Everyone’s looking to save money and to wring just a little bit more enjoyment out of their Disney dollars. We’re right there with you!
So today, we’re bringing you the details on some of our favorite Disney Dining Deals!
These little-known tricks and tips could save you big on your next Disney World vacation, so let’s get planning!
1. Prix-Fixe Menus
UPDATE: Prix-Fixe Meals are currently unavailable at Disney World due to limited operations. Nine Dragons remains temporarily closed.
One of my favorite ways to save a little dough around Disney World is by taking advantage of Prix-Fixe Meals — specialty multi-course menus that let you choose from a variety of the restaurant’s popular dishes for a discounted price. While you’ll find them here and there in a number of places, lots of Epcot World Showcase restaurants offer them.
For real savings, check out the prix-fixe offering at Les Chefs de France in the France Pavilion.
Les Chefs de France in Epcot
This beautiful spot is one of my favorite places to dine in all of Disney World anyway, so saving money is a great perk.
When you compare the price with the a la carte prices for each item, you can really see the savings! With desserts set at $8.99, that’s a $7 savings!
Les Chefs de France Menu
Enjoy fan favorites, like Bisque de Homard and the mac and cheese. And you have your pick of dessert!
Gratin de Macaroni at Chefs de France
The savings are a little slimmer at Nine Dragons in the China Pavilion, but you’ll still save a little dough by opting for the special Lunch and Dinner Sets.
Nine Dragons Menu — Family Dinner
We enjoyed the offerings on here the last time we visited.
Canton Pepper Beef
It can also simplify the ordering process and get you back into the parks faster! After all — time is money when it comes to Disney World, eh?
2. Follow Your Favorites on Social Media for Deals, Coupons, and Freebies
When it comes to saving money around the ‘World, it pays to follow your favorites on social media.
In an effort to broaden their reach, some restaurants and bars offer specials when you follow them on sites like Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. For instance, follow Epcot’s La Cava del Tequila on Twitter, and you can get a Tequila Shot for a special price!
La Cava del Tequila Bar
Keeping an eye on Facebook can be valuable as well.
Find your favorite dining spots on social media, and you may be surprised how many deals they post regularly!
3. Keep an Eye Out for Hidden Gems and Special Experiences
One way to save money is simply to pay attention to good resources (like DFB! :-D). It’s always a good idea to ask your server if there are any unadvertised specials. And here at Disney Food Blog, we pride ourselves on passing along Hidden Gems that we find on our travels!
Great options for exploring interesting wines are the Wine Tastings held at Jiko on Wednesday afternoons.
This beautiful restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is among our favorite spots for their incredible food, but they also boast the largest collection of African wines outside the African continent!
Jiko Wine Tasting
Having the opportunity to learn about them in a laid back atmosphere is always a fun way to spend the afternoon, and the price here is unbelievable for what you get.
4. Subscribe to Restaurant Newsletters or Discount Cards
Subscribing to Restaurant Newsletters or obtaining Loyalty Cards can also yield deals and savings.
We love heading to the Earl of Sandwich, whether we’re visiting Downtown Disney in Florida or California. And when you sign up for their Royalty Club, you’ll get a free brownie on your birthday! Plus you can collect points to earn coupons!
The Full Montague at Earl of Sandwich
Make sure to download the Blaze Pizza app too because in the past they have offered Buy One, Get One Free pizzas – their Disney Springs location included! Finally, some of our favorite restaurants in Disney World — found at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts — offer a loyalty program that allows guests to earn points redeemable for coupons and gift cards.
WDW Swan and Dolphin Loyalty Program
We head to these spots at least once a year, so it’s a great deal for us!
BBQ Swordfish at blue zoo
There are lots more where these came from, pick up the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining to see them all! 🙂
5. Consider Tables in Wonderland
UPDATE: New Tables in Wonderland cards are not currently being sold at this time.
If you frequently dine in Walt Disney World, and you especially enjoy table service restaurants, you may want to consider a Tables in Wonderland Membership. The card, which is accepted at nearly every restaurant and lounge at Walt Disney World, provides for 20% off of both food and beverage — including alcohol. Some counter service food courts and counter-service locations accept the card as well.
An Irish Egg at Raglan Road
In addition, cardholders can take advantage of free valet parking or theme park parking when they dine at a restaurant within that location.
6. Put Orlando Magical Dining Month on Your Calendar
Each September, VisitOrlando sponsors Orlando Magical Dining Month, a program benefitting a different charity each year. For $30 per person, diners can try out many of Orlando’s best and most expensive dining options, and $1 from each meal will be donated to the charity represented. This is a great way to try some of the more expensive spots around property, like Todd English’s bluezoo and Il Mulino.
