Anyone just do counter service meals?

[warriorboy648]

During our trip last summer, we ate mostly at CS restaurants. The kids will only go back if we have a TS meal a day. They want good food on vacation from now on. Why not make some reservations and cancel if they don't work out. That way you will at least have some options.

 

[agentpleakley]

I was kind of thinking the same thing. I have 2 TS reservations for 5 days in the parks (1 for a princess experience at Norway Akershus; 1 just because the 50s PrimeTime Cafe at studios just sounds cool). The rest, I figure, we'll just find something and grab it, for 2 main reasons: (1) a lot less expensive (2 adults & 2 kids, and not on dining plan); and (2) we can plan our daily itineraries around what we want to SEE, and not have to worry about what area of the park to be in at a certain time to be at a pre-reserved restaurant.

Is this such a bad idea?

I sure hope not -- because we are doing the exact same thing in December -- except we are doing CRT, Sci Fi and Ohana. I did a spreadsheet - and it was $200 less than doing the meal plan -- but I agree with you about more time to do what you want -- that is our main reason (and the fact that we were always too stuffed to enjoy the junk food or get a glass of gluwhein in Germany.) --

We've done the DDP 2 years in a row -- this past year, we felt like the DDP ran our itinerary. We want more control and more junk food. I would much rather split a schwarma platter with DH at Tangeriene Cafe and then split a funnel cake later on -- -- if we decide we really miss the DDP -well there's always next year.

when we pay OOP - we always do CS meals. But I hate 'em.
When we have the DDP, we eat healthier food.

On a diet of straight CS, my kids become DESPERATE for something green by the end of a week. They eat all the garnish off the plates, and steal lettuce from the burger fixin' bar.

On straight CS, it's difficult to find anything besides burgers, nuggets and fries.

With the DDP, I can get my very frugal husband to order expensive TS food (which he normally wouldn't buy.) TS meals can be a pain, but with the DDP we are able to eat healthier food.

I have to respectfully disagree a bit with you on this. I think the CS options have truly expanded to where healthy options are available -- I got sushi at Sunshine Seasons -- (yes, we were on the DDP at the time). -- but if you research your options -- there are alot of healthy options for CS too.

 

[Stacy_C]

I agree with you on this point, too. WDW has a HUGE variety of foods when eating CS. You'll find way more than chicken nuggets and cheeseburgers at CHH, Main Street Bakery, Cosmic Ray's, any of Epcot's WS selections, Flame Tree (AK), etc. I really could go on and on about how easy it is to find something other than hot dogs and fries at WDW.

 

[phisigprincess]

Before the DDP, we've always done only CS. My parents are actually shocked that we're going to get to do sit down meals. As PPs mentioned, the selections are so much better for CS in WDW now that you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[SGMCO]

We have done only CS in the past and found it worked
very well and the food choices were many.
On our last 2 WDW trips we have gotten Free Dining and
have done the TS thing. If I didn't have the FD I would not
hesitate to eat at only CS restaurant--it save money, time and
they have a large variety.
You can check out a list of menus for CS restaurants online
and have an idea of what they offer before going to the Parks.
Have a fun trip!!!

 

[Tricia1972]

I have to respectfully disagree a bit with you on this. I think the CS options have truly expanded to where healthy options are available -- I got sushi at Sunshine Seasons -- (yes, we were on the DDP at the time). -- but if you research your options -- there are alot of healthy options for CS too.

I have to agree with you here. I am currently going through all of the parks and getting the CS menus into a Word Document for our upcoming trip. (Doing a park a day - hopefully I finish in the next week)

Yesterday was Animal Kingdom and here are the menus. Let them speak for themselves.

Flame Tree BBQ
Animal Kingdom
Counter Service​

Menu Date: January 2008

Flame Tree Favorites
All meat seasoned with special Flame Tree Special BBQ Rub​

1/2 Slab of St. Louis Ribs served with baked beans and corn muffin - $8.99
Smoked 1/2 Chicken served with baked beans and corn muffin - $7.99
Beef or Pork Sandwich served with baked beans $7.29

Chilled Offerings ​

Smoked Turkey Breast Sandwich - sliced turkey breast served on a multi-grain bun with cole slaw $7.29
Mixed Green Salad with Barbecue Chicken -- crisp greens and tomato with balsamic vinaigrette dressing in a toasted garlic shell $7.19; without chicken $5.19
Fruit Plate - seasonal sliced fruit plate served with honey yogurt $6.99

