Wondering if you can reduce your food budget by dining at Disney World Quick Service restaurants in 2024? This is the right post for you!
Planning a Disney World vacation involves numerous considerations, and dining is a significant aspect that can impact both your budget and overall experience.
While table service restaurants offer immersive dining experiences, quick service locations provide a convenient and often more affordable alternative.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the potential savings of dining exclusively at Disney World quick service restaurants. Whether you’re looking to stick to a budget or simply prefer the convenience of grab-and-go meals, we’ll delve into the financial benefits and offer tips for maximizing your dining dollars while enjoying some awesome Disney World Quick Service food.
Are you ready to discover how you can enjoy delectable meals on a budget during your Disney World vacation?!
This post is all about breaking down how much you can save by dining exclusively at Disney World Quick Service restaurants VS Table Service restaurants in 2024.
The Savings of Disney World Quick Service Dining
What is Disney World Quick Service Dining?
Disney World Quick Service Dining refers to dining options where guests can order and receive their food quickly – without needing a reservation.
Meals and snacks offered at Quick Service dining locations are the least expensive options (with meals usually under $14.99).
Quick Service dining is practically Disney’s equivalent of Fast Food locations.
But don’t worry, there’s more than just burgers and fries (though you can find these in the Disney Parks and Resorts). Here is a selection of the different cuisines you can find at Disney World Quick Service locations:
- African
- French
- Asian
- Mexican
- Italian
- German
- British
- and plenty more!
RELATED POST: 8 Reasons Why Disney World Quick Service Dining Is Better Than Table Service
What is Disney World Table Service Dining?
Disney World Table Service Dining refers to dining experiences where guests are seated at a table and served by the cast members.
These dining locations offer a more formal and immersive experience compared to quick service dining options.
Guests typically make reservations up to 60 days in advance, although walk-in availability may also be possible depending on the restaurant and time of day.
Table service dining options at Disney World range from casual family-friendly eateries to fine dining restaurants offering gourmet cuisine. These establishments often feature themed decor, diverse menus, and a range of dining experiences, from character meals to romantic dinners.
Table service dining is popular among guests looking to enjoy a sit-down meal and soak in the ambience of Disney’s immersive dining environments.
The main con of table service dining is the price. Table Service meals are often 2x – 4x + more expensive than Disney World Quick Service prices. However, dining at certain locations – namely Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – can be significantly more expensive (with the Pre Fixe Menu STARTING at $295 PER GUEST!).
What is the Disney World Dining Plan?
The Disney World Dining Plan is a prepaid meal package.
It allows guests to pay for meals and snacks per day of their vacation in advance. There are two variations of the Disney Dining Plan, each offering a different combination of meals, snacks, and beverages.
Please note that you can only purchase a Disney World dining plan if you have a Disney Resort reservation or a Disney Vacation Club reservation (this includes guests renting Disney Vacation Club points).
The “Standard” Disney World dining plan includes:
- 1 table-service meal per night that you stay at a Disney World Resort
- 1 quick-service meal per night that you stay at a Disney World Resort
- Drinks are included with each meal – and guests aged 21 and over can choose from a variety of alcoholic beverages).
- 1 snack or nonalcoholic drink per night that you stay at a Disney World Resort
- 1 refillable drink mug with unlimited refills at Disney World Resorts – not the Parks – for the duration of your stay (which costs $21.99 + tax if you purchase it without the dining plan).
This costs $94.23 per adult per night and $26.69 per child (ages 3-9) per night.
(The prices above include tax).
It is also worth mentioning that gratuity is NOT included in the price of the dining plan at table service restaurants.
The Disney World Quick Service dining plan includes:
- 2 Quick-Service Meals per night that you stay at a Disney World Resort
- 1 Snack/Nonalcoholic Drink per night that you stay at a Disney World Resort
- Drinks are included with each meal – and guests aged 21 and over can choose from a variety of alcoholic beverages).
- 1 refillable drink mug with unlimited refills at Disney World Resorts – not the Parks – for the duration of your stay (which costs $21.99 + tax if you purchase it without the dining plan).
