Walt Disney World has a multitude of sit down and counter service restaurants, bound to confuse you. It is highly recommended that you take advantage of advance reservations (Priority Seating) because the more popular restaurants and dining times fill up quickly.

There's no such thing as a cheap meal in Walt Disney World, but there are ways to stretch the dollar, or at the very least, increase the overall value for the money.

 

Disney Dining Plan Overview
In 2005, Walt Disney World introduced - finally - a Disney meal plan that makes sense! The Disney Dining Plan is an optional add-on for folks who are staying at a Disney Resort. It is NOT available for folks staying offsite, or at a Good Neighbor hotel.

Disney Dining is priced at $35 per person per day for adults, and $10 per person per day for kids (up to age 9). The "per day" rate is really "per night," so if you're staying at a Disney Resort for 4 nights (and five days), you are paying $35 x 4 = $140 per adult.

For each night on your Disney Dining Plan, you receive one sit-down meal, one counter service meal, and one snack.

Top Picks
Restaurants at the Disney Parks

1. Hollywood Brown Derby (MGM)
2. Chefs de France (Epcot - France)
3. Rest. Marrakesh (Epcot - Morocco)
4. Garden Grille (Epcot - The Land)
5. Liberty Tree Tavern (MK)
6. Teppanyaki (Epcot - Japan)
7. Rest. Askershus (Epcot - Norway)
8. Biergarten (Epcot - Germany)
9. L'Originale Alfredo's (Epcot - Italy)
10. Crystal Palace (Magic Kingdom)
   
When you check into your Disney Resort, you get a nifty little card that acts like a room key and a room charge card. On your account you will be given your meal allowances. You can use them any way you wish, but be sure to USE THEM. You cannot receive cash back for unused meals. Also, the meals are credited by the room, so if Mom doesn't want a snack but Dad wants two, that's okay.
Is the Disney Dining Plan for You?
The Disney Dining Plan is great for you if:
-You like the concept of all-inclusive packages, where you pay for everything upfront
-You don't mind a little planning upfront so that you're sure to have enough sit-down meals during your stay
-You like the idea of saving a few bucks
-You prefer some of your sit-down meals to be in the evening
-You have kids (the $10/night price for kids is a steal!)		 Top Picks
Restaurants at the Disney Resorts

1. California Grill at Contemporary
2. Victoria & Albert's at Grand Fl.
3. Jiko's at Animal Kingdom
4. Artist's Point at Wilderness Lodge
5. Flying Fish at Boardwalk
6. Spoodles at Boardwalk
7. O'Hana's at Polynesian Resort
8. Boma's at Animal Kingdom
9. Cape May Café at Beach Club
10. Citrico's at Grand Floridian

The Disney Dining Plan isn't right for you if:
-The idea of preplanning your trip gives you the hives
-You eat like a bird or you want all your meals counter service
-You plan on spending some time away from the Disney grounds (for example, you're driving to the beach one day)
-You prefer other dining savings strategies, such as meal sharing, sit-down dining for breakfast or lunch only, or a fully stocked fridge in your hotel room.

Advanced Reservations
Formerly known as Priority Seating, Disney offers Advanced Reservations at most of its sit-down restaurants.. When you call Disney Dining (407-WDW-DINE), you are given a confirmation number and a time to be at the restaurant. When you arrive, you are put on the list, and generally there is a short wait until your table is ready. There are a few instances where you are required to give a credit card to guarantee your spot, and you will be charged a penalty if you are a no-show. This is generally for special dining events, such as a Mother's Day Brunch or a special performance dinner and show.

Reservations are recommended for most sit-down restaurants, and can be made as early as 90 days in advance. Some dining venues are so popular, they fill up within minutes, 90 days in advance (such as the Character Breakfast in Cinderella's Castle). Other restaurants within the Parks and Resorts are known to have a good chance for taking you without reservations with little to no wait.

Character Dining
For anyone who's a Disney Character fan, Character Dining is a memorable treat. Character Dining is available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There are a handful of dining venues that offer Character Dining (one or two at each of the major parks, plus a few options at the resorts).

Each Character Dining venue is slightly different. Some offer buffet food, while others offer plated, a la carte meals. Each Character Dining experience is themed (for example, the Princess Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner at the Askershus in Epcot), but you are not given any guarantees that any specific character will be there.

Characters move from table to table, allowing for guest interaction. Expect to pay about $18 - $35 per adult per meal (less for children). Reservactions are a must unless you're very lucky and someone cancelled or didn't show up.