Side Orders ​

Cole Slaw - $1.69
Corn Muffin $2.29
French Fries - $3.49
Onion Rings - $3.79

Desserts ​

Minute Maid Frozen Lemonade - $2.99
Key Lime Pie - $3.59
Chocolate Cake - $3.59

Beverages ​

Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Minute Maid Light Lemonade, Iced Tea $2.09/$2.39
Animal Topper Sports Bottle $6.79
Bottled Water $1.25 and $2.00
Nescafe Coffee $1.89
Hot Tea - $1.89
Hot Cocoa - $1.69
Bud Light - $5.25
Safari Amber Specialty Brew - $5.75
Wine: Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Merlot $6.10

For Guests Ages 3-9
All meals include choice of 2 sides: grapes, carrot sticks, applesauce or fruit punch gelatin
Choice of: 1% milk, Small Bottled Water or Apple Juice​

Baked Chicken Wings $4.49
Hot Dog $4.49
Chocolate Chip Cookie or Soft Drink substituted upon request.

Harambe Fruit Market
Animal Kingdom
Kiosk​

Menu Date: January 2008​

Pineapple Bites $3.99
Apples and Caramel $3.49
Grapes $3.29
Watermelon $2.29
Fruit Cup $2.99
Grapefruit $1.39
Orange $0.99
Apple $0.99
Banana $0.99
Fruit and Cheese Plate $5.49
Celery and Carrot Sticks $3.89
Soft Pretzel $3.29
Cheese Sauce $0.99
Assorted Chips $2.39
Pickle $1.19
Minute Maid Juices $2.39
Powerade $2.35
Bottled Water 24 oz. $2.00; 12 oz. $1.25
Bottled Beverages $1.89
Minute Maid Frozen Lemonade $3.29

Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery

Animal Kingdom
Kiosk​

Menu Date: January 2008​

Assorted Pastries, Muffins, Bagels, Cookies and Cakes $1.79 - $3.99
Fruit Cup $2.99
Yogurt $1.99
Nescafe Coffee $1.89
Hot Tea - Assorted Flavors $1.89
Nestle Hot Cocoa $1.69
Espresso $2.69
Double Espresso $3.69
Cappuccino $3.19
Double Cappuccino $4.19
Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite, Nestea Iced Tea, Minute Maid Light Lemonade $2.09 & $2.39
Minute Maid Orange Juice $2.39
Minute Maid Apple Juice $2.39
Bottled Water 24 oz. $2.00; 12 oz. $1.25

Pizzafari
Animal Kingdom
Counter Service​

This restaurant has been themed beautifully! Be sure to visit all the different rooms and explore the walls and ceilings. Themed rooms include: Home Room, Nocturnal Room, Upside Down Room, Camouflage Room, Four Seasons Room, Bug Room.
Kosher Menu Available upon Request.​

Menu Date: January 2008​

PIZZA​

Pepperoni Pizza - $6.09
Cheese Pizza - $5.79

SPECIALTIES​

Caesar Salad with Chicken - $7.19
Hot Italian Style Sandwich with Grapes or Chips - Turkey, ham, Swiss and Provolone Cheese topped with Caesar salad and pesto marinated tomatoes - $7.09
Chicken Parmesan Sandwich served on a multi-grain bun with grapes or chips $7.19
Breadsticks - Basket of fresh baked breadsticks topped with cheese and served with marinara sauce - $3.99
Add a side Caesar salad with any entree - $2.59

​

KIDS' PICKS For Guests 9 & Under
All meals served with choice of 2 sides Grapes, Carrot Sticks, Applesauce or Fruit Punch Gelatin Choice of Beverage: 1% Mickey Milk, small bottled water, or apple juice ​

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich - $4.49
Spaghetti and Meatballs - $4.49
Chocolate Chip Cookie or Soft Drink substituted upon request

​

DESSERTS​

Apple Pie $3.59
Minute Maid Frozen Lemonade Cup - $2.99
Minute Maid Frozen Strawberry Lemonade Cup - $2.99
Chocolate Cake $3.59

​

BEVERAGES​

Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Gold Peak Iced Tea, Minute Maid Light Lemonade, Orange Soda - $2.09 & $2.39
Animal Topper Sports Bottle - $6.79
Refill $.93
Bottled Water - $2.00; $1.25
Coffee or Hot Tea - $1.89
Hot Cocoa $1.69
Budweiser Draft - $5.25
Safari Amber Specialty Brew - $5.75
Wine (pinot grigio, chardonnay, merlot) $6.10

