Half board vouchers?

[MickeysFavouriteGirl]

Are they worth getting?

We've booked a 2 night stay for March 2011, but may add another night on.

We're planning on eating at Annettes and Cafe Mickey (Birthday lunch). Not sure of the last place - would like a buffet. My DH is paying for my Birthday lunch (will be on the last day) so is it worth getting the half board vouchers just for Annettes and a buffet? Was thinking of Resturant des Stars but DH says he wasn't too impressed with the photos on the reviews.

BTW it'll be for 2 adults and a picky 4yr old.

 

[mommy2ash]

i wouldnt to be honest. they dont save you any money. just pay when you get there

 

[Asker Family]

You have to purchase the half board vouchers for each night you stay. We used them in August but they only worked out a bit cheaper and that was because we bought premium ones and used them at 3 very expensive places - Inventions, Auberge and Buffalo Bills Show.

We are looking at our trip at Christmas and it is cheaper to pay when we are there for every restaurant so, no I don't think it is worth it.

 

[loladelorean]

The general consensus is that the vouchers do not save you much money, but they are good for financial planning i.e. you know your meals are paid for so you don't need to worry about that.
Be aware that if you get them, you need them for every night of your stay so you would need to use them towards the cost of Cafe Mickey.
In my opinion, Annette's in particular offers great value anyway so not really worth having the vouchers, they might end up costing more.
In terms of buffet choices, have you considered the Lucky Nugget? We really enjoyed the food (tex mex style, fajitas, chilli etc as well as some more standard fare), and there is the added bonus of character interaction and a live band.
From the information you have given, I would say you will be better off without the vouchers, but obviously it is your choice.

 

[Asker Family]

Ooh I was thinking of lucky nugget for a lunch on our christmas trip but wasn't sure as the reviews are iffy but you sound like you enjoyed it and food sounds good too. Tell me more, do you know how much it was and was there pizza or chicken nugget type things for fussy 5 yr olds! Thanks

 

[loladelorean]

Ooh I was thinking of lucky nugget for a lunch on our christmas trip but wasn't sure as the reviews are iffy but you sound like you enjoyed it and food sounds good too. Tell me more, do you know how much it was and was there pizza or chicken nugget type things for fussy 5 yr olds! Thanks

Check out this link for more info http://www.dlpfoodguide.com/luckynugget.html

Sorry we don't have kids but I'm pretty sure there was pizza and chicken nugget-type selection. I'm sure I've seen photos of the buffet somewhere, I'll have a look on the review thread. There were lots of kids there when we visited tucking in.
I had tomato soup, chicken fajitas with peppers, salsa etc, chilli and rice, some chicken wings, salad, and a wide variety of desserts
Mmm it was great, the character interaction we got was brilliant very funny and personal. We got 5 different characters I think. And the band played onstage throughout our meal, which we really enjoyed. I think the restaurant has a great atmosphere and style and the food is right up my street. We are going back on our final day this time.
This was one occasion where I think the half board vouchers did save money (we had them last year because we didn't trust ourselves to budget for food!) - I think the price for the buffet is now around 32 Euros for adults.

 

[loladelorean]

Check out the photos on the restaurant review thread - there is concrete evidence of chicken nuggets!
Unfortunately with all the restaurants in Disney experiences seem to be very hit or miss - on our last trip we LOVED Lucky Nugget and Annette's, had a so-so experience at Cafe Mickey (see my trip report) and really didn't like Plaza Gardens.
But other people have experiences that entirely oppose this. (mind you Annette's seems to be a universal favourite, with good reason)
Part of it is down to personal preference, part of it is inconsistency in the service and food on Disney's part.
So I stand by my recommendation of Lucky Nugget and hope that you enjoy it as much as we did if you decide to go there

 

[MickeysFavouriteGirl]

Does the Lucky Nugget only do lunch?

Our plan would be:

Day 1 - Annettes for Dinner
Day 2 - Either mcdonalds for lunch or dinner, buffet lunch or dinner (depends on where we choose)
Day 3 - Cafe Mickey for lunch

I was also looking at the Toad Hole for lunch on Day 1 - any recommendations? On the childs menu it says "sandwich duo" any idea what this is?

If we stay the extra night then we'll eat at Agrabah.

PS Thanks for the replies on the h/b vouchers - I didn't think it would benefit us much.

 

[mommy2ash]

Does the Lucky Nugget only do lunch?

Our plan would be:

Day 1 - Annettes for Dinner
Day 2 - Either mcdonalds for lunch or dinner, buffet lunch or dinner (depends on where we choose)
Day 3 - Cafe Mickey for lunch

I was also looking at the Toad Hole for lunch on Day 1 - any recommendations? On the childs menu it says "sandwich duo" any idea what this is?

If we stay the extra night then we'll eat at Agrabah.

PS Thanks for the replies on the h/b vouchers - I didn't think it would benefit us much.

the sandwich duo are like a ham and cheese roll. my dd didnt like them and i didnt either. they are kept in a fridge and are quite cold and hard.

we love toad hall, although they have changed the menu around a bit. when we go we are going to get one meal and extra chips and drinks. you get double fish with the meal and we wont eat four helpings of fish between two adults

 

[DLPdaft]

Agree with Sonya, the sandwich duo is not good. We don't bother with a kids meal there - the fish adult meal deal is plenty for us, as it comes with a large fish, chips, soft drink, tomato soup with croutons, and I think a mini muffin or something like that for dessert. Plenty big enough for an adult and a child - and its good food too.

In low season, when the parks close at 6 or 7pm, the Lucky Nugget is only open for lunch, not dinner (but it is a character lunch buffet).