Although Disney has made it difficult to come out ahead on the Disney Dining Plan, there are some ways to maximize your credits to help make it more worth it.
Use Table Service credits for lunch or dinner
Not only does breakfast not cost as much as lunch or dinner, but you generally can’t order dessert or alcohol with breakfast either. If you use your TS credits for lunch or dinner, you’ll end up getting a lot more which can include a dessert, and an alcoholic drink.
Want the complete list of Table Service credits? We have a chart listing them all out.
Use Table Service credits for character meals
At the very top of our list of dining plan credit values is lunch and dinner at character meals which are the best Table Service values on the Disney Dining Plan. People who aren’t interested in character meals won’t likely find the DDP as valuable.
Not sure which character meal to book? Here’s more info with a chart comparing them all.
Use Quick Service credits where alcohol is available
Because you can order 1 alcoholic drink with a Quick Service meal, it makes sense to use the credits where alcohol is available if you are a drinker. That will not include Magic Kingdom locations where alcohol is only available at Table Service locations.
Want to know the best values for a Quick Service credit? Here’s a complete list.
Avoid 2 Table Service credit meals
It might sound counterintuitive to not use your credits at the most expensive locations, but the math shows us that using your Table Service credits at 2 credit locations cuts the value of each credit right in half. You’re better off using your credits at higher priced 1 Table Service credit locations.
Not sure which locations require 2 credits? Here’s a list.
Use snack credits at Epcot festivals
We generally find that any snack over $6 is a good value, and there are lots of them at Epcot festivals. Just look for the DDP icon on the menus at food booths.
Want more snack ideas? Here are the most expensive Disney Dining Plan snacks in each park.
This just scratches the surface of the Disney Dining Plan. For more info, please check out our complete guide to the Disney Dining Plan.
Brett H.
Friday 19th of April 2024
Fantastic advice! Using TS credits for character meals sounds like a dream come true for my foodie heart. Can't wait to plan my dining around these tips. Thanks, Shannon!
Alex R.
Friday 19th of April 2024
good stuff here, was clueless about the dining plan but this breakdown is gold. definitely gonna hit up those epcot snacks, cheers for the tips!
Sam W.
Sunday 7th of April 2024
Great, just what I needed, another reason to spend more money at Disney. Because, you know, it's not like you're spending enough there already. ;)
Danny K.
Friday 19th of April 2024
Lol, I hear ya! But honestly, finding ways to make the most out of it helps cushion the blow to the wallet.
Ryan P
Wednesday 27th of March 2024
Not sure I buy this whole Disney Dining Plan. Seems like a lot to manage for just a few perks. Are the savings actually worth the hassle?
jennyk
Wednesday 20th of March 2024
yes! character meals are where it's at. got to do breakfast with the princesses and it was worth every credit. kids loved it and so did i.