Restaurantosaurus
Animal Kingdom
Counter Service​

Menu Date: January 2008​

Dino-Size Double Cheeseburger - burger and fries $7.09
Cheeseburger with fries $6.09
Add Bacon $0.79
Hot Dogosaurus - hot dog with fries $5.79
McDonald's 10 Chicken McNuggets with fries $8.49
McDonald's Happy Meal includes four chicken McNuggets, apple dippers, a toy and choice of small bottled water or apple juice $4.49 -- Fries and soft drink available upon request.
Mandarin Chicken Salad - Fresh greens and Mandarin oranges tossed in a Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette Dressing $7.19
Vegetarian Burger with Fries - $6.29
Strawberry Shortcake $3.59
Brownie $2.39
Fruit Punch Gelatin $1.19
Sodas - Coke, Sprite, Diet Coke, Gold Peak Tea, Barq's Root Beer, Minute Maid Light Lemonade $2.09 & $2.39
Coffee and Tea $1.89
Hot Cocoa $1.69
Minute Maid Orange or Apple Juice - $2.39
Bottled Water - $2.00/$1.25
Bud Light $5.25
Safari Amber $5.75

Safari Coffee

Animal Kingdom
Kiosk​

Menu Date: January 2008​

Shade Grown Espresso $2.69; Double $3.69
Shade Grown Cappuccino $3.19; Double $4.19
Nescafe Coffee $1.89
Frozen Carbonated Beverages $3.29
Assorted Pastries $1.59 - $2.99
Fruit Cup $2.99
Yogurt Cup $1.99
Minute Maid Apple or Orange Juice - $2.39
Bottled Water $1.25 and $2.00
Powerade $2.35
Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Minute Maid Lemonade, Fanta Orange $2.09
- Served in Animal Topper Sports Bottle $6.79; refill $0.93

​

Tamu Tamu Refreshments
Africa - Animal Kingdom
Kiosk​

Menu Date: October 2007​

​

Chef's Salad - $7.49
Turkey, Ham or Tuna Sandwich on a multi-grain roll - served with carrots $6.49
Assorted Chips - $2.39
Soda Floats Your Choice of Beverage - $3.69
Sundae - Hot fudge or strawberry $3.79
Soft Serve Ice Cream - Chocolate, Vanilla or Swirl served in cup $2.89 or waffle cone $3.79
Smoothies made with yogurt - Strawberry Banana, Tropical Fruit or Cappuccino $3.99
Sodas - Coke, Caffeine Free Diet Coke, Sprite, Barq's Root Beer, Minute Maid Light Lemonade $2.09
Dasani Bottled Water $1.25/$2.00
Animal Topper Sports Bottle $6.79
Animal Topper Sports Bottle Refill $.93

Yak and Yeti Counter Service
Anandupur Local Food Cafes​

Menu Date: January 2008​

Sweet and Sour Pork $9.99
Shrimp Lo Mein $10.99
Crispy Honey Chicken $8.99
Kung Pao Beef $10.99
Mandarin Chicken Salad $7.99
Pork Egg Rolls $3.29
Chicken Fried Rice $3.99
Chocolate Cake $3.59
Mango Mini Pie $3.59
Frozen Lemonade $2.99
Chocolate Chip Cookie $2.99

​

Kids' Picks
All meals include choice of 2 side items: Carrot Sticks, Applesauce, Fruit Punch Gelatin or Chicken Fried Rice. Choice of 15 Mickey Milk, Small Bottled Water or Apple Juice ​

Cheeseburger $4.99
Chicken Bites $4.99
Pork Egg Roll $4.99
Chocolate Chip Cookie, French Fries or Soft Drink upon request

​

Beverages​

Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Iced Tea, Lemonade, Barq's Root Beef $2.09 and $2.39
Fruit Punch $2.09 and $2.39
Animal Topper Sports Bottle $6.79
Bottled Water $1.25 and $2.00
Bud Light $4.75 and $5.75
Safari Amber $5.25 and $6.25



At every location there is at least something that's green or healthy. Similar to eating at any TS, the choice to eat healthy is just that - a choice made from the menu. It's as easy to make unhealthy decisions at TS locations as it is CS locations.

 

[Native NYer]

While I do not like CS in the MK, it isn't bad at the other parks. Do what works best for your family. If you want to make the most out of your time, don't schedule too many ADRs. Have you considered doing a character meal in the MK or Epcot for lunch?

 

[ZoZo]

Last October, we had 7 days in the parks and only three or four TS meals. As others have said, it's less expensive, less time-consuming, and provides more flexibility in your schedule (you're not scheduling all of your activities around ADRS!). But we go to the Food and Wine Festival pretty much every day, too, so we can graze around the booths -- a nice addition to CS offerings.

You never know - you might find some good restaurant options you might not have otherwise tried! We had a great "find" on our last trip - Tambu Lounge at the Poly. Great food (the lettuce wraps were to die for!), great price, and they don't take reservations because it's a bar. It's one of my new favorites.