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If it’s your first time on the dining plan don’t make these rookie mistakes with your snack credits that could end up costing you money!
Dining Plan Snack Credit Mistakes
One of the easiest ways to get the best value out of your dining plan is to make the most of your snack credits.
But it’s so easy to make a rookie mistake if you’ve never used the plan before.
So today we’re looking at 8 different mistakes you could make, and how to avoid them!
Mistake #1: Paying cash for your Starbucks fix
Your dining plan includes a refillable mug that’s good for unlimited coffee (and other drinks) at your resort, but if Starbucks is your drink of choice then consider using your snack credit for your morning coffee fix.
You’ll find a Starbucks in each of the four theme parks as well as at Disney Springs.
Oh and strangely all coffee sizes cost just one snack credit, so since you’re on vacation treat yourself to a Trenti!
Mistake #2: Wasting your snack credit on bottled water
You know you can ask for a cup of ice water for free at any restaurant right? Or drink water from the fountains for free.
If you don’t like either of those options because you’re not keen on the taste of Florida water either carry some of these with you or pay out of pocket for bottled water instead.
Since water costs $2.50 a bottle you’d be wasting the value of your credit and you could put it to better use trying a speciality drink instead.
The Kabuki Cafe at the Japanese pavilion in Epcot has a mean Japanese shaved ice that’s well worth trying.
Or why not stop by Auntie Gravity’s in Tomorrowland to trade your snack credit for an amazing Millennial Pink Milkshake (pictured above)! It’s a totally pink combo of ice cream, cotton candy and a Mickey head marshmallow!
Mistake #3: Not knowing which snacks cost more than $5
You know how we love a little advance planning ahead of our Disney vacations. And the best way to maximise your snack credits is to know which snacks actually cost more than 5 bucks. So here’s a list of the top 30 from across the four theme parks!
Hollywood Studios (Echo Lake) Oasis Canteen
Strawberry Funnel Cake With Strawberry Topping And Soft-Serve Vanilla Ice Cream~ $8.49
Magic Kingdom (Frontierland) Praire Outpost And Supply
Chocolatears Family Size Bagged Candy Milk Chocolate Raisins, Milk Chocolate Peanuts, White Chocolate Covered Pretzels, Chocolate Covered Pretzels, Milk Chocolate Maltballs, Milk Chocolate Pecan Clusters, Dark Chocolate Non Pareils~ $7.99
Magic Kingdom (Liberty Square) Sleepy Hollow
Funnel Cake Topped With Strawberries And Whipped Cream~ $7.79
Epcot (Ws – France Pavilion) L’Artisan Des Glaces Ice Cream
Double Scoop Ice Cream Or Sorbet Choice Of Waffle Cone Or Cup~ $7.04
Epcot (Ws – American Adventure) Funnel Cakes
Funnel Cake With Sugar~ $7.00
Animal Kingdom (Asia) Chakranadi
Asian Noodle Salad~ $6.99
Animal Kingdom (Discovery Island) Pizzafari
Garlic Knots Basket Of Fresh-Baked Garlic Knots, Topped With Cheese,And Served With Marinara Sauce~ $6.99
Magic Kingdom (Liberty Square) Sleepy Hollow
Waffle With Strawberries And Whipped Cream~ $6.79
Animal Kingdom (Discovery Island) Terra Treats
Flavored Rice Chips~ $6.69
Epcot (Future World West) Sunshine Seasons
Fruit And Cheese Plate~ $6.69
Hollywood Studios (Sunset Boulevard) Anaheim Produce
Lundberg Rice Chips Wasabi Or Sea Salt~ $6.69
Hollywood Studios (Sunset Boulevard) Catalina Eddie’S
Souvenir Mug With Soft Drink~ $6.69
Hollywood Studios (Sunset Boulevard) Hollywood Scoops
Apple Crisp A La Mode Cinnamon Apple, Topped With Old-Fashioned Vanilla Ice Cream, Caramel Sauce, And Streusel~ $6.69
Hollywood Studios (Sunset Boulevard) Hollywood Scoops
Brownie Sundae House-Made Brownie And Old-Fashioned Vanilla Ice Cream With Hot Fudge And Whipped Cream~ $6.69
Animal Kingdom (Discovery Island) Flame Tree Bbq
