Best value for OOP

[loco4dis]

OK, I'm re-posting this in the right place. (I'm new here, and feel very awkward when posting).

We're going to Disney in late June on a conference rate at CSR. Because of the conference rate, we can't get DDP, which he have had before and loved. Budget considerations mean we'll be eating a lot of CS, sandwiches, pizza, etc., but I want to make two or three reservations, for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It's me, DH, and two DD's, ages 14 and 16. I'm planning to do Sci-Fi for lunch because we haven't done that yet and the girls want to go. What two or three other restaurants do you think offer the best experience for the best price? By the way, on DDP we did Le Cellier (underwhelmed), LTT, Chef Mickey's, and Primetime. We've also done Whispering Canyon. Want to try something new. Thanks!

 

[tinkerbell60]

OK, I'm re-posting this in the right place. (I'm new here, and feel very awkward when posting).

We're going to Disney in late June on a conference rate at CSR. Because of the conference rate, we can't get DDP, which he have had before and loved. Budget considerations mean we'll be eating a lot of CS, sandwiches, pizza, etc., but I want to make two or three reservations, for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It's me, DH, and two DD's, ages 14 and 16. I'm planning to do Sci-Fi for lunch because we haven't done that yet and the girls want to go. What two or three other restaurants do you think offer the best experience for the best price? By the way, on DDP we did Le Cellier (underwhelmed), LTT, Chef Mickey's, and Primetime. We've also done Whispering Canyon. Want to try something new. Thanks!

We were not big fans of Sci Fi - but if it just for the atmosphere it is worth going once. I would recommend checking the menus on All Ears too. Did you do LTT for lunch or dinner? I love it at lunch time and it is reasonably priced. Another recommendation would be the Plaza in MK - reasonable and a nice quiet atmosphere. I would also recommend Kona Cafe at the Poly for lunch.

 

[MousekaMaddi]

ohhhhhhh, please dont feel akward when u post questions!! Were all Disney fans and are here to share!! Post away, and welcome!!
We make a late ressie for Sci Fi for dessert only because the food isnt great. Its edible but dessert is perfect to take in the cute ambiance and enjoy it all.
Kona at the Poly is dynamite for breakfast delish Tonga Toast!! (and great press pot coffee )
I love the animal kingdoms Pizzafari italian mix sub style kinda- panninni -like- sandwich, its great, we always stop there! We get a ceasar salad and a sandwich and we share em, yum! Then theres room for dessert later on.
Beaches and cream is a fun stop too, its next to the Beach club resort, u can go there on a day that u dont want to use a park ticket(arrival or departure day)Game room located right next door!

 

[Airb330]

The Plaza seems to be a good deal. The food is better than CS, but is still sandwiches and such. I'm doing my next trip OOP as well and I think I balanced cheaper TS with some more expensive ones like Coral Reef. When doing OOP, I find the dinner character buffets to be very expensive....I'm not going to eat $27.99 worth of food, nor are my grandparents.

 

[budbeerlady]

We happened in at the plaza one day when I didnt want to go all the way over to WCC. It was great food and something different!

 

[tinkerbell60]

Beaches and Cream IS another good one! They do not take ADRs though. We got there right when they opened (11ish) and were seated right away. That is good for an early lunch!

 

[ElizabethB]

Wolfgang Puck Express at Down Town Disney is great for a counter service meal, if you're going to be at DTD.

In MK, we ate dinner recently at Pecos Bills and thought it was pretty tasty. They have a nice fixings bar with onions, mushrooms, etc.

We ate dinner at Cosmic Ray's in Tomorrowland and didn't like it much. The ribs were fatty and the dessert was inedible.

Other OOP suggestions -- do not order appetizers except at 2TS restaurants. Due to DDP, the 1TS restaurants have greatly reduced the quality and portion size of their appetizers (although this may be changing now that DDP doesn't include appetizers). For example, at Coral Reef recently, we were paying OOP and decided to split the "Surf & Turf" appetizer as a first course. Boy, were we surprised when our $10 appetizer arrived -- it consisted of exactly one tiny piece of meat and two shrimps.

Also, doing dessert at Sci Fi is a good idea. We always have malts and split an order of onion rings. Anything beyond that, and we don't really think the meal is worth it.

As for reasonably priced and good 1TS restaurants, we generally have enjoyed Spoodles and Kona Cafe. We also enjoy Maya Grill -- but we don't order entrees -- just a selection of appetizers and desserts (plus a margarita or two!). The appetizers and desserts still retain something of the Nuevo Latino cuisine that Maya Grill specialized in when it first opened. The entrees are just steaks and chops.

 

[kat3668]

I really enjoyed flame tree in AK it was the best CS I have ever had in the parks (with the exception of the now extinct Tusker house). I'm not a big fan of Prime time and Wolfgang Puck Express... I got sick after eating at both resteraunts on my December trip. Good Luck!

 

[Creekermom]

We enjoyed Spoodles on the Boardwalk when we were in WDW in Sept.
Just make sure you have a way back to your hotel... we thought we could go back the way we came but we have to go to DTD and get another bus to our resort. A little out of the way but oh so worth the experience. Spoodles was very nice and we had our then 4 yr old DD with us and it was appropriate for her to be there too. We enjoyed our dinner.

 

[bnk1120]

Earl of Sandwich is a great value, although it is CS. They have delicious sandwiches as well as soup, fresh salads, fruit and baked goods. Great food and great prices.

 

[Dedejf]

Earl of Sandwich is a great value, although it is CS. They have delicious sandwiches as well as soup, fresh salads, fruit and baked goods. Great food and great prices.

I am in total agreement! Love the All-American there.

 

[Tricia1972]

For the actual financial breakdown a poster on the boards, Robinb, created a spreadsheet to show where the best value was for the DDP. She took the menu items and averaged them to find out the best 'bang for your buck'

Conversely, the worst bang for your buck on the DDP, is close to your best bang paying OOP.

You can find her information here.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1650616

 

[Tikitoi]

Don't feel awkward. But we did SciFi for lunch last month and loved it. Theming should make up for if you are not happy with the food. Although their $4.99 chili app was delish (I believe it was $4.99). Beaches N Cream was another good place that we did for lunch and enjoyed. And WCC is great, IMO. Their skillets are delish and a good value. And you get such variety with them. We've had them for breakfast lunch and dinner. And I agree Earl of Sandwich another great deal for great food. Enjoy!

 

[crisi]

I think one of the best bang for the bucks is Biergarten - its a buffet (which always means plenty of food), the atmosphere is very nice, the food isn't bad. Boma is a similar deal - buffet and the AKL atmosphere can't be beat. Note that I'm a buffetophobic, I don't think the food is great and they are a lot of bother, but I can't quibble with value.

 

[mickey2000]

Earl of Sandwich is a great value, although it is CS. They have delicious sandwiches as well as soup, fresh salads, fruit and baked goods. Great food and great prices.