15 Fast Tips for Walt Disney World Dining

Planning a family vacation to Walt Disney World takes a lot of work, but thinking about all the wonderful options for Disney Dining should be fun, not stress you out. I've gathered together some of the top tips for Disney Dining from experts across the Blog-o-sphere to help you come up with a plan that will keep your family fueled for touring.


15 Fast Tips for Walt Disney World Dining

1. Use Advanced Dining Reservations for all of your table service meals. During busy times of the year it can sometimes be the only way to be sure that you'll get a table. Waiting time for walk-ups can frequently be more than an hour.




2. Be sure to book Character Meals with Advance Dining Reservations no matter what time of year.




3. When budgeting for Table Service restaurant, be sure not to forget to budget for gratuities. This added expense can add up to a couple of hundred dollars over the course of a vacation and it's best to be prepared.




4. Eat earlier or later to avoid crowds and have a broader selection of restaurant reservations available. If you plan to have a quick service lunch, eat before 11:00 am or after 2:30 pm for the ease of finding a table.



Chef Mickey's is Crazy Busy Fun with The Mouse Himself



5. Eating at table service for lunch instead of dinner can save you money. Same restaurant, same great food, and a lower cost for you.




6. Have you considered the Disney Dining Plan? If you're a WDW Resort Guest, the quick-service dining plan gets you two meals and two snacks a day at Disney's Quick Service Restaurants for $41.99 (adults) or $ $16.03 (children) per night. For the greatest flexibility look into the Deluxe Dining Plan, it's more expensive and you get a lot of food, but if you're smart it save you money on Disney's Fine Dining.




7. Instead of buying water bottles, you may ask any counter service restaurant for a glass of ice or ice water and they will give it to you without charge. Not buying soda can easily save a family of 4 about $40 a day.




8. Disney Parks are some of the most accommodating places for people with food allergies and dietary intolerance that you'll ever find. By contacting Disney here ahead of time to create a dining strategy that works for you the chefs and restaurants will make sure you have delicious food throughout your vacation.



An all-American hot dog and fries at Casey's



9. When dining using cash, only order what you'll be able to eat, and share meals when possible. You can make two $3.75 burgers out of a double cheeseburger at the counter restaurants by buying an extra bun for 80 cents. Liberal use of the toppings bar makes this a great money saving tip. You can also save nearly $2 off meals by forgoing the French fries or the tiny bag of chips, bringing the cost down to about $4.50"$6.




10. Bring light snacks and/or drinks along with you to the park. Pre-packed treats are easy to pop in your touring bag and can tied you over until your next meal when you get the last minute munchies. Nuts and dried fruits also offer a boost of natural sugar and protein.




11. Bring individual packets of Kool-aid or Crystal Light, all counter services in most parks will give you a glass of ice water free of charge. It's easy to make your own ice tea, and lemonade.




12. A large late breakfast buffet can serve as lunch; a giant late lunch can fuel the family right through dinner hour. Eating at off times can save you money if you're paying cash and help stretch your credits if you're on the Dining Plan.



Fish and Chips at Epcot's Yorkshire County



13. If it's just two weeks before your trip and you're thinking about dining for the first time, consider reservations at less popular restaurants. Just because it's not the most crowded, doesn't mean it's bad.




14. When on the Disney Dining Plan, wise use of your snack credits can make a meal out of them.




15. Read the Disney Food Blog for all the latest and greatest news about everything Disney Dining! I wouldn't dream of leaving for my Disney vacations without the DFB Guide loaded on my iPhone.

Thanks so much to our friends over at the Disney Food Blog for the use of their images. What are your favorite tips and tricks for dining at Walt Disney World? Leave a comment below and share your secrets for foodie fun.