10 Best Dining Plan Counter Service Credit Uses
To get the best value from counter service credits and maximize your savings on the 2024 Disney Dining Plan, you’ll want to eat at the Walt Disney World restaurants on this list. These offer the most ‘bang for your buck’ of quick service DDP credits because they serve what would be the most expensive meals, if you were paying out of pocket. (Updated October 1, 2023.)
While most counter service meals cost around $12, actual prices vary from a low of around $9 to highs of over $20. Note that the Disney Dining Plan has eliminated the dessert from counter service meals, but has more than offset that by adding alcoholic beverages. These two factors have caused a lot of changes to this list.
Since this list determines Disney Dining Plan value based upon the most expensive prices, you should not use this list if you’re paying out of pocket. If Dining Plan value maximization is your concern, you should also make sure to get your “money’s worth” from Table Service meals (click here to see our tips for maximizing your table service dining at Walt Disney World)…
Walt Disney World has released the Full List of Restaurants on 2024 Disney Dining Plans, and there are currently 222 participating locations. With that said, the list isn’t final. More importantly, counter service menus are not final. Many menus are still scaled-back, and we’ve already seen a few receive refreshes in the last couple of months. This is key because just a few items can make a big difference between whether a counter service restaurant makes the cut or not.
Suffice to say, a lot could change between now and 2024. If the cut off date for the list were today, only 4 restaurants that made the list last time the Disney Dining Plan was offered would still make the cut. (In fairness, that’s partly because a few locations have permanently closed!) We’ll see what else changes and how many of the other options are able to regain their spots!
This list is calculated by taking the top two meal and beverages available on the Dining Plan and adding them together. 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. We think considering only the more expensive menu items is most helpful if you’re trying to maximize the Disney Dining Plan value, but your mileage may vary.
From there, we further added a requirement that at least 2 restaurants from each park must make the cut. Consider this the “Magic Kingdom Maxim,” which is done because counter service restaurants at Magic Kingdom don’t serve alcohol and thus offer less value across the board. Without that rule, there wouldn’t be a single spot from Magic Kingdom. Instead, there would be several pool bars that only have nominal food menus.
Basically, this is an objective list, but with a few guard rails so that the results are actually useful for WDW vacation planning purposes and aren’t nonsensical. We’re not going to recommend anyone do their counter service meals at Oasis Pool Bar & Grill or Lottawatta Lodge just because “The Math” dictates it.
Which other Walt Disney World counter service restaurants made the list? Let’s take a look…
10. Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe – This used to be the Frontierland equivalent of Cosmic Ray’s, but Pecos Bill now serves a menu of Mexican cuisine plus typical theme park foods. The variety alone makes it one of the better choices in the Magic Kingdom, even if the glorious toppings bar is still MIA.
From a value perspective here, the top choices are the Double Bacon Barbecue Cheeseburger or the Fajita Platter. The former is pretty boring–the same burger you can get almost anywhere, whereas the fajita platter is at least somewhat interesting. Honestly, this only makes the list because we’re requiring 2 entries per park. Without that rule, Pecos Bill wouldn’t crack the top 25.
9. Columbia Harbour House – This is our favorite counter service restaurant in Magic Kingdom, thanks to its solid seafood menu and very relaxed upstairs seating. Whether you want something on the healthier side or a platter of fried delights, Columbia Harbour House has got you covered. It’s also a great place to escape the crowds of Magic Kingdom.
The portions are hearty, the dishes taste great, and Columbia Harbour House generally offers great bang for buck on the Disney Dining Plan. Highlights here include the Lobster Roll, Grilled Salmon, New England Seafood Boil, and Shrimp Skewer. From top to bottom, the menu is ambitious and satisfying–while also having basics that’ll appeal to those who would prefer something other than seafood. If Columbia Harbour House served alcohol, it’d be near the top of this list.
