DVC: Dining Plan & Lack of Food Courts

[Mary7116]

I like DVC however I have a real issue with the lack of counter service options at these resorts. I like to purchase the dining plan and while having a refillable mug is nice. There aren't any refillable fountain stations nearby. Very frustrating. We've stayed at Old Key West and to refill our mug we had to drive a mile down the road to the outside less than comfortable Goods to Go with their walk up counter with flies swarming around the beverage station.

 

[vicki_c]

Many of the resorts also have a mug refill station at the pools, including Old Key west at Turtle Pond (not sure if there are others, but there is one there).

But it is a fact, deluxe resorts don't have the same type of counter service options as the values or moderates. We never get the dining plan and very rarely get the mugs so it's never been a concern to us. We are more likely to buy mugs when we are not staying DVC and don't have the larger kitchen.

 

[Msmithmd]

The reality is that if you're going to eat the number of meals on property that the DDP allows, then as a DVC member you are better off financially (and will have more choice of what you order) with the TIW card. It really only takes a few table service or signature meals to come out ahead with TIW, when you're paying Disney prices for food.

We also used to be DDP fans, until we actually did the math and realized it wasn't saving us anything- other than maybe a couple snacks we didn't need considering the amount of food the plan gives you each day.

I agree with you that it is somewhat ironic that Disney has chosen to have better quick service choice at their value resorts than at their deluxe.

But at least the deluxe resorts have much better quality restaurants overall, when considering the TS choices that don't even exist at the value properties.

 

[disneynutz]

The reality is that if you're going to eat the number of meals on property that the DDP allows, then as a DVC member you are better off financially (and will have more choice of what you order) with the TIW card. It really only takes a few table service or signature meals to come out ahead with TIW, when you're paying Disney prices for food.

We also used to be DDP fans, until we actually did the math and realized it wasn't saving us anything- other than maybe a couple snacks we didn't need considering the amount of food the plan gives you each day.

I agree with you that it is somewhat ironic that Disney has chosen to have better quick service choice at their value resorts than at their deluxe.

But at least the deluxe resorts have much better quality restaurants overall, when considering the TS choices that don't even exist at the value properties.

Disney marketing dictates that Deluxe resorts doesn't attract the amount of QS customers that the other resorts do.

As a DVC owner I agree that the DDP isn't a great financial option especially when you eat a few home cooked meals in your villa and buy beverages at a discount and keep them in the villa fridge. The cost savings allows us to take longer vacations and we don't have to talk a long walk to refill a small drink cup.

Bill

 

[MsTessP]

I refill my mug with my favorite beverage from my kitchen's refrigerator. I especially love sitting on my balcony with coffee from my Keurig which we store in our Owner's Locker. Quick service for us is breakfast,or a sandwich or snack prepared in our villa.
I think our pattern is typical of DVC owners, and why QS options are lacking at DVC resorts.

 

[DizBub]

I refill my mug with my favorite beverage from my kitchen's refrigerator. I especially love sitting on my balcony with coffee from my Keurig which we store in our Owner's Locker. Quick service for us is breakfast,or a sandwich or snack prepared in our villa.
I think our pattern is typical of DVC owners, and why QS options are lacking at DVC resorts.

I agree with this and Bill's post. DVC offers a "home away from home" experience with full kitchens in a lot of the villas. We even cook full breakfasts in our studios.

If I was paying Disney prices to stay in the deluxe hotels I wouldn't be eating in a food court. But that's just me.

 

[Mary7116]

I enjoy not having to cook while on vacation that's why we purchase the dining plan. It would be nice if DVC would have more/better quick service options/beverage refill areas. I did not know there was a beverage station at the turtle OKW pool. Also we usually stay in studios or 1BR's and they do not have full kitchens.

 

[magicaldisney]

Also we usually stay in studios or 1BR's and they do not have full kitchens.

One bedrooms do have full kitchens. I agree with you that I don't like to cook on vacation, but we definitely utilize the full kitchen. We eat breakfast in our room and snack in our room after a day in the parks. We don't eat lunch or dinner in the room because we are usually at the parks or DTD. We stock the fridge with water that we can take into the parks. I also agree that maybe there could be a few more refill stations, but we go into buying mugs as a souvenir more than anything.

 

[crisi]

Disney marketing dictates that Deluxe resorts doesn't attract the amount of QS customers that the other resorts do.

As a DVC owner I agree that the DDP isn't a great financial option especially when you eat a few home cooked meals in your villa and buy beverages at a discount and keep them in the villa fridge. The cost savings allows us to take longer vacations and we don't have to talk a long walk to refill a small drink cup.

Bill

I'd say "Disney marketing has determined that Deluxe resorts attract less price conscious customers who when not given much in terms of QS options, will simply spend more for food." As for DVC members, they are fairly likely to - even in a studio - have some soda and water and snacks and stuff for light meals delivered or bring them.

And all the DVC and Deluxe resorts have QS options - just not the extensive food courts of moderates and values. You can grab a sandwich at the Boardwalk bakery (possibly the most limited in quick service at the DVC resorts), or swing by the Beach Club Marketplace or Roaring Forks. They aren't necessarily convenient (but then again, if you end up at the far side of Trinidad South at CBR, it isn't like the food court is convenient) and they don't have the extensive selection....

 

[Deb & Bill]

Timeshares have kitchens and not food courts. DVC is a timeshare, not a hotel. It costs us money to have food courts.

 

[DebbieB]

We stayed at VGF and WL in May and really enjoyed Gasparilla Grill and Roaring Forks. SSR is DVC only and they have Artists Palette.

