If you’re headed to Walt Disney World and purchased one of the Disney dining plans, you’re probably looking for ways to make sure you get the most out of your credits. After all, while the dining plans are a great way to pre-pay for your food, but it’s easy to lose money if you buy the wrong things. And, one of the biggest mistakes people make is using their snack credits on the wrong things. But, what counts as a snack? What are the worst snacks to use your credits on? And, what snacks are the best value in Disney World? We’re answering all your questions in this guide to Disney dining plan snacks!

Overview of Disney Dining Plans

If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World Resort, you may be considering purchasing a Disney Dining Plan. These plans are available as an add-on if you book a stay at any Disney World Resort hotel and are designed to provide you with a convenient and cost-effective way to eat throughout your stay.

Currently, there are two different Disney Dining Plans available including the Standard Dining Plan and the Quick Service Dining Plan. Each one comes with a pre-determined number of table service meals, quick service meals, and snacks per person, per day of your trip. Here’s a quick overview of each one:

Standard Disney Dining Plan

The Standard Disney Dining Plan is a more comprehensive plan that includes both quick service and table service meals at a wide variety of restaurants throughout the parks and resorts. With this plan, you’ll receive:

• 1 Quick-Service Meal Per Night of Stay
• 1 Table-Service Meal Per Night of Stay
• 1 Snack or Nonalcoholic Beverage Per Night of Stay
• 1 Resort-Refillable Mug

Disney Quick Service Dining Plan

The Disney Quick Service Dining Plan is ideal for guests who want to enjoy quick and easy meals at counter service restaurants throughout the parks and resorts. With this plan, you’ll receive:

• 2 Quick-Service Meals Per Night of Stay
• 1 Snack or Nonalcoholic Beverage Per Night of Stay
• 1 Resort-Refillable Mug

Both plans offer a great value and can help you save money on your dining expenses during your trip if you use the credits right. Plus, they provide the added convenience of pre-paying for your meals and snacks, so you don’t have to worry about carrying cash or credit cards with you throughout the parks.

What Counts as Snacks on the Disney Dining Plans?

When it comes to the Disney Dining Plans, each person gets one snack or nonalcoholic beverage per night of stay on both dining plans. This means that you can enjoy a wide variety of snacks throughout your trip without having to worry about breaking the bank.

To make it easy to identify what counts as a snack, look for the DDP snack logo on menus and display cases. This purple and white symbol is an indicator that the item is eligible as a snack on the dining plan. Another way to tell is to use the My Disney Experience app and look for the phrase “Qualifies as a Snack” in the item’s description.

Some examples of things that count as a snack in Disney World are:

• Frozen ice cream novelty, popsicle or fruit bar
• 2 scoops of hand-scooped ice cream
• Popcorn scoop (single-serving box)
• Piece of whole fruit
• Single-serve bag of snacks
• 20-ounce bottle of Coca-Cola® products, including Dasani® water
• 20-ounce fountain soft drink
• Single-serve coffee, hot chocolate, hot tea, milk or juice
• Cup of soup
• Add on toppings or sauces (e.g. side of cheese dipping sauce)

It’s important to note that not everything is considered a snack on the Disney Dining Plans. For example, the following items do NOT count as a snack:

• Items that are more than a single serving (such as a box of doughnuts or a jar of peanut butter)
• Items (such as popcorn or drinks) that are served in a souvenir container
• Items considered to be merchandise (such as bottle toppers, glow cubes and bottle straps)

So, be sure to check if the snack you’re looking at is eligible under the dining plan.

Finding the Best Value Snacks in Disney World

When it comes to maximizing your Disney Dining Plan snack credits, it’s important to know where to find the best value snacks. A snack credit is worth roughly $6, so you want to make sure you’re using them on items that cost more than that. If it costs less, it may be better to pay with cash instead because you’re ultimately losing money on it.

