Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Meal Vouchers

[SplashMountainRules]

This information has been compiled by SplashMountainRules and Elfbo. (I have merged two separate threads to make this one - hopefully- all-inclusive thread.)
A HUGE THANK YOU to the two of them for putting together all of this information that is much in demand on the Budget Board.

-BethR

There have been alot of questions on where the connection meal vouchers are good for. Here is a list for everyone

Quick and Casual are good at:

All-Stars - End Zone Food Court, Intermission Food Court, World Premiere Food Court

Animal Kingdom Lodge - Mara
Bonnett Creek Golf Club - Sand Trap Bar and Grill

Caribbean Beach - Old Port Royale Food Court

Contempory - Food and Fun Center, Sand Bar Grill

Coronado Springs - Pepper Market, Siesta's Pool Bar & Grill

Grand Floridian - Gasparilla Grill & Games

Port Orleans Resort - Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory, Riverside Mill

Wilderness Lodge - Roaring Forks

Yacht & Beach Club - Beaches and Cream, Hurricane Hanna's Grill

Blizzard Beach Water Park - Lottawatta Lodge

Typhoon Lagoon Water Park - Leaning Palms Burger & Brew, Typhoon Tilly's

Magic Kingdom - Pinocchio Village Haus, Pecos Bill Cafe, Plaza Pavilion, Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe, Columbia Harbour House, Casey's Corner, Lunching Pad, El Pirate y el Perico

Epcot - Liberty Inn, Electric Umbrella Restaurant, Pure and Simple, Sunshine Season Food Fair, Yakitori House (Japan), Lotus Blossom Cafe (China), Cantina de San Angel (Mexico), Tangierine Cafe** (Morocco), Kringla Bakeri (Norway), Boulangerie Patisserie (France), Famous Fish & Chips (U.K.), Sommerfest (Germany), Refreshment Port

Disney-MGM Studios - Backlot Express, Rosie's All-American Cafe, ABC Commissary, Toy Story Pizza Planet

Animal Kingdom - Pizzafari, Restaurantosaurus, Flame Tree Barbeque*, Tusker House Restaurant+






Breakfast Vouchers good at:

Magic Kingdom - The Crystal Palace, Cinderella's Royal Table, Main Street Bakery

Epcot - Pure & Simple, Sunshine Season Food Fair, Electric Umbrella

Disney-MGM Studios - Hollywood & Vine

Animal Kingdom - Rainforest Cafe, Restaurantosaurus

All-Stars - End Zone Food Court, Intermission Food Court, World Premiere Food Court

Animal Kingdom Lodge - Boma-Flavors of Africa, The Mara

Beach Club - Cape May Cafe

BoardWalk Inn - Spoodles

Bonnett Creek Golf Club - Sand Trap Bar and Grill

Caribbean Beach - Old Port Royale Food Court

Contempory - Concourse Steak House, Chef Mickey's Restaurant

Coronado Springs - Pepper Market, Maya Grill

Fort Wilderness - Trail's End Buffeteria

Grand Floridian - Grand Floridian Cafe, Gasparilla Grill & Games, 1900 Park Fare

Old Key West - Olivia's Cafe

Polynesian - 'Ohana, Kona Cafe

Port Orleans Resort - Boatwright's Dining Hall, Riverside Mill

Wilderness Lodge - Whispering Canyon Cafe

Yacht & Beach Club - Yachtsman Steakhouse

[elfbo]

<B>Updated: 05/15/04 resturant changes for vouchers expiring 05/05</B>
Everything (almost) that you wanted to know about the Walt Disney World Meal Vouchers.

The meal vouchers, often referred to as Connection Meal Vouchers come in 3 different forms. There are the Quick & Casual Meal Vouchers (Q&C) which can be used lunch or dinner time and many counter restaurants in the parks. Then there are Breakfast Vouchers that can be used for breakfast at different places within the parks. The Vacation Kingdom Lunch Vouchers (VKL) which can be used for lunch at various places within the parks. The VKL can usually only be used during normal lunch hours (ending between 2pm-4pm for most restaurants). Both the VKL and Breakfast vouchers have separate vouchers for Adult and child.
Items offered with each voucher are listed in the Where can I eat section.