French Fries With Pulled Pork And Cheese~ $6.49
Magic Kingdom (Fantasyland) Be Our Guest-
French Onion Soup (Lunch)~ $6.49
Magic Kingdom (Fantasyland) Pinocchio Village Haus
Blue Raspberry Slushy~ $6.49
Animal Kingdom (Africa) Zuri’S Sweet Shop
Caramel Peanut Apple~ $6.29
Magic Kingdom (Liberty Square) Columbia Harbour House
Vegetarian Chili~ $6.29
Magic Kingdom (Liberty Square) Columbia Harbour House
New England Clam Chowder~ $6.29
Magic Kingdom (Main Street) Main Street Confectionery
Caramel Peanut Apple~ $6.29
Hollywood Studios (Sunset Boulevard) Hollywood Scoops
Ice Cream Sundae: Old-Fashioned Vanilla With Hot Fudge, Whipped Cream, And A Cherry~ $6.19
Magic Kingdom (Tomorrowland) Auntie Gravity’S Galactic Goodies
Smoothie – Includes A Souvenir Mickey Straw Strawberry Or Raspberry~ $6.19
Epcot (World Showcase – American Adventure) Block & Hans
Mickey-Shaped Pretzel With Cheese Sauce~ $6.00
Animal Kingdom (Africa) Zuri’S Sweet Shop
Goofy’S Powdered Candy 18 Tube~ $5.99
Animal Kingdom (Asia) Thirsty River Bar And Trek Snacks
Hummus With Vegetables And Pita~ $5.99
Animal Kingdom (Discovery Island) Creature Comforts
Specialty Cupcakes Tree Of Life, Cotton Top Tamarin, Firefly, River Of Light, Or Zebra~ $5.99
Animal Kingdom (Discovery Island) Terra Treats
Buffalo Chicken Wings~ $5.99
Animal Kingdom (Pandora) Pongu Pongu
Night Blossom: Mixture Of Limeade With Apple And Desert Pear Flavors, Topped With Passion Fruit Boba Balls~ $5.99
Epcot (World Showcase – Norway Pavilion) Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe
Anna’S Birthday Cupcake~ $5.99
Mistake #4: Not making use of the sides as snacks policy
If you looked closely at that list you will have noticed several items on there that are actually sides rather than snacks.
If you are on the Quick Service Dining Plan and you want to save your entree credit for dinner time make use of the fact that Disney classes some sides as snacks which are perfect for a light lunch!
You could choose the Asian Noodle Salad at Chakrandi (Asia) at the Animal Kingdom or the New England Clam Chowder at Columbia Harbour House (Liberty Square) at the Magic Kingdom both of which will only cost you one snack credit.
Mistake #5: Not sharing your snacks
Always remember that snack credits rollover so you don’t HAVE to use them up each day.
And since most of the Disney snacks are on the generous size you can make your snack credits go further by sharing your snacks.
Mistake #6: Not using your snack credits at Epcot festivals
Whether you’re visiting during the Flower & Garden Festival or the Food & Wine Festival it’s worth noting that many of the snacks available can be purchased using a snack credit.
Mistake #7: Not paying Goofy a visit
Over at Goofy’s Candy Company at Disney Springs your kids (or you) can pick out a snack and choose exactly how to have it decorated.
You can choose from speciality apples, topped marshmallows, topped crispy rice treats or a topped gingerbread cookie. And whichever one you choose they’re only one snack credit!
This is also the best store to find pre-packaged candies and treats you can spend your snack credits on.
Which brings us neatly round to our final mistake…
Mistake #8: Not turning unused snack credits into souvenirs
If you get to the end of your vacation and you still have snack credits leftover don’t just ignore them… turn them into souvenirs!
Whether it’s a treat for the kids to enjoy on the long journey home, or a gift for classmates just head over to Goofy’s Candy Company or even your Resort gift shop for a bag of candy or packaged crispy rice treats.
Or pick up some of the Minnie Bake Shop cookies which keep well and are big enough to share.
If you happen to be in Epcot head to the Karamel Kuche in Germany for individual candies and small bags of caramel popcorn make great take home souvenirs.
