Does anyone else think that the Q&C vouchers aren't the value they use to be?

[adisneynut]

On our last vist to B&C they no longer consider the milkshakes a beverage. IN the parks and at most resort you break about even. The breakfast vouchers are still a good deal though.

 

[DMRick]

Even with just a soda, our B & C meal was a savings.

Here is just a "normal" meal, not trying ot get the price up there..and then figure in tax and tip..still a bargin in my book.

Fountain Soda Pop - Coca Cola Classic, Diet Coke, Sprite, Orange, Root Beer $1.99.

Burger Heaven - juicy beef patty topped with your choice of cheese, lettuce, tomato and pickle served on a fresh baked bun single $6.99

Classic Banana Split - a ripe banana, three scoops of ice cream (vanilla, chocolate, strawberry), pineapple, strawberry and marshmallow topping, finished off with hot fudge, butterscotch, toasted almonds, whipped cream and a cherry $7.99

$16.97 plus tax and tip ($2.54). I don't know what the tax is, so I would still have to add that...but the savings without the tax is over $8..what's not a bargain?

 

[JulesMom]

We only use Q&C at Beaches & Cream and Pepper Market. Our bill at Pepper Market has been $100 before-so the vouchers are a bargain.

 

[jcanary]

I agree with the above, plus I was looking for the convenience of the pre paid meal. We used them at Cosmic Rays in magic kingdom and still saved 1.25. I had 4 teenagers and 2 twenty year olds and it was nice to give them one for every 2 persons(they were girls and could easily split a meal), and not worry about them eating. I would definitely do again and again and again.

 

[adisneynut]

They are conveinent to use once you e the hang of it. I just get tired of burgers and fries. Now at Pepper Market they have plenty to offer. I would use then if I was heading there. We loved everything we ate there.

 

[ceecee]

What we found with most of the counter serve place is that there were only cookies for dessert. Where did you get banana splits? (besides Beaches & Cream). Then the fries were always considered the side and no tips at counter serve, so it was a break even thing.

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by ceecee
What we found with most of the counter serve place is that there were only cookies for dessert. Where did you get banana splits? (besides Beaches & Cream). Then the fries were always considered the side and no tips at counter serve, so it was a break even thing.

Really, only cookies? I have seen baklava (Tangieriene), some ginger Ice cream (I think Yakitori), and mickey bars at ohter places..

You could also opt for carrots instead of fries for the side as well.

What I am going to do is get some salads like a chicken ceasar and attempt to do a chilli cheese fries as the side.. (I know the kids will eat the chili cheese fries)

Remember the tax on the meal as well.

I'm not looking to get $50 of food for two vouchers (if I do, I will be pleased!), but looking as a nice prepaid expense. I know I will break even and maybe get/lose a $1 or less on either end in the parks.

However with Beaches and Cream and Pepper Market we will do well.

 

[DMRick]

Where did you get banana splits? (besides Beaches & Cream).

Well, since I was talking about B & C, it was natural to mention a banana split. However, I have gotten GREAT desserts at the Pepper Market..and the offering at Allstars included their wonderful apple pie (which could be ala mode..if you are a quick eater, and can get to the ice cream before it melts). The last time we were there, they also had sundaes.

I got pie at Columbia Harbor House for dessert, and the bottle of water..so even my sandwich and chips with sales tax went over what I paid for the voucher.

As long as I make a few dollars on something I would order anyway, I'm happy. That's the key though..is it something you would have ordered anyway?

Columbia Harbor HOuse:

Anchors Aweigh Sandwich - white tuna with lettuce and tomatoes $6.39

Pick one side:

French Fries - $1.79
Potato Chips - $1.29
Coleslaw - $.99


Bottled Water - $2.50

Fresh Baked Apple Pie - $3.79

We got the chips, so our meal would have cost:

$13.97 plus tax. And they do have more expesive items (like fries or chicken strips) ..but this is what we wanted.

You really have to decide for yourself if you want what the savings gives..obviously, if you would prefer soup and coleslaw, you won't make out as well as I did. We would have purchased water in any case..sl it was nice to prettymuch have that free.

 

[LIFERBABE]

In June when we went to Pepper Market, I had creme brulee! It was awesome and made with a dark liquer.

We could eat a Pepper Market every night! There was such a variety and everything was really good. Plus they stay open late!

We had a car so it was not a problem for us.

If you average your savings they are still a good deal and it was great in groups since we didnt have to haggle over who had what and how to split the tip at the Character Bfast (there were 28 of us). I Just handed over a stack of vouchers and we were on our way. Very smooth transaction.

 

[Bella923]

What is a Q&C voucher? How does one get one? Help! I am going to WDW on Saturday and there will be 7 of us!
Ages: 13, 18, 20, 28, 29, 57, & 61.
Four of these people are big eaters!
I want to try and save some money anyway we can!
TIA

 

[maggiew]

You have to join a program called Connections and then order the vouchers from them ($11.25). But I don't think you will have time to receive the vouchers before you go. Sorry.

