The 8 Best Disney Dining Plan Restaurants You’ll Love

The 8 Best Disney Dining Plan Restaurants You’ll Love
Beef and Shrimp” by HarshLight licensed under CC BY 2.0

Disney World now offers a Disney Dining Plan to make your vacation even smoother and carefree. You can purchase a Disney Dining Plan at the same time you book your vacation or add it on later in the process. 

There are three levels of the Disney Dining Plan: Quick Service Dining Plan, Disney Dining Plan, and the Deluxe Dining Plan. 

The Quick Service dining plan allows each member of your party two quick service meals and two snack credits per day. The standard Disney Dining Plan allows one table service, one quick service, and two snack credits per day. 

Lastly, the Deluxe Dining Plan includes 3 meal credits which are redeemable at both quick service and table service restaurants and two snack credits per day. Every dining plan also comes with a refillable mug which can be refilled at your resort or any refillable beverage station at quick service counters. Be sure to use this mug wisely as it can truly be a money saver since a bottle of water can run you $4.

The Disney Dining Plan may or may not be worth it depending on your family. You can definitely save money by using the dining plan or not, it really just depends on how you use it! So, in this article I’ll be walking you through where you can most effectively use your dining plan credits for quick service and table service credits. I won’t be including the best snack value credits quite yet, but stay tuned for more information! Otherwise, let’s walk through the 8 best Disney Dining Plan restaurants you’ll love! 

Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria – Table Service

Via Napoli is one of my favorite Disney World restaurant menus on the entire property! Their menu is massive, so even the pickiest of eaters can enjoy this eatery. While this restaurant is priced moderately at $15 to $35 per adult, the value for your table service credit is amazing. The helpings here are huge so you’ll be able to fill up on whatever you choose! 

They have quite a few signature pizzas including the Prosciutto e Melone Pizza which is unique featuring fontina, mozzarella, arugula, and cantaloupe. Each pizza can be ordered in three sizes: individual, large, and Mezzo Metro which can feed three to five people. There are also plenty of interesting appetizers, salads, desserts, and beverages on this menu. 

Located in Epcot’s World Showcase in the Italy pavilion, this classic Italian restaurant is never disappointing. It’s also great value for your table service credit which makes it a great spot if your family has chosen to enjoy either the Disney Dining Plan or the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan. 

Sci-Fi Dine In Theater – Table Service 

Next, we are heading over to Hollywood Studios and back to the 1950’s for another great table service credit option. Head on into the Sci-Fi Drive-In and sit in your old-school thunderbird while enjoying classic American fare and decadent milkshakes. 

Here, you’re paying for the experience as well as the meal which really makes this place worth a table service credit. The helpings are also monstrous which means no one will leave dissatisfied. This restaurant is also moderately priced clocking in at around $15 to $35 per adult. 

There are also plenty of delicious menu items to try out. If you are interested in starting with an appetizer, you have to try the Shrimp and Crab Fondue ($10.00) because it is absolutely delectable. The Drive-In BBQ Burger ($21.00) is one of their specialties along with the Pan-Seared Shrimp Pasta ($25.00).
If you have a bit of a sweet tooth, try out one of the signature milkshakes. They have seasonal specialty shakes along with Vanilla, Chocolate, and Oreo shakes all of which cost about $7.00. 

Trail’s End Restaurant – Table Service 

This next hub for grub is located at The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and features traditional American food served in a buffet setting. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you can enjoy a variety of foods while dining here. 

This eatery is moderately priced but will cost a slightly prettier penny at dinner time. Grab your plate and pile it high with sausage, bacon, eggs benedict, breakfast pizza, Mickey waffles and more during their lunch hours. For dinner, expect fried chicken, a vegetable medley, roasted meat, macaroni and cheese, and tons more! No picky eater will go hungry here with the large variety of food options to choose from! 

There are also a ton of great desserts and beverages to choose from here. However, you truly get your value for your table service credit in the food. Since you can eat all that you want, you can truly maximize the value of your table service credit, so come hungry to Trail’s End Restaurant! 

Katsura Grill – Quick Service

For our first quick service credit option, we are heading over to Epcot’s World Showcase in the Japan pavilion. Katsura Grill features traditional Japanese cuisine and sushi in a quick service setting. This high-end fare is great value for a quick-service credit. 

Menu items include Shrimp and Chicken Teriyaki ($14.00) and Chicken Cutlet Curry ($13.00). Sides include Miso Soup ($3.00), Edamame ($4.00), and Steamed Rice ($2.00). They also have kids meals, desserts, and specialty drinks at this location. 

If you’re looking for a great quick-service stop for your family, then I would definitely recommend making a stop at Katsura Grill! 

Flame Tree Barbecue – Quick Service

Taking a quick turn towards Animal Kingdom, Flame Tree Barbecue is an incredible quick service stop. On Discovery Island, this American style eatery is a great spot to use your quick service credits. 