This costs $57.01 per adult per night and $23.84 per child (ages 3-9) per night.
(The prices above include tax).
RELATED POST: The Ultimate Disney World Snacks List: The Top 7 Snacks You Can’t Miss in 2024
Disney World Quick Service Dining Plan VS “Standard” Dining Plan Prices
The price difference between a “Standard” Dining plan and a Quick Service dining plan is $37.22 (including tax) for an adult and $2.85 for children (ages 3-9).
Whilst the price difference is pretty inconsequential for younger children, it is pretty significant for guests 10 and over. This is especially true if you’re visiting for multiple days – or even weeks.
If you were visiting for 4 nights, you would save $148.88 by opting for a Quick Service dining plan for guests 10+.
If you were staying for 7 nights, you’d be saving $260.54. If you’re a family of 4 (with all guests ages 10+), that’s over a THOUSAND dollars you would be saving!
(And you’d actually save more than that if you accounted for not having to pay gratuity when dining at Quick Service locations).
BUT …
In many cases, purchasing a dining plan isn’t actually better value than purchasing your meals individually. If anything, you’ll break even, but many people end up spending at least a little more by opting for a dining plan (regardless of which one they choose).
The appeal of it is the convenience of pre-paying for your food. Though, you could purchase Disney gift cards before you go, and that would have a similar effect – but could save you a little more money.
Disney World Quick Service Meal VS Table Service Meal Prices
I’ve decided to compare the prices of some Quick Service and Table Service meals to further demonstrate how much you could save by opting for quick service meals.
Firstly, breakfast:
A table service option is the Breakfast Buffet at Ale & Compass at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. This costs $23 (excluding tax and gratuity).
(Click here to find out more about tax on food at Disney World).
A popular table-service breakfast is Tonga Toast at Capt. Cook’s. This is an extremely filling meal (and is certainly shareable). And, it is only $10.49 – less than half the price.
In general, Quick Service breakfasts tend to be under $13 (excluding tax) – especially for Bounty Breakfast Platters.
Lunch/Dinner:
In this example, the table service option is an All-You-Care-to-Enjoy meal at Liberty Tree Tavern (which is practically Thanksgiving food). This costs $42 per adult (excluding tax and gratuity) and $23 per child (ages 3-9).
(Please note that this is a 3-course meal, whereas the quick service dining option only includes a main course).
An example of a well-loved quick-service meal is the “Totchos” at Woody’s Lunch Box. These are $10.49 (excluding tax).
Quick service dining can work out at approximately a quarter of the price of table service dining – when it comes to lunch/dinner.
So, should you eat exclusively at Disney World Quick Service Restaurants?
Maybe.
For some people, absolutely.
In a lot of cases, a combination of table service and quick service dining can work nicely.
On most of my trips, we eat primarily at quick service locations, but make reservations at a few table service locations we love or want to try.
I think if you want to meet characters, character dining is the way to go (and breakfasts tend to be the less expensive option). The general consensus is that Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera at Disney’s Riviera Resort is one of the best character breakfast locations. I have to say it is pretty amazing.
In my opinion, table service restaurants are only really worth it if they provide a unique dining experience.
I would argue that one of the best table service locations for breakfast is Whispering Canyon Cafe at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. (Just be prepared to laugh A LOT 😂).
Another great table service location (experience-wise) for dinner is 50’s Prime Time Café at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (again, expect to laugh a lot!).
In general, the quality of food at table service restaurants isn’t SO MUCH better than quick service locations (if at all) to warrant the huge difference in price.
Ta Ta For Now
So, do you plan on dining at Disney World Quick Service restaurants, table service restaurants, or both, on your next trip?!
This post was all about breaking down how much you can save by dining exclusively at Disney World Quick Service restaurants VS Table Service restaurants in 2024.
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Hi there! I'm an English 🏴 Disney fan who drinks a lot of iced green tea ☕️ with lemon 🍋 and spends most of my time missing the Disney parks! ✨