October 17, 2016

This Week’s Ask Ashley Question

One of the questions this week came from Lynn from Farmington, Maine. Lynn asked:

I scheduled my Disney World vacation for 2017. My family and I will be staying at Port Orleans – Riverside. One of my friends recommended we get Park Hopper tickets and the Dining Plan so the entire trip is planned before we go and there’s little thinking to do while we’re there. The only thing I don’t really understand is what qualifies as a snack. I think I get 2 per day; but, that is A LOT of sweets! Can my family and I enjoy some other options? How do I know what to look for?

Ashley’s Answers:  Snacks at Walt Disney World

Thank you for your question Lynn! You would be amazed at how often I get asked about the snack portion of any of the Dining Plans. Guests are already getting so much food, why add snacks into the mix? Maybe, instead of giving guests snacks, why not give them an additional Quick-Service entitlement?

The answers to these questions may not be the easiest; but, what I can say is that the snack options with the dining plans are actually a pretty great idea!

Dining Plan Options

Below, I’ve broken down the three Dining Plan options (the options listed are for the 2017 Packages). Each comes with 1 Refillable Mug per person and 2 Snacks per person (per night of your stay). From there, the dining plans differ on what types of meals you and your family are more inclined to enjoy on vacation. For the purpose of this post, I will focus on the snack portion.

Quick Service Dining

• 2 Quick-Service Meals
• 2 Snacks
• 1 Refillable Mug

Regular Dining 

• 1 Table-Service Meal
• 1 Quick-Service Meal
• 2 Snack
• 1 Refillable Mug

Deluxe Dining 

• 3 Meals (any combination of Table-Service and Quick-Service)
• 2 Snacks
• 1 Refillable Mug

If you’re traveling with a Family of 4 for five nights, you will receive 4 Refillable Mugs and 40 snacks total! Not to mention, you’ll have all of your food options!

What is Included?

By looking at the Dining Plan – FAQs via Disney World directly, if we want to know what is considered a snack, and where to find them on property, we must read the details of our Dining Plan. Vaguely speaking, the Dining Plan details state that a snack includes:

• Frozen ice cream novelty, popsicle or fruit bar
• Popcorn scoop
• 12 oz. coffee, hot chocolate or hot tea
• Prepackaged milk or juice
• Piece of whole fruit
• Bag of snacks
• 20 oz. bottle of Coca-Cola®, Sprite® or Dasani® water
• 20 oz. fountain soft drink

As an insider, I can tell you that while on property, as long as you see the icon listed on a sign near the item in question (shown at the beginning of this post), you are entitled to use your snack credits. Yes, the above options are accurate. But, you can even use your snack credits during the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival at one of the numerous kiosks around World Showcase.

Lynn asked if the snacks were only for sweets. Truth is, there are tons of healthy snack options too! Most Quick-Service dining locations both in the resorts and parks as well as at Disney Springs do offer fruit, vegetables, yogurt, and other healthier choices. While in Africa in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, just outside of Kilimanjaro Safaris, you will find a cart with numerous fruit options and other healthy alternatives. Even if you have a food allergy, you can ask to see the ingredient listing. The cart or kiosk may not have the information with them; but, they can quickly get the information from the nearby building where the items are typically stored.

Tricks of the Trade

If I’ve learned anything at all, it is to bring it home! What does this mean? Do NOT let your snack entitlements go to waste. You paid for the Dining Plan (unless you are going during the free Dining Plan promotion); so get your money’s worth. Stop by one of the shops in Disney Springs or even your resort gift shop and pick up pre-packaged cakes, candies, cookies, and other treats. By doing this, a week or so later you and/or your little ones can still experience the magic at home. Just because the vacation is over, doesn’t mean the pixie dust disappeared!

What are some of your favorite snack options around the Walt Disney World Resort? For most, I think Dole Whip is a must have. What do you think?