Snack Credits Secrets at Disney Springs (Best Uses You Need)

Disney Springs, formerly known as Downtown Disney, is a popular shopping and dining district located in the Walt Disney World Resort.

With over 60 dining options, it can be overwhelming to decide where to use your snack credits if you’re on the Disney Dining Plan. Snack credits are a fantastic way to sample a variety of foods and beverages without using a meal credit.

In this article, we’ll share some snack credit secrets at Disney Springs to help you make the most of your dining plan and enjoy some delicious snacks along the way. From sweet treats to savory bites, there’s something for everyone at Disney Springs.

Using Snack Credits at Disney Springs

What is a “snack credit?”  

First, it’s a good idea to know exactly what a snack credit is before diving in. For those of you who haven’t been to Disney in a while or haven’t partaken in a Disney dining plan yet, you might not be too familiar with using “credits”.

Basically, you receive three types of credits when signing up for a Disney dining plan: quick service credits, table service credits, and snack credits.

These can be exchanged for a certain number of treats and meals within the Disney Parks and Resorts. We won’t go over all the little details, but if you would like more information about the various dining plans and credits available to you, you can refer to Disney World’s official Dining Plan page.

For this article, we will instead focus solely on snack credits and how you can use these to your wallet’s advantage.

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Nowadays, a snack credit is redeemable for a single-serve item that would not fall under the category of “entree.”

All party members of the dining plan over the age of 3 receive two (2) snack credits each.

What can I redeem a snack credit for?

The official Disney dining plan page offers this rough outline of what constitutes a “snack” within the Walt Disney World Resort:

• Frozen ice cream novelty, popsicle or fruit bar
• Two scoops of hand-scooped ice cream
• Popcorn scoop (single-serving box)
• Piece of whole fruit
• Single-serve bag of snacks
• 20-ounce bottle of Coca-Cola® products, including Dasani® water
• 20-ounce fountain soft drink
• Single-serve coffee, hot chocolate, hot tea, milk or juice
• Cup of soup
• Add on toppings or sauces (e.g. side of cheese dipping sauce)

After looking at this list, you may wonder: what’s so great about snack credits? The items featured above seem to represent a pretty standard laundry list of amusement park snacks to me.

But hold on! Hopefully, we don’t have to remind you that the Disney Parks offer some amazingly colorful, flavorful, and specially-themed unique goodies!

Many of these tasty treats fall under the ” snacks ” category and can certainly be redeemed with a credit!

What not to buy with your snack credit

It’s important to note that you should never spend a snack credit on water, soda, teas, or snacks that cost less than $5.

These items are generally not worth the value of a snack credit and can be easily purchased out of pocket. Instead, look for unique and higher-priced snacks that will give you the most bang for your buck.

There are plenty of options at Disney Springs, so be sure to explore and try something new with your snack credits.

How do I take advantage of my snack credits?

Snack credits are pretty precious and can be fantastic wallet savers, depending on which treats you choose. The trick – for any part of the dining plan – is to know what that credit is worth in order to make sure you are getting the full value out of it.

A good rule of thumb for snack credits is using them on non-basic goodies over or around $7.

You’ll want to avoid grabbing standard water bottles or common park snacks like popcorn and churros, which you can easily cover on your own dime.

Snack credits are at best value when used to purchase a treat that is Disney-themed, seasonal, or plain pricey – something you normally wouldn’t spend your money on no matter how much you wanted to try it.

We’re talking warm, gooey baked mac and cheese, fun and fresh Mickey toffee brownies, or especially sweet Star Wars-featured desserts. Try to aim high with your snack credits!

Why is this important?

As you may be aware, Planning The Magic is all about budget travel and living life while spending wisely. I focus a lot of my blog posts on going to Walt Disney World on a budget.

How does this topic fall into that? You spent a lot of time or money (or both) to make the dining plan part of your trip. It is a huge portion of your Disney budget – therefore, it is important that you are getting the most value you can for every aspect of your plan, including the snack credits.

Where can I use snack credits?

Snack credits can be used at any quick-service restaurant, outdoor cart, or specified Walt Disney World Resort snack location.

You can find the DDP (Disney Dining Plan) icon on participating menus if you’re unsure which dining options are available under your plan.

Why use snack credits at Disney Springs?

All that said, a great place to utilize your snack credits is Disney Springs. This free-themed entertainment area on the Walt Disney World Resort is a fantastic place to grab a bite to eat.

Not only does this area feature over 62 dining options in the form of restaurants, food trucks, and other vendors, but also offers an endless supply of one-of-a-kind Disney treats.

After a long day traipsing around the parks with your little ones, Disney Springs is a great place to recline and recharge before your next high-energy venture around Walt Disney World.

Our recommendation is to survey your eating options online so you’ll know exactly where you want to plop down for a few moments of rest.

