Counter Service for 6 full days??

[simonmunro]

As a budget tatic (ie, that or stay home) have you ever eaten exclusively counter service for a week? If you have, tell me how you bypass all the marvelous sit down places and character meals without giving in and lining up in the no ps line??? I had considered going to the places we love during off hours (so as not to be rude) and ordering just appetizers and desserts but I'm a little uncomfortable doing that. Anyone ever tried this? I just don't know if I have the courage to ask for lobster bisque and dessert for lunch at Chefs or something. :rolleyes:

[WDW2002]

Its your trip and your lunch. Why shoudn't you be able to order an apetizer for your meal? I do this very often at restaurants. Many time I don't fee like a big lunch/meal or the appetizer is what I am wanting. I say GO FOR IT! and enjoy.

[SamSam]

I sometimes order a salad and an appetizer because I simply don't feel like a big meal. I also sometimes order only dessert and coffee because if I eat a meal I never seem to have room for dessert. Go and enjoy, it's your vacation!

[Lisa F]

I've never ordered just an appetizer/dessert but we have done sit downs instead of counter service by just ordering one entree in the $12-15 range and splitting it. That's about what we'd spend at a counter service.

We do tend to be a little more generous percentage-wise on the tip if we have a very small bill at a sit down restaurant if the service is good (and it almost always is at WDW).

Have fun and have some lobster bisque for me!

Lisa

[QuickGold]

I usually only counter service when Im in WDW as a rule. My favorites are ABC Commissary(MGM), Plaza Pavillion(MK - Tomorrowland) & the counter service restaurant in Morrocco(Epcot). As a word of advice, nearly all the counter service restaurants in World Showcase serve close to the same food in the sit downs. What you end up paying for is service. And how do you pass by the nice places? Easy, anytime your tempted, pull out your wallet and it will sing to you if you pass by :D

[musicfan]

Hey, simonmunro -- we do the same thing! We eat mostly counter service (6 days? Pah! Try 3 weeks!), and occasionally eat at the sit down places around 3 pm. Why 3 pm? Because we NEVER have to make PSs anywhere (no matter how popular the place), and the places are almost empty. This has the added advantage of the waitstaff being unhurried. At 3 pm they could are less if you order 3 desserts or 3 entrees. They're grateful they're getting any business at all. We very frequently order three small things, or an entree and two appetizers, or even two appetizers and a dessert. Who cares at 3 pm? Nobody!!!

We've done this at all different kinds of restaurants, from the lowliest to the most upscale. There are a few restaurants that serve only from dinner onwards, so you will have to make PSs, and they can be snotty about ordering small portions. But my experience with upscale WDW restaurants (Flying Fish, Maya Grill, Artist Point, etc.) is that they are not generally up to the level of upscale restaurants I frequent in the outside world. If I'm going to pay that kind of money, I want a meal that justifies the price, and I just haven't gotten it from the WDW restaurants. I feel (just my opinion after a LOT of eating around) that you get the most bang for your buck at WDW counter service.

[CHIPSTER]

I've never done only counter service, but I don't think I would have a problem in doing so with the menu variety they offer these days. You have some good choices -- MK - Pecos Bills for burgers; Columbia House for fish/chicken and if you are a family Cosmic Rays for the Rotisserie Roasted chicken. Most of the couner service eateries also have some great salads.

I always do a baked potato and side salad at MGM. The Commissary offers a good breakfast.

EPCOT -- you have a buffet of choices these days with counter service. Fish and Chips at the UK; Mexico - you can enjoy a great Margarita with your lunch/dinner while enjoying the view.

At the Marketplace -- we always do a lunch at Mickey's Pantry on our shopping day. They have 2 hot sandwich specials per week. The reuben was rather good for $4.95.

Counter service will be fine as long as you don't get in a rut.

[CHIPSTER]

I've never done only counter service, but I don't think I would have a problem in doing so with the menu variety they offer these days. You have some good choices -- MK - Pecos Bills for burgers; Columbia House for fish/chicken and if you are a family Cosmic Rays for the Rotisserie Roasted chicken. Most of the counter service eateries also have some great salads.

I always do a baked potato and side salad at MGM. The Commissary offers a good breakfast.

