The number one rule you should follow with snack credits is this:  Don’t buy drinks with it. It’s an easy mistake to make. You’re tired and hot and probably don’t think twice about handing the cast member your room key card, but that drink only costs around $2.59.  If you purchased the dining plan, you probably did so to save money, and this move just put you in the red, at least as far as snacks go.  You can use your snack credits to buy more expensive treats or even put together a small meal if you’re careful.

Make sure you don’t use your snack credits for anything that costs less than $3.  Instead, pay out of pocket for those items.  To maximize your value on the dining plan, your goal should be to purchase snacks at around the $4 range or slightly lower.  You can buy a side of chilli at Casey’s in the Magic Kingdom or a delicious cupcake (that is so huge, you can split it) at Starring Rolls in Hollywood Studios for just one snack credit.   Healthy snacks like fruit, yogurt, and small milks are great choices for keeping your energy levels up, but they generally cost less than $2.  Consider buying those items at a grocery store off-site or order from a grocery delivery service (see a list of stores and delivery services here).  Even if you don’t have a refrigerator, individual cartons of shelf stable milk can be a huge savings if your kids are like mine and drink a ton of milk.

The dining plan just got more expensive for 2012, but you can still beat the cost and make it work in your favor. You’ll just need to think it out a little bit beforehand. Stay tuned for more tips on how to make the dining plan work.

Cupcake photo property of Babycakes, NYC, Downtown Disney.

Related articles

• Disney World Quick Tip – Enjoy Snacks as Your Meal (chipandco.com)
• Getting the Most Out of Your Snack Credits on the Disney Dining Plan. (everythingwdisneyworld.com)

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