All You Need to Know About Disney’s Quick Service Dining Plan
All You Need to Know About Disney’s Quick Service Dining Plan
During our recent trip to Walt Disney World, my partner and I decided to opt for the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan. We were both excited to make the most of our time exploring the parks, and the Quick Service Dining Plan seemed like the perfect way to fuel our days without having to schedule long, sit-down meals. Having used the plan extensively, I wanted to share our experience and tips on how to maximize its value, where to eat, and the best ways to use up those spare snack points.
How the Points Work
The Disney Quick Service Dining Plan is straightforward and flexible, which makes it ideal for those who want to eat on the go. For each night of your stay, the plan provides you with:
- Two Quick Service Meal Credits: These can be used for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Each meal typically includes an entrée and a non-alcoholic drink. For those 21 and older, a beer, wine, or cocktail can be included if available at the location.
- One Snack Credit: Snack credits can be redeemed for a wide variety of smaller items, like a Mickey-shaped pretzel, a piece of fruit, a bottle of water, or a scoop of ice cream. They can also be used for some of the more unique and indulgent snacks you’ll find around the parks.
- A Refillable Mug: You’ll receive a refillable mug that can be used at any Disney resort hotel for unlimited refills of soda, coffee, tea, and other beverages. This was perfect for grabbing a coffee before heading to the parks each morning.
One of the great things about the Quick Service Dining Plan is that it’s incredibly flexible. You’re not restricted to certain meals or times of day, and you can use your meal and snack credits in whatever way best suits your plans. For example, we often used one of our meal credits for a late breakfast and then used another for an early dinner, which left us with plenty of time to explore the parks in between.
Tracking Your Credits
Disney makes it easy to keep track of your remaining credits. After each meal or snack, your receipt will show how many credits you have left. You can also check your balance anytime using the My Disney Experience app, which is a handy tool for managing all aspects of your trip, including dining reservations and FastPass+ selections.
Where You Can Eat
One of the biggest perks of the Quick Service Dining Plan is the sheer variety of dining options available to you. Each of the four theme parks, Disney Springs, and the resort hotels offer a wide selection of quick service restaurants that accept the dining plan. Whether you’re in the mood for classic American fare, international cuisine, or something sweet, there’s always something to satisfy your cravings.
Magic Kingdom
In the Magic Kingdom, some of our favorite quick service spots included:
- Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café: This Tomorrowland favorite offers a variety of burgers, chicken sandwiches, and salads. The portions are generous, and the atmosphere is fun, with live entertainment from Sonny Eclipse, an animatronic alien lounge singer.
- Columbia Harbour House: Located in Liberty Square, this restaurant offers lighter options like grilled salmon, lobster rolls, and clam chowder. The food here is a bit different from the usual theme park fare, making it a nice change of pace.
Epcot
Epcot is a paradise for foodies, and there are plenty of quick service options to choose from in World Showcase:
- Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie: In the France pavilion, this bakery offers a variety of delicious sandwiches, quiches, and pastries. The ham and cheese croissant was a particular favorite of ours.
- Sunshine Seasons: Located in The Land pavilion, Sunshine Seasons offers a variety of fresh and healthy options, including Asian-inspired dishes, salads, and sandwiches. The variety here is impressive, and it’s a great spot to refuel.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios has some great options for grabbing a quick bite:
- Woody’s Lunch Box: In Toy Story Land, this spot offers nostalgic comfort foods with a twist, like grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato-basil soup, and their famous “Totchos” (tater tot nachos). The portions are hearty, and the theming is adorable.
- Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo: Located in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, this quick service spot offers unique, space-themed dishes like smoked ribs, roasted chicken, and plant-based meatloaf. The food is flavorful and different from the typical park offerings.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom has some truly unique quick service options that we loved:
- Satu’li Canteen: In Pandora – The World of Avatar, Satu’li Canteen offers customizable bowls with your choice of protein, base, and sauce. The flavors are fresh and bold, and the portions are filling. We especially loved the combination of grilled beef with the potato hash and chimichurri sauce.
- Harambe Market: Located in the Africa section, Harambe Market serves up flavorful African-inspired dishes like grilled chicken skewers and rice bowls. The setting is immersive, and the food is delicious and authentic.
Best Value Meals to Get on Quick Service Points
If you’re looking to maximize the value of your Quick Service Dining Plan, it’s worth seeking out meals that offer the most bang for your buck. Here are a few of the best value meals we found:
- Satu’li Canteen’s Bowls (Animal Kingdom): These customizable bowls are not only delicious but also provide a generous portion of food, making them a great use of a meal credit.
- Woody’s Lunch Box “Totchos” (Hollywood Studios): This unique dish of tater tots topped with chili, cheese, and other toppings is hearty and satisfying, and it feels like you’re getting a lot for your meal credit.
- Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie Sandwiches (Epcot): The sandwiches here are large and made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Pair your meal with a pastry for a complete and filling experience.
- Columbia Harbour House Lobster Roll (Magic Kingdom): For seafood lovers, the lobster roll is a great choice. It’s packed with lobster meat and comes with a side, making it one of the more expensive items you can get on the plan.
- Electric Umbrella Burgers (Epcot): While Electric Umbrella has since closed, it was known for offering some of the more expensive burgers on property, which made it a good value at the time. Be on the lookout for similar items at other quick service spots.
How to Use Up Your Spare Snack Points in the Best Way
As our trip wound down, we found ourselves with a few leftover snack credits. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to use them up before you head home. Here are some tips for getting the most out of those extra credits:
1. Stock Up on Treats
Many of the confectioneries and snack shops around the parks and resorts offer pre-packaged snacks that you can take home. Items like Mickey-shaped Rice Krispies treats, bags of Disney-branded popcorn, and character-themed cookies make great souvenirs or gifts for friends and family.
2. Go for Specialty Snacks
If you have extra snack credits, treat yourself to some of the specialty snacks that are unique to Disney. For example, the Dole Whip in Magic Kingdom or the Night Blossom drink in Pandora are iconic treats that are well worth using a snack credit on.
3. Use Them for Breakfast
If you’re low on meal credits or want a lighter breakfast, snack credits can be used to grab items like a pastry, fruit, or yogurt at your resort’s quick service location. It’s a great way to start the day without using up a full meal credit.
4. Shareable Snacks
Some snacks are large enough to share, making them a great way to use up your credits while ensuring you get more value out of each one. For example, the giant pretzels available at various snack carts around the parks are big enough for two.
5. Drinks and Water Bottles
Don’t forget that snack credits can be used for drinks as well. If you’re visiting during the warmer months, stock up on bottled water or grab a refreshing drink like a LeFou’s Brew in Magic Kingdom to keep cool while exploring.
Conclusion
Overall, we found the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan to be an excellent addition to our trip. It offered convenience, flexibility, and the opportunity to try a variety of delicious foods without the hassle of making reservations or spending too much time away from the attractions. By planning ahead, we were able to make the most of our meal and snack credits, ensuring we got great value out of the plan. Whether you’re visiting Disney for the first time or you’re a seasoned pro, the Quick Service Dining Plan is a fantastic option for anyone looking to enjoy quick and tasty meals while exploring the magic of Walt Disney World.