EPCOT -- you have a buffet of choices these days with counter service. Fish and Chips at the UK; Mexico - you can enjoy a great Margarita with your lunch/dinner while enjoying the view.

At the Marketplace -- we always do a lunch at Mickey's Pantry on our shopping day. They have 2 hot sandwich specials per week. The reuben was rather good for $4.95.

Counter service will be fine as long as you don't get in a rut.

[WDW2002]

Above I said its your vacation and if you feel that you want to eat at a restaurant and order just an appetizer and dessert then to go for it (which I still belive).

But I also belive you could do counter service for those six days and virtually never eat the same meal twice (if you eat meat). We rarely do a sit down meal at Disney for a couple reason, they are too expensive and they take too much time from the parks. We will be there for up to 16 days in December and with short park hours and the expense, I do not plan to do any sit down meals, other then Cindy's for breakfast (if we can get in). You can do to wdwig (http://www,wdwig.com) and "scope out" the menus (if you need to) and get an idea of what you might want to eat before you go. I am doing this because being a picky vegetarian (no tofu or soy for me) I need to know what is available and where for meals and plan ahead.

No matter what you decide I am sure you will have a great trip.

[frannn]

When we go to WDW, we only do a bunch of sit downs when we have the kids.
Otherwise, counter service is the best option. It doesn't take a lot of time out of our
park hopping, and we don't feel overstuffed trying to get the best bang for our buck.
There are so many great choices, especially in Epcot (I like the Chinese counter service).
If you want to have a sit down meal, there are lesser expensive decent places at Crossroads
and offsite. The Ponderosa offsite has a great tasting steak meal (although a not so good salad bar). Check the menus at Deb Will's site and some of the Orlando coupon links on
Mousesavers.com. You will not go hungry!
bar) for around $10-12.

[emmalgin]

Don't get it....... Food is one of the most important things about any vacation, especially dinner.

Have to ask simple questions?

Are you on or offsite (offsite is 1/2 to 1/3 the price)?

Are you staying at a place with breakfast included?

Are you driving or have a car in Orlando?

How about meals offsite? Many are same or better, plenty of coupons and much cheaper....

I would never consider a week of counter service.....

[friskylady]

My daughter and I always do this because the meals are too big for just one of us.

Another suggestion, the Gourmet Pantry in the Marketplace has some great prepared meals, mostly sandwiches that are much better than counter service restaurants in most of the parks.

Hope this helps!

[simonmunro]

Everybody has been so helpful! :) I have learned much and think I can divide our meals between lots and LOTS of counter service (kidz with major appetites):D and some fancy desserts and appetizers arount 3 p.m. THANKS FOR THAT TIP!!!

[MinnieMe2]

I wouldn't hesitate to do just what you're considering. My sister and her family always go to (I think) Victoria & Albert's for my niece's b'day, and all they order is desert. No problem.

And many times, between the heat, the crowds, fatigue, we're just not that hungry. So if we do a sit-down, which we don't do all that often, we quite often have just a salad or soup or desert. And we do it without hesitation.

We all have our own priorities. We don't happen to vacation to eat, we vacation to experience a lot of different things. So we spread our food $$ out a bit.....

[Pembo]

Last year with my 5 y/o ds we ate all counter service except one Character Breakfast. Not a problem, but I was craving a vegetable....ended up with corn at the food court!!! :)

[landog]

What are the "PSs" referred to in the posts ahead of this one?

Thanks!
- landog

[DiznEeyore]

Originally posted by landog
What are the "PSs" referred to in the posts ahead of this one?

Thanks!
- landog
They're Priority Seating arrangements. Disney restaurants don't do "reservations" -- they call them "priority seatings", which means they'll give you a time and confirmation number, but you're not guaranteed a table at that time; only that you'll get the next available table for your party size.

HTH!

[musicfan]

Oh, Pembo, I know what you mean! Even with sit down dinners, I still end up craving veggies by the end of the vacation. My family eats about 200% more vegetables at any given meal than most restaurants serve!

