Better Restaurants on DDP?

[Lfive]

What are some of the better restaurants to eat at to maximize the value of the DDP? Any suggestions to get more bang for your buck?

 

[cndnchicky]

I find that Le Cellier is a good deal with the plan. I guess it really depends on what you order. They have amazing steak that I always order and it ends up being a great deal for our family. We often spend 150.00 or more for 2 adults and 3 kids. Another good use is Teppan Edo. HTH!!!!

 

[tnd]

I think the 1 credit places in Epcot's World Showcase are a really good value. We did Tutto Italia, which I didn't love, mostly for some service snafus, the food was good and a very good value for 1 credit. We also did Restaurant Marakesh, which was great and a good 1 credit value.

 

[milmore104]

Coral Reef has great food an a great value for 1 TS credit.

 

[morgy827]

For a CS credit:

Flame Tree BBQ in AK
Cosmic Ray's at MK
Sunshine Seasons in Epcot

For a TS credit:

Le Cellier
Teppan Edo
Chef Mickey's breakfast

 

[kaytieeldr]

The better/best restaurants at which to eat to maximize the value of the Disny Dining Plan are the ones that offer food you enjoy/will eat.

Think about it. How good a value could, say, Tutto Italia possibly be to someone who will not eat Italian food?

 

[colinsdad]

For TS, I have found outstanding value at Le Cellier, Chefs de France, Tutto Italia, Spoodles, Kona Cafe, and Grand Floridian Cafe. It really depends on what you like, but even at Tutto Italia, you can order the $36 Tagliata di Manzo (steak) if you don't like Italian food. Most of the World Showcase restaurants offer great value if you order the "high end" items.

For CS, I have to agree with the other poster and go with Flame Tree (Ribs...Yum), Cosmic Rays (Chicken/Rib Combo is huge!), and Sunshine Seasons in the Land (which is the best CS in all of Disney IMO).

However, I have to say using a TS for Chef Mickey BF is a big mistake.

There is ZERO value in using a TS for ANY Character BF. Think about it. $22.99 for a breakfast buffett or $34.99 for a Filet Mignon, $6.99 for a Creme Brulee and $4 cappacino at Le Celier (And don't forget to pay OOP for the Canadian Chedder Cheese Soup).

If a Character BF is in your plans, by all means use a TS. But just realize you will either break even for the day (if you're lucky) or lose money based on the daily cost of the DDP. Use TS for dinners (especially "real" TS, not a buffet) don't use 2TS for anything, and you will always make out.

 

[Ladybugsy]

Collinsdad, you are right on the money! If you have to have a character meal, do dinner! There are princesses at Akershus, which was quite good on our first trip there last year. Pooh and Friends are at Crystal Palace, which is my dh's favorite. And Mickey and friends are at Garden Grill. I was very surprised by not only how good the food is, but the character interaction at Garden Grill. Pluto took my dd(16) to every table he visited for at least a half hour. She loved it, but was very embarrassed. She had to do the talking and even signed some autographs...lol. She's in love with Pluto now.

 

[SoontobePrincess]

I would agree that Le Cellier would be a good deal for only 1 credit.

 

[dansyr2514]

Yak and Yeti was also a great value.

 

[MissionMouse]

What are some of the better restaurants to eat at to maximize the value of the DDP? Any suggestions to get more bang for your buck?

Use all your tickets and do not do any 2 ticket TS restaurants...

 

[KatMark]

We don't look at the dining plan as the most "bang you can get for your buck". Now maybe this is because we always get the free dining plan. We look for quality food and service and meals that we enjoy. We love LeCellier, Yak & Yeti, Biergarten, Rose & Crown, Crystal Palace, etc. But we also love the Plaza Restaurant which is just salads and sandwiches and cheaper than all of the other establishments we go to. But we always have a great meal (and terrific desserts) and don't care that we're not getting the most "bang for our buck."

 

[Lfive]

We don't look at the dining plan as the most "bang you can get for your buck". Now maybe this is because we always get the free dining plan. We look for quality food and service and meals that we enjoy. We love LeCellier, Yak & Yeti, Biergarten, Rose & Crown, Crystal Palace, etc. But we also love the Plaza Restaurant which is just salads and sandwiches and cheaper than all of the other establishments we go to. But we always have a great meal (and terrific desserts) and don't care that we're not getting the most "bang for our buck."

I will end up eating where I want to, but was curious on which restaurants people found to be the best value when using the DDP so I could see how that worked out with my ADR's and decide whether or not to add the DDP. Right now it is looking pretty much like a wash for me. I do agree with prevous possters that 2 TS credit meals kills the value of your DDP, and those restaurants are unfortunately several of our preferred options.

Thanks for everyones input.