<B>Where Can I eat?</B>

<B>"Quick & Casual" Meal Vouchers (Q&C)</B>
Each Quick & Casual voucher costs $11.50 and is valid for a full counter service lunch or dinner at a participating restaurant location at the WDW resort. With each voucher you can order your choice of one of the following: one combo meal (entree, side dish and non-alcoholic beverage) and one dessert, OR one entree, one side dish (if not included in the entree), one dessert and one single serving non-alcoholic beverage. Tax and gratuity (if any) are included. Alcoholic beverages, souvenir drink mugs and room service are not included. Current vouchers being issued expire 5/31/05. These vouchers can be used during both lunch and dinner hours. You will almost always come out at least even on the Quick & Casual vouchers. At many of the locations, the vouchers can save an adult (or a kid with a big appetite) money at many of the locations, especially those in the theme parks. Rule of thumb: if you would be spending at least $11.00 for the meal before tax, using a voucher will be a good deal, because tax (and tip, if applicable) is included. Also, many of the combo meals are big enough that two people could share one and just purchase an additional drink (and possibly an additional side order).

Participating locations (subject to change) are listed below. Good
deals are marked * and really outstanding deals are marked **:
All-Stars - End Zone Food Court*, Intermission Food Court*, World Premiere Food Court*
Animal Kingdom Lodge - Mara*
Bonnett Creek Golf Club - Sand Trap Bar and Grill*
Caribbean Beach - Old Port Royale Food Court
Contempory - Food and Fun Center, Sand Bar Grill
Coronado Springs - Pepper Market*, Siesta's Pool Bar & Grill
Grand Floridian - Gasparilla Grill & Games
Pop Century - Everything Pop Food Court
Port Orleans Resort - Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory*, Riverside Mill
Wilderness Lodge - Roaring Forks
Yacht & Beach Club - Beaches and Cream*** (this restaurant is an extra-good deal - it's actually table service, and you can order the elaborate desserts with your voucher, but not valid for the "kitchen sink" dessert), Hurricane Hanna's Grille
Blizzard Beach Water Park - Lottawatta Lodge
Typhoon Lagoon Water Park - Leaning Palms Burger & Brew, Typhoon Tilly's
Magic Kingdom - Pinocchio Village Haus, Pecos Bill Cafe*, Plaza Pavilion, Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe*, Columbia Harbour House, Casey's Corner, Lunching Pad at Rock Tower Plaza, El Pirate y el Perico
Epcot - Liberty Inn (U.S.), Electric Umbrella Restaurant, Pure and Simple(Now Closed), Sunshine Season Food Fair*, Yakitori House* (Japan), Lotus Blossom Cafe (China), Cantina de San Angel* (Mexico), Tangierine Cafe** (Morocco), Kringla Bakeri (Norway), Boulangerie Patisserie (France), Famous Fish & Chips (U.K.), Sommerfest (Germany), Refreshment Port
Disney-MGM Studios - Backlot Express, Rosie's All-American Cafe*, ABC Commissary Resturant, Toy Story Pizza Planet Arcade
Animal Kingdom - Pizzafari*, Restaurantosaurus, Flame Tree Barbeque*, Tusker House Restaurant*

<B>"Vacation Kingdom" Lunch Vouchers (VKL)</B>
Each Vacation Kingdom lunch voucher costs $31.00 for adults or $12.75 for children and is valid for a full meal including appetizer, entree, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage at a participating restaurant location at the WDW resorts. Taxes and gratuities are included. Alcoholic beverages are not included. Valid during normal lunch hours only. Current vouchers being issued expire 5/31/05. These vouchers are a good deal when ordering a three-course meal at the full-service restaurants marked with **. In some cases they will save you money only when ordering the most expensive selections on the menu -- those locations are marked with *.

Participating locations (subject to change) include:
All Stars - End Zone Food Court, Intermission Food Court, World Premiere Food Court
Bonnett Creek Golf Club - Sand Trap Bar and Grill
Caribbean Beach - Old Port Royale Food Court
Contemporary - Concourse Steak House**, Chef Mickey's (listed on voucher but no longer open for lunch)
Boardwalk Inn - ESPN Club*, Spoodles (listed on voucher but no longer open for lunch)
Coronado Springs - Pepper Market
Fort Wilderness - Trail's End Buffeteria
Grand Floridian - Grand Floridian Cafe*
Old Key West - Olivia's Cafe
Polynesian - Kona Cafe*
Port Orleans Resort - Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory, Riverside Mill
Wilderness Lodge - Whispering Canyon Cafe
Yacht and Beach Club - Yachtsman Steakhouse (listed on voucher but no longer open for lunch)
Wide World of Sports Complex - Official All Star Cafe**
Magic Kingdom - Cinderella's Royal Table*, Liberty Tree Tavern*, Crystal Palace, Plaza Restaurant, Tony's Town Square Restaurant*
Epcot - Biergarten Restaurant, Garden Grill, Alfredo di Roma Ristorante**, Le Cellier Steakhouse**, Chefs de France Restaurant**, Nine Dragons**, Restaurant Akershus, Restaurant Marrakesh**, Rose & Crown Pub and Dining Room**, San Angel Inn**, Mitsukoshi Teppanyaki Dining**
Disney-MGM Studios - The Hollywood Brown Derby**, Sci-Fi Dine In Theater*, 50's Prime Time Cafe*, Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano**
Animal Kingdom - Rainforest Cafe** (Can use during lunch & dinner hours, Same menu)


