Disney World dining is one of the top categories of questions that I get daily so I've got answers to some of the most frequently asked questions as well as the best restaurants to choose whether you're paying out-of-pocket or using the Disney Dining Plan.

I also have a quick tip about splitting your days when you're staying at an on-site resort near 1 of the theme parks.

These are notes from this episode. There's much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I have to stay on-site to eat at Disney World restaurants?
No, anybody can eat in any of the restaurants. If you choose a restaurant inside 1 of the theme parks, a park ticket will be required.

Are Advanced Dining Reservations canceled if I cancel my hotel reservation?
No, they aren't.

Are dining reservations required for babies and toddlers?
Yes, they should be included but you don't have to order them their own entree at the meal.

If I'm on the regular Disney Dining Plan, how do I pay for all 3 meals with credits?
You can share entrees at Quick Service restaurants to stretch your credits and/or pay for some things out-of-pocket.

Can I order just dessert?
Yes, you can order whatever you want.

BEST TABLE SERVICE RESTAURANTS WHEN PAYING OUT-OF-POCKET

If you're not on the Disney Dining Plan, you can eat at the best restaurants for the least amount of money by choosing breakfast or lunch instead of dinner and you can also share entrees at non-buffet and non-family style restaurants.

These restaurants offer the best value when paying out-of-pocket:

• Trail's End ($18 average meal price)
• Beaches and Cream ($20 average meal price)
• Grand Floridian Cafe ($15-26 average meal price)
• Rose and Crown ($28 average meal price)
• 50s Prime Time Cafe ($29 average meal price but splitting entrees and desserts is easy here with such big portions)

BEST TABLE SERVICE RESTAURANTS ON THE DISNEY DINING PLAN

Focusing your meals on dinners and character meals will generally give you the best value for your Disney Dining Plan Table Service credits.

Here are the best Table Service restaurant values on the Disney Dining Plan:

• Akershus
• Chef Mickey's dinner
• Crystal Palace dinner
• Ohana dinner
• Boma dinner
• Garden Grill dinner
• 1900 Park Fare dinner
• Cape May Cafe dinner
• Whispering Canyon Cafe dinner
• Tutto Italia dinner
• Chefs de France dinner
• Biergarten dinner
• Via Napoli dinner
• Teppan Edo dinner
• Marrakesh dinner

QUICK TIP OF THE DAY

If staying in an on-site resort near Magic Kingdom or Epcot, consider spending the first part of your day at a park and then the evenings at the park that you're staying near to save transportation time.

SUBSCRIBE TO GET NEW EPISODES

There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go.

• Subscribe in iTunes (and please leave a review!)
• Subscribe to the feed
• Listen on Stitcher

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Do you have any questions or additional suggestions about Disney World dining? Feel free to share in the comments.

Extra Magic Hours are a perk of staying on-site in a Disney World resort but they might not always make sense for you. Today, I have info on the best use of Extra Magic Hours and situations where they make sense.

I also have a quick tip of the day on using microwaves at your on-site resort.

These are notes from this episode. There's much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

BECOME A WDW PREP TO GO PATRON

WDW Prep To Go Patrons pay a little to unlock even more content than what’s on the main podcast feed, such as a private FB Group and exclusive audio that’s released on a private podcast feed.
 
Become a Patron Now

EXTRA MAGIC HOURS

• Extra Magic Hours (EMH) are extra hours before or after a park's official operating times that allow on-site guests to visit
• Not all rides are open during EMH. You can check this chart for which attractions are open.

  

• On the best/worst parks charts on the monthly dashboards, I don't usually recommend EMHs because those are usually the busiest parks of the day
• EMHs often do make sense in some situations such as:
  • Animal Kingdom which isn't as affected by crowds
  • People who have park hopper tickets
  • Late risers who can't wake up to visit parks early but can stay for late night EMHs
  • Travelers visiting during peak times
  • Those who want to ride headliners multiple times

QUICK TIP OF THE DAY

Most Disney World resort rooms don't have microwaves but you can use the microwave in the food court or Quick Service location.

SUBSCRIBE TO GET NEW EPISODES

There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go.

• Subscribe in iTunes (and please leave a review!)
• Subscribe to the feed
• Listen on Stitcher

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Do you have any questions or additional suggestions about Extra Magic Hours? Feel free to share in the comments.

