DVC Counter Service

[JaySwash]

Hey folks, my DW and I are getting closer to pulling the trigger and getting into the DVC, but I had a quick question...

Which resort do you think has the best counter service restaurant? With 4 boys, including two under 4 years old, we don't do more than a couple of sit down meals during a mouse stay, so the quick dining available will have a big impact on our choice of a home resort.

Thanks!

 

[DenLo]

I think the Contempo Cafe at the Contemporary Resort for BLT has the best selection and variety. But for children all of the QS restaurants at the deluxe resorts has pretty much the same menu.

 

[Dean]

Hey folks, my DW and I are getting closer to pulling the trigger and getting into the DVC, but I had a quick question...

Which resort do you think has the best counter service restaurant? With 4 boys, including two under 4 years old, we don't do more than a couple of sit down meals during a mouse stay, so the quick dining available will have a big impact on our choice of a home resort.

Thanks!

This is a weak point for DVC. Each resort has it's issues in this area. The Poly will likely be the best option once on board. AKV Jambo may be the best currently.

 

[DebbieB]

I liked Roaring Fork at VWL, similar to Mara at AKV Jambo.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I'd say AKV-Jambo, BLT and VWL. SSR also has good counter service but depending on where you end up you might be a distance from it.

Worst - AKV-Kidani, BWV, OKW

Somewhere in the middle VGF, BCV

 

[DreamerWDW]

In my opinion, BLT has the best counter service option at the CR with the Contempo Cafe.

 

[com_op_2000]

My ratings for QS:
1. AKL-Jambo
2. BLT
3. BCV

2nd grouping mostly due to distances:
SSR
OKW
VWL

Lastly:
AKL-Kidani
BWV

 

[hakepb]

None of the deluxe resorts have quick service selection like the food courts of values and moderates. And the problem with Deluxe is the food options can be more "sophisticated" which might turn off a kid that would rather eat chicken nuggets.

We were used to using a food court once per day...and that doesn't worksite well at DVC resorts. Instead we just adjusted our schedules to take advantage of the better quick service options in the parks. (Instead of eating at the resort, then heading out to a park, we go to a park and eat there)

I never plan on eating more than twice at a DVC QS per trip (if we like it enough, we'll go back, again. I don't want to get tired of a place, and have to use it again on a rainy day, though)

Jambo has been our favorite, but I've not spent enough time at BLT (which seemed good)

 

[crisi]

Also keep in mind your kids won't be little forever - don't make long term decisions based on the need for quick service or strollers now - think about when they are tweens and teens as well.

Many of us use a kitchen instead of quickservice dining options - if you are going to be at the resort for lunchtime anyway, you might as well cook up a few hotdogs or make some sandwiches. With little ones, you are probably even in the room for a nap or rest (as opposed to kids a little older, who are in the room only long enough to change into swimsuits). Us, we aren't at the resorts at lunchtime, we generally have lunch in the parks, fit in one more thing before heading back to the resort (if we want to even take a break, my kids are older), then go back for a sit down dinner - for us, sitting down for a dinner out is an important part of vacation. And breakfast in the room has always been part of the program. It just takes too long to eat breakfast out at Disney, and its not a very cost effective meal to buy.

 

[HarvardAce]

Many of us use a kitchen instead of quickservice dining options - if you are going to be at the resort for lunchtime anyway, you might as well cook up a few hotdogs or make some sandwiches. With little ones, you are probably even in the room for a nap or rest (as opposed to kids a little older, who are in the room only long enough to change into swimsuits). Us, we aren't at the resorts at lunchtime, we generally have lunch in the parks, fit in one more thing before heading back to the resort (if we want to even take a break, my kids are older), then go back for a sit down dinner - for us, sitting down for a dinner out is an important part of vacation. And breakfast in the room has always been part of the program. It just takes too long to eat breakfast out at Disney, and its not a very cost effective meal to buy.

I'll second that suggestion, especially if you have a room with a full kitchen. You can always use one of the grocery services to get fresh groceries and do a quick meal in your room -- it will likely be faster, cheaper, healthier, and you can get exactly what you want.

I will also second the BLT suggestion, as we loved the Contempo Cafe. Once the Poly is done, not much can beat having a Dole Whip in your quickservice restaurant. We were initially very sad at our most recent Poly stay that the temporary Captain Cook's didn't have Dole Whips, but it turned out for the best when my wife was diagnosed with gestational diabetes and wouldn't have been able to have it anyway!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I'll second that suggestion, especially if you have a room with a full kitchen. You can always use one of the grocery services to get fresh groceries and do a quick meal in your room -- it will likely be faster, cheaper, healthier, and you can get exactly what you want.

