While on a Disney World vacation, dining can be one of the most expensive parts of your trip, so it is important to know how to get the most for your vacation dollar.

Disney offers a couple of different Dining Plans that involve prepaying for meal credits.

In a previous article, I wrote about How to Maximize Your Disney Dining Plan Snack Credits, today I will share with you a plan for getting the most of of your Counter Service Credits.

By definition, a Counter Service meal is where you go up to a counter and order your food and then receive it, pay for it, and find a place to sit down and eat. Disney World has a wide variety of counter service food locations throughout their parks and resorts.

With the various Disney Dining Plans, a Counter Service credit entitles you to: An entree or combo meal, dessert, and a non-alcoholic beverage. We will discuss some of the best locations on the Disney World Resort Property to redeem these credits and maximize the value of your Dining Plan.

Flame Tree Barbecue: Two great choices here: (1) 1/2 slab of St. Louis Barbecue Ribs + Baked Beans + Corn Muffin, Soft Drink, and either Key Lime Pie or Chocolate Cake

Cash Value = $16.17 + tax

(2) 1/2 Rotisserie Chicken + Baked Beans + Corn Muffin, Soft Drink, and either Key Lime Pie or Chocolate Cake
Cash Value = $15.17 + tax

Sunshine Seasons (in the Land): Two great choices here: (1)Grilled Salmon with Kalamata Olive Pesto sauce and two sides, Soft Drink, Chocolate Mousse Cake or other wonderful desserts
Cash Value = $16.27 + tax

(2)Rotisserie Pork Chop with two sides, Soft Drink, Chocolate Mousse Cake or other wonderful desserts
Cash Value = $16.27 + tax

Tangierine Cafe (in Morocco): Chicken and Lamb Combo Shawarma Sandwiches- served with hummus, Tabouleh, and a Tangierine CousCous Salad with a Fresh Moroccan bread, Soft Drink, Baklava Pastry

Cash Value: $18.54 + tax

Hollywood Studios:

Toy Story Pizza Planet: Pepperoni or Vegetable Pizza, Salad, Soft Drink, Mickey's Crisped Rice Treat

Cash Value: $13.07 + Tax

Magic Kingdom:

Cosmic Ray's (Tomorrowland): 1/2 Chicken and BBQ Rib Combination served with Mashed Potatoes and a seasonal vegetable, soft drink, Carrot Cake or Triple Chocolate Cake

Cash Value: $19.67 + Tax

Disney Resorts:

Most of the Disney Resorts have a food court that you can redeem your counter service meals at as well. Shop around and see what you can get at the resort you are staying at.

This is my favorite Counter Service location in all of Disney World and certainly a top-notch Dining Plan Value.

Wolfgang Puck Express: They have too many wonderful choices to pick just one, but I will for the example. They specialize in Italian food (Salads, Sandwiches, Pasta, and Gourmet Pizza).

Rigatoni with Chicken Alfredo, Soft Drink, Creme Brulee.

Cash Value: $18.85 + tax.

So there it is, at least one Counter Service Restaurant in each of the Disney Parks that offers wonderful food that will also help you maximize your dining dollars. Don't settle for hamburger and fries, when you can have so much more!