Disney Dining Plan: Snack Options And Choices

what constitutes a snack on the disney dining plan

The Disney Dining Plan is available as an add-on for guests staying at a Disney World Resort hotel. It offers a convenient and cost-effective way to eat throughout your stay, with prepaid meals and snacks. There are two plans: Standard and Quick Service. Each plan offers a set number of table service meals, quick-service meals, and snacks per person, per day. Snacks are denoted by a purple and white DDP symbol on menus and some eligible items include Zebra Domes, Starbucks specialty drinks, and Dole Whips. It's important to note that not all items are considered snacks, and some of the most common snacks are poor uses of your credits.

Characteristics Values
Number of dining plans available 2 (Standard Dining Plan and Quick Service Dining Plan)
Items that are not considered snacks Items that are more than a single serving, items served in souvenir containers, items considered to be merchandise
Indication of items eligible to be purchased with snack credits DDP icon on the menus and display cases
Number of snack or non-alcoholic beverage per night of stay 1
Snack credit value $6 to $6.50
Items that qualify as snacks Zebra Domes, Savory Snack Stands at Animal Kingdom, Starbucks specialty drinks, Dole Whips, cupcakes, EPCOT festival snacks, etc.

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Snacks that offer the best value for money

When it comes to getting the best value for money from the Disney Dining Plan, it's important to be strategic about how you use your snack credits. Snack prices at Disney World can vary from a few dollars to $10 or more, so using your credits wisely can make a big difference.

Firstly, it's worth noting that not everything is considered a snack on the Disney Dining Plans. Merchandise, items served in souvenir containers, and single-serving packages are generally not included. To easily identify what does count as a snack, look for the DDP snack logo—a purple and white symbol—on menus and display cases.

As a general rule, items priced over $6 are considered a good use of a snack credit. Some sources suggest that the threshold is slightly higher, at $6.50. If an item costs less than this, you may be better off paying with cash, as you'll get more value from your credit by saving it for something more expensive.

Some of the best-value snack credit uses on the Disney Dining Plan include:

  • Starbucks specialty drinks
  • Desserts and cupcakes
  • EPCOT festival snacks
  • Dole Whips
  • Zebra Domes from Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge, or from the counter service restaurants or marketplaces if you're not dining at Boma
  • Savory snacks from Animal Kingdom's Savory Snack Stands, which are often large enough to be meal replacements

Additionally, it's worth noting that some food items at Starbucks locations are also considered snacks on the Disney Dining Plan.

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Items that don't count as snacks

When it comes to the Disney Dining Plan, it's important to make the most of your credits and not waste them on items that don't count as snacks. Here are some items that don't fall under the definition of a snack:

  • Items that are more than a single serving: For example, a box of doughnuts or a jar of peanut butter. If you're buying for a group, it's better to use your meal credits for these larger items.
  • Merchandise: Items considered merchandise, such as bottle toppers, glow cubes, and bottle straps, are not snacks. This distinction is important, especially if you're tempted to buy a themed container or accessory with your snack.
  • Drinks and Popcorn in Souvenir Containers: Drinks and popcorn served in souvenir containers are also not considered snacks. Be mindful of this when ordering, as it's easy to assume that drinks and popcorn are standard snack options.
  • Certain Snacks at Goofy's Candy Company: While candy and sweets may seem like the quintessential snack, sources advise against using your credits at Goofy's Candy Company. It's unclear if this advice is due to the pricing or some other factor, but it's worth noting if you're considering a sugary treat.
  • Fresh Fruit: Fresh fruit is another surprising item that you should avoid using your snack credits on. This may be due to the typically lower cost of fruit compared to other snack options.

To make sure you're getting the most out of your credits, look for the DDP snack logo on menus and display cases. This purple and white symbol indicates that an item is eligible as a snack on the dining plan. Additionally, you can use the My Disney Experience app to check for the phrase "Qualifies as a Snack" in the item's description.

