First time without the DDP- tips?

[ejrj]

Hello!

We will be traveling later this fall for our third family trip to world but our first time without the ddp. In the past we've always gone during free dining. This is also the first time we'll be flying and therefore limited on items to bring.

Any tips? Small food items you always bring, places you feel are great value, places worth the money regardless, etc?

We are a family of five - 'normal' eater 42 year old man, 'light eater' me, 'athletic appetite' 7 yo girl and tiny 4 year old girls. We'll be staying at Yacht Club this trip.

Thanks for the advice!!

 

[SM101]

With a family that size, I'd consider either getting groceries delivered (worth it if you are not renting a car) or taking a quick trip to the store (if you'll have a car). A case of water, some quick breakfast items like cereal, granola bars, etc, some snack items like crackers, almonds, fresh fruit. Alternatively, pack dry goods in your luggage (the room can be used for souvenirs on return) and remember you can always get free iced water at QS counters.

With your family make up, it sounds like sharing meals would be a great option for you - meals are often large enough to share maybe 2-3 entrees rather than needing to get everyone their own.

For character buffets, breakfast is the most economical option (and usually decent food) - lunch and dinner are generally very pricey for the quality of the food. I hate buffet meals in general, but it does get the character meet and greets out of the way.

 

[jimmytammy]

Do you have AP? If so, you can purchase a Tables in Wonderland card that allows you 20% off food. We also find that DW and I will split meals every so often. Not doing the DDP allows you a little freedom where you arent spending your whole time eating. I would make ressies no matter what if dining is part of the experience for you. We went with thoughts of CS only once, but quickly discovered we didnt quite feel our best.

 

[samsteele]

For a few easy, fast and inexpensive breakfasts, you could consider packing cereal (just take the sealed bags out of the boxes), pack some disposable "chinette" bowls & plastic spoons, then buy milk in the gift shop. You could also supplement with some granola bars and quick oatmeal packs. I usually book ADRs at the following restaurants when paying OOP because the price point is a bit better: Trails End buffet (dinner), Biergarten (lunch), Beaches & Cream, Yak & Yeti (lunch: appies shared), Marrakesh (lunch) and Sanaa (lunch: the complete bread service appie is huge and many of their lunch entrees are reasonable and could be shared). Also lots of positive comments on the boards about booking Via Napoli for dinner to share a pizza when paying OOP. Some of these ADRs go quickly (Beaches & Cream, in particular since the place is so small, and also Via Napoli is always in demand) so worthwhile to make those quickly if interested. Best of luck!

 

[ejrj]

Thank you. We do not have a TIW card ( not AP holders).

We are not soda drinkers at all so the mugs were never of much service to us. Although, now that I've written that, I wonder if Yacht Club has actual juice? I seem to recall that some of the deluxes have real juice dispensers...

Thank you for the Via Napoli idea. Trying to get Beaches & Cream since we're staying there! This was a 'last minute' trip compared to what I normally plan - we only booked last week (we travel mid November) thus affecting ADR options.

 

[kaybird]

We also share many meals, bot QS and TS. Sticker shock is what gets us the most when not on DDP. We also make an effort to try non DDP offerings (i.e. Chicken and waffles at Sleepy Hollow, the restaurants at Swan & Dolphin, Blue Zoo, etc, and also pay OOP for some of the standard 2 TS restaurants.)

 

[RookieLady]

I never go on DDP. The inexpensive hits for us have been mentioned--Via Napoli, Biergarten lunch, Beaches & Cream, Saana. I would add the Plaza, 50s Prime Time lunch and the Rain Forest Café lunch to that list (Yak & Yetti, too). If you get to downtown Disney, I didn't think Raglan Road was too bad either. Rose and Crown can also be "inexpensive." Avoid the buffets, for the most part.

I would also add that a lot of people complain than some of the signatures aren't worth 2 credits. If you had been one of those folks, have a look at the menus and see if now might be the time to go. HDDR is fabulous. We enjoy signatures, too, but often share meals because it is a lot of food. We like the Brown Derby, Yachtsman, Artist Point, Narcosses, and the California Grill. Just food for thought.

