How to get the most out of free counter service

[disneymarie]

Any tips on the best places?
MK I like Pecos Bills, is that a good choice? I like the variety up at the spot the muppet characters are singing, I call it the space ship place.

The Bakery will they use snack credit, I love their sandwhiches.

EPCOT
I like the fish and chips in England, but not very big serving, neither is Mexico
I do get the snacks at Norway, is that good?

AK
I like the BBQ near the Adventure area, but if I ate at Pecos Bill, may want something different. ANy really good salads with chicken on them, or fruit salads?

HS
At a loss, I know there are two cafeteria styles we ate at, one was better then the other? I know by TOT there was a counter service, would that be better.

I know there was a buffet in a dinner for not much cost too, is it better to pay for the buffet there? Was it Melrose, or something else?
What about snacks there

TIA for any input. OH, I do not mind the value resort dining, but know there is better out there.
di

PS we did the sit down dining last Fall, and do not want to take the time out for a sit down this time.

 

[scrapquitler]

Any tips on the best places?
MK I like Pecos Bills, is that a good choice? I like the variety up at the spot the muppet characters are singing, I call it the space ship place.

The Bakery will they use snack credit, I love their sandwhiches.

EPCOT
I like the fish and chips in England, but not very big serving, neither is Mexico
I do get the snacks at Norway, is that good?

AK
I like the BBQ near the Adventure area, but if I ate at Pecos Bill, may want something different. ANy really good salads with chicken on them, or fruit salads?

HS
At a loss, I know there are two cafeteria styles we ate at, one was better then the other? I know by TOT there was a counter service, would that be better.

I know there was a buffet in a dinner for not much cost too, is it better to pay for the buffet there? Was it Melrose, or something else?
What about snacks there

TIA for any input. OH, I do not mind the value resort dining, but know there is better out there.
di

PS we did the sit down dining last Fall, and do not want to take the time out for a sit down this time.

I like Columbia Harbor House and Cosmic Rays in MK

In Epcot, I like the counter service place in The Land.

 

[ceecee]

The best value is getting what you like. We really like Columbia Harbor House at MK. Sunshine ?? the one by Soarin at Epcot (lots of choices). Flame Tree BBQ at AK. No favorite at HS, we usually just get smoothies there.

 

[Sagginit]

sunshine seasons in epcot! i had great salmon there once and also good chicken. in MK we like columbia harbor house.

 

[fanofWD]

easywdw dot com has a great couple of articles on the best quick service restaurants and they break them down in all sorts of different ways (best value, most unique...etc) including by park!

 

[Belle & Ariel]

You can find menus on allears.net.

 

[disneymarie]

Columbia Harbor house is new to me. I will see where it is located,
Cosmic Rays, yep that was the one I liked...lots of variety for everyone and portions good size. Mega size.

Sunshine Seasons I never heard or or recall, need to find that one.

Flame TRee, yes, that one. There was one over by the O'Hanna or expensive place that was counter and I will never waste my money there again. DD wanted the fruit and there was a man making spring rolls. They were rather different, I liked the shrimp.

I think for HS, the one backlot with the counter service and if I can think of the Buffet place, if it was Melrose or not that is a choice.

Thanks for the links, I can read the links, but having the real taste test of DISers passes the real test

 

[MrsDrewsky]

I think the QSDP is my favorite, we're going to just do quick service next year and I missed the convenience of eating whenever I felt like it.

In Epcot Tangeriene Cafe was a great value on the plan as well.

Also I would suggest trying to fit in a meal at wolfgang puck express in downtown disney. You definitely get the most bang for your buck, and the food is some of the best I've had at WDW.

 

[blessedby3]

Definately hit up Wolfgang Puck Express in DTD! You get an incredible meal (served on real plates, no less) and a CS credit. The best bang for your CS buck in my opinion!

 

[marmalade]

We ate at the bakery in Norway for lunch and I think it is one of the better uses of a quick service credit. You get a very large sandwich a salad and a dessert. This meal could easily be split between two people.

 

[erincon23]

Columbia Harbor house is new to me. I will see where it is located,
Cosmic Rays, yep that was the one I liked...lots of variety for everyone and portions good size. Mega size.

Columbia Harbor House is near Haunted Mansion -- after you come past the back of the castle into Liberty Square. They have a huge fried shrimp and french fries platter, and a Maine lobster roll sandwich! They also have fried fish. Out of pocket, the items are expensive for counter service (worth it, but pricey), but with the dining plan, great value for your credit. My friend and I really enjoyed eating there. DS20 and I will probably be eating there -- 3 weeks from today!

 

[Granny square]

The best value is getting what you like. We really like Columbia Harbor House at MK. Sunshine ?? the one by Soarin at Epcot (lots of choices). Flame Tree BBQ at AK. No favorite at HS, we usually just get smoothies there.