I will also second the BLT suggestion, as we loved the Contempo Cafe. Once the Poly is done, not much can beat having a Dole Whip in your quickservice restaurant. We were initially very sad at our most recent Poly stay that the temporary Captain Cook's didn't have Dole Whips, but it turned out for the best when my wife was diagnosed with gestational diabetes and wouldn't have been able to have it anyway!

The dole whip apparently won't be returning to Captain Cooks. But it's supposed to be at a new snack place there.

 

[JaySwash]

Thanks for the good advice everyone, BLT was already at the top of our list of places to stay.

Our youngest has some food allergies so the 2 bedroom villas having kitchens is part of what appeals to us... We ended up in a suite at Coronado Springs due to circumstances and we really liked that part.

 

[Dean]

None of the deluxe resorts have quick service selection like the food courts of values and moderates. And the problem with Deluxe is the food options can be more "sophisticated" which might turn off a kid that would rather eat chicken nuggets.

We were used to using a food court once per day...and that doesn't worksite well at DVC resorts. Instead we just adjusted our schedules to take advantage of the better quick service options in the parks. (Instead of eating at the resort, then heading out to a park, we go to a park and eat there)

I never plan on eating more than twice at a DVC QS per trip (if we like it enough, we'll go back, again. I don't want to get tired of a place, and have to use it again on a rainy day, though)

Jambo has been our favorite, but I've not spent enough time at BLT (which seemed good)

Agreed. I would assign three components including the judgement of the QS site itself, the distance/convenience and the other factors such as do you have to get wet to get there. AKV Kidani and SSR are good examples of nice QS locations that can be quite a hike.

 

[Pirate Granny]

I find BLT a hike too for the CS, although an inside walk.

 

[supersuperwendy]

Contemp0 Cafe was good. SSR has two choices if you like salads artist palette..if you want burgers the paddock grill. Once poly dvc opens I'd say captain cooks.. LOVE the aloha sandwich!!

 

[happymommy]

While our favorite DVC resort is BWV for the location (first trip the kids were 2 and 4, so having our own nice double stroller was great to walk to Epcot and just roll onto the boat for DHS, and the monorail to MK from Epcot or reverse, so only bus really needed was early MK or to DAK). It is, however, lacking a true "food court", instead having the Boardwalk Bakery for sandwiches (and pastries!!!), pizza window, or the hot dog cart (actually we've gotten food from that one many times, yummy onion rings).

I agree with others though, that it is relaxing to take a break in the villa for lunch and make simple sandwiches or chicken nuggets. Or, if you have lunch out, making something familiar for a light dinner too. We do that all the time.

I would choose more for the location that you prefer, since it sounds like you'll need a villa with a kitchen anyway. Last trip we ordered about $200 of things from Garden Grocer (including wine and beer) and used almost all of it. We made breakfasts and had quick meal things. We don't like sit down meals much at Disney anymore, just the traditional Sci Fi for DD who has a love of that place. We prefer to do counter service - and I agree little ones do often prefer that too!

 

[Deb & Bill]

You won't find anything like a food court, like you have at the Moderates or Value resorts, in Deluxe resorts, including the DVC villa resorts. But of the food courts, we like the one at POR the best.

 

[ABE4DISNEY]

It seems like many like Mara at AKL-Jambo and Contempo Cafe at BLT/Contemporary. We have stayed at both of those places, but we would offer that Artist Palette at SSR is better than those two. We found choices there to have more healthy selections and just seemed fresher. Just our two cents.

 

[hakepb]

It seems like many like Mara at AKL-Jambo and Contempo Cafe at BLT/Contemporary. We have stayed at both of those places, but we would offer that Artist Palette at SSR is better than those two. We found choices there to have more healthy selections and just seemed fresher. Just our two cents.

Which goes back to the typical menu vs "deluxe"

When I look at the AP menu, I see a lot of varied and interesting food choices....but then I start looking at the menu from my plain-eating families eyes....and there is very little on that menu they might enjoy (a flatbread is not as good as a pizza)

I do see Mickey-shaped ravioli on the kids menu, that might be a hit if there was an adult portion...at least I am no longer seeing the rosemary roasted chicken. With that baking in the background, I always heard, "what stinks here?"

In the end, "best QS" really depends on personal preferences.

 

[tjkraz]

With 4 boys, including two under 4 years old, we don't do more than a couple of sit down meals during a mouse stay, so the quick dining available will have a big impact on our choice of a home resort.

How will that change in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?

You may own the DVC points for up to 50 years but those kids won't be young for long. We've been owners for 10+ years now. Over that time our kids went from being ages 2 and 6 mos to ages 13 and 11.

Most owners will tell you they've made reservations at a specific resort to fit their immediate needs (e.g. booking at BoardWalk to spend a lot of time at Epcot, booking at AKV because of the savanna or restaurants, etc.)

Personally, I think making ANY purchase decisions based upon wants or needs related to young children is a mistake. Expand your vision and look at the big picture.