8. Sunset Ranch Market/Fairfax Fare – Sunset Ranch Market is the outdoor food court near Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. Fairfax Fare is the main restaurant here, with Rosie’s All American Cafe and Catalina Eddie’s being the secondary options. They’re like separate ordering bays in the same big food court–which is why we’re lumping them together.
The best value here on the Disney Dining Plan is Fairfax Fare, but it’s by a close margin. It’s also the highlight, with its menu currently consisting of mashed potato waffle bowls topped with brisket, pork belly, or chicken. These bowls may seem weird with their waffle cones as a base, but they’re good against-all-odds. For those who want standard theme park fare, Rosie’s serves up burgers and hot dogs, while Catalina Eddie’s offers more of the “Almost Pizza” that Walt Disney World guests seem to love.
7. Katsura Grill – If at all possible, our advice would be to save snack credits for EPCOT and use those to graze around the festival booths–there’s a reason that tops our List of the Best Disney Dining Plan Snack Credit Uses. Alternatively, do a sit-down meal and burn a table service credit in World Showcase. Quick-service restaurants are literally your worst option at EPCOT from a cuisine quality and fun perspective.
Nevertheless, this is an objective list, and Katsura Grill scores a spot thanks to its “Osusume Recommended Menu” options. None of these are great values, but they’re the second-best option for using counter service credits on the Disney Dining Plan at EPCOT.
6. Regal Eagle Smokehouse & Craft Drafts – This “Muppet Meatery” is a new-ish counter service restaurant in EPCOT’s American Adventure pavilion, and it makes the list for a couple of reasons. The first is the variety of alcoholic beverages, several of which are fairly pricey and are Disney Dining Plan eligible.
Second, is the universally-appealing (well, at least to carnivores) Memphis Dry-rub Pork Ribs. This is the most expensive entree, and gives you the choice of a side and garlic toast. For our recommendations of what else to order, see our Regal Eagle Smokehouse: A Review of All Foods, But Mostly BBQ Meats.
5. Flame Tree BBQ – This option really hits the ‘sweet spot’ in terms of value and quality. Also making our Top 10 Counter Service Restaurants at Walt Disney World–a list based on quality, Flame Tree BBQ is a can’t-miss option if you’re on the Disney Dining Plan.
The multi-meat sampler is going to offer the best bang for your buck, but we’d strongly recommend the St. Louis Ribs entree instead. As far as snacks and sides go, the French Fries with Pulled Pork and Cheese are a solid choice.
4. Roaring Fork – Located at Wilderness Lodge, we highly recommend taking the boat to Roaring Fork for a meal and midday escape from Magic Kingdom. There are basically two reasons to do this, both of which are pictured above.
On the left is the Country-style Baked Meatloaf Served with Buttery Green Peas, Chunky Mashed Potatoes, and Gravy. On the right is the Barbecued Brisket and Burnt Ends Served with Potato Hash, Fiery Coleslaw, and Cornbread. As for a third reason, the atmosphere at Wilderness Lodge is second-to-none.
3. Satu’li Canteen – An objectively great value, and subjectively fantastic food. Satu’li Canteen is part of Pandora – World of Avatar at Animal Kingdom, and the highlight here is the “Create-Your-Own-Bowl” option, which lets you select a protein, base, and sauce. My personal favorite is the newer Ocean Moon Bowl, which features blue noodles and tuna, among many other colorful things.
The other bowls give you the option to choose among the fresh, high quality, and delicious ingredients to make something healthy, heavy and decadent, or in between. (I definitely go for the “wrong” end of that spectrum, and love the beef with potatoes and creamy herb dressing.) In other words, there’s something for everyone with the options at Satu’li Canteen. Aside from the Ocean Moon Bowl, the Combination Bowl is the way to go–both are great values on the DDP!
2. Docking Bay 7 Food & Cargo – The new counter service restaurant in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has a number of pricey entrees that make it a great option on the Disney Dining Plan. Like several of the restaurants that make this list, ribs are one of the menu items that’ll boost your value. The two others are Batuuan Beef & Crispy Topato Stir-fry and the Peka Tuna Poke. All three are awesome, and highly recommended.
