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No matter how you slice it, the Disney Dining Plan can be confusing! At first glance, it appears to be very structured, but as you use it more and become comfortable, you’ll see that you do have a lot of options and flexibility while on it. But, I’m hoping that today I can share with you some frequently asked questions, along with some easy answers. While sharing my thoughts with you, I’m going to base everything on a 3 night, 4 day stay at Disney for a family of four.
Q: How many meals and snacks do I get during my trip?
A: You get one Quick Service meal, one Table Service meal, and one snack PER PERSON, PER NIGHT stay of your trip. So, you each get 3 QSD, 3 TS, and 3 snacks. As a family, that’s 12 QSD, 12 TS, and 12 snacks.
Q: When do my meal and snack credits begin and end?
A: Your food credits begin upon check in at your Disney resort, and expire at 11:59 pm on your check out date.
Let’s say you check in at your resort on Monday, for a three night stay. Your food credits begin right then! Find your QSD plan restaurant and grab some lunch, or jump on a Disney bus and head to Magic Kingdom to grab a Dole Whip for a snack. Your food credits expire at 11:59 pm on your checkout day. Let’s say you check out on Thursday morning, so you’ve spent three nights at a Disney resort. That means you can still eat on Thursday, using your DDP credits. Perhaps reserve a spot for a last character meal before heading to the airport. Or, you want to get on the road? Hit your QSD restaurant for one last breakfast before driving home.
Q: Do I have to use my meal and snack credits in a particular order?
A: No.
Remember those snack credits you started your trip with? Every time you purchase a snack, using your Key to the World Card, it is deducted from your total. If you’re like me, you could survive on Mickey ice cream bars, churros, and German pretzels while at Disney. If you want to use all six snack credits in World Showcase, go for it! That means you may not have any for later, or you’ll have to use one of your significant other’s snack credits, but that’s up to you :).
Q: Can I use two table service meals in one day? It says I get one Quick Service, one Table Service, one Snack per day…..
A: Yes!
You can use two table service in one day, or eat two quick service meals in one day. That’s up to you. You have 3 TS credits at the beginning of your trip, and you can use them on whichever day you would like.
Q: Whose Key to the World Cards has the dining credits on it?
A: Anyone who is on the DDP in your travel party (which should be everyone), has the meal credits tied to their card.
So, when it’s time to use 4 of your family’s 12 TS credits for dinner at Chef Mickey’s, you could hand the server ANY of the KTTW cards and it will deduct the credits. While in Adventureland, you want a Citrus Swirl and the hubby wants a Dole Whip. Each of you take a KTTW card, get your cool snack, and meet back at the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse. All credits will have been deducted for your snacks.
Here are a few suggestions for an eating “itinerary”:
Check in Day: Lunch at Pinnochio Village Haus/Mickey Bar for a Snack/Dinner at Chef Mickey’s
Full Day #1: Breakfast in the Room/Lunch at Ohana/German Pretzel for a snack/Dinner at Casey’s Corner
Full Day #2: Breakfast at Akerhaus/Cinnamon Roll for a Snack/Dinner at Earl of Sandwich
I’m sure I haven’t answered ALL your questions, but I hope it’s a little more clear. If you have more questions, feel free to post them on the Chip & Co FB page, or leave them in the comments.
Carrie writes here on Chip & Co., and on My Favorite Finds. Stop by My Favorite Finds, where you’ll find recipes, tutorials, organization inspiration, and Disney travel tips. She hopes you’ll find some joy in your everyday when you visit My Favorite Finds!
Related articles
- Which Disney Dining Plan is Right for Me? (chipandco.com)
- Getting the Most out of Free Dining (chipandco.com)
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