A suitcase filled 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’ll be able to presumably use. You’ve both personally been there or heard tales about it. (Up to date June 1, 2024.)
This submit breaks down the worst makes use of of snack credit on the Disney Eating Plan, and why the entire above are poor makes use of of helpful DDP snack credit. In the event you suppose there’s one thing magical about racing round your resort resort’s present store, Grocery store Spree model, making an attempt to clear the cabinets earlier than the clock strikes midnight in your checkout day, you may wish to cease studying now. Or don’t–you might want to hear this greater than anybody.
We begin with the unassailable premise that the Disney Eating Plan is by no means free. By extension, which means that 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 truth is that there’s a per-credit worth that may and must 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 value, this isn’t anti-Disney Eating Plan propaganda. Even because the tides of fan opinion have began to show, we nonetheless preserve that the Disney Eating Plan generally is a good worth if you understand how to reap the benefits of it. In actual fact, we buy the Disney Eating Plan a couple of occasions per yr in makes an attempt to leverage as a lot worth as attainable out of it.
Being cautious and conservative with snack credit shall be much more essential on the 2024 or 2025 Disney Eating Plan, as Walt Disney World has lowered the variety of snack credit from 2 to 1 per night time. It is a detrimental 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’ checklist was prompted within the first place by repeatedly observing or listening to concerning the behaviors on the high of the submit. Tons of visitors wasted snack credit–or raced towards the clock on the final minute to make use of their further credit on pre-packaged treats to take residence. (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. Significantly.)
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 effective companion piece to this one. That may enable 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. Moderately than digging in and changing 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 stated, 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 submit is that packaging or form doesn’t make meals particular. At a rational degree, I feel most individuals would agree with this. Nevertheless, there’s the comprehensible energy of nostalgia and emotion that come into play.
For this reason we crave Mickey waffles, bitter Goofy gummies, or willingly spend $8 for a field of bizarre ice cream bars formed like Mickey’s head at our native grocery shops. It’s an try and 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 take heed to Walt Disney World background music at residence.
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 residence for lower than half the worth, 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. Likewise, the devoted Joffrey’s kiosks with specialty drinks may be good–the Nitro Chilly Brew (pictured above) tastes nice and is definitely use of a DDP snack credit score!
Nevertheless, Joffrey’s counter service eating places within the parks or resorts is simply not good. It’s normally watered down and tastes a bit off. It’s additionally not costly, costing below $4 per cup, which makes it an objectively poor use of a DDP snack credit score.
To every their very own, however after we want a day pick-me-up, we’ll pay out of pocket for a shareable espresso at Starbucks. If we wish one thing aside from an actual (black) espresso, we’ll use DDP snack credit on one of many milkshake-style drinks at Starbucks that aren’t actually espresso, however are closely caffeinated! However once more, the Nitro Chilly Brew from Joffrey’s isn’t a half-bad use of a credit score in order for you one thing rather less sugary.
Contemporary Fruit – I imply, it’s one banana, Tom. What may it price, ten {dollars}?
Shopping for fruit within the Disney Parks is a controversial matter in our family. To guard the harmless, I’m not going to call names, however one in every of us believes that fruit is a suitable factor to buy on trip. The opposite believes it simply will get in the best way of actual snacking, plus there’s most likely 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 isn’t definitely worth the Disney Eating Plan snack credit. In the event you’re involved about getting sufficient fruit and greens on a Walt Disney World trip (and you ought to be, however my Dole Whip joke) make a degree of consuming at buffets.
Something Out there by way of Grocery Supply – Vegatables and fruits are examples of many issues which are a waste of snack credit that additionally add nothing to the enjoyment of your trip. Whereas another gadgets on this checklist are arguably enjoyable or have nostalgic worth, fruit is fruit and greens are greens. Just about similar to what you may get from a grocery retailer at residence.
So far, we extremely suggest doing grocery supply at Walt Disney World and shopping for the fundamentals that approach. We’re not recommending you cook dinner full meals in your room–that’s positively pointless on the Disney Eating Plan. Nevertheless, it’s a good suggestion to order gadgets 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 quicker and extra environment friendly than going to the resort meals court docket every morning, and provides a well-rounded meal with fruits, greens, and different wholesome choices you may not get at Walt Disney World eating places.
There’s additionally not likely any alternative price. Once more, vegatables and fruits usually are not 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 too can use order Mickey Mouse ice cream merchandise by way of grocery supply. They’re unquestionably overpriced as in comparison with “good” ice cream, however there’s one thing to be stated 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 forth. The perfect protection is that it’s objectively use of a Disney Eating Plan snack credit score by advantage of its worth, which is above the $5 threshold.
Nevertheless, that affordable argument unreasonably assumes a churro is value 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 from Walt Disney World is value over $3, a lot much less the present $6+ price ticket for one with dipping sauce. (Notice: this doesn’t apply to Disneyland churros, that are a lot better!)
Oh, and also you’ll want that dipping sauce to masks the brutal actuality that Walt Disney World churros are incessantly 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 at the very least normally contemporary and scrumptious.)
Random Cupcakes – Since that is already controversial, I’d 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 grow to be extra formidable, ingenious, and scrumptious, cupcakes have gone the opposite path.
They’ve shrunk, dryer, and aren’t actually doing fascinating 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. Despite the fact that the pattern is generally 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” somewhat than “all cupcakes.”
Basically, the most effective cupcakes are seasonal choices or these out there at places 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 places, and all through World Showcase at EPCOT. In the event you’re simply looking the instances at a random meals court docket or counter service spot, chances are high that the cupcake will underwhelm.
Except it’s a cupcake you’ve heard praised or that appears interesting, we’d warning towards rolling the cube on random ones, regardless of how Instagram-worthy it would look. After all, 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 ingesting fountain water is disgusting. Rumor is that it’s sourced instantly from the Florida swamps and is definitely 3% alligator urine. (Okay, so I made up that “rumor,” however if you happen to’ve ever tasted Florida fountain water, you may’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. For this reason we strongly suggest 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 cut back odor and chlorine, leaving zero aftertaste! (In the event you’re on the lookout for a less expensive different, Brita Filter Water Bottles are nice, too.)
Alternatively, you’ll be able to 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 best way to go.
Something from Generic Out of doors Merchandising Carts – In reviewing a couple of of the above decisions and what else I had deliberate for this checklist, I most likely may’ve condensed a lot of this checklist into the “out of doors merchandising cart catch-all.” (The inconspicuous Adventureland Egg Roll Wagon is the largest exception to this common rule, however there are different generic ODVs serving up tasty treats.)
Principally, if it’s out there at a anonymous (or generically-named) out of doors merchandising cart, it’s not use of Disney Eating Plan snack credit. This consists of different bottled drinks, cookies, muffins, donuts, ice cream, and extra. We’d argue that by way of style, even the expensive Mickey Pretzels aren’t value it.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about motels on our Walt Disney World Inns Critiques web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques. To save cash on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a novel take a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most effective place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the things you might want to know!
Your Ideas
Do you agree or disagree with our picks for this ‘worst use’ of Disney Eating Plan snack credit checklist? Disagree with our ideas on churros, cupcakes, or grocery retailer Mickey ice cream bars? Anything belong on this checklist, subjectively or objectively talking? Any questions we may help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
