Dismissing quick service dining

[max'sdad]

I listened to the podcast on free dining and was surprised the podcast crew was so quick to dismiss the quick service dining plan.

On our trip last year, we did the regular dining plan (which we paid for), this year, we're doing free dining with the quick service plan only.

Though we enjoyed many of our meals last year, particularly Boma, Ohana, Chef Mickey and Rose and Crown (which we liked better than Le Cellier), We don't feel it's worth the extra expense and time.

First, you not only have to factor in the $10 price difference per adult, but you also should factor in $5 to $7 per adult for tip. So that's $15 to $17 to replace a counter service with a table service meal - which is reasonable, but you also lose one snack per day (QSDP gives you two snacks per day) and don't get the refillable mug. You can equate the value of those at maybe $4 or $5 a day, so essentially, you're now at a $20 per day price difference in the plans when you factor everything.

So from a value standpoint, I don't think it's necessarily a no-brainer to upgrade. Particularly after listening to the podcast crew mention the crowds at the restaurants and the dumbed-down menus.

After listening, it sounded like they had a lot more complaints about sit-down restaurants than they did about counter-service. We really enjoyed many of our counter-service meals. I can note in particular the sandwiches at Starring Rolls in DHS, the African Stew at Mara in AKL, the flatbread pizza and rosemary chicken at Wolfgang Puck Express in downtown Disney and the incredible selection at Sunshine Seasons in Epcot. We didn't get a chance to try the counter service in World Showcase, so that's something that's on my list.

I guess what decided things for us, is that last year a sit-down meal typically meant a 2 to 2-1/2 hour time commitment. Though we enjoyed our meals, it was time away from touring the parks. Plus, our 8-year-old is not the most patient kid when it comes to sitting down and waiting for meals, which is why the one table service we're going to pay out of pocket for is the buffet Chef Mickey's, which was our son's favorite.

So less expense, more time in the parks, the flexibility to be in whatever park we want, not being tied down by an ADR, and still being able to find a good selection of quality food that goes beyond burgers and hot dogs is the reason we're not upgrading to the regular dining plan.

Am I alone in thinking this way?

 

[TeriofTerror]

I see your point, but I have two quick things to say:

1. For the value of the refillable mug, I think it would just be smarter to figure in what you would pay to buy the mug, as opposed to the value you perceive you'll be getting from it. It's not as though it's only available to those on the quick service plan.

2. For me, it's not just if the food is worth the price spent, but is it also worth the calories I'm consuming? I find a much better value-to-calorie ratio at most sit-down meals!

Just my two cents!

 

[rocio]

Nope, you're not alone. We paid for the regular dining plan last year and while we enjoyed many of our meals, I also felt like you that it cut our time in the parks and relaxing by the pool short. I also felt like we had to run to ADRs in the middle of having fun or having to get kids up from a nap for a meal. This time we did the Quick service dining plan because we did the Visa offer with the kids eat and play free. I know I could have upgraded, but like you once I figured in the tip etc, I preferred to stay with what we got. It was a huge amount of food but since it was free for the kids (as were their park tickets), it worked out well for us. Never had to pay for a meal or snack. We used snack credits and our refillable mugs for breakfast: had something from the bakery or fruit or yogurt parfait and coffee for example, and used the CS credits for lunch and dinner usually. Oh we were off property one day to watch the Atlantis launch so we did have to pay for those meals which meant we had more CS credits than we needed so we used some for breakfast. Since adults get two drinks with breakfast and we were already using the mugs for coffee we just loaded up on water bottles for the day. Using the counter service plan made for a more relaxing trip without all those ADRs. I may try no dining plan next time unless another deal comes along as it really was a lot of food. Then again it was nice to let the kids get whatever snack they wanted when they wanted without having to look at the price of things.

 

[max'sdad]

Good to hear your experience, rocio.

Thanks for the feedback, Teri. I, too, care about the quality of food, but like I said, we found some quality counter service options our last trip.

Also, I calculated the value of the refillable mug at about $2 a day for a weeklong stay (the mug costs $13.49), add that to a snack per day and I was conservative with the $4 to $5 per day difference when you factor those in.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I'm not certain that anyone dismissed anything.

I'm pretty sure that the opinion is that you use what works for you and your family.

The idea of the segment was to help people understand the dining plan options, not to talk you out of anything.

As long as you are finding value in what you have purchased...then it's a good thing.

Enjoy whatever option you think is best.

 

[southcarolinagirl]

We did QSDP last year in Oct and the reg DP in June, we LOVE QSDP!! No ADRs to rush to and NO tips! We are going in Aug with QDSP again and are thrilled!

 

[WaltD4Me]

I understand what the OP is saying about the regular dining plan, but I didn't think they were being dismissive of the QSP on the podcast. The dining plans are all about deciding what is best for your family because everyone is so different in how they eat at WDW. Personally, I wouldn't PAY for any of the dining plans, but if I were going during Free Dining I think we would upgrade to the regular plan. For myself, I could probably be okay just with QSP, but I have no interest in the refillable mug. I don't drink pop, my first choice 90% of the time is water, so the mug would really just be a souvenir. Still, if traveling solo, I would probably just stick with the QSP and just pay out of pocket for a couple sit down meals. However, I mostly travel with family, especially my sister and she would hate just having QSP. She is more of a foodie than me and has to do at least one sit down meal a day, sometimes two. Without the upgrade, we'd be paying out of pocket for alot more meals than I ever would on my own. So it all just depends on your particular circumstance and who you are traveling with, I can see both sides, good and bad of upgrading and not upgrading.

