disney dining plan | the disney food blog

Tips from the DFB Guide: Top 5 Disney Dining Plan One-Credit Values for 2014

Now that you’ve booked your 2014 Disney World vacation, it’s time to make your Advance Dining Reservations.

But which restaurants are worthy of your precious Disney Dining Plan credits?

What’s the DDP? The vacation package add-on called the Disney Dining Plan is a pre-purchased meal plan. Based on the plan you choose, you’ll receive a certain number of credits to be utilized during your Disney stay. (Remember your college meal plan? Yeah; it’s kinda like that!)

Many table-service meals in Disney World cost one credit per person, but are you getting the best value?

If you reeeeeeally want to get your money’s worth, stick to the one-credit restaurants, order the most expensive meal on the menu, and maximize your savings! Let’s get to the DFB guide’s top picks for best value at “one table-service credit” Walt Disney World restaurants.

Remember: this is primarily based on food cost, but we have taken atmosphere and food quality into consideration a bit as well. We don’t want you eating at a bad restaurant, after all. 😉

Tutto Italia

Offering regional specialties, Tutto Italia is located in Epcot’s Italy pavilion. With dinner entrees costing about $30, and a pricey dessert topping $13, your one meal here is a great use of a table service dining credit!

Braised Meatballs and Shortrib

Kouzzina

features Mediterranean cuisine showcased on a menu created by Celebrity Chef Cat Cora. A dinner at this BoardWalk restaurant can be costly. With a $35 grilled steak entree and $10 desserts (Baklava!!), Kouzzina is a smart choice for your dining credit use!

Baklava Dessert at Kouzzina

Teppan Edo

is a fun Hibachi restaurant in Epcot’s Japan pavilion. Order the $32 Filet Mignon and a dessert at $5-7 to make the most of your table service credit.

Steak and chicken at Teppan Edo

Les Chefs de France

Located in Epcot’s France pavilion, Les Chefs de France serves up delicious cuisine. Dinner entrees cost $20-35 with desserts about $9 each. Use your table service credit here for a memorable meal.

Creme Brulee at Chefs de France

Rainforest Cafe

While Rainforest Cafe gets mixed reviews, [Read more…]

News! Food Trucks Arrive Disney World’s Downtown Disney in Early November

By Kim LaPaglia 15 Comments

As we announced earlier, Downtown Disney Orlando will soon debut mobile eateries as the popular Walt Disney World district joins the Food Truck craze!

But now we have a DATE RANGE (yes, this is how it works) to look forward to! In early November, Disney will welcome four new food trucks to Downtown Disney’s West Side (near Cirque de Soleil and House of Blues).

Let’s get to the food…

Superstar Catering truck

“Favorite of the Stars of Disney’s Hollywood Studios,” this truck will feature hearty meatball variations: a spinach and feta beef meatball sandwich; turkey sausage and golden raisin meatballs on polenta; and a lamb meatball flatbread with tzatziki. For the kids (or kids at heart!) — meatball sliders!

Lamb Meatball Flatbread

With a stainless steel exterior accented in teal, tan and orange, this truck will be reminiscent of a 1930s Art Deco diner.

Namaste Café truck

“Tasty Explorations from Disney’s Animal Kingdom,” is the theme at this colorful truck! Designed with an Asian influence, guests will enjoy Sanaa-inspired food. We can’t wait to sample the BUTTER CHICKEN!!!!!!!!!, slow-cooked beef short ribs, and tandoori spiced shrimp. All dishes will be served with [Read more…]

First Look! Starbucks Opens at Epcot’s Fountain View Cafe

By AJ 57 Comments

Last year, we shared the announcement that Epcot’s Fountain View Cafe in Walt Disney World would become a Starbucks location. This Future World location that was popular for ice cream treats joins the Main Street Bakery in the Magic Kingdom as a counter service retreat for coffee lovers.

Today, we have a FIRST LOOK of the new Fountain View Cafe doing business as a Starbucks!

Fountain View Exterior with Starbucks signage.

Fountain View Cafe Starbucks Atmosphere

Follow the walkway up into the new, futuristic Starbucks!

Walkway and fountains.

Guests will see Epcot’s iconic Spaceship Earth reflected in the window with Starbucks logo.

Spaceship Earth Reflection!

Starbucks is prominently displayed at the entrances and on the windows of Fountain View.

Entrance.

Doors to Fountain View.

Check out the cool Retro font!

Cool example of retro font.

Once you’re inside, you’ll be able to survey Future World.