The sheer variety of restaurants, carts, and quick service goodie locations available at Disney Springs is a good enough reason to use up your credits here. From mouth-watering desserts to unique drinks and finger foods, Disney Springs has all types of super snacks you should explore!

Best Disney Springs Snack Credit Uses

To give you an idea of what types of treats are available here, take a few pages from my book! Here are some snacks I love to use my credits on at Disney Springs:

1. Anything from Swirls on the Water

2. Starbucks drink  – caffeine junky here

There are plenty of Starbucks locations throughout the Parks, with about two located in Disney Springs alone; one in the Disney Springs Marketplace and another on the West Side.

Most of the seasonal offerings are around or over $7, so you’ve got your deal right there. Bonus: If you’re feeling a bit worn from a day of exploring, you can even grab a Venti drink of your choice – yes, snack credits cover those, too!

3. Decorate your own treat at Goofy’s Candy Company

If you haven’t had the opportunity to build your own mouth-watering sweet treat at Goofy’s Candy Company yet, now’s your chance!

This cute, self-proclaimed candy factory is a favorite of Disney goers of all age brackets. Use that snack credit to grab a candied apple, sweet or salty popcorn, or any Disney-themed goodie that may be featured that day.

Many of these treats fall within the $7 – $9 price range; well worth the use of that credit!

4. Dole Whip Floats or Other Floats

One great way to use your snack credits at Disney Springs is to treat yourself to a specialty dessert. Dole Whips are a popular choice, and they can be found at the Marketplace Snacks kiosk. These refreshing pineapple soft-serve treats are a must-try for any Disney fan.

5. Poutine from The Daily Poutine

There are four options for the poutine: Classic, Latin, Italian, or French.  The classic is french fries, gravy, and cheese curds.  

Generic Options – Disney Dining Plan Snack List

Disney Springs snack credit use is one of the smartest uses of a snack credit.

• 20oz fountain drink
• 120z coffee, hot chocolate, or tea
• Ice cream of all sorts
• Bakery items (cookies, brownies, fudge)
• Caramel Apples
• Popcorn scoop
• Prepackaged milk or juice
• Piece of whole fruit
• Bag of snacks
• 20 oz. bottle of Coca-Cola®, Sprite® or Dasani® water

 

Other Snack Options at Disney Springs

*Good values are bolded 

Wolf Gang Puck Express

Fresh baked cookie or brownie

Frozen Yogurt

Creme Brulee

Earl of Sandwich

Bottled Water

Bread Pudding

Cookies

Yogurt Parfait

More!

Goofy’s Candy Company

Flavored slushies

Chocolate coins

Peanuts

Snack Mix

Candy Apple

Mickey Pretzels

Mickey Animal Crackers

Sticky Buns

Almond Turtles

Create your own

As you can probably tell from this list, tons of yummy handheld desserts can be bought with your snack credits – and that’s the direction we suggest you take!

How often can you recall wishing you could try that ooey, gooey brownie or sweet character candied apple only to be put off by the exorbitant price?

Desserts are definitely a great value for your credit, especially after a satisfying and savory meal within the parks.

Branch out – there are plenty of other places at Walt Disney World to use your snack credits!

While Disney Springs is my favorite place within Walt Disney World to use my snack credits, all of the parks have their own wonderful, unique, and delicious treats waiting to be discovered by you.

Epcot and Animal Kingdom are two parks in particular that have a plethora of enjoyable and unique snacks you might want to check out, while Magic Kingdom also offers great character snack options that are perfect for you Instagrammers out there.

Bearing in mind everything I mentioned here, stay on the lookout for those special morsels as you scour menus throughout the resort – you may find the perfect themed treat for you!

FAQ

Can you use snack credits at Disney Springs?

Yes, you can definitely use snack credits at Disney Springs! There are a variety of snack options available throughout the area, from classic Disney treats like Dole Whip and churros to gourmet popcorn and candy.

Just look for the “Disney Dining Plan” logo or ask a Cast Member to confirm that the location accepts snack credits.

Keep in mind that some items may be worth more than one snack credit, so be sure to check the menu or ask a Cast Member for clarification. Enjoy exploring all the delicious snack options at Disney Springs!

What can you get with Disney snack credits?

Disney snack credits can be used to purchase various treats and snacks at Walt Disney World!

You can indulge in classic favorites like popcorn and churros or try out more gourmet options like what we’ve mentioned.

Can you use Disney snack credits for alcohol?

I’m sorry, but Disney snack credits cannot be used to purchase alcohol. These credits can only be used to purchase snacks and other add-ons.

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As you know, I have been on numerous podcasts trying to give out as many free Disney tips as possible. I don’t know it all, but what I do know, I will share.

Nick and I – over at the Mousecapades podcast – did a short episode on cool, unique, and valuable ways to use your Disney Dining Plan snack credits.

I know we threw a lot of information at you, so here are some notes to accompany that episode.