Maximize your Disney Dining Plan dollars!

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

From the DisneyTouristBlog...

Dining Plan Table Service Best Values

Posted by Tom Bricker in Disney Dining

So you want to maximize your value on the Disney Dining Plan by eating at the most expensive restaurants? We don’t blame you! The Disney Dining Plan is expensive, as is Disney dining in general. Taking a trip while on the Disney Dining Plan can be a great way to efficiently hit the more expensive restaurants at Walt Disney World when on a budget. As two-credit “Signature” Dining is not as good of a value at any of these restaurants due to its cost (2 credits) you will not find any two-credit restaurants on this list. If you are on the Deluxe Dining Plan or simply have credits that will go to waste, you should definitely consider Signature Dining.

Notes: This list calculated the most expensive meals by taking the highest entree, dessert, and beverage and adding them together (tax and tip are not included). We did this as opposed to taking the median or mean since, if you’re truly concerned with saving as much money as possible, you’re going to be ordering more expensive menu items. Additionally, when we tested doing means and medians, some restaurants that are clearly expensive dropped off of the list. Le Cellier at lunch, for example, has salads and cheap sandwich options that are poor choices for maximizing value. However, its steaks–the items most people order when they’re on the Disney Dining Plan and they visit Le Cellier Steakhouse–are incredibly expensive. We feel considering only the more expensive menu items is most helpful to Guests looking to maximize the Disney Dining Plan value, but your mileage may vary.

To that end, as this list contemplates only expensive items, this list is completely objective. If a restaurant “scored” better thanks to its pricier options, it’s on the list, regardless of whether I think its food stinks. It’s very important to consider quality of food, not just prices, when determining where you want to eat. For our detailed (subjective) reviews of each restaurant for their quality, click the restaurant names. We don’t have review posted for all of these restaurants yet, but rest assured, they’re all coming!

1. Tutto Italia – Thanks to its $36 entree, Tagliata di Manzo, and pricey and decadent Italian desserts, Tutto Italia takes the top spot on our list of Disney Dining Plan Table Service value restaurants. For dessert, you should, “leave the Cannoli, take the Copetta Sotto Bosco” if you want to maximize value. The Cannoli is a good option for value, too, though. Total Value: $56.50.

2. Chefs De France – Chefs De France has several expensive entrees, but the most expensive, and most mouth-watering, is the Filet de boeuf grille, sauce au poivre vert Gratin Dauphinois et haricots verts. The slightly cheaper Duck is also a great entree choice for maximizing value (and it tastes great). The last time we ate there on the Dining Plan, I was able to substitute the French cheese plate (typically an appetizer) for my dessert. If you don’t have a sweet tooth, you may want to inquire about this, but don’t be surprised if you’re told that you can’t. Total Value: $49.19.

3. Akershus Royal Banquet Hall – Akershus is a good value if you’re looking solely at price, but remember that it’s a princess buffet that also includes a photo package. If you’re paying out of pocket, you’re paying a premium for the princesses, but you’re paying an even bigger premium for the photo package. We’ve never eaten here, but we’ve heard the food is only decent. Point being, you might nix this option if you don’t have kids or you aren’t keen on eating with princesses. Total Value: $46.85.

4. Whispering Canyon Cafe – Surprised to see Whispering Canyon Cafe this high up the list? Us too. However, thanks to the Grilled New York Strip and the Sheriff’s Shakes (which, last we had heard, are still considered a drink on the Dining Plan), Whispering Canyon Cafe passes other restaurants with similar prices. A favorite of ours (which you can read about in our Whispering Canyon Cafe review), the Canyon Skillet, also offers excellent value as an entree. Total Value: $46.37.

5. Le Cellier Steakhouse (Lunch Only) – Now that dinner is off the table as a one-credit value at Le Cellier, it drops a few notches on the list. Still, it’s an incredible value even for lunch, with options like the New York Strip Steak and Le Cellier Mushroom Filet Mignon providing real value to Guests of Le Cellier. Plus, Le Cellier is lauded as one of the top restaurants in Walt Disney World. I don’t exactly agree with this, but Sarah does, and you can read why in our Le Cellier review. Total Value: $44.67.

6. Kouzzina by Cat Cora – Here, the Wood-grilled New York Strip Steak priced at $31.99 (are you sensing a pattern?) puts Kouzzina into the top 10. Kouzzina’s extensive menu offers many value-maximizing options, and desserts priced slightly higher than other restaurants give it a slight edge over other later entries to the list. Total Value: $43.16.

7. Coral Reef Restaurant – The $31.99 New York Strip Steak propels yet another restaurant onto this list. If you’d rather have seafood at this seafood restaurant (and it’s some of the best seafood on property in our opinion), fear not, as several fish entrees are priced in the mid-$20 range, and also provide excellent value. Total Value: $42.67.

8. The Wave – The Wave is a new favorite of ours, so we’re happy to see it make the list. The Grilled Beef Tenderloin offers the best value here. Surprisingly, the Wave is also a very economical restaurant if you’re paying out of pocket at lunch, with several delicious choices for under $20! Total Value: $42.67.

9. Kona Cafe – The New York strip steak is $3 cheaper here at $28.99, but in my opinion, this is the best N.Y. strip steak on property, and desserts here are also excellent. Combined these tantalizing options with the wonderful ambiance of the Polynesian Resort, and you have a wonderful option, both in terms of value-for-money and in general, with Kona Cafe. Total Value: $40.63.

10. Sanaa – This restaurant is a new favorite of ours, and another one I’m really pleased to see make the list. Once again, the New York Strip is the most expensive item on the menu. With so many unique and flavorful items on the menu, we’ve never tried the N.Y. Strip steak here, but given the quality of Sanaa’s other items, we have no doubt that it’s delicious. If you’re not on the Disney Dining Plan, consider stopping in for lunch, where you can find very low crowds, great service, and some delicious (and cheap!) menu items. Total Value: $40.63.

So there you have it–the top Table Service restaurants on the Disney Dining Plan if you’re looking to maximize your value. Although this list provides the absolute best values on property, our research into all dining menus has indicated that if you like New York Strip Steaks, you’re going to do well on the Disney Dining Plan. They rarely cost less than $26.99 at any restaurant, and cost $31.99 at a lot of restaurants. After that, the price of desserts is the biggest factor here (ranging from high prices of $6.49 all the way to $14) and whether or not the restaurant serves smoothies, shakes, or some other sort of specialty non-alcoholic drink that is included on the Dining Plan.

Hopefully this list helps you get more bang for your buck on the Disney Dining Plan. Look for our Value-Maximizing tips for Counter Service restaurants in the near future. If you have any tips to maximize your value at other Table Service restaurants, please share them in the comments!

http://www.disneytou...vice-top-value/

[SCTigerCock 171]

This just makes me truely believe that all the smoke and mirrors by Disney, make those of us that don't have the dining plan pay out of our :moon:.