View of Spaceship Earth.

…and check out all of the futuristic additions to the cafe!

Ceiling.

Cast Members are all [Read more…]

Disney World’s Kouzzina Now Offering Prix Fixe Menu

By Kim LaPaglia 10 Comments

At Disney’s BoardWalk Resort, Kouzzina by Cat Cora is now offering a Prix Fixe Menu.

Learn About:Kouzzina

Boardwalk Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

This five course dinner includes some of Kouzzina’s chefs’ favorites and specialties.

Note that beverages are an additional cost unless you are paying with the Disney Dining Plan (non-alcoholic beverage included).

It’s important to know that substitutions will not be offered, so guests with special dietary concerns should opt for the regular menu.

Mezze Pikilia
Goat Cheese Sto Fourno
Lamb Soutzoukakia
Sautéed Shrimp
Spiced Hummus

Greek Hummus and Spreads at Kouzzina

Soupa kai Salata
White Truffle Avgolemono
Horiatiki Salata
Dolmades

Palate Refresher

Duo of Signature Piata
Fisherman’s Stew
Slow Braised Short Ribs
Smoked Feta Mashed
Seasonal Vegetables

Kouzzina Short Ribs

Glyka Pikilia
Mini Budino, Sour Cherry Spoon Sweet
Walnut-Pistachio Baklava
Duo of Pagota

If you are dining a la carte and wish to try one of the above dishes, these items will also available individually. Guests in your party may choose from the a la carte or prix fixe menu and not all guests have to choose from the same menu.

The Prix Fixe menu is now available for $69.00 per person or one table-service credit per person for Disney Dining Plan guests.

In addition, the standard Disney Dining Plan will accrue a surcharge of $18.53 and guests with the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan will pay a surcharge of $4.54. Discounts will apply, and an automatic gratuity will only be added for parties of six or more guests.

While Advance Dining Reservations are suggested, they are not necessary in order to order from the prix fixe menu.

What’s your favorite dish at Kouzzina? Will you order the Prix Fixe menu on your next visit?

News! Disney Dining Plan Price Increase

By AJ 42 Comments

News on the Disney Dining Plan front! Disney has increased the cost of the Quick Service, Standard, and Deluxe Disney Dining Plans for all rack rate bookings made on or after June 17, 2013.

I’ve called Disney reservations about four times trying to get exact costs, but I keep getting different answers. The only consistent info is that, yes, the prices are higher than they were earlier this year. So please note that your mileage may vary within a few cents of the pricing listed below.

We’ve also heard that Disney may do away with seasonal pricing, but all of the reservations agents I spoke to still quoted me seasonal prices (i.e. the plans will cost more during busier times at the parks).

Disney Dining Plan Prices

Here’s what you can expect for Dining Plan costs going forward. Remember that seasonal pricing may vary by a dollar or two.

Quick-Service Dining Plan
$39.64 per night ages 10 and up (no seasonal pricing)
$15.75 per night age 3 to 9 (no seasonal pricing)
(Increase from earlier 2013 pricing of $37.58 and [Read more…]

News! 2014 Disney World Free Dining Packages for United Kingdom Residents

By Kim LaPaglia 18 Comments

United Kingdom residents — we have GREAT news! Now’s the time to start planning your 2014 holiday to the Walt Disney World Resort. When you book a selected Walt Disney World holiday, you’ll receive free dining for your family!!

Disney Deal

Disney is offering a less restrictive Free Dining deal to United Kingdom residents, PLUS you’ll receive a $200 Disney Gift Card and 14 park days for the price of 7. However you’ll need to book prior to July 1, 2013, for select arrival between January 1 – April 8 and April 27 – November 30, 2014.

If you stay at a selected Disney Hotel for a minimum of 5 nights, you’ll benefit from these three magical offers:

1. FREE Disney Dining for your whole party throughout your entire stay at Walt Disney World.

2. FREE $200 Disney Spending Money.

3. Disney’s 14-Day Ultimate Ticket which includes unlimited entry to ALL six parks for a price of a Disney’s 7-Day Ultimate ticket.

PLUS save 35% on your accommodation by staying at Disney’s Old Key West Resort or Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa in a studio room.

Who doesn't want unlimited free Mickey waffles??

This offer is available on participating Disney Moderate, Deluxe Villa or Deluxe Resort hotel stays plus tickets.

