Help needed in deciding between the QS or TS DP

[vinmar4]

We are going for 5 nights and we are getting the DP. Last time we got the one with the 1 TS included and I loved them as I we get tired of the Burgers and other stuff fast and we were able to do some character dinners, but we felt presured to have to do stuff around those reservation times. At that time we were there for 8 nights and being our first time we did everything commando style. Now this time around I think we are going to still have to go to the parks but we also want to spend time in our home resort. So I was thinking maybe the QS and get to get the resort mug and don't feel so muh pressure, but then I don't know if we will miss not having the one TS. It will also be about 160 dollars less. I have never been there in June and heard that it is fuming hot!
What would you guys do

 

[disfanforlife]

It really depends on what you want to eat. We enjoy sitting down for a nice meal every night. We get the TS plan every year and I wouldn't want the QS because I get tired of the QS meals much faster than the TS. We usually end up sharing lunches a few times and have extra QS meals left over and use them for breakfast towards the last few days of our trip.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Look at the places you would like to eat. If you have more TS places, choose that plan. If you have more QS places, choose that plan.

We did the dining plan one time and thought we spent too much time planning around the ADR times. Plus we ate way too much food. So we don't do either plan. We like a few TS restaurants and a few Counter Service meals and we plan around those.

 

[culli]

I agree with Deb&Bill, I hate planning everyday around ressies. We do the DVC dinning plan........save a bunch of cash and eat in the room. We then make a few TS ressies that we really want to hit. If we decide to do more eating out we just do it and whatever is open pay cash. Try to stay away from the QS places as we get sick of it quick.

Where are you staying, that would play a big part to what I was going to do. But the TS would be the only thing I would even consider.

 

[Hopefully]

We usually do the full DDP.
We very much enjoy one sit down meal in the evening. We personally would miss this.
We do breakfast in the villa, a CS lunch in the parks and a TS dinner either in WS at Epcot or one of the resorts. I do not want to cook in at WDW for dinner in the evening.
Yes planning for ADR's is time consuming. I like planning and I have fun doing it. We plan our park days first, based on crowd predictions, and then make our ADR's in that park or a nearby resort.
Yes getting to ADR's each day is a commitment. But we are comfortable doing it. If this is a burden for you, I wouldn't recommend the DDP for your family. Everyone is different and what they enjoy is personal.
You didn't say where you are staying. In my opinion many of the DVC resorts (BW, BCV for 2) do not have great QS options. I personally do not think the QS Plan works well in those locations.

 

[vinmar4]

Ew are staying at AKV but in a a studio. I already made all the reservations on line according to the park we are going be in that day. I guess I would miss the TS if we did not get it. But I was just thinking that it would be nice just to eat wherever we are at whenever we all get hungry. I like the part where you share some of the meals and save for breakfast at the resort. I know the kids love their snacks. Also price wise I don't really see the value in getting the QS but with the TS for 10 dollars more a day, you can eat a nice steak or salmon.
thanks

 

[Dean]

Personally I prefer the sit downs but if you decide not to, that does not mean you're limited to burgers and the like. Seasons has oriental, salads, salmon. The QS at several places have a gourmet night, PO has a carving station. Pepper Market has more sit down meals for a QS cost. WP Express has great gourmet food. Many of the EPCOT places have more local type fare. Flametree has ribs. Cosmic Ray's has a rib/chicken combo that is quite good. There are other examples. Your choice, just giving you some options to think about.

 

[Sandisw]

We actually will be using both this summer as we are doing a split stay. We did the same thing last summer as well.

We don't like to be tied down to TS every day but do enjoy a few throughout our trip. This year, we are doing 3 nights at BCV and doing the regular DDP while there. Then, we we move to BLT for our last 3 nights, we are just getting the QSDP.

This way, we are not totally tied down and overloaded with TS, but have a few of our favorites. I really like the flexibility of the QSDP and last summer, felt satisfied wtih all the places we ate.

Of course, I am hearing that the plans might change for 2011 and if they do, we may try out the TIW card for our 2011 and 2012 trips.

 

[Big Kid]

We also felt over-scheduled two trips ago with dinner ADRs since we often felt rushed getting to the restaurants following afternoon naps, even being on the monorail. For our next trip, I'm leaning towards making most of our TS ADRs for lunchtime in the park that we happen to be in that day. That way we'll be within a 10 minute walk of the restaurant and everyone will be hungry and ready to sit down and eat. And hopefully ready to go sleep off the big meal of the day afterwards.

 

[antnyh]

..... our first time we did everything commando style....

First off, TMI...

Secondly, we did only QS this May for the first time. We have always done the TS option in the past. DW and myself felt the same as you. We simply wanted more freedom. I feel that we got that, but we missed the TS food and the more relaxed dining experience. I would also like to point out that we did two ADR's at TS locations and ended up spending more than we would have if we just bit the bullet up front and bought the TS option . Lessons learned I guess. We have decided since we missed the TS locales and ended spending just as much as we did in the past that we will always do TS from now on. That was just our experience, but wanted to share that with you. Good luck and have a great trip!!

 

[vinmar4]

I think that we felt overbooked the last time, because we did the Park Hopper and we were rushing from one park to the other one for dinners. This time I'm scheduling all our dinner in the park were we are going to be that particular day.
Sandisw:
what have you heard about the future of DP's??

thanks for all the information!

 

[disneynutz]

We have tried them all. Last visit we did the QSDP. I must say that being able to pick dining locations on the go without having to plan in advance has it's advantages.

WP Market Place has always been our favorite QS location, but now I hear that they have followed Disney's lead and have cut their menu.

There is still plenty of places to choose from with pretty decent food. Give QS a try and let us know how it goes.

Bill

 

[disfanforlife]

We usually do the full DDP.
We very much enjoy one sit down meal in the evening. We personally would miss this.
We do breakfast in the villa, a CS lunch in the parks and a TS dinner either in WS at Epcot or one of the resorts. I do not want to cook in at WDW for dinner in the evening.
Yes planning for ADR's is time consuming. I like planning and I have fun doing it. We plan our park days first, based on crowd predictions, and then make our ADR's in that park or a nearby resort.
Yes getting to ADR's each day is a commitment. But we are comfortable doing it. If this is a burden for you, I wouldn't recommend the DDP for your family. Everyone is different and what they enjoy is personal.
You didn't say where you are staying. In my opinion many of the DVC resorts (BW, BCV for 2) do not have great QS options. I personally do not think the QS Plan works well in those locations.

Wow, this sounds exactly like us. We, too, enjoy the planning of the TS. We look at menu's on line and have discussions. For us it is part of the fun of the trip. But, we don't have little kids that need naps and rarely go back to the villa during the day.

 

[Crystal_27]

We are big fans of the standard DDP (with 1 TS, 1 CS, and a snack per person), and I could not imagine having only the CS plan (I would miss eating steak for dinner in favor of burgers and chicken fingers - LOL). For the minimal price difference, I would recommend going to the standard DDP. Good luck!