Enjoying a meal at Spirit of Aloha (you can use meal plan credits for shows, too!)
This is a big week for travel agents around the country and Walt Disney World travelers alike.
Why?
Disney just announced the always-anticipated free Walt Disney World dining plans.
The plans became available to Disney Visa cardholders last week, and will open up to everyone starting this Wednesday, May 7th 2014.
Disney dining plans are a way for certain guests at Walt Disney World to pre-pay for meals while at the participating restaurants in the parks and resorts. During less busy times of the year Disney will often offer free plans, just like they are getting ready to do this week.
The plans can be pretty complicated, but can also make great sense for many folks (most especially the free plans). To make a fully informed decision, give us a call, and we’ll help you through all the ins and outs of understanding the plans.
To get you started though, here are a few things to consider:
Are you traveling with small children and planning to take in a few character meals?
If so, the plans may work well for you. Character meals “cost more” plan credits, and little kids typically eat less. This can be a great combination to maximize the value of the plan.
Reach out and we’ll tell you how.
Do you enjoy knowing exactly where you’ll be eating everyday, and like the idea of planning your Disney visit around meals?
The plans work best if you make meal reservations far in advance.
If a fairly strict schedule with meal times and locations as the main parameters is appealing, you’ll love the meal plans.
Do you enjoy big meals and regular meal times?
Many guests report that the dining plans provide for high quantities of food – which might be great for for you and your family (though it might not if you’re light eaters).
Those are a few of the main considerations we discuss with clients and friends considering the plans. There are a number of additional considerations we would be glad to review, just give us a call or send us a message.
Knowing that we are regular Disney visitors, we do have folks ask whether we take advantage of the plans.
Actually, we don’t.
Why?
Not because the plans are not advantageous for many folks, they absolutely are. The parameters of the plans just don’t fit our Disney traveling style or the way we tend to eat.
During a week’s visit to Disney, we might only eat a few sit-down meals at regular meal times, and we probably won’t plan those meals until we’re on site.
We also tend to be light eaters when we’re on vacation, especially the kids.
Instead of the meal plans, we will often pay extra for a concierge-level room at the resorts. The concierge-level rooms include access to a lounge that offers snacks, hors d’oeuvres, and drinks (including alcohol) around meal times and in the afternoons. This fits our style perfectly and we find the extra cost worth the money.
Drop us a line or give us a call and we’ll tell you more.
And don’t forget to
Hi! I'm Jennifer Newsome and I own and operate Southern Girl Travel with some help from my husband, Mark, and our three kids. This shot was taken in beautiful 