Is DDP Quick Service a Good Value?

[BUDDYBEAR]

No sure on the price this year

 

[erionm]

No sure on the price this year

Chuck S posted the 2012 price for the quick service plan in Post #9.

 

[rlovew]

Thanks for the update on the pricing! I didn't see that it was going up. That definitely does make a difference. I guess I should look in to the gift cards. My fear is that I'll give each kid a gift card, they will totally blow it in the first two days, and then I'm left buying their food for the last two on top of what I already spent on the gift card. I guess I'll just have to be VERY specific when I hand them out.

Susan

You could buy 2 giftcards per kid and then give them a second giftcard on the 3rd day- if they have saved their money they will now have some to blow and otherwise they will have enough to eat.

Rebecca

 

[sweetdana]

I like All DPs for convience. I don't think we save $$ at least some time a little some times it costs a drop more, but it is paid up front and there is ALWAYS food left. We would buy the mugs anyway. If you would buy the mugs no matter what, I think for making sure they know what they have I think thumbs up. *Assuming you are doing no sit downs, even 1 or 2 sit down dinners and I would skip it.

I think it started as a cost saving feature, and now it is more of a pre-pay feature.

Also I think 2.50$ is closer for most snacks. Maybe sometimes they get ice cream, but others a pop.

 

[Dean]

No the dessert has to be obtained with the meal. There is no "dessert" credit, there are only meal credits and snack credits.

Quick Service:
$34.99 per adult (age 10 and 0ver) per night of your stay. All guests in the room must be on the same dining plan for the entire length of the stay.

$11.99 per night per child up to age 9

For $40 worth of food, you'd likely need to consistently order the most expensive Counter service entree on the menus at every stop, rather than what you may "want" to eat. And it is likely much more food, even with teens, than you'd normally eat during a trip.

Plus remember if someone gets an upset tummy, or simply doesn't want that much food, the plan would wind up being more than if you'd paid out of pocket.

Remember that the Mouse is not offering a "discount" to be kind, they make up for it with wasted, unused credits. The dining plans are more of a convenience package for pre-payment than any sort of money saver.

While you can't save the dessert credit, you can often get something else instead of a dessert such as fruit, a drink, or an extra side. It's hit or miss even from one CM to another but often worth asking about. You can also often get 3 snacks for 1 QS credit from the CS locations.

 

[disneypoor]

Thanks again for all of the replies. I saw that someone stated that snacks are usually a bit cheaper than what I had allocated ($4). I figured that since we're going at the end of July, they will likely eat lots of ice cream and frozen treats, so that's why I figured on $4, but I guess they might also just want a cold drink instead.

To the poster who asked if we'd purchase the refillable mugs no matter what--I think we probably would just because of the amount of soda five teens can go through. Of course, who knows if they'll even be at the resort that much and be able to use it.

Thanks for keeping the replies coming. It gives me a lot to think about.

Susan

 

[Judique]

We are traveling with a large group in July. I am letting both of my teenage children take friends. My daughter is taking two friends, and my son is taking one. So in my own immediate family, we will have 7 people. We're also taking some of my siblings and their children as well as my mother. We provided the accommodations for everyone using our DVC.

I have looked in to the cost of purchasing the quick service DDP. I figured we would eat breakfast in our villa and could then use the DP for everything else. Of course, since we're going in late July, I'm sure we'll get more than one snack. My question is, have you found this to be an okay value? Originally, we thought we'd cook in our villas. Now we've all decided we don't want to cook while we are on vacation. However, I will have three extra children to feed while on this trip. My thoughts were that the kids could do their own thing if they choose to, and they'd have their allotted quick service meals and snacks to use without my husband or me having to be there to pay the bill. They are all older (17 and 14), and they've been to WDW many times, so we're pretty comfortable with letting them stay at the parks when dad and I tucker out. I understand everyone's tickets will be fully loaded with the DP tickets for everyone in the group, so I'd have to make it clear to all of the kids before I just turn them loose, but they're all responsible kids.

I'd love to hear from others who have done the quick service plan. I don't want to do more than that because of the cost and because I highly doubt the teens will want to have scheduled sit down meals while at Disney World. Will I be saving money with this dining plan, or would I be better off to just take loads of cash for the kids?

