Help me decide..

[dvcnewgirl]

With the economy being the way it is and my husband working a commission job in the construction industry we are lucky to be going to Disney at all. I am trying to decide between the Quick Dining Plan and the Regular Dining Plan. We are DVC so no free dining for us.. whole different story.. anyway, I currently have the regular dining plan and ressies at Captains Grille, Rose and Crown, The Wave, and Turf Club. Could not get a character meal the whole time we are there which makes me annoyed. We will be staying at the Regal Sun before we check into BWV so we will be doing the character meal there which is cheaper because we have a kids eat free discount so at least we will have that. We will also be doing the character meal at the Nick hotel my kids LOVE the nick characters. OK back to the question if you were on a budget would you spend the $$ for the regular plan + tips or do the quick dining and not pay tips. I am afraid if I do quick dining I will be stuck eating chicken fingers all week. Did you get different meals with that plan? I will be doing one plan or the other because it is easier for me to budget. So any advice? TIA

 

[foohpah]

We have always done the regular dining plan because my kids are younger and LOVE character meals. We tend to use most of our credits that way. If I was you I would try the quick service and just research the CS options that are a little different. Sunshine Seasons at the Land pavilion in Epcot, any of the countries in Epcot, Flame Tree BBQ at AK, Columbia Harbour House at MK, Earl of Sandwich, Wolfgang Puck Express at DTD, etc.. I am sure you will eat plenty of chicken fingers but there are some really good alternative options if you look around.

 

[Hootch]

you're planning to tour.If you're going to have only a one each at DAK and DHS the QSDP would probably work. Flame Tree has decent barbecue and you can make something work at DHS.

Epcot has a wide variety of choices. Sunshine Seasons mentioned above has a lot of variety. I had a great roasted vegetable cuban sandwich. The beet salad is strong as are the noodle bowls. Yorkshire Fish House is good. I generally have a brat from Sommerfest. Tangierine Cafe provides some different types of food. The schwarma is one item I like to eat there. Also Boulangerie Pattiserie has some simple items like ham and cheese croissant or quiche that are good.

The Magic Kingdom also has some variety. Columbia Harbor House has a couple of different items. I had the Mediterranean Salad at Pinocchio Haus a couple of times on our last trip. The BBQ Pork sandwich at Peos Bill's or Cosmic Ray's is good. The Taco Salad with the fixin's bar at PB and the rotisserie chicken at CR are outside the chicken nugget family.

Finally at DTD Wolfgang Puck's Expres and Earl of Sandwich are two of the better CS opportunities at WDW.

I think there is a lot of variety for adults. It's not quite the same story for kids but my kids eat within their comfort zone - which is a very small zone.

Some of the restaurants I mentioned above are not shown as available on the DDP in 2010. They were all on it in 2009 and it's common for these to be addded later.

 

[jenniferyawn]

You'll be able to find lots of options other than fast food with the QS plan. That being said, I'd still vote for the regular plan. The reason our family loves it is that it gives us a break from the noise and running of the parks. It's a great meal along with a calmer, cooler environment. We always leave our TS meal refreshed and ready for more fun! Either way you choose, I'm sure your family will have a great time!

 

[tony67]

I was in the same boat as you on my recent trip.

I decided to go with the QSDP for a few reasons.
1) No Tips
2) No ADRs
3) Eat when I'm hungry
4) For the money savings in tips and plan cost I can get 1 or 2 sit downs if I like
5) 2 snacks - (this was a bonus since I went during the F&W festival)
6) I Don't need to know what park I will be in 180 days from now.

There are lots of food options. For 12 days I did not eat any burgers or fries.
I was impressed with the quality of food available for QSDP.
I've have not been impressed with most of the TS meals (value for Money).

Here is a mini review of what I had for QS meals for 12 days.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2315572

If your kids are under 10 (on the kids plan) then the QS meals could be somewhat limited so take a look at the menus.

 

[dvcnewgirl]

Thanks everyone for your insight. I am still trying to decide... I read your reviews Tony and they were great. Thanks all!