Best Use of 1 TS credit

[collegejunkie]

I'll have the Deluxe Dining Plan for my next trip. I do lots of signatures, so I'll use up 2 for dinner. I don't really eat breakfast and will have my snack credits if I really want something. What are the best value restaurants for 1 TS? I will likely do at least one character meal, so I know that will work out, but what about non-character TS restaurants? Non-buffets and not in parks, preferably. Thanks!

 

[ChasingLeslie]

Character meals are one of the best uses of a credit.

There are really great choices in DSp, too. Check the menus and see what appeals most to you. I usually recommend Bongos Cuban Cafe. If you like seafood, they have platters for around $45 that are included under the DP...very good use of a credit!

 

[DisBuckMan]

Just look at the menus and pick where you want to eat and don't worry about "value". This is what I perceive as the biggest problem with the DDP...lots of people are more worried about getting value or "their money's worth" rather than simply eating what they want, where they want, and how they want. We stopped getting the dining plan because we don't want to eat the way Disney wants everyone on the plan to eat.

 

[Faldred]

Out of the parks, non-buffet, lunch?

You shouldn't have any problem getting decent value for a DxDP credit between appetizer, entree, drink, and dessert no matter where you go, so don't worry about maximizing the value. (Obviously, using a DxDP credit on CS isn't a good value, but if you're making it up elsewhere, it's ok here and there.)

Any of the 1TS deluxe resort restaurants (possible exception: Beaches and Cream) will be ok on value - Kona, Wave, GF Cafe, etc., but I have to agree with above that Disney Springs may offer the best choices overall. You've got Raglan Road, Wolfgang Puck, Homecoming Kitchen, and then some - lots of good lunch choices.

 

[crabbygal902]

Hmmm, I think I'm pretty darn great at squeezing the pennies from the DDP but you've got me scratching my head on this one.
Lunch/Out of Parks/No buffets

Here's what I came up with:
WP's Grand Cafe at DS
Cali Grill brunch (would take 2 TS credits though)
Maya Grill at CSR
Morimoto at DS

 

[collegejunkie]

Character meals are one of the best uses of a credit.

There are really great choices in DSp, too. Check the menus and see what appeals most to you. I usually recommend Bongos Cuban Cafe. If you like seafood, they have platters for around $45 that are included under the DP...very good use of a credit!

That's a good suggestion. I've never been to Bongos.

Just look at the menus and pick where you want to eat and don't worry about "value". This is what I perceive as the biggest problem with the DDP...lots of people are more worried about getting value or "their money's worth" rather than simply eating what they want, where they want, and how they want. We stopped getting the dining plan because we don't want to eat the way Disney wants everyone on the plan to eat.

It's a little hard not to think about value because it's pre-paid. We've done the plan before, but over much longer trips, so it didn't bother me as much. Some of our old favorites have changed too, like the fact that there's no single surf and turf at Narcoossee's and now it's an upcharge to add the lobster to a steak. I'm not against returning the plan and simply paying out of pocket, but it was booked for the fun of it at first, but now it seems like it might not be worth it.

Out of the parks, non-buffet, lunch?

You shouldn't have any problem getting decent value for a DxDP credit between appetizer, entree, drink, and dessert no matter where you go, so don't worry about maximizing the value. (Obviously, using a DxDP credit on CS isn't a good value, but if you're making it up elsewhere, it's ok here and there.)

Any of the 1TS deluxe resort restaurants (possible exception: Beaches and Cream) will be ok on value - Kona, Wave, GF Cafe, etc., but I have to agree with above that Disney Springs may offer the best choices overall. You've got Raglan Road, Wolfgang Puck, Homecoming Kitchen, and then some - lots of good lunch choices.

That's a good point. I much prefer TS, so the chance of me using a credit on CS is super low. There are certainly some new ones that I should try.

Hmmm, I think I'm pretty darn great at squeezing the pennies from the DDP but you've got me scratching my head on this one.
Lunch/Out of Parks/No buffets

Here's what I came up with:
WP's Grand Cafe at DS
Cali Grill brunch (would take 2 TS credits though)
Maya Grill at CSR
Morimoto at DS

These are great suggestions. I'll take a look at menus!