 

[Minniesgal]

To be honest I struggle to see the point of the mugs in a DVC where you have a full kitchen. We buy drinks from Publix and keep then in the fridge. We also buy breakfast cereal, hot dogs, pizza, ice cream, deli meats and cheeses and snack in the room. A QS really wouldn't make any money on us and I think a lot of DVC members do the same so less need for a QS at a DVC resort.

 

[DenLo]

One bedrooms do have full kitchens. I agree with you that I don't like to cook on vacation, but we definitely utilize the full kitchen. We eat breakfast in our room and snack in our room after a day in the parks. We don't eat lunch or dinner in the room because we are usually at the parks or DTD. We stock the fridge with water that we can take into the parks. I also agree that maybe there could be a few more refill stations, but we go into buying mugs as a souvenir more than anything.

Except some of the refrigerators are on the small size like the owners at BWV. The would be tight for 6 - 8 people in a 2BR.

I agree with the OP that food court would be nice. Disney does limit them to the vales and moderate resorts though. When you think about it, most of the deluxe resorts to not have the space. CR would have to get rid of Chef Mickey's and where would they locate a food court at the Boardwalk or Beach Club? And those resorts really cater to their cash guests not just the DVC guests. So deluxe hotels have to consider whether a TS or a QS would be more popular with guests that pay $500 or more a night to stay there.

 

[Minniesgal]

Except some of the refrigerators are on the small size like the owners at BWV. The would be tight for 6 - 8 people in a 2BR. I agree with the OP that food court would be nice. Disney does limit them to the vales and moderate resorts though. When you think about it, most of the deluxe resorts to not have the space. CR would have to get rid of Chef Mickey's and where would they locate a food court at the Boardwalk or Beach Club? And those resorts really cater to their cash guests not just the DVC guests. So deluxe hotels have to consider whether a TS or a QS would be more popular with guests that pay $500 or more a night to stay there.

And deluxe resorts also offer room service which isn't available at values or moderates

 

[DebbieB]

Except some of the refrigerators are on the small size like the owners at BWV. The would be tight for 6 - 8 people in a 2BR.

I agree with the OP that food court would be nice. Disney does limit them to the vales and moderate resorts though. When you think about it, most of the deluxe resorts to not have the space. CR would have to get rid of Chef Mickey's and where would they locate a food court at the Boardwalk or Beach Club? And those resorts really cater to their cash guests not just the DVC guests. So deluxe hotels have to consider whether a TS or a QS would be more popular with guests that pay $500 or more a night to stay there.

Contemporary has Contempo Cafe. It's not a food court but it is a quick service. Polynesian has Captain Cooks. As I mentioned, GF has Gasparilla Grill. WL has Roaring Fork, AKL has Mara, OKW has Goods to Go, SSR has Artists Pallet. Boardwalk and YC/BC are the ones lacking.

 

[hakepb]

SSR also has the Paddock Grill?

BWV is frustrating for QS options. (Because the carts would be nice "food court" options...if they were on the plan. They have added the Pizza window so there is more than my first stay.

I frequented value food courts pre-DVC. After a few stays, I learned to leave the resort and QS at a park... Or eat QS at a park before returning to the resort.

 

[crisi]

SSR also has the Paddock Grill?

BWV is frustrating for QS options. (Because the carts would be nice "food court" options...if they were on the plan. They have added the Pizza window so there is more than my first stay.

I frequented value food courts pre-DVC. After a few stays, I learned to leave the resort and QS at a park... Or eat QS at a park before returning to the resort.

The carts really should be a dining plan option - and open more often.

Boardwalk has BW Bakery, the pool bar has some food, and the pizza window. BCV has the Marketplace and Hurricane Hannahs - both are also the easiest walks to get to Epcot, where there are lots of counter service restaurants - we have bopped from the Boardwalk into Epcot just for the bakery in France or the Fish and Chips place a few times - neither which is far at all (especially since our moderate trips were at CBR - and the walk to that food court from our room was never short).

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

I like DVC however I have a real issue with the lack of counter service options at these resorts. I like to purchase the dining plan and while having a refillable mug is nice. There aren't any refillable fountain stations nearby. Very frustrating. We've stayed at Old Key West and to refill our mug we had to drive a mile down the road to the outside less than comfortable Goods to Go with their walk up counter with flies swarming around the beverage station.

Doesn't the GF have a refill station at the pool right outside the villas?

 

[Candy Orlando]

Doesn't the GF have a refill station at the pool right outside the villas?

Yes and a very good selection of food.

Candy

 

[twinkybel81]

We are coming out to enjoy our first stay since becoming members at a DVC resort at the end of September/beginning of October and we are so excited! We are opting for the DDP though we had originally thought to cook breakfasts in the villa. I cannot speak to the ease of refilling the mugs at the various DVC resorts, but the reasons we are opting for the DDP are 1) we have family friends coming with us and it will be their first trip to WDW and we want them to be able to experience more of the available dining, 2) we still see a value in the mugs (ie, we will make coffee in our room, but then perhaps fill them with lemonade or soda at the resort filling station for while we are waiting for a bus to our destination or we will fill them when we get back to the resort for the evening to possibly go and add a little something to make it a nightcap (has worked out great on three other trips) and 3) depending on where you eat, you can save quite a bit of money by using the DDP (even over TIW). My husband and I put together a pretty extensive spreadsheet to compare all of our options to see which would be the most cost effective for this trip, and the DDP was the way to go.