There's something about an all-inclusive package that appeals to me. I think the fact that the vacation is aleady "paid for" helps me to enjoy the trip more! I guess that is one of the reasons I am such a big fan of the Disney dining plans. My sister once said this about the dining plan, "When my kids beg to get an overpriced ice cream cone, I love that I can be their hero and say yes because it's already paid for!" What a true sentiment. That being said, I have never actually paid full price for my Dining Plans so that might be why I liked it. The first time we took the family was when they were running a special of buy 4 days of hotel, tickets & dining, get 3 days free. So that was a no brainer. The second family trip there was the free dining special. It seems like the past few years Free Dining has been offered at so many points throughout the year; I really don't know why someone would NOT take advantage of that
It is my understanding that you must be booking a PACKAGE (Disney hotel & park tickets) to add the dining option to your trip. So if you are staying off Disney property or getting your ticekts through a discount like a military ticket outlet, you probably won't be able to participate in this program. There are different dining packages to choose from.
The basic plan is called the Quick Service Plan. This is the plan you get with the Free Dining Special right now if you are staying in a Value Resort. It includes to 2 quick-service meals & 2 snacks/per day and 1 refillable mug per person. (You know how much I like those mugs, right?) A quick-service meal is one that you go to a counter to order and then carry the tray to your table. No waiters, no reservations, and no tips. There are many different types of quick-service meals to choose from so you don't have to get 5-7 days of hamburgers at every meal. My only complaint with the quick-service dining is their kid's meal options. There aren't as many selections so the kids DO tend to get tired of it sooner than the adults. If you are going to choose this plan, I suggest you research the options available so you can plan ahead and get as much variety in as possible! You can even use one of your snacks as your breakfast and have 3 meals out of the day covered with a snack leftover! Most hotels have donuts, bagels, croissants, etc that are considered a "snack" when you purchase them. When we go in November 2012, I am HOPING there will be free dining available, but if there isn't, this is the plan we will be purchasing. It's helpful during busy seasons to not be tied down by reservations and it's a quicker option than sit-down dining, aka more time for the fun!
When you see it described as Dining Plan, that is the second, most popular option. It gives 1 quick-service, 1 table-service, and 1 snack per day per person. This is the plan you get during Free Dining when you stay at a Moderate Resort or higher. This is also the plan that I like to use when travelling with small children. I'll give you two words that tell you why: CHARACTER DINING. Seriously, you will waste HOURS in line waiting to get an autographs and a picture with one character in the parks. It kills me. Instead, I book every sit down meal at restaurants that offer characters during the meal. It is the BEST way to see the characters close up and get great pictures without even having to get out of your seat - they come to you at your table!!! Granted, some of the food is better at non-character restaurants in Disney but hey, your kids are only little once. Dine with the characters before they are too cool to hug Goofy or kiss Cinderella. :)
There is also the Deluxe Dining Plan that gives you 3 meals (quick-service OR table-service) and 2 snacks per person. I have found there to be MORE than enough food with the previously mentioned plans that I can't imagine the need for this Deluxe Plan but there are obviously those out there that get it.
But there are some things you should know about when booking your dining. Keep in mind that the gratuity is NOT paid for. So you may be eating $300 worth of food at a fancy restaurant for free because of the FREE DINING special but you still have to tip your waiter. :) Some of the exclusive restaurants, like Cinderella's Castle or some of the dinner shows, will actually use 2 table-service credits - this is where your Disney travel agent can be a huge help. Also, some of these reservations are REALLY hard to get at specific times so BOOK AHEAD!!! For instance, character breakfast buffets before the parks open (because you don't want to eat into the park hours) can book up quickly. You can begin to reserve dining spots 180 days out. I would suggest that you contact your Disney travel agent 200 days before your trip to get his/her recommendations on food. That gives you 20 days to think about your options and make a plan. On day 180, a good travel agent will get you what you want and when you want it! Wow, that sounds bratty, doesn't it?
Most of what I will discuss further has to do with table-service dining and character dining, but I do touch a little on quick-service, snacks and $ saving ideas too.