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Snacks costing more than $6

The DDP, or Disney Dining Plan, is a prepaid meal plan offered at Walt Disney World that allows guests to budget their dining costs in advance. Snacks that cost more than $6 are considered a good value on the Disney Dining Plan. One of the most expensive snack credits is the Petit cake at Amorette's Patisserie in Disney Springs, which costs $22. Starbucks drinks that cost $6 or more are also considered good value, as all of the extra pumps of flavours that would typically cost extra are included in the snack credit. Additionally, some food items at Starbucks locations are also considered snacks.

It is important to note that Disney has reduced the number of snacks available on the Disney Dining Plan from two to one per night, which has reduced the per-night value by $5-6. As a result, the Disney Dining Plan now offers less food, or guests must spend more to get the same amount. This reduction in snacks is part of a broader trend of culinary cost-cutting at Disney, which includes substituting suppliers, changing ingredients, and reducing portion sizes.

When using the Disney Dining Plan, it is essential to use counter service and snack credits wisely. The plan can offer savings for big eaters, such as teens and adults who order steak. However, ordering chicken or pasta can eliminate these savings, and vegetarians will consistently lose money on the plan. Adding alcohol to the Disney Dining Plan can also increase its value, as the cost of drinks at Walt Disney World restaurants averages $8-14.

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The Standard Disney Dining Plan

The plan works on a credit system, allowing guests to pre-pay for their meals and snacks, which is convenient for those who don't want to carry cash or cards. Each person receives one snack or non-alcoholic beverage per night of their stay. Snacks that are eligible for the plan will be marked with a purple and white "DDP" symbol on menus and display cases. The My Disney Experience app can also be used to identify these items, with the phrase "Qualifies as a Snack" in the description.

It's important to note that not everything is considered a snack on the plan. Items that are more than a single serving, such as a box of doughnuts, or items served in souvenir containers like popcorn or drinks, are not included. Merchandise, such as bottle toppers or glow cubes, is also excluded. A good rule of thumb is that snacks priced over $6 are a good use of a snack credit.

Some examples of snacks that are included in the plan are Zebra Domes, which can be found at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and the treats offered at Animal Kingdom's Savory Snack Stands. Starbucks locations also offer some snacks that are included in the plan, and specialty drinks are mentioned as a good use of snack credits.

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The Quick Service Dining Plan

Each person on the plan receives a predetermined number of quick-service meal credits and one snack credit per day. Meals may include an entrée or a complete combo meal with a beverage. Snack credits can be used on items such as fruit, yogurt, hummus, bottled water, and Starbucks drinks costing $6 or more. Credits can be used at over 100 Quick Service restaurants throughout the Disney Parks and Resorts, including snack carts, quick-service locations, and Epcot festival booths.

It is important to note that credits cannot be redeemed for items that are more than a single serving, items served in souvenir containers, merchandise, or special dining events at certain table-service locations. Credits are based on the number of nights stayed and can be used at any point during the stay, with any unused meals and snacks rolling over day-to-day until checkout. To keep track of credits, guests can use the My Disney Experience app or check their dining receipts.

Frequently asked questions

The Disney Dining Plan is an add-on available to guests who book a stay at any Disney World Resort hotel. It is designed to provide guests with a convenient and cost-effective way to eat throughout their stay. There are two plans: Standard and Quick Service.

To easily identify what counts as a snack, look for the DDP snack logo on menus and display cases. This purple and white symbol indicates that the item is eligible as a snack on the dining plan. You can also use the My Disney Experience app and look for the phrase “Qualifies as a Snack” in the item’s description.

Some examples of snacks on the Disney Dining Plan include Zebra Domes, Starbucks specialty drinks, and Epcot festival snacks.

A "good value" snack on the Disney Dining Plan is typically one that is priced over $6.

No, you cannot use your Disney Dining Plan snack credit to pay for part of an item and cover the remaining cost with another form of payment.

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