Always done DP, thinking of just doing QS this time. Mistake???

[My2QTs]

Anyone have an opinion about this? im thinkin about downgrading, but then I think abt all the great restaurants we wont get to do this time around if we just do QS. The difference in price is only about $400 for eight days for the four uf (total), and I just dont know if its worth it to drop the table services. Anyone do the QS and was completely happy with it? After doing the DP with table service in a prior trip? Ughhh...decisions, decisoin.

ps..there are plenty of great quick service options so Im thinking it wont be so bad. Am I wrong???

 

[3pletprincesses]

With only 1 snack on the plan, it's harder to make the plan worth while. Many have said that OOP is the way to go if only wanting to do QS. I for one would not be able to do the QS. I can't imagine having ast food twice a day for a week .I much prefer having a TS as I get bored really easy with fast food.

 

[icc2515]

My suggestion would be to get the reg dining plan. You are already questioning your decision. You said you have done the reg dining plan before and you obviously liked the TS places you went. Like you said it's only about $400 and you are going on vacation, you might as well enjoy yourself. Myself, I would rather drop a day than give up the TS.

Either way I am sure you will have a great time. Let us know what you decide.

 

[MinnieTink]

It depends. We usually do DDP also. We did QS a couple years ago and really loved the freedom of having none-or very few- ADRs to plan around. It was a very relaxing trip! And you are right, there are many good choices so you definitely would not be eating burgers and chicken nuggets every day. Wolfgang Puck Express is a great example of good food on QS.

That said, if you are really going to miss having a daily TS then $400 doesn't seem like too steep of an increase!

 

[goofyintoronto]

With only 1 snack on the plan, it's harder to make the plan worth while. Many have said that OOP is the way to go if only wanting to do QS. I for one would not be able to do the QS. I can't imagine having ast food twice a day for a week .I much prefer having a TS as I get bored really easy with fast food.

I agree with this 100%. I cannot imagine doing QS for every meal. The restaurants at Disney is something i look fwd to (as much as the parks), cause the restaurants are quite unique! Part of the fun is dining at disney. You have much healthier/more options with TS restaurants. There's only a handful of decent healthy QS places unfortunately. I personally cannot eat burgers every day. I'd go with the DP. A nice sit down meal once a day is a nice break for everyone.

 

[AdWayInc]

I am curious too....

 

[disneychic2]

I'll know better after our trip this April as we are going QS for the first time. It does make me a bit nervous, but I do like the idea of the freedom it will afford. And there are CS places that I absolutely love and wish to try several of the items on the menu. Don't forget Earl of Sandwich is on the plan and they have yummy breakfast items as well as their awesome sandwiches. Columbia Harbor House in MK has the feel of a TS more so than many other CS places. And WP Express is great as well. Don't sweat your choice too much. Just go with whatever feels right to you and enjoy your trip! Good luck!

 

[neffernie]

$400 Just think of all the things you could do with that money and the time you would save waiting for an ADR or going to it! You could rent a boat, go parasailing, the Richrd petty Driving thing, 40 rounds of minigolf...

We've done the QS plan before and didn't have a problem with it. I don't think I ate a burger at all that week. DD ate so many half chicken meals though that we still tease her about it.

The key is to find places with varied menus. For example: Sunshine Season in Epcot has some great salads and fresher options. Tangerine Cafe in Morrocco is one of my favs. WPE in DDT was great and has yummy creme brulee for dessert. Capt Cooks at the Poly has a grown-up grilled cheese I enjoyed very much. So it is possible to eat well on the plan without the TS. You could still book your favs OOP if you miss them.

 

[tink20]

Anyone have an opinion about this? im thinkin about downgrading, but then I think abt all the great restaurants we wont get to do this time around if we just do QS. The difference in price is only about $400 for eight days for the four uf (total), and I just dont know if its worth it to drop the table services. Anyone do the QS and was completely happy with it? After doing the DP with table service in a prior trip? Ughhh...decisions, decisions.

ps..there are plenty of great quick service options so Im thinking it wont be so bad. Am I wrong???

We did QS the last time and it was fine. It was free and 2 snacks were included. You could always book one nice TS dinner (OOP) one night. I just don't see the value in the DP anymore, if I use it, it will be because its free. But that's because DS just turned 10, and is an adult now, we wouldn't get our money's worth with him (he doesn't eat alot) It was nice though not being tied down to ADRs.

