Best DVC resort for CS food?

[PHXscuba]

I'd like to hear about the food choices at the various DVC resorts. I can see us eating CS at the resort three or four times in our 8-night stay and want to be sure there's something for us and our 4 kids ages 6-15.

We have been considering an All-Star Music Family Suite, but running the numbers it might only be about $100 more per night to stay in a 2-bedroom Villa with the right discounts. That $800 more would buy us a living room, a full kitchen, a nice pool area (saving $300 not going to a waterpark), etc.

BUT, one of the things I liked, looking the All-Stars, was a big food court with lots of choices. As I look at the various Villas, some don't seem to have much CS food at the resorts or an EASY walk away.

Can someone run down some great CS option at the DVC resorts?

Thanks,
PHXscuba

 

[toocherie]

SSR has a great CS but only one--but DTD is just a boat ride away with Earl of Sandwich, the take-out next to Raglan Road, etc.

Boardwalk and Beach Club have the walk up services on the Boardwalk (not to mention Epcot World Showcase right next door!)

 

[AKLFan3]

I agree, for a wide variety of food, BWV or BC are the best options. AKV and VWL both have counter service but it is just one CS restaurant at each resort. They're both very good!

 

[com_op_2000]

AK has Mara, it has a big seating area and multiple checkout lines.
VWL has the one from WL, it is smaller and is a walk from VWL to the CS.
I agree with SSR and DTD having the most options.
When staying at OKW, I drive over to pick-up CS take-out from Dixie Landings at least once a stay.

 

[PHXscuba]

I like the idea of Beach Club (especially for Stormalong Bay) or Boardwalk. Although we will be going in the middle of Food and Wine so I don't know if we can even get a 2-bedroom unit then.

My best friend stayed at SSR last spring and really liked it. She is the one really nudging me to at least consider a DVC rental vs. the Family Suite. I am still not sure if the walking-distance options at the Villas are as good as an on-site food court after a long day in the park with little legs.

Part of my cost-comparison problem is that I can't get a quote from the official Disney website for DVC units. Is it because I'm almost a year out (mid-October 2011)? I am going to look into renting points but I don't even have a starting point right now.

PHXscuba

 

[spiceycat]

none of the deluxe have the food courts that the values or moderates do.

Disney expects you to eat in their restuarants if you can afford deluxe.

that say - grocery deliver is great - or going yourself to a grocery store. You will save money and your kids will be happy. You can get stuff from the grocery store all done - you just need to put in the oven or microwave (these cost more)

now my favorite is BLT - it has a decent QS and it is monrail ride away from Polyn and it also has a decent QS

Maria was too greasy for my taste. that say loved BOMA's - especially for breakfast.

 

[jcemom]

Personally, I did not like the CS options at BWV and BCV. At BWV you have the Boardwalk Bakery, which is really good, but has pretty limited choices. At BCV the Marketplace was even more limited, and I often found myself running into Epcot or around the lake to the Bakery. (It's great to be close enough to Epcot to do that, but after a week I was thoroughly exhausted, lol.) BCV also has the place by the pool, which has yummy burgers, but again, very limited choices.

At AKV the Mara is great -- *IF* you're at Jambo. That's a long way to go from Kidani. Kidani has stuff at the pool bar, but it's not included on the DDP.

WL's CS place is a long hike. Ditto for OKW, unless you're nearby you'll need to drive or take the bus. I haven't stayed at SSR, or BLT. I'm not sure how far a walk it is from BLT to the CR, but the CR's CS place is pretty darn good.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I really like the food selections at Roaring Fork at WL.

 

[hakepb]

Based on my few experienced, AKV seems best.
BWV with the food stands and pizza window has a decent amount of cash quick service options, but the food stands and pizza window are not part of the DDP. (Although a walk to EPCOT can get you some of the best CS options on property)

 

[robertdangelo]

At BCV you have Huricane Hanna's at SAB and Beaches & Cream as well as the Marketplace. Another option is going to EPCOT and eating at Sunshine Seasons food court at the Land pavilion. This food court is comparable to the ones at the value resorts.

At BLT, the Contempo Cafe is a good QS option. We enjoyed Roaring Forks at VWL too.

 

[nolanboys]

I like the idea of Beach Club (especially for Stormalong Bay) or Boardwalk. Although we will be going in the middle of Food and Wine so I don't know if we can even get a 2-bedroom unit then.

My best friend stayed at SSR last spring and really liked it. She is the one really nudging me to at least consider a DVC rental vs. the Family Suite. I am still not sure if the walking-distance options at the Villas are as good as an on-site food court after a long day in the park with little legs.