Fantasmic! Dining Package. Fantasmic! is the night show at DHS and it lives up to its name!! It has also grown very popular and on our trip in 2009 it filled the stadium 45 minutes before the show started and we didn't get to see it. I was so sad. I didn't let that happen in 2010 ~ I got in the stadium and saved seats for my family (dead center, might I add) an hour and twenty minutes before it started while the kids rode the Rock-n-Roller Coaster. I'm such a good mama! But this dining package is the BEST way to ensure seeing Fantasmic! without sacrificing the time of saving seats. When you reserve table-dining at any of these three restaurants on a day that Fantasmic! is shown, then you receive a ticket for reserved seating for the show without having to worry about the stadium filling up. You simply show up at a special entrance 25-30 minutes before the show starts and you are ushered to your special section. Granted, the section is on the side, not center, but my sister did this last year and said it still had great views. You can choose from The Hollywood Brown Derby for lunch or dinner, Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano for lunch or dinner, or Hollywood & Vine dinner only. None of these are character dining, but if it keeps me from having to save seats 90 minutes before a show starts, I’m all for it! You see, I tried to book this for our 2010 trip but it was booked up by the time we called! You can book this reservation 180 days out, and from what I’m told ~ that’s what it takes! They are also now doing a similar type thing with the Finding Nemo: The Musical at AK. If you are going during a busy time of year, that might be a great way to see that show too. That might be my favorite show - it is Broadway-worthy!!!
Dinner Shows. I’ve been told these are AWESOME, but you pay for it. If you use your meal plan you will use 2 sit down credits. Either way you have to pay for it upfront to even book it & then they will credit your card if you use your dining plan. The Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue and Mickey’s Backyard Barbeque is held on the grounds at Fort Wilderness Lodge, while Spirit of Aloha Show is held at the Polynesian Resort. My opinion: as long as there are character dinners that my kids have not seen/been to, I will do those before the dinner shows. I’ll save the dinner shows once my kids are older (although I’m SURE kids of all ages love them.)
Character Dining. To understand your options when booking, I like to group these in particular categories. There may be some I missed - be sure to tell me. Disney is always changing it up, which is good.
Mickey Mouse & Gang ~ Your choices are Chef Mickey’s in the Contemporary Resort (all meals offered), Garden Grill at Epcot (only 4-8pm), Donald’s Safari Breakfast at Tusker House in Animal Kingdom (breakfast only, although I think they recently added lunch & dinner as character dining also), Cape May Café at the Beach Club Resort (breakfast or dinner.) Chef Mickey’s is a buffet that is a GREAT choice and conveniently located on the monorail within the Contemporary Resort. This would be a great option for breakfast on a day you are going to MK or Epcot. Try to schedule your breakfast 90 minutes before the park opens and then you won't miss a thing in the park! Characters change out but you're guaranteed to see Mickey, Minnie and Goofy. Others who usually show up there are Donald, Pluto, sometimes Chip & Dale. Garden Grill is convenient since it is inside a park (you don’t have to leave the park for your dinner reservations ~ always saves time) and the floor of the restaurant rotates slowly which is a fun attraction. They also serve you family-style (set in the center of the table and everyone can share). We saw Mickey, Pluto, Chip & Dale there. Not a big fan of the Donald Safari Breakfast! Same characters as Chef Mickey’s, but CM was better! Never been to Cape May Café but it’s location is only ideal if you’re doing it on a non-park day since there isn’t a super easy way to get there (if you’re staying at that hotel, then this would be a good choice!) 
Princess Dining ~ You just have to choose which one fits YOUR little princess or prince best because they are all great options. Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (shown left) in the country of Norway at Epcot is a great deal in my opinion. Belle is the main character here although you are guaranteed to see four others while you are there. We saw Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Jasmine, and Alice in Wonderland. Been told that Snow White, Ariel and Mulan will also trade out with some of these characters. I think this meal is perfect for the little girl who doesn’t necessarily have a favorite. Also, you receive a free 8 x 10 and 2 3x5 pics of your party with Belle. Very few dining meals include that in their price! Lunch & dinner are available.
