Dine in the Magic?

[Sarahlynn]

Hello! Newbie poster, here, WDW vets planning our first DLR trip in early November. I read and really appreciated Hydroguy's guide in the sticky, but I'm still really confused about dining.

We love the "all-inclusive" option at WDW where we get the regular dining plan (usually for free in the fall) and get one snack, one quick-service meal, and one table-service meal per person per night of the stay.

At DLR it looks different. I like how we can decide for ourselves how many days of vouchers we want to purchase . . . but is there any benefit to buying a plan rather than just paying for meals at the time of service? Discounts, etc.?

And can the "character meal" vouchers be used for non-character-meal table service dining experiences? (It looks like character meals are only available at breakfast and one place for lunch, but we'd like a bit more flexibility and are happy to breakfast simply in our hotel room.)

My apologies if I've missed a thread about this topic. Thanks!

 

[sonnyjane]

The DL dining plan is completely different and not worth it at all in my opinion. You simply pre-pay for dollar-amount vouchers. There is no cost savings. If you pay $100, you get $100 worth of vouchers. You do not have to use the character meal voucher at a character meal - you could just use the roughly $30 at another restaurant. The real disadvantage is that you do not get change back from the transaction, so if you buy a $12 meal with a $15 voucher, you lose your $3. Unless you can book some type of special package where you get free vouchers, then there is no benefit to getting the dining plan. If you really desire to pre-pay for your meals, just buy a Disney gift card. If you'd like more information, just search this forum for "dining plan" and you'll get tons of responses, most of which discourage guests from purchasing.

 

[Princess Row]

I would agree with the above poster.
WDW it is highly beneficial to use the DP but disneyland.....
Its a waste of money.
I would say your best bet is to budget if money is an issue rather than use the Dining plan.
If money isnt an issue then just pig out.

 

[DryCreek]

What do you folks recommend? We will staying at BW PPI in late Feb 2012. We are not picky eaters - and are "value conscious". I have heard a couple of folks offer that other than the continental breakfast offered by the hotel, we should avoid Captain Kidd's. Are they really that bad (based on a recent visit)?

Looks like Mimi's and Millie's are nearby. We have never eaten at one of those, so your opinions would be appreciated. Denny's, one of our old stand-by's is also near. IHOP, unfortunately, will never get another dime of my business. Also, what about Tony Roma's?

Our taste tends to run towards "light" selections. We like grilled fish, chicken, soup and salad combos and fresh vegetables. I can't remember the last time I ate a burger out (we prefer our own ultra-lean we raise), but I have tested some grilled chicken sandwiches and grilled fish tacos.

Now, after having reviewed almost all of the QS options there, I think that maybe, just maybe, it might make sense to eat in the park. At least at the QS venues you get the same price meals, but alleviate the gratuity. Does that make me sound like a cheapskate?

 

[DryCreek]

Sorry about the double post.....
Is it me - or does this website seem to run pretty slow at times?

 

[skiingfast]

What do you folks recommend? We will staying at BW PPI in late Feb 2012. We are not picky eaters - and are "value conscious". I have heard a couple of folks offer that other than the continental breakfast offered by the hotel, we should avoid Captain Kidd's. Are they really that bad (based on a recent visit)?

Looks like Mimi's and Millie's are nearby. We have never eaten at one of those, so your opinions would be appreciated. Denny's, one of our old stand-by's is also near. IHOP, unfortunately, will never get another dime of my business. Also, what about Tony Roma's?

Our taste tends to run towards "light" selections. We like grilled fish, chicken, soup and salad combos and fresh vegetables. I can't remember the last time I ate a burger out (we prefer our own ultra-lean we raise), but I have tested some grilled chicken sandwiches and grilled fish tacos.

Now, after having reviewed almost all of the QS options there, I think that maybe, just maybe, it might make sense to eat in the park. At least at the QS venues you get the same price meals, but alleviate the gratuity. Does that make me sound like a cheapskate?

I like Hat Creek Cattle Company better.

Prices around DLR are inflated so you might be on the right path to just dine at the QS locations inside, there are lots of options.

Having eaten in my lifetime at lots of buffets I know easily that one I wouldn't go back to is Captain Kidd's, I would of preffered a 3 day old PB&J for $15. Though when I dared to enter it was not recent, but I don't think it's gotten better.

Millie's and Minni's are kind of like Applebees if that helps.

I've had a couple great meals at the Denny's though it was because of great service, the food was still like at any Lenny's I mean Denny's.

Some people refer to the IHOP with a special title. The highest priced IHOP in the world.

Sorry about the double post.....
Is it me - or does this website seem to run pretty slow at times?

Yes sometimes the system the DIS uses is slow and double post happen.



OP
The DL dining plans don't get reccomended around here but have been used. You can read a excellent report on one disser's experience.
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=40974724&postcount=420

 

[Sarahlynn]

Thanks much! Glad to know I was on the right track.