Disney Dining Hacks
This is not the post where we recommend having groceries delivered. It's not the post where we tell you to bring some snacks. These are great ideas on a budget, but this is not that post. This post celebrates the glory of Disney food and is designed so that you can make the most of it with a few tips for dining at Disney.
Tip 1: If you drink a lot of soda or coffee, get the refillable mug.
The refillable mug can be used at any Disney resort hotel and can be filled with soda, coffee, and juice. It is included in some dining plans or can be purchased even when not on the dining plan for $19.99 (in 2019). And it makes a great souvenir.
The only downsides to the refillable mug are that a) It doesn't work in the parks, only at the resorts, and b) you have to wait 2 minutes between refills (presumably to prevent people from using their mugs to fill another vessel).
Photo credit: Disneytouristblog.com
Tip 2: Eat at off-peak times.
Disney restaurants, Quick Service and Table Service alike, become busier at peak meal times, so if you don't mind doing it, plan your meals for odd hours. Consider a late lunch between 2-3 PM and a late dinner around 8 PM. Or consider a big brunch around 11 AM and a dinner around 4 PM.
Tip 3: Consider sharing.
Disney entrees can be expensive, but are also generous in size. Some meals are very easy to split between 2 adults. For example, the barbecue sampler at Flame Tree BBQ. If you don't have a huge appetite but still want to try something, consider splitting a dish.
Flame Tree Barbecue Sampler Platter, Photo credit YouTube
Tip 4: Use leftover snack credits.
The Disney dining plan, if you use it, results in a lot of food. Possibly too much. People often end up with tons of leftover snack credits. But fear not! They are not wasted credits - they can be used at many of the bakeries and candy stores around the parks and resorts to purchase packaged baked good to take home as souvenirs. My favorite souvenir is the roasted nuts - yummmm.
Tip 5: Communicate about food allergies.
Disney is extremely accommodating for guests with food allergies or sensitivities. People rave about Disney's ability to make tasty dishes even for those that have to be very careful about what they eat. But the staff needs to know about your allergies ASAP. So do yourself a favor and don't try to guess your way around a menu. Instead, inform a Cast Member at the restaurant of your allergies. Sometimes the chef will come to ask clarifying questions, but ultimately, you should be well taken care of.
Tip 7: Don't waste time with breakfast.
In my opinion, getting breakfast at your resort's food court is just about the biggest waste of time during a time of day that you really want to be getting to the parks in order to beat crowds. There are some exceptions to this advice - for example, if breakfast IS the attraction and you are doing a special meal like a character breakfast (there are some great ones on property), or if you are always up hours before the rest of your party (then by all means, go get everyone some food to scarf down in the room before the parks open). But for heaven's sake, if you just got up and it's 8 AM and the park opens at 9 AM, grab a pastry to go and get thee to the park!
Tip 8: Try something new!
Disney's many eateries offer such variety that every time I go, I find something new to eat that I've never tried before. From novelty foods to ethnic cuisine, there's likely to be something to try. Kefta, Spaetzl, Brioche, Grey Stuff, Lafou's Brew, Ginger Ice Cream, Blooming Nightflowers, Jedi Mind Tricks, Monkey Tails, Painted Lemurs, Peanut Butter and Jelly shakes, Kakigori, and more await! My advice is don't be afraid to do it! If you end up regretting it, there's likely a Mickey Ice Cream bar steps away to cure those taste buds anyway.
Tip 9: Mobile order!
Practically a requirement at quick service restaurants during the pandemic, this has not always been so. And even if there's not a pandemic on, mobile ordering is the way to go. Order and pay from anywhere in the park using your phone. Then, when you approach the restaurant, tap the "I'm here" button and within minutes your order will be ready to pick up at a dedicated window. Read "dedicated window" as "no lines". That's right. No line to order, no line to pick up. Just you and some delicious food.
Photo credit: Disneyparks.go.com
Tip 10: Grazing can be great.
Do not underestimate the serving size of Disney entrees. Most are quite large. And chances are, unless you tend to have a big appetite, if you have a buffet, all-you-can-eat, or family-style meal planned for one of your meals in a day, you really are not going to need another square meal that day. If you attempt to stick with your breakfast, lunch, dinner routine, you might just find yourself bursting at the seams, so if that happens, consider grazing the rest of the day around your main meal. Walt Disney World is full of great snacks and bites that aren't technically full meals but are tasty and worth a try. Avoid the standardized snack stands, and try the park unique ones too, like the milk stand at Disney Hollywood Studios, or Gaston's Tavern at the Magic Kingdom.
One really great place to plan to graze is World Showcase (though it has some amazing sit down meals too!). Every country has at least one place where you can purchase a traditional nibble. School bread in Norway, bread-zels in Germany, ginger ice cream in China, poutine in Canada. If you are a foodie, you don't want to miss the chance to experience these things, so sometimes just leave some time to graze.
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