I love the Disney Dining Plan. I think it is worth every penny for the convenience of prepaying for your meals. It is priceless to not have to worry about the cost of meals while you are on vacation.  But if you want to get the most out of your money spent on the dining plan it is important to understand the cost of your meal versus the cost of your entitlement. 

We figure based on the 2019 dining plan cost that your Table Service dining credit is worth $41. The restaurants on this list have an average cost above that mark. There are certainly other restaurants were you can get dishes worth well above that but for the purpose of this post I only went with the average meal.  You will save more if you choose Dinner over Lunch or Breakfast. Also, if you choose an alcoholic beverage, the value of your credit increases.

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall 

Join Disney Princesses for Storybook Dining inside a medieval castle with soaring archways and cathedral ceilings inspired by Nordic Medieval castles. 

Category: Character Buffet

Open: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Popular Menu Items:Kjottkake (Ground Beef and Pork Dumplings served with Mashed Potatoes, seasonal Vegetables, and Lingonberry Sauce), traditional Rice Cream dessert, traditional Norwegian koldtbord buffet (selection of prepared salads, sliced meats and cheeses), smoked fish

My Favorites: The Kjottkake are amazing, they are basically swedish meatballs in a berry sauce! 

Price Point: $60

HOLLYWOOD AND VINE

Just off Hollywood Boulevard, this 1930s-era diner has a sleek Art Deco design. Breakfast features Disney Junior characters — Sofia the First, Doc McStuffins, Handy Manny, and Jake from Jake and the Never Land Pirates. Lunch and Dinner offer Minnie and friends in a “seasonal” dine meaning their costumes change to reflect the time of year.

Category: Character Buffet

Open: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Popular Menu Items : Chocolate Fountain

Price Point: $60

For an even better value book the Fantasmic Dining Package and get priority seating included. 

Storybook Dining at Artist Point (Wilderness Lodge) 

Experience Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White—a delicious, fanciful dinner with visits from Snow White, Dopey, Grumpy and even The Queen!

Category: Al A Carte, Character Dining

Open: Dinner

Popular Menu Items : Royal Prime Rib Roast, Bashful’s Butter Poached Sustainable Fish.

Price Point: $55

Good For: Date Night, Foodies, Winos 

Tusker House 

Join Safari Donald Duck and friends at this colorful Harambe marketplace eatery for a wild Character Dining experience regardless of time of day—from breakfast and lunch to the family-style dinner buffet—all brimming with African flavor.

Category: Character Buffet

Open: Lunch, Dinner

Popular Menu Items: Carved sirloin, rotisserie pork and chicken, chicken curry, seafood stew, spiced tofu

Price Point: $42

While this is a decent value for any reservation. The Rivers of Light Dining  package is priced at $52 and includes priority seating. The Festival of the Lion King package is $74. 

1900 Park Fare   (Grand Floridian) 

Delight in breakfast and dinner buffets, plus a merry afternoon tea party, each hosted by Disney Characters. Supercalifragilistic Breakfast features Disney Friends for this fabulously festive, all-you-care-to-enjoy breakfast buffet. Enjoy Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner with an enchanting buffet as the honored Guest of Cinderella and Prince Charming!

Category: Character Dining, Buffet

Open:  Breakfast, Dinner

Popular Menu Items: Mickey Waffles, Bananas Foster Pancakes, Mojo roast pork loin, Mississippi fried catfish, Strawberry Soup!

Price Point: $45

Cape May Buffet (Disney’s Beach Club) 

Cape May Cafe’s breakfast is one of the best places to see some of the “Fab Five” characters outside of the parks. Minnie, Donald, and Goofy can often be found at Cape May Cafe, all dressed up for the beach! This restaurant offers a morning breakfast buffet and an evening clam bake buffet.

Category: Character Meal, Buffet

Open: Breakfast, Dinner

Popular Menu Items: Mickey Waffles, Oreo bon-bons, Crab Legs and Clams at Clam Bake

Price Point: $48

Chef Mickey’s  (Contemporary Resort) 

Enjoy a lively, all-you-care-to-eat buffet with Disney Friends in a bright, happy space. As the monorail whizzes by, Disney Characters mingle with Guests for photos and autographs and periodically lead diners in song and dance.

Category: Buffet, Character Dining

Open: Breakfast, Brunch, Dinner

Popular Menu Items :Cheesy breakfast potatoes, cheese blintzes, parmesan mashed potatoes, sundae bar

Price Point: $50

Tiffins 

Set off on a culinary expedition of international cuisine at this restaurant inspired by exploration and adventure. Seek and you shall find a treasure trove of mouthwatering delights from far-off places for lunch and dinner. Roam the road less traveled at Tiffins, thanks to a globetrotting menu of artfully prepared fare fit for a weary traveler

Category: Al A Carte, Signature Dining

Open: Lunch, Dinner

Popular Menu Items: Watermelon Salad, Pomegranate Chicken, Whole Sustainable Fish, Wagyu Beef

Price Point: $29-53

This is a signature dining location and would use 2 dining entitlements which would not make it a good value but the Festival of the Lion King Dining package is priced at $99 which would make it a great use of the dining plan. 

Boma (Animal Kingdom Lodge) 

Resembling a lively African marketplace, this restaurant features all-you-care-to-enjoy buffets at breakfast and dinner. Under thatched roofs, savor vibrant flavors from over 50 African countries—along with favorite American classics.

Category: Buffet,

Open: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Popular Menu Items:Variety of buffet dishes, Zebra Domes, Mealie Pap, Beef Bobotie, Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Price Point: $43

Good For: Everyone, Families

 

Will I actually save money with the Disney Dining Plan?

Budgeting is such an important part of trip planning, but it can be difficult to find the time to sit down and actually work out the real cost vs a package deal. My ‘Should You Add the Disney Dining Plan’ guide covers everything you need to know to make the right dining choice for you. From what is covered in each dining plan, and who it will best suit, to the average cost of each restaurant and even calculate your savings!

 

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