Even beyond that, there are several entrees that are good picks in terms of Disney Dining Plan value. (Plus, the food is flat-out delicious–we love Docking Bay 7 Food & Cargo!) That plus the specialty alcoholic beverages really elevate the value here into the top tier. (By contrast, nearby Ronto Roasters offers delicious options that are poor uses of DDP credits.)
1. Polite Pig – One of the relatively recent additions to Disney Springs, Polite Pig is another BBQ joint. Following our most recent visit here, we consider Polite Pig a must-eat meal on the Disney Dining Plan. (Above is what we ordered. As covered in that post, those are the two best bang for your DDP credit meals.)
The potential of this restaurant is through the roof, and if you have a good meal, it’s going to be really good. It still doesn’t compare to the exceptional D-Luxe Burger for us, but we’re hoping Polite Pig finds its footing. Still, it’s a great place to maximize the value of your Disney Dining Plan Quick Service credits thanks to the many expensive entrees, and that’s what matters most for the purposes of this post.
Really, once you get past the first few restaurants on this list, there’s not much that separates the remaining Counter Service Walt Disney World restaurants in terms of average value. Many restaurants only have one expensive entree that puts them on this list, and often that’s a combo like the popular chicken and ribs one. Just because a restaurant isn’t on this list doesn’t mean you shouldn’t dine there.
Based on our math, there are 8 restaurants at Walt Disney World that offer roughly $30 in maximum total value plus over two-dozen more restaurants that offer $26+ in maximum value, which is a pretty good number. If you go by average value instead of maximum value, you can find a lot of Counter Service restaurants with over $20 in total value.
This means that the difference between the later entries on this list and other spots is sometimes only around $1-2. With that little at stake, you really ought to just eat where you want if the menus for these restaurants don’t look appealing. If you’re able to hit $25 in total value from your counter service meals, you’re doing pretty well.
You can find an entree that costs at least $10 at every single Counter Service restaurant, and drinks are typically pretty close in price at these restaurants. As a result, it’s pretty easy to achieve at least $20-23 in total value. Overall, the price differences at Counter Service restaurants are less drastic than they are at Table Service restaurants, but you can still come out ahead by eating at the right Counter Service restaurants.
Hopefully this list helps you get more bang for your buck on the Disney Dining Plan. Check out our Value-Maximizing tips for Snacks and Value-Maximizing Tips for Table Service Restaurants to get even more value out of the Disney Dining Plan! If you’re planning a Disney trip, read our other Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews and our 101 Delicious Walt Disney World Dining Tips. If you are planning a Walt Disney World trip, make sure to also read our comprehensive Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide to make the most of your experience!
Your Thoughts
What tips do you have for getting the most out of the Disney Dining Plan? Have any tips to maximize your value at other Counter Service restaurants? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Hello!! I love your blog!! We are traveling with our kids aged 3&5 (it’s their first time) in february and getting the dining plan. I have a question about the counter service meals. Can we all four share two meals (using two credits) and use the remaining two at another time?
Thanks!!
Flor
Technically, the rules prohibit what you want to do, but you will have no issues doing this. It’s a rule that literally none of the Cast Members follow, and I assume most don’t even know about.
Tom,
Great site! We did the Disney Dining Plan last year and were able to order adult meals with our child credits for the QS. I know it’s frowned upon, but our hotel check-in host informed it was possible. In fact, she guided us to go this route since the kids meals were said to be quite poor. Does Disney still group the Adult/Child credits together for 2013?
The QS are not “labeled” as adult or child meals. TS meals however, are.
My 3 year old is very picky and because we will be FORCED to purchase the DDP for her as well, I have no qualms using her QS credits. I will be making the majority of her meals in our villa as she would never eat the items most commonly served to kids at Disney (hotdogs, hamburgers, etc.).