Cinderella’s Royal Table in the castle at Magic Kingdom is another very popular pick. It also includes the free picture deal like Akershus. From what I understand, multiple princesses are here just like Akershus. This is considered “Signature Dining” so it uses 2 sit down meal credits. I think your child would have to be majorly into Cinderella to pay for this meal & go through the hoop-la to book it. (You must pay the fee upfront and then use your credits when you arrive & be credited back on your card. Also, you must book it 180 days out because it fills up quickly.) All three meals (b, l and d) are available here. 1900 Park Fare with Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner (shown to the right) is a buffet located in the Grand Floridian and is (in my opinion) the best choice for a Cinderella fan. It includes Cinderella (of course), her step-sisters, Prince Charming, and Lady Tremaine. The characters stay in character and definitely steal the show! CAREFUL ~ this place is a different character meal for breakfast so if you want Cinderella you have to book dinner. The Garden View Tea Room at the Grand Floridian is something I’ve never heard of until recently. Sounds very prim & proper with its scones and tea sandwiches. Princess Aurora makes a showing here, but that’s it. The ages suggested are 3-11 and the girls are required to wear their favorite princess dress (although I think you’d find that to be common at any of the princess dining meals.) The girls receive gifts listed as: a special 18-inch My Disney Girl doll dressed in a matching Princess Aurora gown plus accessories, a ribbon tiara, silver Princess link bracelet, fresh rose, special princess scrapbook page and a "Best Friend" certificate. (There are boy gifts too should they have to suffer through this.) I am willing to bet this little meal is considered Signature, but I’m not completely sure on this.
For dining with The Mad Hatter, Winnie the Pooh, Mary Poppins & Alice in Wonderland, you could do the Supercalifragilistic Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian. (Obviously, it’s only offered at breakfast.) Another excellent Winnie the Pooh option is Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom. The buffet food is one of the best of all the dining meals & you get to see Pooh, Tigger, Eyeore & Piglet. All meals are offered.
In Disney Hollywood Studios you can dine with the Little Einsteins and Handy Manny at Hollywood & Vine, but only at breakfast & lunch.
The Polynesian Resort (also on the monorail) offers SUPER food at their breakfast at ‘Ohana with Lilo & Stitch, Mickey Mouse, and Pluto. It’s only character dining with breakfast though.
If you plan your dining meals correctly, I don’t think you would have to buy anything out of pocket, but just in case you run out of credits early I am listing some inexpensive spots to look for and some money saving tips if you’re interested. (I’m sure some of the prices are inflated since I last checked these.
Magic Kingdom - For lunch or dinner, Casey's Corner (Main Street) has a large hot dog with slaw or fries for around $6 and a side of chili for a bit over $3. Get a bowl of clam chowder or vegetarian chili at Columbia Harbor House for under $5. Cosmic Ray's has a half rotisserie chicken with mashed potatoes and vegetables (split it between two people) for around $9.
Epcot - Starting at 11:00 am, when World Showcase opens, you'll have more options. Boulangerie Patisserie (France) sells ham and cheese croissants for $3.25, ham and cheese quiche for $5 or a fruit and cheese plate for $6. Sunshine Seasons (The Land pavilion) has a half rotisserie chicken with two sides (split it between two people) for around $10. Or walk out the International Gateway to the Spoodles Pizza window, where a slice is about $4.
Disney Hollywood Studios - Toluca Legs Turkey Company has a chili dog for $5. Rosie's All American Cafe offers a soup of the day for under $3. Catalina Eddie's and Toy Story Pizza Planet offer individual pizzas for around $6.
Animal Kingdom - Get a fruit and cheese plate at Harambe Fruit Market for under $6. Pizzafari offers a basket of cheesy bread sticks with marinara sauce for $4 and individual pizzas for around $6. Flame Tree Barbecue has a half smoked chicken with baked beans and corn muffin (split it between two people) for around $9.50.
At your resort - you can buy two slices of bread (white or wheat) for $.69 plus tax. Peanut butter is about .50, and in some food courts it's free because there are packets of it with the condiments. Jelly can be obtained for free because it's a condiment. So for around a dollar or less, you can make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
More Light eating – A clever trick is to order one double cheeseburger combo meal and ask for an extra bun. (The cashiers actually have an "extra bun" button on the register, so this is not an unusual request.) Then take one of the hamburger patties off the double burger, and put it on the extra bun. Most of the counter-service restaurants have a condiment bar where you can add any toppings you like to the two burgers. Split the fries and drink, or order an extra drink. Please note: the "extra bun" tip has worked for years, with the extra bun usually costing 79 or 89 cents, but since 2008 some locations have increased the price of a bun to insane levels, with some locations charging as much as $4 (!), so ask the price first.
Drinks - All of the counter service restaurants in the theme parks give out FREE ice water so save your empty water bottles! If you hate the taste of the tap water at Walt Disney World, consider carrying some small packets of sweetened Kool-Aid or Crystal Light with you and adding those to your bottles of free ice water. (That’s why I prefer empty water bottles instead over large thermoses.)
