A suitcase stuffed with Goofy’s Sweet Co. Gummies. A yr’s provide of Mickey Mouse Rice Krispies. Seven bottles of water per particular person in your final day at Walt Disney World as a result of why not, you’ve received extra Eating Plan snack credit to burn than you may presumably use. You’ve both personally been there or heard tales about it. (Up to date June 19, 2023.)
On this publish, we’re going to interrupt down the worst makes use of of snack credit on the 2024 Disney Eating Plan, and why all the above are actually horrible concepts. In case you assume there’s one thing magical about racing round your resort resort’s present store, Grocery store Spree type, making an attempt to clear the cabinets earlier than the clock strikes midnight in your checkout day, you would possibly wish to cease studying now. Or don’t–it’s good to hear this greater than anybody.
We begin with the unassailable premise that the Disney Eating Plan isn’t free. By extension, which means these snack credit are additionally not truly free. Whereas there’s a pure inclination to create a psychological disconnect between cash and Eating Plan credit, that’s an phantasm. The fact is that there’s a per-credit worth that may and ought to be ascribed to snack credit, and that ranges from about $5 to $6.50, relying upon which tier of the DDP you’re utilizing.
For what it’s price, this isn’t anti-Disney Eating Plan propaganda. Even because the tides of fan opinion have began to show, we nonetheless keep that the Disney Eating Plan is usually a good worth if you understand how to reap the benefits of it. The truth is, we buy the Disney Eating Plan just a few occasions per yr in makes an attempt to leverage as a lot worth as doable out of it. We’ll be doing that after once more in 2024, and have already began compiling an inventory of locations and issues to eat as a way to squeeze as a lot bang for buck out of the DDP.
Being cautious and conservative with snack credit shall be much more essential on the 2024 Disney Eating Plan, as Walt Disney World is lowering the variety of snack credit from 2 to 1 per evening. This can be a unfavorable and disappointing change, particularly for many who are adept at saving and strategically utilizing snack credit.
It’s additionally not an enormous shock. This ‘worst of’ record was prompted within the first place by repeatedly observing or listening to concerning the behaviors on the prime of the publish. Tons of company wasted snack credit–or raced in opposition to the clock on the final minute to make use of their additional credit on pre-packaged treats to take house. (I’d hazard a guess that over half of Mickey Mouse Rice Krispies Treats and Goofy’s Sweet Co. merchandise have been beforehand “bought” with spare snack credit. Critically.)
Equally as essential as not losing snack credit on the DDP is utilizing them correctly. To that finish, our Greatest Worth Snack Credit score Makes use of on the Disney Eating Plan is an efficient companion piece to this one. That can allow you to preserve DDP snack credit and use them the place and when it’s most advantageous. You received’t simply get extra worth out of the 2024 Disney Eating Plan, you’ll take pleasure in higher savory snacks and candy treats, too!
In any case, our tone right here shouldn’t be misconstrued–just about everybody who has used the Disney Eating Plan has been there in the case of these errors, us included. Relatively than digging in and turning into entrenched in defending previous errors, we hope these of you who’ve made them will be taught and be higher ready for maximizing your worth sooner or later. With that mentioned, listed below are issues for which you must by no means use Disney Eating Plan snack credit, in my extremely subjective opinion…
Something from Goofy’s Sweet Co. – The second premise for this publish is that packaging or form doesn’t make meals particular. At a rational degree, I feel most individuals would agree with this. Nonetheless, there’s the comprehensible energy of nostalgia and emotion that come into play.
This is the reason we crave Mickey waffles, bitter Goofy gummies, or willingly spend $8 for a field of peculiar ice cream bars formed like Mickey’s head at our native grocery shops. It’s an try to relive a particular second or get a success of the feel-good emotion from the parks. I get it–that “mentally take me again” want is a giant a part of why I hearken to Walt Disney World background music at house.
However, snacks from Goofy’s Sweet Co. are poor makes use of of Disney Eating Plan snack credit as a result of they’re, fairly merely, regular sweet that has a Disney label slapped on it. You should purchase the identical sweet at house for lower than half the value, which is why nobody would spend precise cash on 15 baggage of these items from Walt Disney World.
Joffrey’s Espresso – In Joffrey’s protection, it’s higher than Nescafe. (Anybody else bear in mind the espresso ‘darkish ages’ at Walt Disney World?!) Furthermore, they’ve some premium blends on the resorts which are truly good. Nonetheless, Joffrey’s at kiosks and counter service eating places within the parks appears to be a proprietary combination of actual espresso and burnt rubbish sourced from Electrical Umbrella, brewed utilizing (an excessive amount of of) the best, unfiltered Central Florida swamp water.
Even for those who’re the largest Starbucks hater on the earth, I feel you need to concede that their espresso is healthier than this. Failing that, a cup of Joffrey’s espresso is fairly low cost (for good cause!) making it an objectively poor use of a snack credit score.
Contemporary Fruit – I imply, it’s one banana, Tom. What might it price, ten {dollars}?
Shopping for fruit within the Disney Parks is a controversial subject in our family. To guard the harmless, I’m not going to call names, however considered one of us believes that fruit is an appropriate factor to buy on trip. The opposite believes it simply will get in the way in which of actual snacking, plus there’s in all probability greater than sufficient fruit in Dole Whips and Citrus Swirls.
One factor we will agree on is {that a} minuscule portion of apple slices, watermelon, or grapes just isn’t well worth the Disney Eating Plan snack credit. In case you’re involved about getting sufficient fruit and greens on a Walt Disney World trip (and you have to be, however my Dole Whip joke) make a degree of consuming at buffets.
