Best restaurants NOT on the dining plan

[djs7685]

We won't be able to use any dining credits on the last day of our split stay so we're looking for some new options than what we're used to. We always use the DDP for every vacation whether it's within the free promotion or not and also never do split stays like this so this is probably the only time we'll ever eat at non-DDP restaurants.

V&A is an option for us but we're not 100% sure that we want to take up that much time for a single meal on the last day of our trip.

Shula's is another place that's high on my list and I'm strongly considering it for our dinner that night but I honestly don't know of many other non-DDP dinners that are highly rated.

Fountain or D-Luxe Burger are on my list for potential lunch spots but again I'm not sure if other "better" options exist.

We aren't the type to do legitimate fine dining so I'd like more options in case we end up ruling out V&A soon. We love the food at so many park/resort DDP eligible places but we've either already eaten at each one or plan to within the next year or two on other trips so I'd like to exclusively keep the options at anything that's currently a non-DDP eligible restaurant.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

What is "legitimate fine fining"?

 

[msb578]

We enjoyed bluezoo. I’d recommend trying it.

 

[djs7685]

What is "legitimate fine fining"?

Sorry I was talking about V&A with that. We're doing California Grill, Narcoossee's, Yachtsman, Jiko, and other sigs during our stay but we aren't 100% certain that we want to do the entire V&A experience or not.

 

[Pygoplites]

Other than V&A, I think Bull & Bear (Waldorf Astoria), Capa (Four Seasons), and bluezoo/Il Mulino (Swan/Dolphin) are the best restaurants not on DDP...and better than just about every restaurant on the plan. I've been to all a number of times, except Capa. However, one of the top executive chefs at WDW told me Capa is his favorite restaurant. Bull & Bear is the best steakhouse in the area BY FAR...totally outclasses Yachtsman, Shula's, Le Cellier, etc.

 

[gharter]

Looking forward to Bluezoo this fall.
Also like Il Mulino.
Haven't tried Shulas so can't compare.
I fyou enjoy fine dining, V&A is a must do. Its not a meal, it is a dining adventure. Loved it all 3 times.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Unless you want to go offsite (usually to Bonnet Creek area or to the Four Seasons), only the Swan/Dolphin restaurants and V&A are not on the dining plan.

De-Luxe Burger at Disney Springs does take the dining plan (quick service credits).

 

[Shellyred8]

Why won't you be able to use any of your dining credits on the last day of your split stay?

 

[djs7685]

Why won't you be able to use any of your dining credits on the last day of your split stay?

The first 4-5 nights of our trip is a package with deluxe dining and our park tickets @ All Star Sports and then we're switching to the Yacht Club for the last 2 nights. It's a room only reservation so we'll be able to stretch out our deluxe credits to the 1st day of the Yacht Club stay but they'll expire that night so we'll be paying OOP on the 2nd day.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

IMHO, anything at Swan/Dolphin is a good bet and you can typically get day-of reservations by either calling the resort directly or going on opentable.com. We really like bluezoo, Kimono's and Il Mulino. None of these will cost as much as Shula's or V&A. You may also want to consider eating at the Four Seasons or even the Waldorf (you could cab/uber/lyft over). They both have good restaurants none of which are on the DDP.