Nick's Guide to Free Dining Disney Style

If you are a Disney Visa card holder, now is the time to book a trip to Walt Disney World, because if you book a vacation package for 3 consecutive nights or more, you will recieve The Disney Dining Plan for free. The Disney Dining Plan consists of 1 quick service meal, one table service meal, and one snack per day. So, you are wondering, what kind of savings does this provide? Well, lets look at a typical day touring 3 different parks, just to mix it up a little. First, we start out at Disney's Animal Kingdom. It's getting to be around 11 o'clock, and you want to grab an early lunch, so you head over to the Yak and Yeti Local Foods quick service spot for a your quick service meal. With a quick service dining plan meal, you get an entree, drink, and dessert, so you order the Shrimp Lo Mein (10.99), a large Diet Coke (2.49), and the Mango Mini Pie (3.59) for dessert. So, by my calculations, you are up to 17.07 just for lunch, but wait, you have free dining, so do a happy little dance once you place your order! Anyway, back to touring, after you have consumed your lunch and take in a showing of Finding Nemo The Musical, it's time to head over to the TTC and catch the monorail to Epcot to check out World Showcase. You have a 5 o'clock ADR for Le Cellier, so you start in Mexico about 2 o'clock, and work your way around, riding the Maelstrom twice in Norway, just because it's that awesome. Once you reach Canada, you check in at Le Cellier for Dinner. On the table service plan, you get an entree, a non-alcohalic drink, and a dessert, and you have to leave a tip, so that is out of pocket. Le Cellier is known for the steaks, so you order the Le Cellier Mushroom Filet Mignon (34.99), a Diet Coke (2.99), and the Chocolate on Chocolate Whiskey Cake (7.99) for dessert. So, without tip, you are looking at a bill of 45.97 - if you were paying that is, but you're not so all you have to cover is the tip which should figure out to be about 10 bucks, if you value good service. After dinner you jump back on the monorail to the TTC, and take a Ferry over to the Magic Kingdom to watch Spectromagic and Wishes to end your evening. Before you find your spot for the parade, you head over to the Main Street Bake Shop to use your snack option for an ice cream cookie for 3.95. So there you have it, in one day you can save a total of 66.99 on food with Free Dining. Now, these are all meals that I have personally had on Free Dining, and if you swing it, it's the best way to go.