I so agree, all the way around!

 

[disneymarie]

I think the QSDP is my favorite, we're going to just do quick service next year and I missed the convenience of eating whenever I felt like it.

In Epcot Tangeriene Cafe was a great value on the plan as well.

Also I would suggest trying to fit in a meal at wolfgang puck express in downtown disney. You definitely get the most bang for your buck, and the food is some of the best I've had at WDW.

I agree about the QSDP, I enjoyed some great meals on the full dining, but stressed the whole trip on making it on time, conflicts with a large group in different parks meeting up. My dd would love to try Taneriene Cafe, I remember posting about her desire for Bubble Tea in The World Showcase, and by a tip on DIS found it in China Town, Phila. So she likes different flavor eateries experience.

Definately hit up Wolfgang Puck Express in DTD! You get an incredible meal (served on real plates, no less) and a CS credit. The best bang for your CS buck in my opinion!

I am glad to hear about this, I just read the tip on; easywdw dot com about the portion, cost and comparitive with Earl of Sandwhich which was our go to place. Especially if not on a dining plan I loved the Earl, now can't wait to try Wolf Gang.

We ate at the bakery in Norway for lunch and I think it is one of the better uses of a quick service credit. You get a very large sandwich a salad and a dessert. This meal could easily be split between two people.

Love the deserts in Norway with sc, never took note of the sandwhiches. I stubbled on the same thing at the Bakery on Main St. last year. What a really good meal there.

Columbia Harbor House is near Haunted Mansion -- after you come past the back of the castle into Liberty Square. They have a huge fried shrimp and french fries platter, and a Maine lobster roll sandwich! They also have fried fish. Out of pocket, the items are expensive for counter service (worth it, but pricey), but with the dining plan, great value for your credit. My friend and I really enjoyed eating there. DS20 and I will probably be eating there -- 3 weeks from today!

Thanks, thats exactly what I want to hear. What is the best bang for a plan, but I may not stop there if out of pocket. I think I ducked into a small covered exiting area the last trip during a down pour.

The best value is getting what you like. We really like Columbia Harbor House at MK. Sunshine ?? the one by Soarin at Epcot (lots of choices). Flame Tree BBQ at AK. No favorite at HS, we usually just get smoothies there.

Now that is some good planning to start, add in the Wolf Gang, add The Taneriene Cafe, looking forward to Sunshine by Soarin too.
I remember the dd liked the egg rolls at China I think, where Mulan was; were about 4 of them for $4. That hit the spot for a snack if a snack credit works.

The only one left is HS. I looked at the dining buffet price and wow that was about $30 so that one is out. Guess the ABC commisary for lunch and that will be a night we can eat at the Columbian Harbor House.

Thanks for the tips!!!!
DISers are great! I read the site; easywdw dot com for a few hrs last night, Even found a few Spirts that dh and I may partake in.

erincon, have a delicious fun time at the World.

 

[tar heel]

Mama Melrose at the Studios is NOT a counter service or a buffet. It's an Italian table service restaurant.

 

[MEM]

We ate at the bakery in Norway for lunch and I think it is one of the better uses of a quick service credit. You get a very large sandwich a salad and a dessert. This meal could easily be split between two people.

My DH and DS18 would agree with you, except for the part about sharing! I was impressed when he told me how much food they were given for one CS credit (including a drink) and he said the quality was very good.

 

[sjwright701]

The breakfast and lunch buffets at Coronado Springs count as a counter service meal.

 

[queenbetsey]

I agree with the pp about pucks express! great food great service and soooo does not feel like a counter service at all. (I wonder if Chicken little, one of our favorite servers is still there)
when in epcot we like to share cs meals from different countries so we can try the food. That way if it is not your cup of tea you aren't all out on a counter service credit if you do like it like we did in morroco just order another meal to share

 

[Psychodisney]

At DHS, we like Starring Rolls for lunch. They have huge sandwiches and yummy cupcakes for desert. When at MK, we also like to head to the hotels for some variety and a break from the MK crowds. We like the counter service at the Poly, Grand Floridian and Contemporary. I also remember a nice salad with chicken at the Wilderness Lodge.

 

[meriface11]

i think the counter service in mexico and morocco pavillions both offer excellent value on dining plan.

 

[Yoshi]

Even though it was already mentioned by others, I was very impressed with Wolfgang Puck Express. I couldn't believe that it counted as a quick service credit as some of the entrees were around $20.

For 4 people, it was $102.50 if we would have been paying out of pocket (but we wouldn't have gotten 4 drinks and 4 desserts if we were paying out of pocket). It was probably my favorite meal of the entire trip since we had the quick service dining plan.