We always eat at Port Orleans Riverside. There is quite a variety to choose from and if you bring your resort mug, you can also get a bottled drink with your meal. The desserts are great too, including ice cream and a yummy apple dumpling.
You mentioned that the 2013 free dining plan dates have already been released. When are they?
The ones that have been released are bounceback only. General public ones should be out around July.
Disney Visa Card holders free dining came out yesterday. Free dining if booked between Sept 2-25. It was leaked the FD for the public will be announced May 9! 🙂
This is correct, and the general public offer is now available, as well! Thanks for the heads up!
We love Wolfgang Puck Express,we eat there three or four times a trip. Have never used a dining credit for it but love the place. Last year we were heading there after we parked by Disney Quest. I know it is on the other side of DTD but we like the walk. We passed a group of about 8 adults who seemed to be racking their brains about where to eat. I walked up to them and asked if they had tried Express yet. And when they asked how the food was I told them it was our fourth trip in a few days. Also showed them on my phone what the menu looked like and told them we were heading there if they wanted to follow. They did and they loved it.. The service there is amazing as well. I had been very sick on our last trip and was not eating alot, when we went the one night all I bought was a bowl of soup . The rest of the family was loving the meatloaf and the kids loved the mac and cheese. The waiter noticed that I had emptyed the bowl very fast. It was amazing soup. Then I noticed that I had not ordered my tea, and still did not have much of a voice. The waiter asked how things were my husband had to tell him for me that I loved the soup it was the most I had eaten in a few days. I tried to tell him but I sounded like a frog. In a few min later he was back with more soup and a very large to go cup of hot tea with lemon for me. No charge at all. This is why we go back as much as we do.. It is the little things that make you keep going back..
Tangerine Cafe is wonderful if you love Mediterranean food!
I have to say I am a big fan of Wolgang Puck Express in Downtown Disney. Not only are there fantastic menu choices, the food is great, and you certainly do get to use your Disney Dining Plan to your benefit. We go there every year we visit Disney, sometimes more than once or twice..and have no complaints. Love Love the food there 🙂
It sounds like a lot of people love it! Maybe someday we’ll give it a try…
Great list Tom. Did this Plan at the Cast Member rate last month. Best: Be Our Guest Braised Pork for lunch. Meat & Potatoes in a bowl = no complaints from me. Worst: Everything Pop’s “Mom’s Night Out” Fried Chicken. Silly me for expecting Disneyland’s Plaza Inn’s fried chicken here.
Yeah, that one is on you. 😉 No other fried chicken compares to Disneyland’s Plaza Inn fried chicken. NONE. That is the stuff of legends!
I LOVE Wolfgang Puck and Sunshine Seasons!
Sunshine Seasons is the one restaurant we eat at one time per trip…at least!
I totally agree with Cookes of Dublin, their fish and chips is a great value – hugh piece of fish.
I would also like to add that the All Star Music resort has nightly meals that are QS. One of which is a roasted 1/2 Chicken, potatoes, green beans, and a roll. Excellent meal — for two!
What about Be our Guest? Isn’t it a higher priced quick service for lunch?
Oh, I’m sorry. I missed the part about this being published last Feb!
Where can I find a list of the menus and prices for the quick service meals. I am trying to decide whether to get the plan or not – I don’t want to eat desserts and rarely drink soda so I think it will be a waste for us. Just wanting to check out the prices and I can’t find anything!
I recommend checking out TouringPlans’ menus: http://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/dining/menus
Thank you for the very useful link!! I am also deciding whether to buy the DIsney Dining Plan. It appears that BBQ is the best value & being a native Texan, I’m rather picking (and kind of burnt-out) about my barbecue! I prefer eating a little healthier and do not want to feel weighted-down while trying to navigate Disney efficiently (and ride the rides)!
I am traveling with my husband, daughter, and my parents; are there any restaurants that cater to very different tastes (without hitting 3 different locations)? My husband and I like trying new, unusual cuisine and like to eat healthy (for the most-part); however, my parents only eat chicken/beef (American cuisine, with the occasional fried & saucy Asian take-out), mainly fried stuff.
