Making the Most of your 2018 Disney Dining Plan - The 5 best, and 5 worst, Snack Credit Values at Disney's Magic Kingdom!

 ***Update*** At the moment - Walt Disney Worlds is not currently offering a dining plan as they reopen due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Stay tuned for updated suggestions in the coming months if/when WDW reintroduces this popular plan!

Since it's inception, the Disney Dining Plan has changed the face of Vacationing at the "Happiest place on Earth." Gone are the frustrations over how expensive all of your food is, or having to smuggle in sandwiches in your travel bag. The Disney Dining plan gives Disney and its properties the "All Inclusive" feel of a tropical resort or cruise.

One of the most under-utilized and misunderstood components of the Disney Dining plan is the Snack credit, which is why I've chosen to start with it!

Snack credits are utilized among all three dining plan options, and are described as being able to be used towards a mid-afternoon snack such as a soft drink, ice cream cones, or a piece of fruit. Your snack credit has an approximate value of $5.00 per credit. Being the budget-conscience Disney-Loving Dad that I am, I'm always on the hunt for the most-efficient use of my snack credits.

After scouring the resources available to me, I've put together the absolute best and worst snack credit values at each of Disney's Parks! Magic Kingdom is hands-down Disney's most-visited theme park. Ironically, I've always been underwhelmed with the dining options at this park, so I'm always more likely to spend more snack credits here, while saving table service and quick service credits for better meals at Disney World's other parks.

Top 5 Best Value Magic Kingdom Snack Credit Items

#1 Soups for lunch!

This is a little-known secret, but two vendors across Disney's Magic Kingdom park serve soup at lunch for only a snack credit! Averaging $6.49 a piece, this is the perfect way to recharge while at the park, without using a quick service or table service credit. Even fan-favorite restaurant "Be Our Guest" has two  snack credit soup options on their lunch menu! You can find these soups at two locations throughout the park.

• Be Our Guest - French Onion Soup (Lunch Only)
• Be Our Guest - Potato Leek Soup (Lunch Only)
• Columbia Harbour House - Vegetarian Chili
• Columbia Harbour House - New England Clam Chowder

#2 Funnel Cakes and Waffles - Sleepy Hollow

Sleepy Hollow in Liberty Square is frying up funnel cakes and Belgian waffles for your snacking pleasure! At an average price of $7.79 you can't go wrong with spending a snack credit here! You can even choose to have a funnel cake dusted with powdered sugar, or your choice of funnel cake or Belgian waffle topped with strawberries and whipped cream!

#3 Pineapple Dole Whip Float- Aloha Isle

While this isn't the most-expensive snack credit, it's easily one of my favorites. This delicious pineapple soft-served treat floating in Dole pineapple juice will keep you coming back for more. If you're not into the pineapple juice, you can just get a soft-served Dole Whip, but at a cost of $3.49 you'd do better getting the float with your snack credit. Average cost $5.49.

#4 Chili-Cheese Fries - Casey's Corner

Just on the edge of Main Street U.S.A is Casey's Corner, serving up American Classics! This is another way to save your meal credits by eating a heartier snack. In this case, Casey's amazing chili-cheese fries! Average cost $5.49.

 #5 Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich - Plaza Ice Cream Parlor

Sometimes you can't go wrong with the classics. The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor on Main Street U.S.A. has a great deal of a snack credit, your own custom ice cream cookie sandwich featuring two freshly-baked chocolate chip coolies and your choice of hand-scooped ice cream! Who could want more? Average cost $5.99.

The Top 5 Worst Value Magic Kingdom Snack Credit Items

One thing to keep in mind with this list is that this is not a commentary on the quality of items that you can redeem snack credits for, but in finding the best value for your Disney Dining plan snack credits. Because the dining plan is a pre-paid expense, and Disney is hoping that you'll average $3-5 per credit, it's always in your best financial interest to stay ahead of that curve. That said, if you love one of these items, it's always worth picking one up if it makes you happy!

#5 Vegetable Spring Roll - Adventureland Eggroll Wagon

Look, I get it. I just sold you guys on the benefit of using your snack credits as an alternative to one of your other meals in the park, but I just can't get behind this one. One eggroll is almost never enough, and at $2.50 a piece you'd be better off buying one if you really wanted it.

#4 Steamed Vegetables or Coleslaw - Columbia Harbour House

While the soups at Columbia Harbour House topped the list of best snack credits, these sides just don't cut it. Don't get me wrong, I love veggies and coleslaw, but with a difference in value almost $5.00, I can't see wasting a snack credit on one of these two sides. At $2.69 per serving, these might be worth spending cash on instead.

#3 Assorted Fruit

I know I must sound like the commissary of the sugar industry in the blog post, but just hear me out. You're on vacation. Enjoy yourself! Would you spend $5 on a $2 piece of fruit while you're at home? No, I didn't think so! If you're traveling domestically, just pack a bundle of bananas in your luggage and call it a day.

#2 Milk, Soft Drinks, Teas, and Coffees

If you're on the dining plan then you also should have your refillable character mug to use at your resorts. At a value of $1.99-3.99, this is just a waste of money and a credit. Grab a refill before heading out to the park that day or pack a water bottle with you. You'll thank me when you're munching on cheese-fries and funnel cakes!

#1 Cheese Sauce - Pretzel and Churro Kiosks

Oh how it pains me to say this. Look y'all, I love cheese. It's no secret. I just, I just can't in good conscience let you spend your snack credit on cheese dip. You'll find numerous kiosks selling cheese dip alongside their pretzels for $1. Pretzels are $5, cheese dip is $1, no need to waste a snack credit on it. You don't even get a pretzel to dip it in! Spend the snack credit on the pretzel and just pay for the cheese dip outright.

Stay tunes for the run down on the best and worst values for snack credits in my next posts!

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