Disney dining plan - which restaurants

[Garyjames220]

hey

We are going to AKL next November for two weeks and just wanted some advice

We were planning in paying out of pocket three nights for a table service meal I was just wondering which three resturants you would recomand to get best value out of paying out of pocket ?

We were also planing in doing three signature restaurants using the double credit but I was wondering what the best three you think are and also which three is good for the double credit instead of paying out of pocket, we have never been to a signature resturant in Disney but thought we would do three next year sense it's our honeymoon

Also how much better would you say are the signature restaurants compared to just standard table service resturants

 

[Nancyg56]

Before we can help you with the "better" value on the dining plan, we should know which restaurnats you are looking at. In general, character meals and AYCTE meals are the better values, however there are 1 TS credit off the menu restaurants that are very good values.

In terms of signature dining, that is preference as well. We like them and tend to book a few each trip. Once again, value is up in the air, especially if youlike pasta or chicken. Some are better values than others however I find that the food and atmosphere is nicer.

We like Narcoossees, California Grill, Tiffins, Flying Fish. WE are going to give Le Cellier another try this trip. I was not fond of it last time.

 

[LovesTimone]

There are so many new restaurants, you might want to spend some time studying the menu's and see what interest you both. Then build a plan from there.

 

[sharonabe]

We were planning in paying out of pocket three nights for a table service meal I was just wondering which three resturants you would recomand to get best value out of paying out of pocket ?

We were also planing in doing three signature restaurants using the double credit but I was wondering what the best three you think are and also which three is good for the double credit instead of paying out of pocket

The way I figure the best "value" is with my wallet first and quality of food second.

Each TS credit is worth about $41, so if a one credit meal is less than $40, that's the one I will pay OOP. For your signature meals, it's not impossible to reach the $82 with the added alcohol, but it is harder than the one credit meals. Remember, with the regular dining plan, you only get entree, dessert and drink even at the signatures. So go to the menus and see what you might order and DO THE MATH. Remember to add the 6.5% tax to your totals.

 

[Pumbaa_]

If you are planning that many out of pocket meals plus signature dining, have you done the math on the dxdp?

With the hefty increases last month, and no 2019 adult plan increase, may be worth looking into

 

[rwdavis2]

Does the dining plan even save you any money? You may want to consider that first. Do you want dessert at each meal including counter service? The plans are not necessarily designe to save money.

As was mentioned, you need to specify what type of food you like and if you want value vs. good food.

 

[Garyjames220]

Well the UK offer was free dinning so we went for that so defo saving money

So your saying to get full value out of the signture meals it should come to 82 dollars or more but there are none you can spend that in

We like all types of food really apart from sea food

Mybe I should reword that and ask what top three would u say are the best to go to

Also I was wondering do most counter service restaurants offer cocktails as your drink on the dinning plan ?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Here's a pretty comprehensive comparison of "best-bang-for-your-buck" using dining credits: https://wdwprepschool.com/disney-world-dining/disney-dining-plan/

 

[Pumbaa_]

Before the recent price hike, I was not a fan of the dining plans. With the huge hike, and alcohol option, it has once again become a decent value.

It is still a math exercise. If I had free regular dining, I would price out upgrading to dxdp.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Here's a pretty comprehensive comparison of "best-bang-for-your-buck" using dining credits: https://wdwprepschool.com/disney-world-dining/disney-dining-plan/

It does not appear this valuation has been updated to include the price hike from November.

 

[sharonabe]

Do you want dessert at each meal including counter service?

Just so you know, counter service has not had a dessert entitlement for a couple years now. You get an extra snack to use anytime instead.

Also I was wondering do most counter service restaurants offer cocktails as your drink on the dinning plan ?

Some do, but not sure most do. Please go check the menus at either wdwinfo.com or allearsnet.com. Both of those will give you an idea of what you will "spend" at signatures and what kind of alcoholic drinks are available at the QS.

 

[Nancyg56]

I htink that this needs to be said. The best thing to do is to go over the menus and choose the restaurants you want to enjoy. Do NOT look at the prices, but at the actual choices and decide what you will likely be inclined to order. Once you do that, run some numbers and decide if you want a dinign plan, and if so, which one makes the best sense.

I find that if you choose a plan, and then try to max it out, you choose based on price and not preference.

 

[Garyjames220]

So what does my quick service meal get me

What's signature resturants would u say are your top three

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

If I was looking for the best "value" for a table service out of pocket then I'd avoid the buffets altogether because they are too expensive and the quality is often lacking (although we really enjoyed Boma). Table service restaurants that have pretty good food at reasonable prices probably include Ale & Compass at Yacht Club, The Wave at Contemporary, Kona Cafe at Polynesian, Sanaa at AKL (which will be convenient for you), Sci-Fi Dine In at Hollywood Studios, and Raglan Road, Homecomin', and House of Blues in Disney Springs. If it were me, I'd probably go with Sanaa, Homecomin', and Sci-Fi Dine In.

For 2-credit signature restaurants I would definitely select the brunch at California Grill if you will be at Disney on a Sunday and can get a reservation. I think it's the best meal I've had at Disney. If brunch doesn't work (and even if it does) I'd choose California Grill dinner, Yachtsman, and probably Jiko. Boathouse and Flying Fish are good options but are more seafood-focused.

 

[heidijanesmith]

My top 3 signature restaurants are:

Tiffins
Le Cellier
California Grill

We usually pay OOP for Sci-Fi.

The regular dining plan works very well for us, we usually come out ahead. As others said, we do the math.

We are not huge dessert eaters and do not want to eat dessert at every sit down meal. When we do not want dessert, we ask for a substitution. We are usually offered soup or salad, which is exactly what I want. The cheese soup at Le Cellier is fantastic! The lobster bisque at Chefs De France is the best I have ever had.

 

[Pumbaa_]

I don’t think you can go wrong w any of the signatures. I prefer those in a resort over a park

Narcoossee
Yachtsman
Flying fish

Would be my favorites

 

[kaytieeldr]

you might want to spend some time studying the menu's

So go to the menus

Please go check the menus at either wdwinfo.com or allearsnet.com

The best thing to do is to go over the menus

Honestly, everybody has diferent tastes, preferences, dislikes, etc. The best advice comes from the multiple posters quoted here.

 

[sharonabe]

So what does my quick service meal get me

What's signature resturants would u say are your top three

For QS you get a combo (think sandwich and fries) and a drink. There are many, many places that have something other than a sandwich, but you need to do your research. You can get BBQ, rice bowls, salads, roasted chicken, EP has all kinds of choices in World Showcase, etc.

 

[Garyjames220]

So the quick service is one course only. No desert ?

I have been looking at all the signature restaurant menus. Wooo they sound amazing. Also everything I would pick from comes to near on 82 dollars as i Wasn't sure weather to use a double credit or pay out of pocket

 

[sharonabe]

So the quick service is one course only. No desert ?

I have been looking at all the signature restaurant menus. Wooo they sound amazing. Also everything I would pick from comes to near on 82 dollars as i Wasn't sure weather to use a double credit or pay out of pocket

Correct. QS does NOT include dessert.

Also, one other possible option to make things a little more complicated. You could have one person pay OOP and one person use their credits at any a la carte TS restaurant. If someone wants one of the less expensive entrees or just wants an app, pay OOP for that one and then you would have the dessert to share. At some places, it's very easy to pay for an app to share and then share the entree and dessert you get with the credit and still have plenty to eat.