DDP or QSDP?

[spgoad]

Hey all,

I'm working on planning a WDW trip Jan 1st - Jan 7th (thanks to some great advice here in the forums). The free dining promotion is going on then, so I want to get at least the QSDP. What I'm wondering is what people's thoughts are on the DDP vs. the QSDP with booking happening in the next couple weeks. I'm wondering if trying to do TS meals is going to disrupt what we want to do because of reservations, and also if it would be difficult to get ADRs now to use those TS meals at the good places. I feel like QS would be more flexible, but probably not as much food and not as relaxing.

Also, I'm wondering if having the two snack credits with the QSDP would help us in handling breakfast at the resort (we are probably going to be at All-Star movies).

So, I guess, just in general... what are your thoughts on DDP vs QSDP?

Thanks!

 

[Jacks2583]

I am REALLY looking forward to all the TS meals, so I can't imagine going with anything but the DDP. I think it depends on the family and the type of trip you are looking for. TS require a little more planning (ADRs) and time, but you get more (and sometimes better?) food.

 

[ccgirl]

Getting TS ressies at the popular places could be difficult. Snack credits could definitely help you with breakfasts. You would be very surprised what a snack credit can be used for - the small cereal boxes with milk, a large cinnamon bun at MK (can be split by 2 people), muffins, etc. If you would not eat at least 1 TS meal a day it may not be for you. Plus, the QS includes the refillable mugs. Where do you plan on staying? The QS is included at the values as free dining. You can upgrade to the TS plan for $10 per night per adult. If you are staying moderate or above you have to take the TS plan - you cannot downgrade as far as I am aware. Not sure if you are travelling with children or not. My DS2 does not do well at most TS restaurants.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[tony67]

I prefer the QSDP for a few reasons.

I am not thrilled with the quality of TS food for the most part.
I feel like we are tipping on food that is overpriced to make the DDP look like a better value than it is.
I do not like planning where I will eat 180 days from now.
I was surprised by how good the QS food can be as long as you do the research and know where to eat.
I like having the two snacks and the refillable mug.
I like the flexibility of paying OOP if I really want a sit down meal, and I can eat at places not on the DDP like Blue Zoo.
With QSDP you can use you credit at WPE in the marketplace for a “sit down” meal.

For breakfast I usually bring some breakfast bars, but I have heard of lots of people use the snacks for breakfast items.

If you want a breakfast one day you can always go to main Street bakery.
I know the food court in the CSR had omelets with a QS credit.


I found it to be more than enough food and was surprised by how good some of the desserts were.
Many of the desserts were as good or better than desserts I have had in TS locations.

 

[squirrel]

I think it depends on a few things:

Have you been to WDW before?
Have you done the DDP before?
How long is your trip?

If it's your first trip and it's not very long 7 nights or less, then I would stick with the QSDP and book 2-3 TS meals out of pocket (should still be less then upgrading to DDP).

If you have been before and had the DDP, then it's usually harder to go to the QSDP, unless you didn't like the scheduling of meals.

Before the DDP came out we went for a 5 night stay at WDW and did 3 TS meals. We probably could have done less, but I wanted to try out some of the character meals.

 

[Alesia]

I prefer the QSDP for a few reasons.

I am not thrilled with the quality of TS food for the most part.
I feel like we are tipping on food that is overpriced to make the DDP look like a better value than it is.
I do not like planning where I will eat 180 days from now.
I was surprised by how good the QS food can be as long as you do the research and know where to eat.
I like having the two snacks and the refillable mug.
I like the flexibility of paying OOP if I really want a sit down meal, and I can eat at places not on the DDP like Blue Zoo.
With QSDP you can use you credit at WPE in the marketplace for a “sit down” meal.

For breakfast I usually bring some breakfast bars, but I have heard of lots of people use the snacks for breakfast items.

If you want a breakfast one day you can always go to main Street bakery.
I know the food court in the CSR had omelets with a QS credit.


I found it to be more than enough food and was surprised by how good some of the desserts were.
Many of the desserts were as good or better than desserts I have had in TS locations.

I agree completely.