Something Out there through Grocery Supply – Vegetables and fruit are examples of many issues which are a waste of snack credit that additionally add nothing to the enjoyment of your trip. Whereas another objects on this record are arguably enjoyable or have nostalgic worth, fruit is fruit and greens are greens. Just about equivalent to what you might get from a grocery retailer at house.
So far, we extremely advocate doing grocery supply at Walt Disney World and shopping for the fundamentals that approach. We’re not recommending you prepare dinner full meals in your room–that’s undoubtedly pointless on the Disney Eating Plan. Nonetheless, it’s a good suggestion to order objects for a chilly and fast breakfast in your room.
This kills a number of birds with one stone. Grocery supply means not losing cash or DDP snack credit on fundamentals, it’s sooner and extra environment friendly than going to the resort meals court docket every morning, and gives a well-rounded meal with fruits, greens, and different wholesome choices you won’t get at Walt Disney World eating places.
There’s additionally not likely any alternative price. Once more, vegatables and fruits aren’t distinctive at Walt Disney World. Furthermore, breakfast is the weakest meal at Walt Disney World. You aren’t lacking a lot–except you take pleasure in powdered eggs and rubber bacon–by consuming breakfast in your room. Put these snack credit to raised use!
Talking of which, you may also use order Mickey Mouse ice cream merchandise through grocery supply. They’re unquestionably overpriced as in comparison with “good” ice cream, however there’s one thing to be mentioned for consuming ice cream formed like Mickey Mouse whereas at Walt Disney World!
Churro – That is certain to be controversial, and defended by responses that Disney churros are iconic, scrumptious, and so on. One of the best protection is that it’s objectively an excellent use of a Disney Eating Plan snack credit score by advantage of its worth, which is above the $5 threshold.
Nonetheless, that cheap argument unreasonably assumes a churro is price over $5 within the first place. Maybe this already controversial article is a poor time to disclose my anti-churro bias. I’ve by no means understood the hype, and nobody goes to persuade me {that a} churro is price over $3, a lot much less the present $6+ price ticket for one with dipping sauce.
Oh, and also you’ll want that dipping sauce to masks the brutal actuality that Walt Disney World churros are regularly stale or overcooked. Would you actually pay that a lot cash out of pocket for one thing Costco does higher for $1? (Notice: this criticism doesn’t apply in full to Disneyland churros, that are equally overpriced, however not less than often contemporary and scrumptious.)
Random Cupcakes – Since that is already controversial, I would as effectively pile on: Walt Disney World cupcakes peaked a few years in the past, and it’s been downhill since. As different desserts round Walt Disney World have turn into extra bold, creative, and scrumptious, cupcakes have gone the opposite route.
They’ve reduced in size, dryer, and aren’t actually doing attention-grabbing issues with flavors. That is portray with a broad brush, and it’s removed from a whole image of the Walt Disney World cupcake scene. Although the pattern is usually performed out, there are nonetheless some actually distinctive cupcakes at WDW that rank among the many finest snacks. That’s why that is “random cupcakes” quite than “all cupcakes.”
On the whole, the perfect cupcakes are seasonal choices or these obtainable at areas which are precise bakeries. In our expertise, the resorts are typically higher, particularly the Modern, Grand Floridian, and BoardWalk. There are additionally distinctive and bold cupcakes at Starbucks areas, and all through World Showcase at EPCOT. In case you’re simply searching the circumstances at a random meals court docket or counter service spot, likelihood is that the cupcake will underwhelm.
Until it’s a cupcake you’ve heard praised or that appears interesting, we’d warning in opposition to rolling the cube on random ones, irrespective of how Instagram-worthy it would look. In fact, there are far worse methods to burn that surplus of DDP snack credit, too.
Bottled Water – I’ll be the primary to confess that Walt Disney World consuming fountain water is disgusting. Rumor is that it’s sourced immediately from the Florida swamps and is definitely 3% alligator urine. (Okay, so I made up that “rumor,” however for those who’ve ever tasted Florida fountain water, you would possibly’ve believed it!)
That doesn’t imply the answer is paying for water. Shopping for bottled water is a waste of cash or Disney Eating Plan snack credit, your time standing in line, and is simply usually wasteful. This is the reason we strongly advocate the Life Straw Go Filter Water Bottle. This bottle filters out the gator pee, and it’s BPA-free! It additionally makes use of a 2-stage activated carbon filter to scale back odor and chlorine, leaving zero aftertaste! (In case you’re searching for a less expensive different, Brita Filter Water Bottles are nice, too.)
Alternatively, you may request a free cup of ice water from any counter service restaurant. As Walt Disney World is putting in an increasing number of bottle refilling stations, refillable water bottles are actually the way in which to go.
Something from Generic Out of doors Merchandising Carts – In reviewing just a few of the above selections and what else I had deliberate for this record, I in all probability might’ve condensed a lot of this record into the “outside merchandising cart catch-all.” (The inconspicuous Adventureland Egg Roll Wagon is the largest exception to this basic rule, however there are different generic ODVs serving up tasty treats.)
Principally, if it’s obtainable at a anonymous (or generically-named) outside merchandising cart, it’s not an excellent use of Disney Eating Plan snack credit. This contains different bottled drinks, cookies, muffins, donuts, ice cream, and extra. We’d argue that by way of style, even the dear Mickey Pretzels aren’t price it.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about lodges on our Walt Disney World Resorts Opinions web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions. To save cash on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a novel take a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Journey Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the perfect place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every part it’s good to know!
Your Ideas
Do you agree or disagree with our picks for this ‘worst use’ of Disney Eating Plan snack credit record? Disagree with our ideas on churros, cupcakes, or grocery retailer Mickey ice cream bars? The rest belong on this record, subjectively or objectively talking? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!