Although Animal Kingdom has a meal certificate deal where you get a coupon for an ice cream/popcorn and water/coke for later in the day. So you might want to check those out.

Maggie

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by LIFERBABE
In June when we went to Pepper Market, I had creme brulee! It was awesome and made with a dark liquer.

.

Wow creme brulee! I love creme brulee!

It looks like we will be spending lots of time at Pepper Market next week!!!!!

 

[Lewisc]

Just my 2 cents, it seems there is no way to get value from the vouchers if you skip dessert. Many times I prefer to skip dessert (at least with lunch). I much prefer have ice cream later in the afternoon.

I'm afraid (at least for me) the vouchers would cause me to eat more than I prefer to eat.

If there was an easy way to buy a few vouchers I'd do it but I'm not willing to go through the process of dealing with Connections (and the potential problems) for the savings from a few vouchers.

I think the vouchers would work great IF you were staying a CSR but having to deal with Connections and drive to a resort I'm not staying at just to save a few dollars isn't worth it to me.

 

[adisneynut]

we have plenty to eat. DH and usually share meals anyway because we are not big eaters. I usuall have a neice trveling with us so we use 2 adult vouchers and it provides plenty of food for us.

 

[tinaluis]

We are not big eaters so we usually use 1 voucher at each meal and we supplement each voucher with another entree, 2-3 sides and (occasionally) a kids meal . There are 5 of us (me, DH, and DD's, 7,5 and 2). This way we have 1 large drink and dessert and we supplement each voucher with another entree and 2-3 sides. This way we have 2 entrees, 3 sides and dessert (and sometimes a kid's meal) and it's plenty of food for all of us. We save about $1 or $2 and it's convenient to have some of our meals prepaid.

 

[crisi]

I think the vouchers would work great IF you were staying a CSR but having to deal with Connections and drive to a resort I'm not staying at just to save a few dollars isn't worth it to me.

There the rub - to me.

Although I can see where vouchers are great for certain people - they aren't going to work for me at this time. We honestly don't care about saving $1 or $2 per meal (or even $8). The time spent getting the vouchers isn't worth the savings - to me. We aren't going to go out of our way to make sure we are eating at a place where we are getting our money's worth on the voucher or plan around it. And the horror stories about Connections are enough to make me think its a far better use of my time to figure out a way to make money (eBay, overtime, whatever) rather than save it via Connections.

But for people who do plan and for people whose budget is tight and for people who don't mind dealing with Connections, people who split meals and work the system, vouchers can be great.

And its possible that for certain trips, vouchers will appeal to a person - they will want to save the money, have the will to deal with Connections, and be able to plan around eating at Beaches and Cream or Pepper Market. The next trip there may be more money floating free, Pepper Market may be too far away, and no time to deal with Connections. The next trip they are traveling with teenagers and want to be able to make sure the kids eat and not want to hand them money - and vouchers come back into play. Vouchers are not a one size fits all solution.

 

[DMRick]

Just my 2 cents, it seems there is no way to get value from the vouchers if you skip dessert. Many times I prefer to skip dessert (at least with lunch). I much prefer have ice cream later in the afternoon.

For you, they wouldn't make sense, if you don't have someone to share with. I couldn't eat (well.... maybe I could LOL) all the food either..but add that dessert, and it's just perfect for sharing.

For the first time we are getting a child's lunch voucher to use at RF-AK..the good part is, they can't eat all the food it comes with..so we won't be sharing the wonderfful shrimp cocktails..both adults will get their own (we'll use the kids voucher). Plus, I was told by another diser, that having two vouchers, we'll now be able to get the Valcano dessert, which my grands wanted to try.

 

[Cindy B]

We had a very easy Connections experience.. ordered them online, cancelled, easily, got the vouchers easily, and no double billing!

There was no hassle involved.

I also may be tempted to eat all the deserts , but my kids will easily eat it as well.

 

[patsal]

Although the best deal on the Q&C's are at B&C and Peppermarket most counterservice will saave you a dollar or two. Places like Casey's you will lose money. And a few counterservice places will try to downsell because of the voucher--just stand your ground. Sometimes the hassle of arguing for the bottle of water isn't something people want to do, in that case perhaps not using vouchers is easier. Feature lunch and breakfast vouchers can be a real bargain based on what you order. Always check the menus to be sure what you will order plus tax (6.5%) and tip will at least break you even. I'm still reeling about my mother using 2 lunch feature at Crystal Palace for lunch! It would not have bothered me so much but I spent about a half day writing out the value for specific restaurants--let's just say I really wasted my money and time writing and talking to her!

For vouchers to be a value you must do your research and base it on what you would eat.