The Ribs, Chicken, and Pulled Pork Sampler costs $18.99 making it one of the most valuable quick service credits in all of Walt Disney World. The Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Pulled Pork ($11.99) and French Fries with Pulled Pork and Cheese ($6.99) are both insanely delicious. However, the Fries with Pulled Pork and Cheese is merely a snack credit! 

This is one of my favorite stops in all of Animal Kingdom simply because the food is so good and such great value for everything that you get! There are kids meals, desserts, and specialty drinks here as well so take your time, sit down, and enjoy your meal here! 

Chefs de France – Table Service

For our next stop, we are going to head back to Epcot’s World Showcase. Except this time we are heading to the France pavilion for a table service meal at Chefs de France. This restaurant is considered to be moderately priced but almost every entrée ranks on the higher end of the “moderate price” scale making it a great use of your table service credits. 

Menu items include Filet de boeuf grille ($35.99), Assiette du pecheur ($32.99) and Steak aux echalottes ($30.99). The desserts here are especially delicious so take your time browsing that portion of the menu before ordering…you might have to ask your cast member for help deciding! 

This is a great spot for the whole family as they have some fantastic kids menu items to choose from. This would also be a great restaurant for a romantic night with your significant other. Enjoy beautiful wine and specialty cocktails during a candlelit dinner! 

Ale & Compass Restaurant – Table Service

Next, we are heading over to Disney’s Yacht Club Resort for a meal at Ale & Compass Restaurant. This eatery hosts New England comfort food in a casual dining atmosphere. This is a fantastic spot to stop for brunch, but dinner is where you’ll get your table service credit’s value. 

The 10-oz New York Angus Strip Steak ($34.00), Coastal Clambake ($27.00), and Pappardelle Pasta with Chicken ($26.00) are all great options here. If you are grabbing a dessert while you are here, try out the Twelve-Layer Chocolate Cake ($8.00) because oh my goodness! This place is perfect for couples or families as they have a delicious kids menu featuring Baked Sustainable Fish ($13.00) and a Cheeseburger ($11.00) among other options. 

This restaurant is definitely a fantastic use of a table service credit since it falls within the moderate pricing bracket but most entrees are at the higher portion of that bracket. I would definitely recommend this spot, especially if you happen to be staying at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort during your vacation! 

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall – Table Service

Okay, last one! We are heading back to Epcot’s World Showcase, but this time we will be stopping in the Norway pavilion. Here, you can hop on Frozen Ever-After before or after your meal at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. This just might be the best table service value on this list. 

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is a classic character dining experience featuring a number of your favorite princesses including Belle, Aurora, Snow White, and Cinderella. This restaurant ranges between $35 and over $60 per adult making it an incredibly valuable table service credit. Many experiences similar to this one require two table service credits per person which is why Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is such a fantastic bang for your table service credit buck. 

Inspired by Norwegian cuisine, the menu is served buffet-style with a variety of unique dishes to try. During breakfast, your little prince and princess can enjoy scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and potato casserole. There will also be a Norwegian Smorgasboard available featuring salami, smoked pork loin, Jarlsberg cheese, and plenty more options! 

If you choose to dine for lunch or dinner, you will start with the “Taste of Norway” platter featuring sliced meats, cheeses, salads, and fruit. The entrée selections include Norwegian meatballs, cheese and Spinach stuffed pasta, handcrafted dumplings and more! The dessert platter comes with a selection of Norwegian inspired desserts for your crew to taste and try! 

Children have multiple entrée options as well including macaroni and cheese, grilled chicken breast, Norwegian meatballs, and more. There are also some incredible cocktails and beverages to choose from here. So, sit back and enjoy your meal as each princess comes to your table to greet you! Be prepared for the princesses to gather all for the tiny princes and princesses in the room for a parade of the halls! You’ll definitely want your camera available at this meal! 

Conclusion

Depending on what your family decides to do and eat while vacationing at the happiest place on Earth the Disney dining plan may or may not be a money saver. If you plan on dining at a fair few of the restaurants I’ve mentioned, then you may want to consider adding a dining plan to your vacation package!

If you plan to focus on budgeting your money while at Disney, then I would highly recommend bringing your own snacks, meals, and planning to only eat out once or twice a day at a quick service restaurant. 

If you choose to book a table at any table service restaurants, you will want to do so 180 days in advance. Disney World’s most popular restaurants’ reservations fill up within minutes after 7am EST 180 days ahead. So, be sure to mark your calendar and set a timer in order to make sure you grab a spot at your favorite spots! 

If you aren’t able to grab a reservation, keep checking the restaurant each day to see if a reservation opens up. Many people cancel their Disney World restaurant reservations the day before or the day of due to a change of plans, so keep an eye out for any openings right before you’d like to dine! 

Be sure to be on time for your reservations otherwise they might give away your table and charge you a cancellation fee! So, be careful! Otherwise, be sure to make those reservations ahead of time and you will enjoy some incredible meals, characters, and entertainment during your meals at Walt Disney World.

Now, you can book your trip, make your reservations, reserve your FastPasses, and head towards the happiest place on Earth for a vacation your whole family will remember forever!

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