4. Share meals

Disney’s restaurant portions are typically very large, so you can save some credits by sharing meals. For example, the Bounty Platter at the Contemporary Resort’s Contempo Café comes with scrambled eggs, turkey sausage, bacon, breakfast potatoes, french toast and a biscuit. That’s a lot of food for the first meal of the day, and it’s easily shareable. And your dining plan credits can be used in any combination on any of the days of your vacation, so you can use those saved meal credits on times when you’re really hungry.

5. Don’t forget bottled drinks

Each guest on a dining plan receives a refillable mug, which can’t be used in the parks but can be used at the resorts’ food courts. But what many guests don’t know is that the meals at these food courts, just like meals in the parks, also come with a drink. So you can get a Coke at the fountain in your refillable mug, but you can also get a bottle of Powerade, juice or water with your meal. Take these bottles with you so you won’t have to use a snack credit for a bottle when you get thirsty at the parks.

6. Turn snack credits into souvenirs

Need to bring back goodies for everyone in your office? Use your leftover snack credits at shops to stock up on Chip and Dale snack bags with trail mix, cheese crackers or candy. Another great place to use snack credits is at Goofy’s Candy Co. at Downtown Disney. There, you can create your own snack, such as a huge Mickey Rice Krispie Treat or three pretzel rods dipped in chocolate and topped with the candy of your choice and more chocolate drizzle. (You may not want to share these!)   

7. Leave room for dessert

Snack credits are usually good for snacks up to $5, and many of Disney’s sweet treats nearly meet that price point. You can trade in a credit for some must-have desserts, like Dole Whips at the Magic Kingdom and the Polynesian Resort, and zebra domes at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. And head to the Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery at the Animal Kingdom to try a Brownie Paw – a freshly baked brownie topped with buttercream and chocolate fudge. 

You can definitely stretch your dollars on the Disney Dining Plan with these tips. Do you have any other dining plan tricks? Share them below!