Thank you, everyone!

 

[matt1979]

Wdwprepschool has a good post where they rank the restaurants in order of value that you get for your credits...worth a look: http://wdwprepschool.com/disney-dining-plan-credits/

 

[Nancyg56]

Just look at the menus and pick where you want to eat and don't worry about "value". This is what I perceive as the biggest problem with the DDP...lots of people are more worried about getting value or "their money's worth" rather than simply eating what they want, where they want, and how they want. We stopped getting the dining plan because we don't want to eat the way Disney wants everyone on the plan to eat.

I agree. The problem with looking for the best value is that you may be getting a bang for your buck but do you like it? Years ago, when I was planning our first family trip back since my own were youngsters, the DDP was a geat value. Appetizer, entree, dessert, beverage and tip. Well, for days I studied every restaurant menu trying to see the most expensive items. Thank God someone on the DIS mentioned value vs taste!!!! I stopped looking at prices and started looking at entrees.

I have not looked back. If. You concentrate on value you will lose what the plan should be giving you. Freedom to eat what you want. It works two ways. For me, it allows me to order anything I want, and I do not find my eyes going back to the chicken. And I get that expensive dessert that by day 3 I would not be allowing myself to spring for.

DisBuckMan is right. If you are concentrating n value you will miss what you want to eat and may wind up buying food based on cost rather than preference.

 

[samsteele]

Tom Bricker at DisneyTouristBlog has some good DDP valued-centred lists re maxing out 1TS restaurants that you should check out.
I wasn't sure from your original post OP if you are just looking at lunch or a few 1TS dinners?
If lunch: consider some of the in-park TS restaurants that have gone to all day menus. Epcot's San Angel Inn, Chefs de France, Tutto Italia & Coral Reef are all very good lunch values. Dis Spring's Homecoming also great value w its all day menu.
If dinner: Dis Spring's Raglan Road (separate dinner menu). Sanaa at Kidani Village. If you like Rainforest Cafe, it can be a very good dinner value on the DP. Be Our Guest dinner at MK is also a very good use of your credit. Don't discount some of the better dinner buffets. Boma is excellent & the dinner buffet is a great use of your credit. Cape May Cafe seafood buffet (dinner only) at Beach Club (quick walk or boat from Epcot) is also a great use of your credit. If you can get great, fresh seafood at home, then it won't be for you. But if you can't, it is worthwhile. Epcot's Biergarten for dinner is also a good use of that 1TS credit.

 

[mrzrich]

We loved Captain's Grille and the Wave. Lots of great choices at Disney Springs as well

 

[collegejunkie]

Thanks, all. I think it may be best to cancel the dining plan. I don't have a problem paying for what I want, but the pre-paid aspect makes me feel more locked down. I can see how it gives some people flexibility, but it's stressing me out a bit because I will feel as though it's money wasted if I don't go out of my way

 

[Faldred]

You know you best. Frankly, I find DxDP much easier to make work from the "value" standpoint without trying too hard to do so (remember you're looking for value on average, so you don't have to maximize every credit - if appetizer/entree/dessert/drink works for you at each meal, you'd have to work hard to not break even at least). Much harder to get a good value on basic DDP or QSDP unless you specifically target max value items.

 

[shortnsassy730]

I don't know about "value", but some of my favorite out of park 1 credit TS options are Raglan Road at Disney Springs, and Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Olivia's at Old Key West, Boma ( I know its a buffet but their breakfast is amazing) at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Sanaa is tough to beat, good food and great atmosphere! I love their bread service and on the deluxe it only counts as one person's app. So the others can order something else and you can taste a little bit of everything!!

 

[LoKiHB]

It's not a buffet, but they do offer an all-you-care-to-enjoy meal brought to your table along with the regular menu, Whispering Canyon Cafe at Wilderness Lodge. The experience and ambiance alone are worth the table credit. Just make sure you ask for ketchup.