<B>"Breakfast Feature" Breakfast Vouchers </B>
Each Breakfast voucher costs $18.25 for adults or $11.00 for children. Each breakfast includes one single serving non-alcoholic beverage, one main breakfast entree and one bakery item <b>or</B> one full breakfast buffet and one single-serving non-alcoholic beverage at a participating restaurant location at the WDW resorts. Taxes and gratuities are included. Alcoholic beverages, souvenir drink mugs and room service are not included. Adult meal of $14.99 or above will be equal to or greater than cost of voucher including tax and tip. Current vouchers being issued expire 5/31/05. * Represent Character Dining locations. Priority Seating for Character Dining is recommended. Breakfast Vouchers good at:
Magic Kingdom - The Crystal Palace*, Cinderella's Royal Table*, Main Street Bakery
Epcot - Pure & Simple(Now Closed), Princess Storybook Breakfast*, Sunshine Season Food Fair, Electric Umbrella
Disney-MGM Studios - ABC Commissary
Animal Kingdom - Rainforest Cafe, Restaurantosaurus*(Donald's Breakfastosaurus, Tusker House Resturant
All-Stars - End Zone Food Court, Intermission Food Court, World Premiere Food Court
Animal Kingdom Lodge - Boma-Flavors of Africa, The Mara
Beach Club - Cape May Cafe*
BoardWalk Inn - Boardwalk Bakery, Spoodles
Bonnett Creek Golf Club - Sand Trap Bar and Grill
Caribbean Beach - Old Port Royale Food Court
Contemporary - Concourse Steak House, Chef Mickey's Restaurant*, Food and Fun Center
Coronado Springs - Pepper Market, Maya Grill
Fort Wilderness - Trail's End Buffeteria
Grand Floridian - Grand Floridian Cafe, Gasparilla Grill & Games, 1900 Park Fare*
Old Key West - Olivia's Cafe
Polynesian - 'Ohana*, Kona Cafe
Pop Century - Everything Pop Food Court
Port Orleans Resort - Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory, Boatwright's Dining Hall, Riverside Mill
Wilderness Lodge - Whispering Canyon Cafe, Roaring Forks Snacks
Yacht & Beach Club - Yacht Club Galley

A Vacation Kingdom Dinner voucher was released by Disney, but is not sold by Connections, or any of the purchase sites listed. The price of this voucher is approx $62.00. In general these would not be cost effective.
The Flying Fish, Boma-Flavors of Africa, Portobello Yacht Club, Spoodles, Captains Tavern, California Grill, Citricos, Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue Dinner Show, Chef Mickey's Buffet, Narcoossee's, Ohana, Yachtsman Steakhouse, Artist Point, Jiko-The Cooking Place, Planet Hollywood, House of blues, Bistro de Paris, Restaurant Askerhaus and many more (is what is listed in the connections membership pamphlet).

You can see menus and prices at <A HREF="http://wdwig.com/menu/menus.htm"> http://wdwig.com/menu/menus.htm </A>

[elfbo]

Updated: 09 May 04

<B>Where to Buy Vouchers:</B>
There are several ways that you can purchase the meal vouchers.
You can purchase them through connections which seems to be the most used on this site.
They can be purchased though Florida Orlando Tickets at a slightly higher price.
Hotwire Savings Club and Lillian Vernon both provide memberships to the parent company MWI Connections.
Vouchers can be purchased through the DISlink Auctions.
Ebay (not recommended, as are very overpriced)
Disney Group Sales