 

[Sienna]

Tony67 summed it all up for me. We debated between the QSDP and the regular DDP, but ended up going with the QSDP and were totally satisfied with it. Probably the main reason we went with the QSDP is because we didn't want to deal with having to make reservations for all of the TS restaurants. Bottom line is that we didn't want to plan our days around dining reservations, and we wanted to eat when we were hungry, not when it was time for a reservation. We definitely had enough food and enough variety, and only paid for one meal out of pocket the whole trip (8 nights!). I will say that towards the end of the trip, we were a little tired of the "fast food" experience, but I honestly think we would have been tired of reservations and TS restaurants, too. We just got tired of eating out in general.

 

[Shunasee]

I *loved* the QSDP. It was nice to not have to be at anyone place at a specific time. DH is very spontanious so, it worked perfect.

We got the free DDP for our trip in February, and I have my ADR's, but I am worried about how it will affect our touring style.

Let me know how it goes for you!

 

[DisneyMominMTL]

I was really happy with getting the free QSDP until I managed to get a Fantasmic package. It would cost us pretty much the same paying OOP for the F! Dinner than upgrading to DDP, so I went with DDP.

I don't think the mugs will be great value for us (we have our own coffee machine because coffee snobs lol) and we are not huge soda drinkers.

My main concern with TS meals is my 18 month old. He's quite the active boy, so restaurants are not so fun... Aside from F! Package, we are doing 'Ohana, Crystal Palace, Chef Mickey and Tusker House. Pretty much kid friendly places...

And we're doing the DDP for only part of our trip (5 nights). The rest will be OOP but Club Level.

In short, you just got to figure out what's best for your family!

 

[Microcell]

We absolutely loved the freedom of QSDP, we hated being tied down to TS restaurants, and loved, loved, loved the free mugs!

That being said we have to do the DDP this trip for one reason, and one reason only.. My DS8 got so sick of PBJ, Chicken Nuggets and mac and cheese every day all day long! We wound up last year (when he was 7!) paying OOP for a buffet so he could get some variety! For the normal eating 7 year old there is not enough food either in those kid portions! Now he is 8 and I think he might be downright hungry if we did the QSDP! He is picky, so the grapes don't get eaten, and he opts for the cookie if given a choice, and I don't like giving him a cookie every meal to fill him up..I could go on and on.. it really is horrible!

If you have kids over 10 and they just wanna go already, I would skip the TS meals!

 

[SarahD]

My family of four (kids are 8 & 11) is all about rides and attractions! We're not interested in sitting in a restaurant for an hour - or two - in the middle of our day. We go early and stay late. Our extended family (parents & aunts/uncles) think we're nuts and they're happy to spend their day eating their way through it...so it depends on which kind of Disney-goers you are! We love the QSDP...

 

[weswife]

For our 2011 trip we are doing the QSDP! We decided we like the CS food and we have done almost all of the TS! The DP is worth it if you enjoy character meals! I know that was our main reason! Now we are moving toward the QSDP, we have enjoyed alot of CS as well! We will do 1 TS at the Poly because we have went every visit and had a photo taken! Also a trip to the BC which is a TS meal but we enjoy the atmosphere so much! My family will enjoy the 2 snacks and the refill mug. We purchase a mug for each person every trip! I agree with the above list the QSDP is great!

Enjoy your trip!

 

[gem21]

I think both have their appeal, and you need to sit down and figure out which one is better.

As you can see, many people like the QSDP because it allows a bit more freedom.

I am going with the DDP, for our up-coming "first" trip. But we are three adults, who are not huge into thrill rides, although we enjoy a few of them and still want to see as much as we can. We are only doing 1 TS a day (mostly suppers), and I think we will welcome the break off our feet and a chance to relax a bit. It was not that difficult fitting our ADRs into our daily plans even at 180 days out. We are also not going at a very busy time, so I'm not that worried about missing out on many attractions because we will be spending 1-2h eating at a TS restaurant.

If I was going in the summer/Christmas time with or without kids, I would probably opt for the QSDP.

 

[stayhomemom77]

I'm going to be there for the exact same dates!!

I just made my ADR's last Thursday and I got everything I wanted and at the times I wanted (give or take fifteen minutes) so I think that if you do decide to upgrade and you book things quickly, you shouldn't have any problems getting anything but perhaps Cinderella's castle and Le Cellier. (Those I didn't try...we aren't doing them this time around but I know they book fast).