While finding a snack that costs more than $6 in Disney World isn’t necessarily challenging, you can get even more of a bang for your buck (or even save some money!) by opting for higher-cost snacks when you use your credits. Here are some of the best value snacks you can find in each of the Disney World theme parks:

Magic Kingdom Best Value Snacks

• DOLE Whip from Aloha Isle ($5.99-$7.99)
• Floats, milkshakes, or sundaes from Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies ($6.29-8.29)
• Gaston’s Cinnamon Roll from Gaston’s Tavern ($6.99)
• Ice Cream Sundae from Plaza Ice Cream Parlor ($7.29-$8.49)
• Sweet Cream Cheese Stuffed Pretzel from The Lunching Pad ($7.79)
• Treats from Main Street Confectionery ($6.49 – $6.99)

EPCOT Best Value Snacks

• Rainbow Kakigori at Kabuki Cafe in Japan pavilion ($7.00)
• Traditional Poutine at Refreshment Port ($7.50)
• Any snacks from Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie ($6.50+)
• Werther’s Caramel Apple (or any other treat) from Karamell-Kuche in Germany Pavilion ($12.99)

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Best Value Snacks

• Blue and Green Milk from the Milk Stand in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge ($8.99)
• Candy Painted Cinnamon Rolls from Ice Cold Hydraulics ($8.99)
• Funnel Cakes at Epic Eats ($7.29-$8.49)
• Num Num Cookie at Neighborhood Bakery ($6.29)
• Wookiee Cookie from Backlot Express ($6.79)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Best Value Snacks

• Baked Mac & Cheese dishes at Eight Spoon Cafe ($6.79)
• Colossal Cinnamon Roll from Creature Comforts ($7.49)
• Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches at Dino-Bite Snacks ($7.79 – $8.29)
• Mr. Kamal’s Fries from Mr. Kamal’s snack stand ($6.49)
• Night Blossom from Pongu Pongu ($6.79)
• Pineapple Crisp Sundae at Tamu Tamu Refreshments ($6.79)

Other Snacks (Various Locations)

• Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar ($6.25)
• Turkey Leg ($13.49-$15.49)
• Mickey Pretzel ($7.79)
• Venti Starbucks ($6+)

Worst Value Snacks in Disney World

When it comes to the Disney Dining Plan, not all snacks are created equal. Some snacks may seem like a good value, but in reality, they are not worth the snack credit. Here are some of the worst-value snacks in Disney World that you should avoid:

• Popcorn Sodas and Bottled Water
• Fresh Fruit
• Bagged Chips
• Coffee and tea (Starbucks is an exception)
• Pre-Packaged Candy
• Plain Bakery Items
• Extra Sauce

If you have a craving for any of these, we recommend paying with cash and saving your snack credits for something that’s worth a bit more. Because you pre-paid around $6 per snack credit with your meal plan, you want to be sure you’re opting for snacks that are around that price point. Otherwise, you lose money by purchasing the dining plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use snack credits for meal items on the Disney Dining Plan?

No, snack credits cannot be used for meal items on the Disney Dining Plan. Snack credits are only valid for select snack items. Look for the DDP snack logo on menus or ask a Cast Member to help identify what counts as a snack.

Are there any restrictions on using snack credits at Quick-Service restaurants?

Yes, there are some restrictions on using snack credits at quick service restaurants. While some quick service locations have menu items that count as snacks with the Disney Dining Plans, others only serve full meals. Of course, you are able to use your quick service credits at any of these locations.

How do I identify snack credit eligible items at Disney Dining Plan participating locations?

Snack credit eligible items at Disney Dining Plan participating locations are typically marked with a purple and white Disney Dining Plan logo. You can also ask a Cast Member for assistance in identifying eligible items. It’s important to note that not all snack items are eligible for redemption with a snack credit, so be sure to check before making a purchase.

Can I save my snack credits or do I need to buy one each day?

Yes, you can save your snack credits and use multiple at once if you prefer. While you are allotted one snack credit per person, per day, the credits can be redeemed on any day of your Disney World vacation. So, if you want to stock up on snacks on the first day of your trip, you can use all of the credits then. Or, you can save them all until the end of your trip.

Can I use my Disney dining plan snack credits at Starbucks in Disney World?

Yes! Disney World’s Starbucks locations do accept Disney Dining Plan snack credits. If you are opting to use your snack credit for a drink, we recommend ordering a Venti. All of the drinks and sizes count as one snack credit. So, to get the best value for what you pay, opt for the biggest size available.

Comments

What is your favorite snack in Disney World? Let us know how you like to use your Disney dining plan snack credits in the comments!