 

[samsteele]

For a quick mention, at Downtown Disney, Earl of Sandwich is a great choice OOP. High quality, nearly gourmet level sandwiches with many, many choices. Don't let the lines put you off. They know how to move the line along quickly. I've had the 'full montague" and it was very good. As other PP have mentioned, don't be shy about sharing entrees amongst your party and maybe also ordering an appie to share. But if you get to the point where you have many hungry mouths to feed and it has been a few days since a huge fill up, I would go with Trails End dinner buffet. Its an easy boat ride from the Magic Kingdom. All you can eat and while not gourmet, it is very tasty and a hidden gem. Good luck!

 

[jolene63]

The Plaza in MK is very affordable and good. Earl of Sandwich is a great choice when dining at DTD. Share CS meals and get a snack later if hungry. Cinnamon rolls at Gaston's Tavern are very filling and we have skipped dinner before and just ate one of those.

 

[GrumpyDad1974]

We do bagels or pop tarts for a quick breakfast on the go. We each bring a water bottle in the park. We usually eat QS at lunch (we eat less quantity when were paying OOP). We don't do deserts, skip sodas and share fries. Depending on the schedule we may skip lunch and just do snacks. It ends up cheaper oop than paying for the DP. We usually eat dinner at the hotel but if we go to DTD we eat at Wolfgang Pucks express or Earl of Sandwich.

 

[JACKNAG]

Yikes , I haven't made that leap of faith since the STD dining plan include appetizers and tips in 2006
If your eating two meals a day you will always come out better on the dining plan.
Do your math, go to allears , get the menus work out a dining plan . add up the cost and see where you come out.. With two kids on the kids plan you may break even. but you two will always being cost conscious of menu items.

Keep us posted how you make out. We love good food, and I always come out with the equivalent of a free lunch on the DP

 

[DonnaDuck333]

Hello!

We will be traveling later this fall for our third family trip to world but our first time without the ddp. In the past we've always gone during free dining. This is also the first time we'll be flying and therefore limited on items to bring.

Any tips? Small food items you always bring, places you feel are great value, places worth the money regardless, etc?

We are a family of five - 'normal' eater 42 year old man, 'light eater' me, 'athletic appetite' 7 yo girl and tiny 4 year old girls. We'll be staying at Yacht Club this trip.

Thanks for the advice!!

Trails End buffet for breakfast or Dinner, cheapest buffet on property and good comfort food, also Wolfgang Puck Express has good food too. Sunshine season in Epcot has a healthy menu for lunch,..... Honestly for me and my merry crew of 4 the DDP is the only choice because we truly enjoy a nice sit down meal at night,Chef Le France, Kona's, Tutto Italia, ect.... and also we don't do a breakfast, maybe a yogurt, and always a park lunch...We always come out ahead and better off than paying OOP, ... also as I like to be waited on, for this Mom who cooks rather well (Italian decent) every night of the week and is serving rather than being served, I like the restaurant experience. But every family has different needs. You have many good options here and should have no problem finding good dining places to fit your family. Have a great trip, my parents are also staying at the Yacht Club in Dec, our crew are doing a Royal room for our Daughter this year... But our first love is the Epcot resorts... Enjoy!

 

[ejrj]

For a quick mention, at Downtown Disney, Earl of Sandwich is a great choice OOP. High quality, nearly gourmet level sandwiches with many, many choices. Don't let the lines put you off. They know how to move the line along quickly. I've had the 'full montague" and it was very good. As other PP have mentioned, don't be shy about sharing entrees amongst your party and maybe also ordering an appie to share. But if you get to the point where you have many hungry mouths to feed and it has been a few days since a huge fill up, I would go with Trails End dinner buffet. Its an easy boat ride from the Magic Kingdom. All you can eat and while not gourmet, it is very tasty and a hidden gem. Good luck!

Too funny. I received a totally random text from my husband yesterday afternoon that said 'hey!!i know we're doing the trip different this year but we're still going to Earl's to get my Thanksgiving sandwich, right?!!'