<B>Lillian Vernon</B>: Offers monthly membership to Connections. There is a free 30 day trial period, and then 8.50 a month. To join call 800-545-5426 and tell the operator that you want to join connections. They will know what you are talking about, and are easy to work with. You cannot join connections via Lillian Vernon online, you MUST call. After 3 business days, you can call the number they give you to get your connections membership info. Go to www.dealpass.com to log-in to order vouchers. You will get your membership package in the mail between 7 - 14 days, which also has your membership info, if you prefer to call your order in to connections. Sometimes it may take a few days longer, so don’t wait until last minute! Shipping options haved changed. No charge for 7-10 business day standard shipping. For 3-4 express shipping the charge is $7.95. For 1-2 day rush shipping the charge is $15.95.
<b>No returns, refunds or exchanges</b><BR>
<A Href="http://www.dealpass.com/entertainment.asp">Connections</A>: Connections has recently changed their options to join for a <B>5 day trial for $2.95</B>, then a yearly fee of around $139.95 (Ive seen this fee up to $159.95). Go to the site www.dealpass.com and click on "Travel & Entertainment", then select Simple Escapes (This club option will allow you to order the Disney Meal Vouchers). Fill out the information, and you will receive your membership info and be able to order immediately. There is enough time to join, order the vouchers and cancel before the trial period is up, but there are some good deals at the site, which you main want to remain in to keep. No charge for 7-10 business day standard shipping. For 3-4 express shipping the charge is $7.95. For 1-2 day rush shipping the charge is $15.95.<B>No returns, refunds or exchanges</B><BR>

<A HREF="http://www.floridaorlandotickets.net/character_dine.html">Florida Orlando Tickets</A>: This site sells the meal vouchers for a slightly higher price than connections, but you do not have to deal with the possible hassle of dealing with connections customer service. Go to the site and you can order directly from there immediately. Breakfast vouchers are $20 for adults, $12 for children, Quick and Casual voucher are $17.00. Shipping ranges from free (pick-up at ticket outlet) to $25.00. It is $7.00 for priority mail.

<A HREF="http://www.hotwire.com/addons/hsc-overview.jsp;z=1062199922473">Hotwire Savings Club</A>: Offers a monthly membership to Connections. There is a free 30-day trial, and then it is $7.95 a month. Go to the website, sign up, and you will receive your membership info within a few minutes, and then you will be able to go online and order the vouchers. No Shipping Charges.

<B>eBay</B>: Meal vouchers are sold on eBay, usually at an extremely inflated price, so do your research. Don’t forget to figure in shipping charges. Most eBay vouchers are from Connections, some people join Connections, buy the vouchers, and resell them at a profit on eBay. The Connections member agreement stipulates that the vouchers cannot be resold, and Connections often gets these auctions shut down.

<B>Disney Group Sales</B>: You must contact Disney group sales directly. The vouchers are not sold to individual, but to organizers large groups and conventions at Walt Disney World.

Vouchers include tax and tip, so to figure out how much you can save, be sure to add approximately 6.5% tax (current tax rate, may change) to counter service meals and 6.5%+15%=21.5% to sit down meals.

[elfbo]

Here are answers to some of the questions asked about the vouchers, I havent had time to comb through all of the threads to get all of the questions yet, but I figure this is a good start.

<B><I>Questions and Answers:</I></B>

<B>Can I use the Vouchers to order "appetizers for two" "salads for two" or "dessert for two"?</B>

Generally cannot order "appetizers for two" "salads for two" or "dessert for two" with a single vacation kingdom lunch voucher. But most restaurants will allow you to purchase when using 2 or more vouchers. For example people have been able to order the volcano dessert at rainforest cafe if they used 2 or more vouchers, but not if they only used one.

<B>Can milkshakes, smoothies, or floats can be ordered for the drink with a quick and casual voucher? </B>

The voucher no longer states that frozen drinks and souvenir mugs are not included. Ask the individual restaurant.

<B>If I make a PS (Priority Seating) and make a Deposit, what happens when I pay with a Voucher?</B>

If you use the vouchers for CRT (Cinderella's Royal Table) and pay the 10$ deposit, this will be credited back to your charge card.

<B>When is the lastest time I can use the VKL (Lunch) Voucher?</B>

The latest time to use the VKL depends upon the restaurant. Call to making a PS (Priority Seating) and find out the latest lunch seating. Rainforest Cafe in Animal Kingdom (not the one in Downtown Disney) allows the vouchers to be used for both lunch and dinner, as the menu is the same for both meals.

<B>Where can I see menus for the restaurants?</B>

You can see menus and prices at <A HREF="http://wdwig.com/menu/menus.htm"> http://wdwig.com/menu/menus.htm </A>

<B>Do the vouchers include tax or tip?</B>

All vouchers include tax. When used at a sit-down restaurant it also includes at 15% gratuity. Feel free to add more tip if the server splits your meal as they are only tipped on total price of the food included in the voucher. The tip is figured from the price of the food purchased, not the cost of the voucher.

<B>Do the vouchers include Rainforest Cafe?</B>

The vouchers can be used at the Rainforest Cafe located just outside the Animal Kingdom Park. You do not need to use a park pass to go to the resturant since it is not located within the park. You can still use the Animal Kingdom Park bus to get there, it is right outside the park. You cannot use the vouchers at the Rainforest Cafe located in Downtown Disney.