TIA!

Susan

I think it could be a savings if you were able to monitor it, but since the whole point is to give freedom you are probably just as well of using cash.

If it were one to two nights I would say no brainer go with the dining plan and enjoy it. But the fast food idea gets old fast even with kids. They probably won't want a disney dessert at every combo meal and there goes your 20% savings.

I would stock up on water and soda in the villa - either buy it and bring it if you have transportation or order it to be delivered. Also provide some healthy choices of juices and fruit and portable snacks. You can mimic what the park sells - bananas, apples and oranges, chips, popcorn, frozen snacks if you have a full sized refrig.

Than go with the gift card idea for the kids. You'll probably come out ahead.

 

[canopynut66]

We are traveling with a large group in July. I am letting both of my teenage children take friends. My daughter is taking two friends, and my son is taking one. So in my own immediate family, we will have 7 people. We're also taking some of my siblings and their children as well as my mother. We provided the accommodations for everyone using our DVC.

I have looked in to the cost of purchasing the quick service DDP. I figured we would eat breakfast in our villa and could then use the DP for everything else. Of course, since we're going in late July, I'm sure we'll get more than one snack. My question is, have you found this to be an okay value? Originally, we thought we'd cook in our villas. Now we've all decided we don't want to cook while we are on vacation. However, I will have three extra children to feed while on this trip. My thoughts were that the kids could do their own thing if they choose to, and they'd have their allotted quick service meals and snacks to use without my husband or me having to be there to pay the bill. They are all older (17 and 14), and they've been to WDW many times, so we're pretty comfortable with letting them stay at the parks when dad and I tucker out. I understand everyone's tickets will be fully loaded with the DP tickets for everyone in the group, so I'd have to make it clear to all of the kids before I just turn them loose, but they're all responsible kids.

I'd love to hear from others who have done the quick service plan. I don't want to do more than that because of the cost and because I highly doubt the teens will want to have scheduled sit down meals while at Disney World. Will I be saving money with this dining plan, or would I be better off to just take loads of cash for the kids?

TIA!

Susan

we plan our trips for when dining is free and the very few times we have went that it was not it still seemed best way to go to me. Think your idea of just giving them the cards and let them go do their thing is good idea. They all old enough to use what allowed for the day. we of course like the MYWD which is the basic dining with a TS but can see why teens would not want to --slow--down for them...If you look at the prices be sure and include the drink and dessert when checking prices as most teens will eat a dessert or can take with them for snack later in the day. IMO you have made good choice as this way do not have to be with them every minute..

 

[disneypoor]

Thanks again for keeping the replies coming! I do think that five teenagers will likely eat dessert with their counter service meal--especially if it's included. As far as getting tired of quick service food, my kids just don't. Now, my husband and I get VERY sick of the quick food at the parks. Sometimes we just need a good sit down meal. There's no reason we couldn't use our QS credit for breakfast one day and head to DTD for a nice meal though. I'm still juggling all of this. I have plenty of time to decide what I think will work best for us, but I was just wanting to get advice from all of you on the DIS who have actually used the QSDP to see what your thoughts were. I would be happy even if we just broke even. I guess it's just knowing that I've provided the options for the kids and anything above and beyond what the QS allows will be their individual responsibilities. Plus, these are all GREAT kids who are responsible and won't abuse the QS credits. We'll see.....keep the responses coming.

Susan

 

[edk35]

Here is my suggestion...give each child a Disney gift card to use for meals and snacks. Or you can even give them those loadable Visa gift cards too. That way they have their own "money" to spend when they are not with you.

 

[TosaTrio]

I would give each child giftcards. Figure out how much you want them to spend daily and load the gift card with one or two days worth of money. Personally, I would think $25 a day should be plenty depending on the child. Since they are old enough to go to the parks themselves they should be old enough to budget. Also send them with a bottle of water each day that they can refill at the fountain or take a backpack and include snacks. The dining plan seems like more hassle and not a good deal.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I would go with th QSDP, tell the kids what's on it and be done with it. DH & I had a quick service lunch at tha Pepper Market (you do leave a tip ) but for those on the plan who want something better than the usual, I think it's a great option.