 

[Hopefully]

It would not work for us. We value our TS down time each day, to say nothing about the great food.
I would not do it, just me

 

[B-Ride]

My wife would refuse to go if I even suggested it and I admit the rest of us feel pretty much the same way. The first thing the kids say to me each day when we get up is "where are we eating tonight?".

We have no problem finding enough places for lunch but twice a day would not work. We also like the chance to relax once a day.

I say if you can afford it then do it. I certainly wouldn't blow it on 40 rounds of mini-golf. (No offence to PP who was obviously kidding).

 

[ThinkTink09]

Our last trip we booked with the QSDP. Having done the DDP the 2 trips prior, we were looking forward to having no ADRs and having the chance to try new QS locations. Though we had a lot of good meals, and did not feel that we were "stuck" eating the same thing everyday, I found that I missed our TS meals.. quite a lot actually. I really didn't think I would, but the break/relaxation factor that a TS gives to a day lends to a much more enjoyable vacation - for me anyway.

I'm glad I tried the QSDP, but don't plan on using it again...especially now that there is only 1 snack credit per day...just doesn't seem worth it.

 

[jacksmom]

Hi! We are DVC members and have always done DDP! But on our past T'Giving trip we were out of points and stayed at the Swan! We planned for a budget trip and did eat CS meals! We were there 5 days and CS worked out okay! We ate EOS twice! It was great as usual! We did also eat off site at Sweet Tomatoes x1 and loved it as usual! We will be going back to DDP for our June trip though! So, for a shorter trip I would think CS meals would be fine, but for a longer trip I would miss DDP!

 

[dworldlovers]

We were just at Beach Club in Jan. and had DDP (free). We've done DDP on previous trips, both free and paid for. For the 3 of us, the DDP works very well. Not having to dig into your pocket and pay at each meal is worth it to us. I made ADR months in advance and we ate at some wonderful places, but you do have to plan your park visits accordingly. Transportation to and from, as well as clothing changes have to be planned out as well!! We are Disney veterans, so don't mind taking time out for TS meals-it is relaxing after a busy day!! CS meals are very good around the parks and portions are quite ample and no, I don't think you have to have burgers at every meal!
The DDP is also alot of food!!

 

[summermac]

I don't think I could stomach QS for every meal the entire trip. Although there are some good QS that IMO are more like TS, such as WPE in DTD.

Perhaps you could go without a dining plan altogether and make 3-4 ADRs, trying for lunch. We have 4 ADRs for our upcoming trip which are:

Saturday, Kona dinner
Sunday, none
Monday - Akershus lunch
Tuesday, Crystal Palace breakfast
Wednesday - SciFi lunch
Thursday/Friday - none

 

[helpmejenny]

we have done both dining plan options and to be honest the qs was just fine. we picked a couple of ts meals that were must haves and paid oop for those couple. but it really no big deal. we also had f&w options in epcot. and by the way... i think only had a burger maybe twice out of two weeks. disney isn't just fast food. there are tons of options. $400 is alot of money to most people. i would rather have that extra money to play around with.

 

[max'sdad]

We did the QS plan last trip after doing the regular plan the previous trip. If you pick the right places (Sunshine Seasons, Wolfgang Puck Express, Starring Rolls, Flame Tree Barbeque), you can get some great non-burger meals. For us the big advantage (along with not having to pay tips at table service) was having more time to tour the parks. But it all depends on what you value, the experience of a nice, sit-down meal or the ease and flexibility of counter service.

This year we're going to mix it up and do OOP, since our son is 10 and there's no way I'm paying for an adult plan for him. Frankly, I think the dining plan has reached the point that it's no longer a cost saving, but simply a convenience. I'm looking forward to tracking our dining expenses and seeing how we come out compared to the cost of the dining plan.

 

[disbis]

Yes I know what you mean and there are some interesting points made above.

I like planning my TS meals, part of the holiday and they are always good. It also means older children/teens can choose what they want from the menu in terms of cost.

That said not being tied in to TS meals does give you more freedom particularly if you are heading out for the day - we really like the Olive Garden and I have always wanted to try Bahama Breeze - the biggest negative is after a TS we are too full to go to Ghirardelli's. So swings and roundabouts.

 

[job09]

Some good choices on the counter service plan:

Wolfgang Express has salmon, Chicken Alfredo, fresh pizzas, breakfast pizzas

Sunshine Station: great salads, great desserts

Cafe Tangiene: shwarma plate, falafels, lamb wraps

Bakery in France: ham and cheese bagettes, quiche and strawberry tarts.

Colombia House in MK has great fried shrimp baskets.