Regarding upgrading, I agree with the others that it depends on who's in your party and what kind of dining experiences you prefer.

For our family (DD7, DS5) when we went this past April we did a lot of TS meals and found that only having one per day was the optimal situation for us. We didn't find it particularly disruptive to our schedule to have inflexible eating times (again, as long as it was only once per day) and really enjoyed the food and relaxed dining experiences.

We are staying at Pop and are paying for the upgrade. While we don't think there's anything wrong with the QSDP, we crunched the numbers and realized that the price for the kids is the same so we only need pay an extra $22 a day and sacrifice the mugs (we don't care about those) and a snack credit each per day to get some really lovely meals on our vacation.

Of course, we now have to factor in tips too, but we just love this method of dining at Disney so it works for us.

HTH!!

 

[spgoad]

Thanks for all the thoughts and advice everyone! It is nice to see lots of opinions and experiences on the situation. Basically what I've gathered is... don't worry about it too much, and just make sure your dining plan matches your style.

My wife and I have been talking about it, and the DDP definitely has alot more appeal for me because I'm a big eater and enjoy fancy and nice dishes. Where she prefers more plain meals and not as much food... so for her the QSDP sounds great, whereas for me I may be wanting some nice NY Strip Steaks, etc. I certainly think either would be plenty of food, just have to decide if I want some of those nicer dining experiences this trip or if I'd prefer to focus on the parks. Right now I think the DDP is winning out, but we are still pondering...

 

[squirrel]

Thanks for all the thoughts and advice everyone! It is nice to see lots of opinions and experiences on the situation. Basically what I've gathered is... don't worry about it too much, and just make sure your dining plan matches your style.

My wife and I have been talking about it, and the DDP definitely has alot more appeal for me because I'm a big eater and enjoy fancy and nice dishes. Where she prefers more plain meals and not as much food... so for her the QSDP sounds great, whereas for me I may be wanting some nice NY Strip Steaks, etc. I certainly think either would be plenty of food, just have to decide if I want some of those nicer dining experiences this trip or if I'd prefer to focus on the parks. Right now I think the DDP is winning out, but we are still pondering...

Add up how much more it will cost to upgrade to the DDP and then see how many TS meals that would equal. If you can handle only eating at that many for the length of your trip then the QSDP is still cheaper as you get some TS meals and all the QSDP credits as well.

 

[msmith07101]

My family of four (kids are 8 & 11) is all about rides and attractions! We're not interested in sitting in a restaurant for an hour - or two - in the middle of our day. We go early and stay late. Our extended family (parents & aunts/uncles) think we're nuts and they're happy to spend their day eating their way through it...so it depends on which kind of Disney-goers you are! We love the QSDP...

This is how I feel too...last year we spent a few days at WDW in December and I did have a sit down meal every day. II didn't have the dining plan...it was just something I wanted to do and made all the ressies ahead of time to guarantee we had a sit down meal. On one hand I am glad we did it, but I wouldn't do it again. On the other hand, we spent a lot of money on food, time sitting in a restaurant, and I just didn't like the tied down feeling of having reservations that we had to make. Too hard to coordinate with fast passes, being at the right place in the park at the time of the ressie, etc. So this year I am going back for a few days and I am going to use the free QSDP...I am going to research the places in each park where we can get something other than burgers & fries, and I think we'll enjoy it. We'll see!

 

[spgoad]

Add up how much more it will cost to upgrade to the DDP and then see how many TS meals that would equal. If you can handle only eating at that many for the length of your trip then the QSDP is still cheaper as you get some TS meals and all the QSDP credits as well.

Thanks, for the tip... I had added up how many TS meals the upgrade would equal, but I hadn't considered the fact that paying OOP for a couple would leave me with extra CS credits. It looks like it'd be in between the cost of two to three TS meals to upgrade. Which isn't bad, but still, I'll take that into consideration...

 

[squirrel]

For a shorter trip like yours, I'd go with the QSDP and add in a few TS meals.

There is so much to do at WDW. Spending lots of time waiting at restaurants would drive me crazy for a shorter trip. My first trip in 1999 we had 5 park days and a waterpark day-6 days total. We did 3 TS meals. We still managed to do a lot and have some nice character meals.

Don't forget you also save more $ on tips with the QSDP. An extra snack and the refillable mug.