various resorts can be a logistical nightmare. Those without a car may
want to weigh the immediate services of a taxi—typically $10-$12 each way across
Disney property, versus a 50- to 75-minute trip on Disney transportation each way.
When Disney offers Free Dining discounts (typically in September), they gener-
ally charge rack rate for the hotel. You should work out the math, but Free Dining is
typically a good deal for families who have two children under age 10, are staying at
a Value resort, and book lots of character meals. Light eaters and childless couples,
especially those staying at Deluxe resorts, may find it cheaper to take a room discount
and pay for food separately.
For an in-depth discussion of the various plans, including number crunching
(with algebra, even!), visit
touringplans.com
(scroll down and click “Dining” on the
home page, then “Disney Dining Plan”).
Readers who try the Disney dining plans have varying experiences. A St. Louis
family of three comments:
We got the dining plan and would
never
do it again. Far too expensive, far too much
food, and then you have to tip on top of the expense. Much easier to buy what you
want, where and when you want
.
From a Midwestern reader:
We could almost relate our dining experience to that of a person who receives food
stamps—very restricted and always at the mercy of someone else for food selection.
A Belmont, Massachusetts, dad likes the Quick-Service Dining Plan:
