Least Expensive Table Service

[Atotty]

Our next trip is a combination of onsite and offsite so we won't have the Dining Plan. We're getting APs so we will have the DDE card.

There's lots of info out there on how to "maximize" the Dining Plan....lists of the most expensive restaurants and entrees to order, etc.

I'm wondering the exact opposite. What are the most cost effective table service options? I know The Plaza is one. Are there others that with using the DDE card would end up being just a little more than eating at a counter service restaurant?

Thanks!

 

[Pixiedust34]

Trails End at Fort Wilderness is the least expensive buffet.

Character breakfasts are cheaper than character lunches and dinners, so if you need to do a character meal, try to schedule a breakfast. You can get a late breakfast seating (10:30-ish) and have that be an early lunch for your family.

In general, lunches might be less expensive than dinners at some ts locations. If you can make lunch be your big meal of the day, then you might save some money.

 

[beccasmom]

Lunch at the Crystal Palace is pretty cost-effective and a great bargain considering the variety of foods available. And it's a buffet, so you can eat as much/little as you like. Sometimes the WDW restaurants go overboard with servings!

The ESPN club has pretty good food and the prices are not bad. Their nachos are fabulous and can easily take the place of a meal.

The Rainforest Cafes are okay, but it is easy to go overboard with exotic drinks and the like. We often forgo dessert - are usually too filled! - but it is easy to share one if you like.

 

[Chloesmom]

I thought WCC was pretty affordable especially if you dont want dessert or appetizers. Me and DD ate there for lunch for about $25. Also, I think any of the buffets are a decent deal considering how much you can eat. I guess it depends on how big of an eater you are.

 

[RobbinsDad]

I personally can't stand it, but 50's PrimeTime Cafe isn't too expensive.

 

[MelanieC]

The Plaza Restaurant is very inexpensive and is wonderful. Last year we had lunch there for under $30 for the four of us (2 adts 2 kids) using the DDE card.

 

[DonaldTDuck]

The Rose and Crown is inexpensive if you don't drink. Okay, it's always expensive for me.

 

[n2mm]

When we are looking for inexpensive we stick with:

Trail's End (lunch or dinner -- some different selections)
The Plaza
50s Prime Time
Beaches and Cream
Liberty Tree lunch only

Of course lunch at alot of the resort places are pretty reasonable:

WCC
Kona
Concourse
Yacht Club Galley

 

[Tink901]

Kona has a reasonable breakfast you can get a good quanity of food for a very reasonable price with the DDE card.

Have a great time!

 

[Colleen27]

Somewhere on the DIS I saw a spreadsheet that was designed to help maximize DDP credits, but I would think that you could just look at the "worst values" to get an idea of which restaurants offer the least expensive TS.

 

[ksbean]

We found that TS lunches to be a bit more reasonable. The Plaza Restaurant is one of our favorites and we like to get the Cobb Salad w/chicken at the Brown Derby. Liberty Tree Tavern is on our list to try in November.

 

[The Sweetness]

I suggest the Garden grill or Crystal palace lunch. The price inc all you care to eat. Entre choices (either buffet or more than one choice on the platter ) as well as dessert. The buffet has more choices, but the fam style serves you at the table, intead of getting your own food

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

We love to eat at Rose and Crown in Epcot. The fish and chips is a huge portion and I think the cost was somewhere around $35 for dinner for all 3 of us. Granted my son was only 2 and ate off our plate. I found that cheaper than some places at home. Also we had dinner at Nine Dragons in China and it was really cheap. The Sci-Fi Drive in at MGM wasnt to expensive. Also as mentioned before you can do Rainforest Cafe relatively cheap. We liked the food at all those places and didnt drop a boatload of money either.

 

[Aidensmom]

I find the best bargain with our DDE is the counter service restaurants at AK.

At the table service restaurants, the discount is basically covering your tip, since its 20%, that is how I look at it. It is therefore very easy to compare the price of table service restaurants as you just need to look at what the prices are figure that will be your total with tip.

 

[Aidensmom]

Just wanted to add that you can't use the DDE card at Rainforest. They do have an AP discount though.

 

[summerlandjeff]

The prime rib @ The Pepper Market @ CSR is IMHO the best bargain going . $19.95 for a good cut of tasty prime rib, baked potato and greens. I have yet to finish the whole plate ! Tack on an ice cold beer.... what could be better!

 

[Atotty]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

Any others?

 

[tortoni]

I agree with the posts for the Plaza, ESPN and B&C. I'd add Boatwrights for breakfast too.