A grateful Texan, who does not eat like a True Texan,
Tina
The problem with some of the selections in your article is that the price does not include tip. Most counter service offerings do not require a tip but some, for example, Wolfgang Puck do. This makes them less cost effective overall.
Wolfgang Puck is a quick service. Normally we do not tip for quick service, but they do bring you your food, refills and dessert. I’m not sure that tips are expected, but we usually give a little something to the person providing us with the great service. It certainly is a lot less than what you are expected to pay at a sit down meal. Well worth it I might add.
I enjoy your articles, but you should put up the places where you get the food from the imgages, they all look so good haha.
Great Post! It’s nice to see some one else think the way I do. I am surprised not to see FlameTree BBQ not on the list. It is another one that you can get excellent value for a credit. I started doing this a number of years ago as I take my band to WDW for Magic Music Days performances. As part of the MMD package, you can purchase meal coupons for meals in the park. We paid $14 a piece for the coupons on our March 2011 trip. Every meal I used the coupon on totaled close to, if not exceeding $20. Definitely received my moneys worth!
Wolfgang Puck Express is wonderful…some of the best food on Disney property! The servings are so big that you could easily share and get more bang for your dining bucks. I’ve even used a counter service credit for breakfast (something I don’t normally do) and I’m going back to do it again. Another favorite of mine is Contempo Cafe in the Contemporary. Their honey lime grilled chicken with house made chips is amazing.
I totally agree with Deb. Wolfgang Puck Express is absolutely delicious and that applies to whatever meal you’re eating (breakfast, lunch and dinner). A very close second in quality and “bang for dining buck” is the Earl of Sandwich. Two fabulous eateries that we try to eat at numerous times each visit.
Love the gourmet pizzas at Wolfgang Puck Express! We could have split a meal, but we ended up taking pizza with us to snack on later. It’s an excellent, high-value use of counter service credits. Also can’t get enough of Earl of Sandwich, but I would never use DDP credits. The Earl is the best value on Disney property.
I have heard that Flametree in Animal Kingdom has great food. I’d like to hear other opinions.
I’ll vouch for Flame Tree. I always make it a point to stop off for some ribs there and have never been disappointed. Not a bad selection of sauces either. Not the best, but certainly nothing to sneeze at.
The kicker though is the ambience. Any of the early seats you can take will be great, with ponds, lush jungle foliage, and great Disney theming, but make a point to wander to a table all the way in the back, towards the water, and get an outstanding view of Everest across the water.
We always make a point of having lunch at Flametree BBQ on our AK day. It has great food and we love the ambiance.
Flame Tree BBQ is awesome. I don’t think you’ll find many people who don’t like it!
I am one of the few people who does NOT like Flametree BBQ. I found the food to be dry…corn muffin, baked beans and chicken…all of it was dry. My son’s chicken leg was shriveled to virtually a bone with skin attached. However, I found most revolting the birds! What some people refer to as “ambiance” I call a health hazard. Birds were attacking our table and dropping feathers on our food. YUCK. Sorry, I definitely wanted to like it. Much prefer Pizzafari…which gets a bad rap on its own.
I don’t care HOW Flametree stacks up in the “value” department – it WINS the TASTE category with NO CONTENDERS EVEN CLOSE!!
Big thumbs up to this. It’s my FAVORITE restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I wish I could have added it to the ‘best value’ list (and it was very close, like #11, 12, or 13, I think), but it just didn’t quite make the cut!
I love reading your reviews and trip reports – thank you so much! Just as an fyi though, the Earl of Sandwich does have locations in the real world.
I’m pretty sure that’s La Cantina de San Angel in Mexico in Epcot. Great food. Here’s the menu: http://bit.ly/pDmcPn
Where are those tacos in the second photo from? They look better than any I’ve seen 🙂