[WDW2002]

Because of my food limitations (no meat) I have done extensive "research" on what is available at WDW. And while you might have to "hunt them down" you can getting a variety of veggies at the counter service places. Salads are just about everywhere. Epcot and MGM (if I remember correctely) both have several places that sereve veggies and AK has corn on the cob. Plus the food courts serve veggies also.

[Kermit]

Once about 15 years ago, my mom took my sister and I to WDW intending to eat at counter service restaurants almost exclusively since my dad couldn't make it and we didn't want to spend a ton of money without him. We ate at a character breakfast the first morning, and then counter service for the next few days. By the 3rd or 4th day, we were ready to spend whatever it cost to eat at a full service restaurant. Part of it was the lack of variety at the counter service restaurants, but that part is much better now. The other aspect was that we were tired. You get a much better break when you sit down for about 30-45 minutes and let people bring you food.

I wouldn't feel embarrassed about ordering something besides an entree in the off hours. DH and I usually split an appetizer and an entree because we don't want too much food.

[KJMAX1]

I tend to think there is MORE variety foods at the counters than the restaurants. I mean, how many ways can you eat Filet Mignon? We thought we would never be sick of seafood or steak so we booked 8 days of Discovery Magic...We used two flex features each day for food and you would NOT believe how sick we were of eating steak everynight. I was tired of eating mousse thirty different ways...I craved Taco Bell so much that at 4am on our way back home from MCO I stopped at TB for a Mountain Dew and a Burrito. BTW, WDW has no Mountain Dew.

I also loved after the rainstorms to have hot soup or chowder from the many counter service places. I also loved being able to get hot tea!

[SamSam]

You can also always split a meal; they are usually large enough that there's plenty to eat. Disney's very good about letting you split meals, there is usually no charge and they will most often bring it out already split onto two plates.
Nothing at all wrong with counter service for the whole time, but if you really wanting to sit down and enjoy the atmosphere in a full service restaurant then splitting a meal should be cost effective.

[Pumbaa_]

My first trip to WDW was in the budget category (actually, all of them are!) and we did counter service for all our meals but 1. It was our first time in Disney and there was so much to see I couldn't bear the thought of taking so much time out to eat! We didn't have any problem finding a nice variety of counter service.

Love the emu, I mean turkey legs
the food court at the Land in Epcot has a nice variety and lots of healthy choices
Love Beaches and Cream at Beach Club (Now with quick and casual vouchers a bargain!)
We ate in Mexico once at the full service restaurant and once at the cantina. Thought the restaurant was overrated and pricey, but the open air cantina was great. Nice variety of food and a nice view of the lagoon while we ate.
The fish and chips in United Kingdom are great!

There are so many different options that you can do counter without a problem. Now that we have a few trips under our belt, we do a few sit downs while we are there. Always do Crystal Palace for lunch (dinner a little pricey) around 1-2. Then only need something light for dinner.

The Rose & Crown is on our agenda now for a late night seating. A nice leisurely dinner then a front row seat for illuminations.

The last time I was there in Jan. they had a special all you can eat in China's sit down. Saw it too late, but check.

Thought France was over-rated and the food just okay. You shouldn't have to ask for real butter in a French restaurant. (What exactly is butterine? Nevermind, not sure I want to know!):rolleyes:

[MrsPete]

Personally, I"d rather go to a sit-down restaurant, rest out of the heat for a while, and split a meal (thus getting about the same price as a counter-service restaurant).

[*Flower*]

Please don't FLAME me.....

You can't do Victoria and Albert's for just dessert- at least not now.
Maybe it could be done when they first were opened, but now it is a one price 3 course meal. Or maybe it's 5 courses.
It's one set price, and you have choices in each course to pick your meal from.
It's WONDERFUL, but not inexpensive or abbreviated. It's dinner only, and one price fits all.

Humbly yours....

[crusoe2]

If you are staying on-site you might want to consider taking some easy to fix meals with you. I believe all the Disney resorts have microwaves and toasters in their foodcourts and snack bars. We usually take sandwich stuff and a few things that can be popped in the microwave (It's Pasta Anytime dinners, for example). We'll eat this stuff for lunch while we're taking a midday break - it saves money, we don't have to stand in line, and we can eat at an outdoor table or in the peace and quiet of our room. Hope this helps.:)