Bobbi

 

[kdzgon]

Thanks again for keeping the replies coming! I do think that five teenagers will likely eat dessert with their counter service meal--especially if it's included. As far as getting tired of quick service food, my kids just don't. Now, my husband and I get VERY sick of the quick food at the parks. Sometimes we just need a good sit down meal. There's no reason we couldn't use our QS credit for breakfast one day and head to DTD for a nice meal though. I'm still juggling all of this. I have plenty of time to decide what I think will work best for us, but I was just wanting to get advice from all of you on the DIS who have actually used the QSDP to see what your thoughts were. I would be happy even if we just broke even. I guess it's just knowing that I've provided the options for the kids and anything above and beyond what the QS allows will be their individual responsibilities. Plus, these are all GREAT kids who are responsible and won't abuse the QS credits. We'll see.....keep the responses coming.

Susan

I don't know if you will ultimately save much (if anything) on the QSP, but IMO the convenience alone is worth it.

I agree that teens are more likely to eat the dessert as well. As to you and your husband, there are some options such as Wolfgang Puck @ DTD, Pepper Market at the Coronado, Cosmic Ray's at MK, Flame Tree BBQ at AK, Seasons at the Land in Epcot, the food booths near ToT/RRC at Hollywood Studios, Mara at AKV and even the food court at Port Orleans offers options beyond sandwiches or chicken nuggets. You can get chicken and/or rib dinners, pastas (incl w chicken or shrimp), pork chops, steaks, various types of fish, mongolian beef, etc. Granted, it takes more planning than just walking up "wherever", but I don't see 5 teens being much interested in taking the time for TS "family time" meals, which is what is most effective if using TiW. Utilizing some of these options for meals (assuming you get a drink and dessert as well) will quickly eat up the daily amount paid for QS, too, though I still believe the freedom and convenience will be worth the price when taking guests such as your vacation plan includes.

 

[disneypoor]

I've definitely figured out from all of the replies in this thread that I shouldn't purchase the QSDP and expect it to be a savings. I do think it will be convenient though. For those that have suggested the gift cards instead, I am hesitant to do that. I guess I just feel more comfortable giving them the QSDP because then I know for sure that their food has been provided. With teenagers (even though all of these kids are super responsible), I can see them going somewhere like a gift shop or something and deciding they will use their gift card towards a purchase and not use it for food. Or, for the boys, maybe they'd decide to skip lunch in order to have more money to play games. ?? Maybe I'm just reading too much in to it because they probably wouldn't do that, but with the QSDP, I know for sure that they will have food provided to them while in the parks.

Plus, when I add up things at some of the QS restaurants, it seems I'd still need to provide about the same amount of money per day on gift cards anyhow. Wouldn't buying the QSDP be way more convenient if the amount of money spent for each was about the same?

I keep going back and forth on this one. I read some of the posts and decide I'm not going to buy the DP, and then I read a few more and decide I am. That's why I love the DIS! Keep those suggestions coming!

Susan

 

[disneynutz]

I've definitely figured out from all of the replies in this thread that I shouldn't purchase the QSDP and expect it to be a savings. I do think it will be convenient though. For those that have suggested the gift cards instead, I am hesitant to do that. I guess I just feel more comfortable giving them the QSDP because then I know for sure that their food has been provided. With teenagers (even though all of these kids are super responsible), I can see them going somewhere like a gift shop or something and deciding they will use their gift card towards a purchase and not use it for food. Or, for the boys, maybe they'd decide to skip lunch in order to have more money to play games. ?? Maybe I'm just reading too much in to it because they probably wouldn't do that, but with the QSDP, I know for sure that they will have food provided to them while in the parks.

Plus, when I add up things at some of the QS restaurants, it seems I'd still need to provide about the same amount of money per day on gift cards anyhow. Wouldn't buying the QSDP be way more convenient if the amount of money spent for each was about the same?

I keep going back and forth on this one. I read some of the posts and decide I'm not going to buy the DP, and then I read a few more and decide I am. That's why I love the DIS! Keep those suggestions coming!

Susan

If you can't trust them to eat then how can you trust them to only use their share of credits?

Bill

 

[disneypoor]

If you can't trust them to eat then how can you trust them to only use their share of credits?

