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Not only is Walt Disney World famous for a certain mouse, but they have some seriously delicious and creative food artists as well! But let’s face it – it ain’t cheap! So here’s a few tips I’ve compiled for you to help you save a few bucks when you visit the happiest place on earth!
Snacks.
- Cups of ice at the kiosks are free.
- You can order whatever you want at restaurants that aren’t buffets or fixed price meals, so don’t feel pressured to order an entire meal when just an appetizer or dessert will do.
- You can purchase refillable mugs at Disney resorts. Let everyone get their own unique design and that way there’s no mixing them up when you’re on the go.
- Consider splitting Quick Service meals so you won’t lethargic after meals, allow yourself a break in the air conditioning, and to give yourself a chance to try more restaurants.
- Bring rubber bands or Ziploc baggies to store/close unfinished bags of snacks.
Scheduled Dining.
- To increase your chances of getting the dining times you want, select a time and not a meal when making your reservation.
- When booking a breakfast reservation, consider making two reservations for breakfast – one at 8am and one at 10:30am. You never know what you’ll feel like that day and if the parks hours change unexpectedly, you’ll be covered.
- When booking reservations, you can save tie by bookmarking the restaurants you wish to book in your internet browser.
- Always make your reservations in order of difficulty – not chronologically.
- You can cancel almost all dining reservations by midnight the night before without any penalty.
- If you are planning to book a meal that requires pre-payment (Cinderella’s Royal Table, Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue, Mickey’s Backyard BBq, and Spirit of Aloha), use the website to book online. If you sue the app, it will most likely prompt you to call instead.
- Many of the restaurants in Disney Spring have lmiited reservation availability through Disney, If you can’t find what you want, check out OpenTable for additional dining times.
Dining Plans.
- Most quick service restaurants at Hollywood Studios offer specialty cupcakes that count as a snack credit (if you’re on a Disney Dining Plan).
- Use snack credits for Starbucks drinks. You can add extra syrups and espresso shots and make your credit worth $8-9.
- The Disney Dining Plan doesn’t usually make financial sense. To decide if the Disney Dining Plan is worth it for you, you should review info on maximizing Disney Dining Plan credits
Dining Deals.
- There are many Landry’s restaurants nationwide and 4 located at Disney World – 2 Rainforest Cafe locations, T-Rex Cafe and Yak and Yeti. If you sign up for Landry’s Select Club, you get extra perks such as a $25 credit during your birthday month, priority seating and 10% off merchandise. It does cost a one-time fee of $25 to join, but you get that amount back in restaurant credit within 24 hours of signing up.
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