SAVING Again on the Disney Dining Plan!
By: Maggie Ballantyne, Team Lead & Travel Advisor
March 12, 2026
I’m excited to share that, once again, purchasing the Disney Dining Plan as part of my vacation package saved me money! On my trip in November 2025, I decided to track everything I ate and drank on the plan, compare it to the price I paid ($475), and do the math. I do this so I can show the savings, not just tell you they’re there. I practice what I preach, and I think it’s important to demonstrate exactly how these plans can add value, step by step, so you can see for yourself how it all adds up.
Here is a reminder on what is included on the Disney Dining Plan:
· One table service credit per night per person
· One quick service credit per night per person
· One snack credit per night per person
· One resort refillable mug per person
Adding this plan to my reservation entitled me to 5 Table Service Credits, 5 Quick Service Credits, 5 Snack Credits, and 1 Resort Refillable Mug. With these entitlements, I SAVED OVER $143 on the Disney Dining Plan! This post is long, but I’m going to take you thru day-by-day to show you how I used the plan and what my totals would have cost without dining credits.
The first thing I do when I arrive at my Disney resort is pick up my resort refillable mug, which is included on the Disney Dining Plan! Scanning my mug entitlement instead of spending $23 as soon as I arrive is a great way to start the vacation.
On our first day, the value of the meals and drinks I enjoyed totaled $24.57. We enjoyed a few items that I did not use dining credits on because I knew they would not be the best value for the credit. If you are my client, I will teach you when to use the credits and what the best values are! Here is what I ate:
Quick Service Cosmic Rays in Magic Kingdom valued at: $19.78
· Truffle French Onion Burger with Fries $14.99
· Diet Coke $4.79
On our first day, this is how I utilized my Resort Refillable Mug:
· Sprite $4.79
On our second day, the value of the meals and drinks I enjoyed totaled $121.65. Here is what I ate:
Quick Service at Confections Eatery in Epcot valued at: $19.78
· French Onion Burger with Fries $14.99
· Diet Coke $4.79
Table Service Dinner at Chef Mickey’s valued at: $87.50. Don’t forget, character dining is included in the Disney Dining Plan!
· Dinner Buffet
· Watermelon Margarita $17.50
On our second day, this is how I utilized my Resort Refillable Mug: $14.37
· Coffee $4.79
· Hot Tea: $4.79
· Diet Coke: $4.79
On our third day, the value of meals and drinks I enjoyed totaled $174.90. Here is what I ate:
Table Service Breakfast at Crystal Palace valued at $70.50. Another character meal included!
· Breakfast Buffet
· Mimosa $16.50
Table Service Dinner at Skipper Canteen valued at: $68.50
· Sunshine Margarita $18.50
· Dr. Falls Signature Grilled Steak $41
· Brigadeiro Prestigio Dessert $9
Quick Service at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party valued at: $16.74
· Holiday Carne Asada Loaded Fries: $12.49
· Bottled Water $4.25
While I could have gone for a more expensive drink to maximize the credit even further, I was happy that I could use a credit on a specialty food item only available during a special-ticketed event. I love trying special menu items, so being able to do this had added value for me!
On our third day, this is how I utilized my Resort Refillable Mug: $19.16
· Coffee $4.79
· Diet Coke $4.79
· Diet Coke $4.79
· Lemonade: $4.79
On our fourth day, the value of the meals and drinks I enjoyed totaled $104.64. Here is what I ate:
Table Service Dinner at Saana valued at: $66.50
· Bees Knees $16.50
· Slow Cooked Pick 2 Butter Chicken Entrée: $37.00
· Giraffe Tower Mousse: $13
Quick Service at Primo Piatto valued at: $23.77
· Bacon Cheddar Burger with a Side Salad $18.98
· Sprite $4.79
Again, I could have gone for a more expensive drink such as a mocktail, beer, or wine to maximize the credit even further, but I just wanted a refreshing sprite. This proves that you can still maximize the plan even if you don’t take advantage of the alcoholic beverages!
On our fourth day, this is how I utilized my Resort Refillable Mug: $14.37
· Coffee $4.79
· Sprite $4.79
· Hot Tea: $4.79
On our fifth day, the value of the meals and drinks I enjoyed totaled $109.08
Table Service Fantasmic Dining Package at Hollywood and Vine valued at $99.50.
Another character meal included PLUS this meal came with a reserved seat for Fantasmic, which adds even more value!
· Holiday Character Lunch $81
· Patron Platinum Margarita $18.50
On our fifth day, this is how I utilized my Resort Refillable Mug: $9.58
· Coffee $4.79
· Diet Coke $4.79
On our sixth day, the value of the meals and drinks I enjoyed totaled $33.44. Here is what I ate:
Quick Service Breakfast at Boardwalk Deli: $19.07
· Salmon with Smoked Salmon $10.29
· Apple $2.29
· Large Latte $6.49
On our sixth day, this is how I utilized my Resort Refillable Mug: $14.37
· Coffee $4.79
· Diet Coke $4.79
· Diet Coke $4.79
Let’s not forget my snack credits! I love giving my clients recommendations on how to best utilize these credits. My 5 Snack Credits totaled a value of $32.10. I went into this trip knowing I wanted to try so many of the new specialty coffees, so it was nice also knowing I had some of them covered already! I was also happy to see that some of Epcot’s Food and Wine offerings were also covered by the dining plan!
· Snack 1, Honey-Lavender Cold Brew: $6.29
· Snack 2, Schiacciata Sandwich from Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival: $6.25
· Snack 3, Epic Cold Brew Spectacular: $6.79
· Snack 4, Butterscotch Cookie Cold Brew: $6.79
· Snack 5, Candy Cane Iced Latte: $5.99
Let’s look at the totals! The total of all meals and drinks enjoyed on the plan plus tax, the total of my snacks, and the value of the resort refillable mug totaled $600.28 (not including tax). Don’t forget, I only paid $475 to be on the plan!
This means I saved MORE THAN $125 on the Disney Dining Plan. For a family of four, that would be $500 in savings!
If you ever see me promote Disney offering a Free Dining Plan promo on my page, www.facebook.com/wishesfamilytravelmaggie, and I emphasize how much these plans can save you, please know I test these theories on my own trips to show clients what these savings really look like. I saved over $125. If I had booked this on the Free Dining promo, I would have saved the additional $475 I paid as well. That would be over $620 per person! For a family of four, that is $2,400 in savings!
I love helping my clients save money on their Disney trips. It makes the trip more doable and more magical! It is so much more fun focusing on the experience, characters, and meals rather than budgeting for food. It is so much more convenient to scan your MagicBand at the end of a meal as opposed to taking out a credit card and footing the bill several times a day.
If you are my client, I will:
· Help you choose the best dining plan for you and your family
· Teach you which meals maximize your credits best
· Show you how to find snacks that maximize your credits
· Provide recommendations based on my experiences
· Secure your dining reservations for you
All of this is included in my complimentary services. If you want to learn more Disney travel tips, please follow along at www.facebook.com/wishesfamilytravelmaggie or send me an email at maggie@wishesfamilytravel.com . I can’t wait to get started working on your next vacation!
The Dining Plan outlined in this blog was purchased at the consumer rate advertised online.