Bill

I knew that example was going to prompt a response like this. My point wasn't that I don't trust the kids, it's that I know without a doubt that they have money for food and only food if they have the credits for the QSDP. It would be much easier to use the gift cards for something other than food than it would be to misuse the QSDP credits IMHO. None of the kids involved would do anything that would get them in trouble. They are all great kids. However, if they were allotted a certain amount of money on a gift card that was supposed to be used for their food each day, it is possible that they might decide they aren't really that hungry and go ahead and play basketball toss an extra time or two in lieu of eating lunch that day. I've been known to skip quite a few meals and probably should skip a few more here and there, but I don't want the kids skipping meals. My point was that if they have the credits for the DP, I will know that they are eating and aren't having to choose between basketball toss and food. I hope that makes sense. I do trust these kids. My real question now has become how would the gift cards benefit me or the kids if the QSDP ends up costing about the same amount as it would cost to provide 2 meals, a snack, and soda at the resort per day? Thanks!

Susan

 

[jo-jo]

I have a thought.....if you lose a gift card, can it be replaced? Same question with the key cards.

I'm a really cheap person, but I think I'd go with the dining plan even if it cost a bit more. The only thing I'd be concerned about is the snacks being used up by them. They might get a soda AND popcorn, not thinking that's 2 snacks.


Let me add, for me, I'd have no problem using a CS plan. There are lots of non-hamburger meals at CS.

 

[disneypoor]

I have a thought.....if you lose a gift card, can it be replaced? Same question with the key cards.

I'm a really cheap person, but I think I'd go with the dining plan even if it cost a bit more. The only thing I'd be concerned about is the snacks being used up by them. They might get a soda AND popcorn, not thinking that's 2 snacks.

Although I'm sure someone with experience will have a more accurate answer, I would think that if they lost the gift cards, they'd be out of luck. It would seem that it would be easier to replace a room key than it would a gift card, but nothing like that has ever happened to us, so maybe someone else will know.

The snack issue is probably the only part of the QSDP that would worry me. I will just have to sit all of the kids down before we turn them loose and explain it. I also want them to realize that if they know they are going to want a $4 ice cream product during the day that they should save their snack credit for that since it's likely the most expensive item. In your example of a soda and a popcorn (which I think is totally likely to happen), would the kids just have to tell the person at the counter that they want to use one of their snack credits and pay for the other item? How does that work? Is there a way for me to be able to see how the credits are used each day, or is that not possible? TIA!

Susan

 

[disneynutz]

I knew that example was going to prompt a response like this. My point wasn't that I don't trust the kids, it's that I know without a doubt that they have money for food and only food if they have the credits for the QSDP. It would be much easier to use the gift cards for something other than food than it would be to misuse the QSDP credits IMHO. None of the kids involved would do anything that would get them in trouble. They are all great kids. However, if they were allotted a certain amount of money on a gift card that was supposed to be used for their food each day, it is possible that they might decide they aren't really that hungry and go ahead and play basketball toss an extra time or two in lieu of eating lunch that day. I've been known to skip quite a few meals and probably should skip a few more here and there, but I don't want the kids skipping meals. My point was that if they have the credits for the DP, I will know that they are eating and aren't having to choose between basketball toss and food. I hope that makes sense. I do trust these kids. My real question now has become how would the gift cards benefit me or the kids if the QSDP ends up costing about the same amount as it would cost to provide 2 meals, a snack, and soda at the resort per day? Thanks!

Susan

What I am trying to say is that the DDP credits are pooled and they need to be tracked. Others have reported that people in their party either intentionally or by mistake have used more credits than they were suppose to use. I just wanted to let you know.

With a gift card, when it's gone, it's gone.

With charging to their KTTW card, they could spend more than their daily allowance but they would have more flexibility. With the KTTW card you can get a daily print out of their spending and it might be a good tool to teach them responsibility.

I didn't mean to offend you and I hope that you understand where I am coming from.

Bill

 

[jo-jo]

I do believe you can use the credit for one and pay for the other, but that brings another thought. How will the kids pay it? Will you give them a gift card with a small amount on it or will the key cards have charging on them. We've only used the dining plan a few times and a few times we were using a snack credit but it was rung up as room charge. It got fixed, but it was an extra 10-15 mins of standing around. I'm not sure if you can have charging on only certain key cards, but I'm sure someone will know.