Trying to save money on the Disney Dining Plan is not easy. It’s next to impossible to spend less under a dining plan then you would without prepaying if you just budget your money for the trip. To test this out, just give yourself a food budget equal to the cost of a dining plan and see how easy it is to come out ahead based on plan parameters. On the other hand, you can find ways under the dining plan to get a better value. That is to say, you can get more for your dining credit at some restaurants than at others. Many of the best restaurants in Disney World charge you two dining credits per meal, but some great restaurants only charge one. These are the top single credit table service restaurants in Disney World.
[Tweet “Are you using the Disney Dining Plan? Get the skinny on single credit restaurants that are the best to use those credit #disneydining”]
Akershus
This is the best alternative to the expensive Cinderella’s Royal Table experience. It’s still got a regal castle atmosphere without being at THE castle. This character breakfast is a close comparison to the princess dining experience you get at Cinderella’s Royal Table. Plus you get all you care to enjoy buffet service and a menu that offers Norwegian and American options that please everybody. For Dinner, you get a three-course meal and kids have an extensive menu to build their own meal combinations from.
Storybook dining at Artist Point
This is a new offering from Disney. Although it is currently a single credit table service restaurant, that could change as the restaurant becomes more popular. This is a unique character dining experience that includes photo ops with the Queen and meet and greets with Snow White and Dopey. The inventive menu and woodsy atmosphere make it one of the best character dining experiences.
Boma
All You Care To Enjoy restaurants are one of the best ways to get your dollars worth, especially when you can do it for only one meal credit. This single credit table service restaurant is one of the most lauded over buffets in all of Disney World. Here you get the benefit of the exceptional cuisine offered at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Some of it is for the more adventurous palate, but there is plenty of range here to keep the pickiest of eaters well fed.
The Wave…
…Of American Flavors is an unsung hero of the Contemporary Resort. It does more than simply reinforce the subtle American theme of the Contemporary. This restaurant offers beautifully created dishes with vibrant flavors and boasts a gorgeously lit spectacularly designed dining room and lounge. For only one meal credit at a non-buffet-style restaurant, you can hardly do any better.
Coral Reef
Another aquatic based motif, albeit with very different experience is Coral Reef. This is the only in-park table service other than Akershus which is also in Epcot. This is a tough choice given the many spectacular table service dining in Epcot around the World Showcase. So much of the judging here is subjective to the cuisine of choice. But we are all connected by the ocean, right? All joking aside, Coral Reef stands on its own as superb among the other single credit table service restaurants in Epcot. The dishes, service, and atmosphere are among the best. They don’t just serve seafood either.
Dara says
I have sadly not been to any of these!
Janine says
Aw, I definitely recommend any and all of these awesome Disney restaurants π
William Holland says
A great resource of Disney information, Janine! If I were a traveler, I would consider this to be the “go to” site for Disney travel. You’ve done well over the years building your online business. Well done my friend!
Janine says
Aw, thank you so much, Bill and I truly try my best where Disney is concerned π
Tamara says
Oh my goodness how I love Boma. I think about it often! The food, the service, ahhhhh.
And Akershus rocks! I’ll have to try the others too!
Janine says
Omg, I agree totally and hope you can try the others soon, too!! π
Jen says
I think we are going to Disney in October. Super excited and I am going to refer back to all of your tips, tricks and more!
Janine says
Omg, so excited for you and if you need any help, please feel free to ask me – as I am always happy to talk Disney- always!! <3
Kristi Campbell says
OMG Janine, I’m so jealous about how knowledgeable you are about all things Disney. I’m embarrassed to admit I didn’t even know about the Disney dining experiences until we went to Disneyland (CA) this spring and somebody told us to eat at the Blue Bayou (inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride) and it was SO amazing. Of course, all the food we’ve had at Disney has been great (even though there are $4 water bottles and popcorn is $12) but we loved the insight on it. Thanks for these tips for the next time we visit Disney in Florida!!!
Janine says
Omg, Kristi definitely don’t be embarrassed and trust me I wasn’t always this knowledgable. We all have to start somewhere with stuff like this. I just happen to love Disney as you more than know. So for me, I have so much fun learning new stuff all the time and more than happy to pass it along to you here always!! <3
Meredith Spidel says
This is fantastic! We just officially decided to book our 2020 Disney trip, so I am making notes now based on your recs! Thanks, Janine π
Janine says
Omg, I am so, so excited for you!! You definitely need to ask me any questions you may have when you do as you know how much I love to talk Disney – always!! <3