 

[ejrj]

Thanks for the tips everyone. Much appreciated. I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing the boat on anything obvious. I'm not overly concerned about the oop cost vs the ddp. On our last trip we had a ridiculous amount of leftover credits as we always ended up sharing plates - Although we were entitled, I couldn't stand to see the waste when we each ordered our 'full meals. Except the bakery in France. Ain't nobody be taking anything off ma plate there! Or my second or third plate...come to think of it that may be why I subconsciously booked hotel with such easy access...

Although exceptions are made (I'm talking to you funnel cake) we are fairly healthy eaters. I too was really impressed by the food at Sunshine Seasons. The 'ambiance' lacked but the food options for lunch were really appealing!

 

[busymommy2pink]

First of all, you will LOVE Yacht club!! Our fav is beach club and we love the pool and the grounds and the overall ambiance. We always do a grocery order from Garden Grocer. We love to convenience and don't find it too terribly priced. If you order 60 days in advance you get 10% off your order. They've always given us great customer service.

My athletic 6.5 year old lives off Clif Kids organic bars (she particularly loves the iced oatmeal). These little guy are packed full of good things for the day!

On top of that we always eat breakfast in the room. This trip we are doing 'Ohana and 1900PF however! We order organic milk, cereal cups (cheaper option is a box of cereal and grab some bowls and spoons from the QS), bananas, yogurt, case of water, case of snapple or gatorade, oatmeal to go squares, a couple of individual muffins, apple sauce, popcorn, fruit snacks (for in line waiting) foaming handsoap and bubble bath. Sometimes we add a box of smuckers uncrustables as our kids love them and it's a novelty since we don't have them here in Canada. OH! We usually also order a loaf of bread and jam since one of our daughters is hypoglycemic.

Good value for quick service we always find at Columbia Harbour House, Morrco in Epcot (forget the restaurant name), fish & chips in Epcot, ABC commissionary in HS and Flame Tree BBQ at AK. Honorable mention to Wolf Gang Puck and Earl of Sandwich in DTD.

For table service we will ALWAYS do Teppan Edo, in fact normally we do it twice, the prices aren't insane and our kids eat the most here. We love that it's sauteed veggies, chicken and shrimp along with brown rice. They gobble it ALL. Raglan Road in DTD is amazing. We are also probably the minority, but we do love doing CRT for the ambiance as well as avoiding princess lines in the park. Tusker House Breakfast with MIckey is by far the best on property!!! Sad we couldn't secure a ressie this trip.

Also...our kids get bored of water, so we also bring those squeezable water flavors with on our trips. It also makes the water taste better if we refill bottles in the park It's a cheap alternative to buying juice or soda. Both of which we aren't personally fans of. Also, we like to get a Trenta iced tea from starbucks, passion tea is the best, ask for light ice, and this is a nice alternative and caffeine free. And it's actually VERY cheap. A trenta gives each of our 4 members appox a cup of liquid for under $3.00.

 

[ejrj]

First of all, you will LOVE Yacht club!! Our fav is beach club and we love the pool and the grounds and the overall ambiance. We always do a grocery order from Garden Grocer. We love to convenience and don't find it too terribly priced. If you order 60 days in advance you get 10% off your order. They've always given us great customer service.

My athletic 6.5 year old lives off Clif Kids organic bars (she particularly loves the iced oatmeal). These little guy are packed full of good things for the day!

On top of that we always eat breakfast in the room. This trip we are doing 'Ohana and 1900PF however! We order organic milk, cereal cups (cheaper option is a box of cereal and grab some bowls and spoons from the QS), bananas, yogurt, case of water, case of snapple or gatorade, oatmeal to go squares, a couple of individual muffins, apple sauce, popcorn, fruit snacks (for in line waiting) foaming handsoap and bubble bath. Sometimes we add a box of smuckers uncrustables as our kids love them and it's a novelty since we don't have them here in Canada. OH! We usually also order a loaf of bread and jam since one of our daughters is hypoglycemic.