Disney puts gift shops at the exits to nearly all of their attractions, giving you endless opportunities to buy their stuff.

Today, I have tips for souvenir shopping to help you know when to buy and what to get.

I also have a quick tip on using Magical Express on a schedule that works for you.

These are notes from this episode. There's much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

BECOME A WDW PREP TO GO PATRON

WDW Prep To Go Patrons pay a little to unlock even more content than what’s on the main podcast feed, such as a private FB Group and exclusive audio that’s released on a private podcast feed.
 
Become a Patron Now

SOUVENIR TIPS

• Budgets can vary a lot but I suggest $100 as a minimum for a week-long trip. Playing Tinker Bell or purchasing an in-room celebration can help reduce kids asking for lots of souvenirs during trips.
• Buy things when you see them because you might not see them again
• On-site guests can send items back to their resort to avoid carrying. Off-site guests can send items to the front of the park.
• Focus on exclusive items that can only be found at Disney World such as Star Wars merchandise (in the exit area of Star Tours in Hollywood Studios or Once Upon a Toy in Downtown Disney), Mr. Potato Head parts, CDs or Vera Bradley bags
• Cheap/free suggestions include pressed coins and the character drawings at Animation Academy at Hollywood Studios (Update: Animation Academy is no longer open at Hollywood Studios as of July 12, 2015)
• Souvenirs to help you remember the trip include personalized ornaments (available at the Christmas stores in Magic Kingdom or Downtown Disney), silhouettes (available in the France section of Epcot, a couple of locations in Magic Kingdom and in Downtown Disney), merchandise that has the year on it (such as a picture frame)
• Other favorite items include Epcot passports, Mickey ears, and pick-a-pearl in the Japan section of Epcot

QUICK TIP OF THE DAY

If you want to take Magical Express at a different time than when your flight is arriving or departing, use a different flight number when making your reservation.

SUBSCRIBE TO GET NEW EPISODES

There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go.

• Subscribe in iTunes (and please leave a review!)
• Subscribe to the feed
• Listen on Stitcher

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Do you have any questions or additional suggestions for souvenir shopping? Feel free to share in the comments.

Smartphones are a huge part of most people's Disney World trips but you don't want to find yourself in a situation with a dead battery, no memory or without the right apps.

Today, I have tips for prepping your phone before your trip and a quick tip on saving money for your vacation.

These are notes from this episode. There's much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

BECOME A WDW PREP TO GO PATRON

WDW Prep To Go Patrons pay a little to unlock even more content than what’s on the main podcast feed, such as a private FB Group and exclusive audio that’s released on a private podcast feed.
 
Become a Patron Now

BEFORE YOUR TRIP

• Free up space by deleting unnecessary photos, apps, etc.
• Upload photos to a storage service such as Dropbox
• Take screenshots and/or print reservations in case the My Disney Experience app doesn't work
• Create shortcuts to mobile sites
• Learn how to use your phone's camera
• Enable features like Find my Phone and Find My Friends

KEEP YOUR PHONE BATTERY FROM DYING

Use an external battery charger (I suggest this Amazon charger) and/or take your wall charger into the parks with you to plug in at restaurants or charging stations.

INSTALL FREE APPS

Free apps mentioned in this episode:

• My Disney Experience
• DropBox
• Your airline's app
• Airport app such as Gate Guru
• Uber
• Flashlight app
• Lines app from Touring Plans
• Weather Channel app
• Postcard on the Run

PAID APPS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• MyRadar
• Heads Up

ACCESSORIES FOR PHONES

• Waterproof case such as the Dry Pak
• Photo lens kit
• Durable case

QUICK TIP OF THE DAY

To save for your trip, try saving $1 the first week, $2 the second week, etc. After 52 weeks, you'll have over $1300 saved. After 2 years, you'll have over $5000 saved.

Use WolframAlpha.com to figure out how much money you'd have after a certain number of weeks by typing in the phrase "the XXth triangular number" where XX = the number of weeks.

SUBSCRIBE TO GET NEW EPISODES

There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go.

• Subscribe in iTunes (and please leave a review!)
• Subscribe to the feed
• Listen on Stitcher

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Do you have any questions or additional suggestions for ways to prepare your phone before a trip? Feel free to share in the comments.

Today, I have info on making the most of your FastPass+ reservations, including a quick reference chart that you can save to use later.

I also have a quick tip to help you save room on your phone for vacation pics.