Deciding whether or not to get the Disney Dining Plan isn't as easy to figure out as it used to be, but today I have some Disney Dining Plan tips to help you decide and help you to maximize your dining plan credits during your trip.

I also have a quick tip just in case somebody gets sick during your Disney World trip.

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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Disney Dining Plan tips

What is the Disney Dining Plan?

• Prepaid credits for food
• Disney Dining Plan is part of a package that includes tickets
• Can also be part of a DVC reservation that doesn’t require tickets
• Three basic types of dining plans - Quick Service, Regular, and Deluxe
• Credits are based on how many nights you are staying
• Everybody on the reservation must have the same plan for the whole trip
• Can use credits whenever you want until midnight of your checkout day

How much does it cost and how many credits are included?

All of these plans include 1 refillable mug per person which can be refilled at any resort, but not in the parks.

What does a credit include?

• Quick Service - entree (or combo meal, where available) and a beverage
• Table Service - entree and beverage. Lunch and dinner also include dessert.
• Snack - noted on menus with a little DDP icon
• 2017 beverages: soft drinks, tea, coffee, lemonade
• 2018 beverages: all of the above + beer, wine, shakes

Disney Dining Plan tips for maximizing credits

• Character meals and dining packages are generally a great use of a Table Service credit.
• Signature Restaurants are almost never a good credit value.
• Go for the steak, lobster, shakes, and orange juice.
• Don't choose breakfast.
• Split credits when portions are large.
• Choose snacks that cost $5 or more.
• DDP charts - http://wdwprepschool.com/disney-dining-plan-credits/
• Best places to split Table Service meals - http://facebook.com/WDWPrepSchool/posts/1499200403451573
• Best places to split Quick Service meals - https://www.facebook.com/WDWPrepSchool/posts/1323827770988838

My Disney Experience app/website Disney Dining Plan tips

• When searching for DDP restaurants, don't filter for the next year. Instead, filter for restaurants for the current year since many restaurants are slow to be added.
• The My Disney Experience app will now allow you to track credits during your trip.

DDP credit tips

• Quick Service credits are not split between adult and child
• Can use DDP credits anytime during your trip (until midnight on your checkout day) and for anybody
• Epcot festival booths have great snack credits

Refillable mug tips

• Mix and match lids to create unique color combos for groups of 5+
• Pour refillable drinks into disposable cups when heading to a park
• At your resort, get a bottled drink with a QS credit and use refillable mug for your drink

Who should get a Disney Dining Plan?

• People who want an all-inclusive feel
• People planning to eat at the most expensive restaurants
• People who get it for free (but verify it’s your best deal)

Quick tip of the day

Listener Emily emailed in this tip:
"We just returned from a Disney World trip. I, unfortunately, came down with a super bad stomach bug halfway through. After 2.5 really unpleasant days, we finally called our trip insurance for help. They connected us with DOCS - Doctors On Call Service. The doctor came to our resort room, brought his entire exam room with him in a rolling office suitcase, and dispended medication I needed to feel better all right there on the spot.

He also had a pharmacy on standby that delivered additional medication to the front desk of our hotel and charged it to our room. If we'd known about this service sooner, we wouldn't have missed some park touring days. I'm still really glad we called. You pay cash for the service, but they give you all the paperwork you need to file with your insurance afterward. And we had trips insurance that will be primary on the medical, so it will be 100% covered.

We also spoke to the front desk concierge staff at our All-Star Sports Resort about missing some park days, and they gave us additional park tickets in our My Disney Experience account to come back and use anytime in the next 5 years."

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There are lots of Disney World holidays things to do. Today we'll talk about 5 new things to look forward to.

I also have a quick tip to help you skip some lines at the airport.

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

Leave me a message

Want to be considered for a first-timer trip report? Please leave me a SpeakPipe message with your name, trip dates, resort, and who is in your group.

You can do that using your computer or phone at https://www.speakpipe.com/WDWPrepToGo.

WDW Prep To Go is on YouTube

Check it out and subscribe at http://youtube.com/wdwprepschool.

5 new Disney World holidays things to look forward to

1.) Olaf joins the Frozen Sing-Along at Hollywood Studios and new songs from Olaf’s Frozen Adventure will be featured.

2.) Sunset Season Greetings at Hollywood Studios. Takes place November 9-December 31.

3.) Chip and Dale's Christmas Tree Spree at Epcot. Takes place November 19-December 30.

4.) Holiday Kitchens at Epcot from November 19-December 30.

5.) Christmas Tree Trail and Santa's Chalet in Disney Springs during the Disney World holidays. Takes place November 9 - early January.

Get the full list of Disney World holidays options.

Quick tip of the day

Listener Jason emailed this tip:
"On a recent trip to Orlando, we discovered you can save a lot of time by being enrolled in the rental car company loyalty programs. When we arrived at the Budget area, there was an extremely long line, and very few agents working at the counter. But we happened to notice a sign directing FastBreak members directly to the garage. I had signed up for the program just a few days prior so we followed the signs and were in our car less than 5 minutes later."

Subscribe to get new episodes

There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go (if you're used to listening on the website, subscribe so you can take new episodes with you on your phone)

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

As Hurricane Irma heads toward the caribbean islands and Florida, let's chat about what to do if you find yourself thinking about Disney World hurricanes.

I also have a quick tip to help you find dining reservations during your trip.

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

Leave me a message

Want to be considered for a first-timer trip report? Please leave me a SpeakPipe message with your name, trip dates, resort, and who is in your group.

You can do that using your computer or phone at https://www.speakpipe.com/WDWPrepToGo.

Info on Disney World hurricanes

• Advice for people to plan for Disney World hurricanes
• National Hurricane Center current info
• Disney World hurricanes policy
• People who are at Disney World during a hurricane can expect anything from outdoor attractions being closed to parks being closed with required sheltering at resorts.

Quick tip of the day

Listener Lori emailed this tip:
"I was trying to book an early morning reservation for three at Garden Grill, and wasn't happy with the times available. I increased the number of guests from three to five and did the search again and found that more (earlier) times opened up. I booked the breakfast for five, then went back in the reservation later and edited back to three guests. So my tip is, if you aren't finding the restaurant availability you want, try increasing the number of guests and more reservations may appear."

Subscribe to get new episodes

There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go (if you're used to listening on the website, subscribe so you can take new episodes with you on your phone)

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