Good value for quick service we always find at Columbia Harbour House, Morrco in Epcot (forget the restaurant name), fish & chips in Epcot, ABC commissionary in HS and Flame Tree BBQ at AK. Honorable mention to Wolf Gang Puck and Earl of Sandwich in DTD.

For table service we will ALWAYS do Teppan Edo, in fact normally we do it twice, the prices aren't insane and our kids eat the most here. We love that it's sauteed veggies, chicken and shrimp along with brown rice. They gobble it ALL. Raglan Road in DTD is amazing. We are also probably the minority, but we do love doing CRT for the ambiance as well as avoiding princess lines in the park. Tusker House Breakfast with MIckey is by far the best on property!!! Sad we couldn't secure a ressie this trip.

Also...our kids get bored of water, so we also bring those squeezable water flavors with on our trips. It also makes the water taste better if we refill bottles in the park It's a cheap alternative to buying juice or soda. Both of which we aren't personally fans of. Also, we like to get a Trenta iced tea from starbucks, passion tea is the best, ask for light ice, and this is a nice alternative and caffeine free. And it's actually VERY cheap. A trenta gives each of our 4 members appox a cup of liquid for under $3.00.

Thanks Heidi! Yes, we too love the food in Morrocco! We always stop there to share platters. I actually grew up in Canada in a town with many Middle Eastern & African restaurants - how sad that Disney-fied version is now my go to!

I'm definitely going to look into Garden Grocer. My girls are use to eating as soon as they get up in the AM and having that quick access to food keeps the immediate 'grumpies' away. We aren't super strict but for the most part my kids only eat whole foods - I'm hoping garden grocer has hard boiled eggs. And now that I think about it, if I make the protein bars at home like normal, I should be able to put them In a little cooler bag in a suitcase and into the small fridge once we arrive. Thanks for helping me work through this!

 

[bumbershoot]

You might consider a rental car so you can make trips out to the store. There's a Whole Foods up the way towards Universal that's always fun (if expensive). And the local Publix stores are actually quite decent. Far more decent, in terms of good foods there, than they were in the late 80s, that's for sure!

If your eating two meals a day you will always come out better on the dining plan.

I've never once gotten it to work financially for our family. And we don't eat just one meal a day.

 

[ejrj]

You might consider a rental car so you can make trips out to the store. There's a Whole Foods up the way towards Universal that's always fun (if expensive). And the local Publix stores are actually quite decent. Far more decent, in terms of good foods there, than they were in the late 80s, that's for sure!



I've never once gotten it to work financially for our family. And we don't eat just one meal a day.

Whole Paycheck

 

[kj2mom]

Don't think I saw it mentioned but Cosmic Rays was a great place for me with my two 13 year olds. We got the chicken and ribs meal, I took the ribs, my children shared the chicken then we each got some mashed potato and some green beans. One meal, 3 full bellies!

 

[LaidBackDad]

Yikes , I haven't made that leap of faith since the STD dining plan include appetizers and tips in 2006
If your eating two meals a day you will always come out better on the dining plan.
Do your math, go to allears , get the menus work out a dining plan . add up the cost and see where you come out.. With two kids on the kids plan you may break even. but you two will always being cost conscious of menu items.

Keep us posted how you make out. We love good food, and I always come out with the equivalent of a free lunch on the DP

Congratulations on ditching the DDP!!! You will be much happier. You are a perfect candidate for the gift card method. Go to allears and estimate how much and estimate how much you think you will spend and purchase gift cards for that amount and use those cards for your meals. If estimating your cost is too much work just purchase $50 - $60 worth of cards per person per day (cost of the DDP). When you are ordering your meals, order whatever you want without regard for price. At the end of your trip you will find that you will still have money left over for sovereigns or to use on your next trip. Even if you order the most expensive items for every meal you will find it is almost impossible to spend as much money as the DDP cost. The only difference is you get to eat what you want and not what the DDP makes you order. Additionally, many retailers offer discounts on the Disney gift cards so you will save even more money when you buy the gift cards.