Part of my cost-comparison problem is that I can't get a quote from the official Disney website for DVC units. Is it because I'm almost a year out (mid-October 2011)? I am going to look into renting points but I don't even have a starting point right now.

PHXscuba

You are too far out to get quotes from the Disney site. OKW and SSR will be the most economical. I think you need to wait until you are 11 mo out, but I could be wrong. We stayed in DVC units before we bought, and there is a huge price jump, even with discounts, to the other DVC properties. If you do decide to stay, we often get groceries delivered from Garden Grocer and do light meals in our room using the kitchen. You will also love having laundry on unit with little ones - saves big on packing.

 

[jamn]

The CS at SSR is great, but being so close to DTD you have a lot of options and the walk will help build an appetite and even burn some of those calories. Although I don't recommend it for others I consider a Ghirardelli Hot Fudge Sundae a perfectly fine lunch or dinner option.

 

[Hopefully]

I agree with a PP, None of the deuxe resorts or DVC Villas have food courts the size and with the choices of the Values. If that is a primary criteria for you, you will be disappointed.
We own at BCV and I think the choices at the Marketplace, while really good, are very limited. As someone said, most of the QS places on the Boardwalk do not take the DDP if you are doing the dining plan. However, if you are paying OOP, there are the Boardwalk choices, as well as choices at the Swan and Dolphin. But all of these are more of a walk than to the Food Court at a Value Resort.
We always have groceries delivered from wegoshop.com and use our Villa kitchen. We do not "cook big meals in", but we always do breakfast in the Villa. This is much easier and much cheaper than eating out. We have drinks and snacks, and you can choose to have whatever meets your needs and lifestyle delivered directly to your Villa. It is much cheaper than shopping in the resort store.
If you are looking to rent for mid October 2011, this is the time to be searching for an owner. While you will not find the prices on the Disney web site yet, owners can reserve units 11 months in advance. So reservations for next October are already being taken.
Good Luck.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

OKW and SSR would be a good choice. There is a walkway from SSR to DTD or you can take a bus. Once you leave the resort OKW is only a 5 minute ride from DTD. I bring a crock pot though and put my meal together in the am. Then when we go back to our room at the end of the day it is all ready. Garden Grocer charges $12 for a grocery delivery. Be forwarned though once you stay at a dvc going back to a value may be hard.

 

[NewDCLGuy]

In very surprised by the answers so far. We find the CSoptions at BWV/BCV extremely limited.it the biggest downside to those resorts IMO.

We end up going to other resorts for CS. CBR's is great.

 

[88golf88]

Another vote for BLT!!! Not a far walk to CR either. Added benefit of Villa is the kitchen, go shopping and you will be surprised and what you can save in $$ and time every day.

 

[puntagordabob]

Personal favorite is BLT @ CR.... Contempo Cafe is my favorite CS

 

[TLSnell1981]

Part of my cost-comparison problem is that I can't get a quote from the official Disney website for DVC units. Is it because I'm almost a year out (mid-October 2011)? I am going to look into renting points but I don't even have a starting point right now.

PHXscuba

I'm not sure, but Disney probably doesn't have the rates available yet. As far as being able to rent a 2 BR...if you rent/book 11 months out, you have a good chance of getting it. David's Rentals seems to be a pretty good place to rent points.

Good luck! A rental is what prompted us to become owners.

Another vote for BLT!!! Not a far walk to CR either. Added benefit of Villa is the kitchen, go shopping and you will be surprised and what you can save in $$ and time every day.

I totally agree!

OP, we rarely eat out, at our resort, because we have a kitchen and can have whatever our heart desires (love the Garden Grocer)! We do love the Boardwalk Bakery and the Pizza counter, but Boulangerie and Sommerfest are our favorites. Also, World Showcase has many wonderful place to dine and are but a few minutes away.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

We love the counter service at AKL Jambo

 

[Lexxiefern]

We almost always stay at BCV and BWV and I don't think either place is good for CS meals. If I am hungry I don't want to be bothered going in to Epcot to get lunch / dinner unless it was planned. The food they both have is good, but as stated extremely limited.

SSR and AKV have very good CS options. We are staying at OKW in a couple weeks and are doing the Quick service DP. We plan to take the boat to SSR and DTD and use our meals at Wolfgang Puck (which is awesome!) and Earl of Sandwich. We also may drive to POR or CBR which have great foodcourts since they are mods.