I have to ask...why do so many like theses vouchers???

[DisneyMomOK]

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[zippehsmom]

I loved using these vouchers when we went in 2002.

This what I discovered in using our vouchers:

1) This was a way for us to keep our budget in check. We ordered the meal vouchers about a month prior to our trip and we used them for Character Breakfasts, a VKL and quite a few Q &C.

2) We did not feel that the vouchers dictated or controlled where we ate. When it was time for a meal in the parks, most counter services accepted these. In addition, we usually had a rough itinerary so I knew in advance where we wanted to eat.

3) We were always flexible with our schedule. For example, one hot day at MK we just did not feel like going back to Peco Bill's and we were passing by Casey's. So we just grabbed a bite there. Yes, we ended up loosing $3 (total $1 per voucher). Well that was one of the best meals we had. Just to add we more than made up for that $3 by eating at Beaches & Cream.

4) We found that we bought less snacks because often the desert we got constituted as a nice snack. We usually only schedule 2 meals a day. Breakfast is usually done in room, and on days where we have a character Breakfast scheduled we usually do a early dinner.

5) We stayed at BWV, and will be again, so Beaches & Cream on off days work perfect for us.

I think each person has to determine what works best for their family. My family loved the vouchers. I know what we tend to order off the menu. DH and DS are big eaters (never gains a pound, wish it was like that for me ) so getting a desert works out great for them. They each get their own voucher, and DD's (18 months & 4) will share a voucher.

zippehsmom

 

[crisi]

Different people will make different decisions. I'm not picking on mboromom24forWDW, but I'll use her why's as whys they don't work for us.

If our goal was to save money, we wouldn't go to WDW at all. Saving $50 or even $100 over the course of the trip isn't that big a deal in our overall expenses - if we saved that much - which given our habits would be questionable.

We do go for the restaurants - at least, restaurant meals are one of the Disney attractions I look forward to. Meals are an important part of our vacation. As such, we eat a big sit down meal once a day. We've done it other ways - and once upon a time I was happy with lots of counter service and maybe one or two "treat" meals, but I discovered that now (either due to my age or traveling with children, or the ability to afford it) I really want to sit down and enjoy a leisurely meal once a day or I get cranky. Chicken finger fatigue is part of it, but even the more exotic fast food offerings are lacking in their ability to provide me with an hour off my feet. Because we eat sit down for dinner, our counter service meals are light.

Unlike mboromom24forWDW, our family has been several times and will go again. We also travel in October. But knowing we will be back means no one feels guilty over taking an hour and a half to eat. And we've discovered that counter service doesn't necessarily save time - we've been in a 40 minute line at Pecos Bills and Tusker House to get food - yes, in October (I can't imagine trying to get food at one of these places in the summer). Both times we were running "late" on our schedule - we usually like to eat counter service as soon as they start serving when the crowds are light - not at noon.

We also do a lot of preplanning - having one PS a day. But counter service is more casual for us. We are DVC members and our home resort (BWVs) doesn't have good fast food - although B&C isn't far to walk to. My husband is a creature of habit and will walk halfway across the MK for Cosmic Rays, because he's been there before.

Diabetes runs in my family - so I watch our sugar and carb intake - particularly mine, but I try to teach the kids not to drink a lot of pop or eat a lot of french fries. Disney can be a difficult place to do this - and I don't need extra fries, onion rings, ice cream or brownies and an extra large soda - and I really don't need the temptation of it being "free." We bring our own water into the parks (paying for water has always bothered me - paying Disney prices particularly so). I have a horrible sweet tooth - my husband and I split dessert at our sit down meals to satisfy it without risking blood sugar.

I have my concerns about Connections/Hotwire - which I believe my state's Attorney General has a complaint against. The reputable broker recommended by Mousesavers has their vouchers for a lot more money ($17.50 vs. $11.50), making it much less likely we'd break even. http://www.mousesavers.com/mealvouchers.html

The "deal" with the VKL vouchers is Rainforest Cafe. We eat there far too often here in the Twin Cities (Camp Snoopy and Rainforest Cafe trips are a regular treat for my kids when they've been good), so it isn't a restaurant we go to at Disney.

 

[dgaston]

I continue to use vouchers for many of the reasons previously posted.

1) I like to prepay expenses.

2) I feel better handing DS15 a voucher than $20. He has probably eaten his weight over at Pizza Planet!

3) DH and I split meals and one Q & C voucher easily satisfies us. We've eaten at Rosies American Cafe in MGM, Pecos Bills, and Cosmic Rays, and always walked away full. And then there's Beaches and Cream--love the No Way Jose' Sundae. On our next trip we will again head to the Pepper Market, not sure if it'll be rib eye or the wet burrito.

4) We've had great meals at dinner time at the AK RFC. Our server always helped us maximize our VKL voucher there. In April we had a lovely meal at the Brown Derby, and in August we'll use lunch vouchers at Le Cellier and 50s Primetime Cafe.

5) It's Cape May Buffet for the next trip's character breakfast. I always use adult breakfast vouchers for CRT, Boma, Donald's Breakfastosaurus (but pay for children if we have any in our party).

HTH

 

[DisneyMomOK]

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[marymrg]

Since we always eat one meal at Beaches and Cream, I buy the vouchers to use there. I also bought breakfast vouchers for Easter Brunch at Chef Mickey's because we were treating our extended family and it was just easier on me. I probably saved about $20-$30 but it was really more for convenience and to ward off any "let us pay the tip" discussions since it was all taken care of.

 

[jgates]

Well, I have had intentions of buying a few, however, have yet to even join Hotwire.

If I do this, I will probably just purchase 4 of the Q & C and maybe a couple of the VKL vouchers.

Why?
1. Only my 11 year old DD & myself are going
2. I am a diabetic and really don't need the temptation of a desert at every meal.
3. I am also on Curves and 64 ounces plus of water is mandatory for both that diet AND to keep myself from getting dehydrated (I did that in Epcot last time).
4. DD & I can NEVER agree on the same food so sharing isn't an option. (Yeah - can you say chicken nuggets for sure!)

My aunt is coming down for 3 3/4 days. I'm thinking a nice B & C meal would be a good way to do one of the Q & C's.