 

[max'sdad]

I suppose personal situation has a lot to do with it. Our son won't eat much at one sitting, but loves to snack, so for us, the QSDP definitely fits our situation.

But if you're traveling with adults, I could definitely see the value of upgrading to the regular dining plan.

I do think the Podcast Crew was pretty quick to say that visitors should spend the money to upgrade from QSDP, and like we've discussed, I don't think that option would be worth it for everyone.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I suppose personal situation has a lot to do with it. Our son won't eat much at one sitting, but loves to snack, so for us, the QSDP definitely fits our situation.

But if you're traveling with adults, I could definitely see the value of upgrading to the regular dining plan.

I do think the Podcast Crew was pretty quick to say that visitors should spend the money to upgrade from QSDP, and like we've discussed, I don't think that option would be worth it for everyone.

Please understand that the Podcasters respond to what we hear and see as travel agents, the email we receive and the feedback we get.

I personally, dont see the value in the QSDP....but to each his own.

I'm happy that it works for you and your family.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Please understand that the Podcasters respond to what we hear and see as travel agents, the email we receive and the feedback we get.

I personally, dont see the value in the QSDP....but to each his own.

I'm happy that it works for you and your family.

I think it depends on what you mean by value. Economic value? Maybe, maybe not? Time in the parks? Definitely.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I think it depends on what you mean by value. Economic value? Maybe, maybe not? Time in the parks? Definitely.

I guess it depends on what you value.

I personally don't see the value.... but Im glad that you do.

Whatever works for you is the right thing.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I guess it depends on what you value.

I personally don't see the value.... but Im glad that you do.

Whatever works for you is the right thing.

Totally true.

Honestly, my husband will be happy with whatever dining I book, as long as he can get a cherry danish from the Main Street bakery.

 

[Derby4me]

I have yet to listen to the DDP podcast as we just returned from our week long trip to the world yesterday. However, I have to admit that I find MOST of the quick service food options to be seriously lacking. I would do almost ANYTHING to avoid eating a Disney Hamburger...sorry to say, but disgusting. Also, I find there to be a lack of variety. I know that there are a few jewels but most menus offer the same items.

When we went to Disapaloza in December, we did participate in the QSDP only because it was free, we were only there for 4 days and I couldn't imagine table service meals with our 10 month old. However, happy to hear others enjoy it...I just think we would pass.

 

[Minnie Lor]

Great points from both perspectives. I'm not doing either dining plan but was second guessing myself on a couple of sit-downs. I totally forgot about factoring in additional time for a sit-down. Doh!

 

[Minniemouse07]

I've used the Basic plan (9 day trip w/ Family ..me, dh, dd-6.5yo, ds-2yo) and the Deluxe plan (5 day trip me and dd for her 7th bday) and I feel I used both plans appropriate for the trips that they were used on.

Next month we are taking a "last minute" (in other words..planning it in less than 60 days) 5 day trip to the world while we visit with the ILs (live locally). We are taking advantage of kids eat/stay/play free (includes the Quick Service plan) and will be spending a decent amount of time at the ILs house.

For this instance, the QS plan makes the most sense for us. We will be on the go and not spending as much time in the parks as usual (I'd rather spend my time at WDW than the ILs but that is another post) so we are willing to give QS a try. I have made two ADRs for character meals which we will pay out of pocket for.

I'm glad that there are different options. Just in these three trips.. the plan we utilized was the right one for THAT trip. Everyone has different needs and it is a good thing that we have the choice!

 

[mainegal]

This has been an interesting thread to read.

I grew up with day-visit theme parks, Hershey Park and Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey. The theme park food was just sustenance to get you through the day.

I am coming to understand that at WDW the food and the attractions in the parks seem to be of equal importance.
True or not?

 

[daneenm]

I guess it depends on what you value.

I personally don't see the value.... but Im glad that you do.

Whatever works for you is the right thing.

Ummm, Kevin, could you clarify one more time? If I see it as a value are you still saying it is a waste of my money and I shouldn't use it??

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

This has been an interesting thread to read.

I grew up with day-visit theme parks, Hershey Park and Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey. The theme park food was just sustenance to get you through the day.

I am coming to understand that at WDW the food and the attractions in the parks seem to be of equal importance.
True or not?

As another Great Adventure food survivor, I salute you.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Ummm, Kevin, could you clarify one more time? If I see it as a value are you still saying it is a waste of my money and I shouldn't use it??

 

[robinb]

The big thing for me is that the Counter Service restaurant desserts are terrible. I rarely eat ONE of them and two of them are ... yuck. Even if I want to eat two CS meals a day I would do better to pay out of pocket for them because I don't buy the desserts.