<B>When do the vouchers expire? When do the new ones come out?</B>
The current vouchers expire May 31 2005. The new vouchers are sent starting in April. Vendors exhaust current years supply before sending next year supply. Date of when new vouchers are sent may vary.

<B>What is considered a side item?</B>
This varies from server to server, resturant to resturant. Some charge a combo meal as meal + side. Some allow a side order in addition to a meal. Best way to find out is to ask server before you order.

<B>When should I order the vouchers? How long is shipping</B>
Shipping for connections and hotwire may take up to 14 days, so to be safe order your vouchers at least 2 weeks in advance of departure.

<B>Can the vouchers be used at the Pop Century resort?</B>
Currently the vouchers do not list any of the resturants in the Pop Century Resort. People have had success at using the vouchers at PC (Pop Century)

<B>Does everyone in your dining party have to use vouchers?</B> You do not have to have one for everyone in your party, you can use them for one person and not the other. Also, I they will usually put the more expensive items on the voucher because it includes a tip based on what you would have paid, but you might want to ask your server ahead of time. (This is if you order food items in addition to what would be covered by the meal vouchers)

<B>VKL Resturaunts listed but not open for lunch</B>
For resturaunts listed but not open for lunch for the VKL vouchers, they are not usually accepted for other meal times (breakfast or dinner) you can ask the CM but be prepared to hear a no.

<B>Are there extra fees to split a meal?</B>
I was not charged for splitting any of the meals. Sometimes the meal was brought out on two plates, sometimes an extra plate was brought out. We did leave an extra tip (over what is provided with the voucher) for the inconvience of having to serve 2 people 1 meal. There were no problems splitting the meals, we never felt like embarassed or like we were cheating anyone.

<B>How does getting meals at Pepper Market in CS work?</B>
When you get to the resturaunt, you are given a paper with a grid on it. When you order items at the different stations the grid is stamped with the item(s) that you ordered. When you check out, hand the paper to the cashier to total your items. (Pay with voucher or regular payment method). There is a 10% gratuity added to the meal purchase rather than the usual 15% This is divided among all the wait staff. If you leave extra tip on the table the waiter gets that themself .

<B>Can my child order off the Adult menu with a kids VKL?</B>
This depends on the resturaunt. Some will allow the child to order an adult appetizer or dessert if there are none on the child's menu. Some do not. Ask before ordering to make sure. Some places change what they allow from week to week. (To make it more fun for us to guess, im sure. )

<B>Do the meal vouchers have a set price for food?</B>
No, the meal vouchers are designed to allow particular food items (ie entree, side dish, drink and dessert) no matter what the cost of the items are. It is up to you to order food items that total more than the cost of the voucher to get the *value* that other posters talk about. You can order 5$ worth of food or > 30$ worth of food as long as the items are listed on the voucher.

Updated: May 09 2004

[Danemom]

Well, I'd say that about covers it!
Great post that should help a lot of people!

[Robinette]

WOW! Great job and thank you for taking the time to put this all together. I have ordered from Connections in the past and just recently joined Hotwire Saving Club. Good experiences with both. The vouchers from Hotwire came in 1 week. I ordered Wednesday immediately after joining online, my credit card was charged Friday and the vouchers arrived in the mail on Tuesday. I think they're a good deal if used at the right restaurants.

[MaMudduck]

Great Job, elfbo!
I hope a mod pins it to the top!!!!!! Please, please,please with sugar on top!

[BethR]

I can't believe the work that you put into this!

Thank you so much! This is definately a service to other posters and is something that I will stick at the top!

[funhouse8]

thanks so much i have been trying to explain all this to my DH now I can just have him read over your post. Great job. Thanks again

[Disney Nick]

Can anyone let me know how good of a deal these things really are?? I mean what does your average meal cost for one of the different meal types (not the most EXPENSIVE meal you can get for that type, but the average). I'm just wondering how good a deal these things are and how often I should be using them.

[jann1033]

thank you thank you thank you!! got lunch and dinner done, on to breakfast!

[Desi]

Disney Nick,
the 11.25 vouchers are a great deal. we went in June, ate at beaches and cream. I paid 56.25 for 5 vouchers. and our bill came
to 105.00 that is without tax and tip.(which are included on the voucher)
so they are a really good deal.

[mara61]

awesome job!! Busy planning a trip for next Feb. and I can never find all of the voucher info. when I want it. Thankyou!!:D

[Blondiex46]

what a great job you did, so my question is where is the cheapest to go to get them. Connections, Lillian Vernon, etc. for all of them

[Blondiex46]

sorry, plus how many did vouchers are their ie Q&C?

thanks