Preparing Dancing Fish at Todd English’s bluezoo
Be sure to stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for all of the details about this fun event. The 10th Annual Orlando Magical Dining will kick off later this year!
There are definitely deals to be had at Disney. You just need to know where to look! And with a little research, you can put your dollars to work for you in the best way possible the next time you visit!
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Don’t forget the Landry’s club card for T-Rex and Rainforest Cafe! Not only do you earn points that add up to become discounts – you get the front of the line access. Earlier this month at T-Rex, the walk-up line was over 30 minutes just to get to the first check in booth – with my card (and no reservation), we were seated at a table within 15 minutes of walking up! Also, you get either a free appetizer or a percentage off your total tab!
The Landry’s club card works for Yak &Yeti in AK, too.
Michelle and Melissa — Yep! The Landry’s club card is mentioned in detail in our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining!
I love my Tables in Wonderland card!
I definitely recommend Tables in Wonderland. We have a toddler and do not do a lot of expensive meals, but we make back the cost of the card within the first three or four months of having it each year.
Buy Wolfgang Puck gift cards from Costco.com (or at the stores). $79.99 for two $50 gift cards translates to $20 off whatever you charge – including tip. Combine the 20% TiW discount if you have that, and that’s a HUGE savings at Wolfgang Puck Grand or upstairs in the Dining Room.
Speaking of the Dining Room, when’s DFB going to do a review of it? I’ve never read any reviews of it online.
George — I KNOW! It’s been on my list forever but keeps getting bumped for other things. We’ll get there very soon!
There are certain restaurants that give you a discount for paying with a Disney Visa card.
Useful blog. The comments about the 20% Tables in Wonderland discount do ignore the fact that they automatically add an 18% gratuity to the bill. Personally I like the parking benefit the most. Flash the card and your ID and it’s, “Welcome Home”.
Mark said – Useful blog. The comments about the 20% Tables in Wonderland discount do ignore the fact that they automatically add an 18% gratuity to the bill. Personally I like the parking benefit the most. Flash the card and your ID and it’s, “Welcome Home”.
Does this make a difference? I think it actually saves money bc my standard is 20%, so I am actually saving more than the 20% discount when that apply this…
If you are an Open Table member don’t forget to check to see if those reservations are accepted. I always use Open Table to make reservations for Raglan Road and it allows me to earn points for dining back at home.
OpenTable certificates can be used at any restaurant that participates in OpenTable’s online reservation system. I usually pool my points and then cash in my certificates to take on vacation with me.
About the TiW discount: I’d rather tip on a discounted total than on the larger amount. So assuming you’re going to tip 18% anyway, you’re still saving 20% off your bill.
I believe you can show your AAA card at Earl of Sandwich for a discount of 15%.
An annual pass also gets you a discount at many locations.
Great tips! However, as to the discounts, I believe proper tipping calls for tipping on the total before the discount. The server still works just as hard whether I get a discount on the food or not.
I think all of these are great ideas! Thank you for posting!
I was at rainforest in downtown Disney and they refused my Landrys card for front of line service. Walked over to T rex and got right in.
Are there any deals like tables in wonderland for out of state visitors?
Deborah — Anyone with an annual pass or a DVC membership can purchase a Tables in Wonderland card, even if they live out of state. That’s the only Disney dining discount program, though. As George says, there are discounts available in many restaurants for DVC and annual passholders as well.
Yes, Deborah: Tables in Wonderland for AP or DVC members. 🙂
Even without TiW, AP and DVC members get decent discounts (up to 15%) at many TS places around The World.
Is it possible to combine the Landrys benefits with TIW at Trex?
Thanks in advance.. Mal
This article is from 3 years ago and is very outdated. Wolfgang Puck Grand Cafe is closing Aug. 1, Portobello, and Fulton’s Crab House aren’t even open anymore.
These are all great tips, but please remember to tip your servers on the full amount of your meal prior to the discount. When receiving such great savings, it’s important not to penalize your server because you received a discount – particularly when service at many Disney restaurants is among the best in the world!
Y’all should probably update this post if you’re going to continue linking it in your Instagram stories – posts on DisBoards say the Earl of Sandwich birthday reward is now a brownie, not a sandwich, and there is nothing about a birthday sandwich on the EoS website. Not sure about other errors.
Thanks, Kal! We’ll review it!