Bookings must include 5 nights minimum stay at a Walt Disney World Hotel plus Disney’s 14 Day Ultimate Tickets for the whole party traveling to receive “14 day tickets for the [Read more…]

News! 2013 Disney World Free Dining Offer

By AJ 167 Comments

UPDATE: Free Dining available for select dates in October, November, and December!

Great news! Free Dining will be offered for check-in dates 9/2 – 9/25 in September 2013!

Travel Dates

Free Dining is being offered to guests ARRIVING September 2 to September 25, 2013. A minimum stay of 3 nights is required and may not be booked for longer than 14 nights.

Disney Resorts

If you stay at a Value Resort, you’ll receive the Quick Service Dining plan for FREE. (Note that you can upgrade to the standard or deluxe dining plans by paying the difference in cost per night.)

If you reserve a Moderate, Deluxe, or Deluxe Villa Resort, you will receive [Read more…]

Snack Series: Triple Chocolate Cake in Disney World

By AJ 15 Comments

We’re SO excited about the Grand Launch of our DFB Mini-Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks e-Book, 2013 Edition! In honor of the book, I’d like to share a favorite snack from the Magic Kingdom today!

Don’t forget to pick up your copy with the limited time discount!! Get $2 off TODAY with code Magic13 at check-out!

Chocolate Cake -- one of many snacks in the Magic Kingdom!

Triple Chocolate Cake in Disney World

This is one of the varied “counter-service” desserts you’ll find in Disney World on your visit — many of which are lackluster. And that’s initially what I feared about the chocolate cake! Would it be any good?

I decided to get it on a visit to Tortuga Tavern because I’d never had it before (and I never want there to be any food at Disney World that I’ve never had before…).

Tortuga Tavern Menu

I took the cake to an outdoor table and snapped some shots. It looked good enough, with that ooey-gooey frosting and the Mickey sprinkles…

Inspecting the goods...

But, like I said, I’ve been burned before when it comes to counter-service desserts!

I soon dug in…and was MORE than impressed! This cake was moist — not at all dry or crumbly like my previous experiences with counter-service cake — and the frosting was super fudgy. Even better, it really packed a dark chocolate punch of flavor.

Inside the Chocolate Cake

Maybe my standards were just set low, but I really did [Read more…]

Tip from the DFB Guide: Disney Resort Pizza Delivery

By AJ 19 Comments

Join us in celebrating our updated e-Book — The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2013 — as we share fun and useful info from the guide!

Disney Resort In-Room Pizza Delivery

As many of you know, room service is available at Disney’s deluxe resorts as well as the moderate resort, Coronado Springs. Yet, for those guests staying at value, most moderate, and select villa resorts, you’ll have to fetch your meal from the quick-service restaurant or order pizza delivery!

Disney resorts with In-Room Pizza Delivery include: All-Star Movies, All-Star Music, All-Star Sports, Caribbean Beach Resort, Old Key West, Pop Century Resort, Port Orleans Resort French Quarter, Port Orleans Resort Riverside, and Saratoga Springs Resort. Note that deluxe resorts and Coronado Springs often offer pizza options on their room service menus as well — so you can pretty much get some sort of in-room dining pizza anywhere you stay in Disney World.

In addition to pizza delivery, Disney’s Art of Animation, does have a few room service entree options after 4pm like pasta and Buffalo chicken wings/nuggets!

Extra Room Service Options at Art of Animation Resort

Disney Dining Plan pizza delivery meals consist of two non-alcoholic beverages, 1 pizza entree, and two desserts, which will cost two DDP table-service credits. This charge is per meal rather than per person.

Payment is made via cash, credit card, or your Disney room charge. Gratuities are included!

But Be Wary of Ordering from Under-The-Door Pizza Flyers

Just a quick note for those planning on pizza in your room at your Disney resort. The options we’ve mentioned above are all Disney-run pizza delivery options through the resorts’ dining systems and restaurants. The menus for these delivery options will be in your room on a cardboard placard with Disney logos when you arrive.

However, for years now guests have been receiving flimsy paper flyers for [Read more…]

More Great Disney Dining Tips from the Experts!

By AJ 23 Comments

A while back, we polled Disney Food Blog readers — Disney fans who have been there, done that, and bought the t-shirt — on their top Disney Dining Tips.

Welcome to Canadian dining!

Not surprisingly, the top tip mentioned was the advice to make Disney Dining Reservations, since you don’t want to be shut out of your favorites or from the most popular restaurants. So this time around we thought it would be fun to ask about their SECOND best Disney Dining Tips!

[Read more…]

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