Making the most out of the dining plan - QS

[TigerlilyAJ]

the writer's stop has a $7.49 charcuterie platter that is as of now a snack credit that people are raving about.

Where is the Writer's Stop? I've never heard of it, and it's not listed on this great page:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-dining-plan-restaurants.htm

Thanks for all the great ideas!

 

[Lisa F]

Where is the Writer's Stop? I've never heard of it, and it's not listed on this great page:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-dining-plan-restaurants.htm

Thanks for all the great ideas!

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2016/04/04/review-the-new-writers-stop-in-disneys-hollywood-studios/

 

[wifey]

I did not know this. Thank you for the info. There was ice cream section at Pop but I used my snack credit. If my son had known, I'm sure that would have been his choice for dessert!

You could do this at some locations in the parks last summer too, it stops the ice cream melting while you eat your other items.

 

[3boys4me]

I agree with Wolfgang Puck! Great change of pace as far as choices. We also really enjoys BOG breakfast and lunch. I find that the meals are really big. We might end up paying OOP for a drink here and there now that we don't have a stroller to carry our drinks in a cup around with us longer after a meal. We usually go as a family of 6. We never use 6 credits at a meal. Never. The amount of food that we would throw away is just horrible. As a party of 6, we might get 4 meals at a time, that leaves us 4 each day for the kids to get breakfast. They don't eat it all so we can all share. We don't do it to try to save the credits or spread them out, it just works for us. Even doing that, every trip we have several credits left and are able to grab lunch before we leave for the car ride home. Not the best bang for your buck as far as cost but its another way to look at the value of it as far as the size of the meals and getting more meals in by sharing.

 

[Lothlórien]

If we pay OOP, we usually go for the cheapest items that appeal to us. With the DDP, we feel that we can explore the more expensive items, things we normally wouldn't order, because of the cost factor. Of course, we will order something that we want to eat, but now we have a wider range to choose from. If a seafood dish is the most expensive item on the menu, but my DD hates seafood, she won't order it, just to take advantage of the DDP credit value. She may order the pork chop, instead. If we were not on the DDP, she would most likely order chicken, which is probably the cheapest menu item.

Along the same line, this is also true for the dining establishment. Because we are on the DDP, we can go to the more pricey restaurants, something we just won't do if we had to pay OOP.

You are still eating things you normally would not because you are on a plan. If you are paying $64 a day for a person to eat on the dining plan (not including tip) and your out of pocket meal at table service is $28 (pork chop) and your counter meal is $18 and your snack is $5, you are still not getting a value. You can still pay OOP and "explore" other options for the same money you gave Disney for credits and you get some back. Surely a souvenir mug is much less than that out of pocket.

It all comes down to how you eat. For some it is convenience, but in general, what I see on this board, people are looking for how to get the most from their money to make sure they are doing better than breaking even.

 

[momtotaryn]

You are still eating things you normally would not because you are on a plan. If you are paying $64 a day for a person to eat on the dining plan (not including tip) and your out of pocket meal at table service is $28 (pork chop) and your counter meal is $18 and your snack is $5, you are still not getting a value. You can still pay OOP and "explore" other options for the same money you gave Disney for credits and you get some back. Surely a souvenir mug is much less than that out of pocket.

It all comes down to how you eat. For some it is convenience, but in general, what I see on this board, people are looking for how to get the most from their money to make sure they are doing better than breaking even.

I think we'll have just to agree to disagree on this. What I'm trying to say is our frame of mind is different, when eating OOP. We go for the cheapest item that appeals to us. We won't even look at prime rib or steak/seafood dishes, if the price is $35+. We also shy away for the pricier TS restaurants, because of the cost factor. Since we are on the DDP (BTW, we are paying 2015 prices), and we will do several buffets/character meals (again, something we probably wouldn't do if paid OOP, at least not as many as we've booked), I feel we are making the most of the DDP. Not to mention, it is all prepaid, which is a plus. Yes, I know all about prepaying on gift cards and such, but in our situation, the DDP works better for us.

As a side note, we're looking at least $35 per TS meal (including dessert and drink), $17 per QS meal (including dessert or side and drink), and $5 for snacks to break even. I have a worksheet set up which calculates our meals, including all the buffets/character meals/fantasmic dinner package. Discussing with my older DD25, we found this to be very doable. Most of the TS restaurants we have ADRs for have entrees that exceed or are close to the $35 without dessert or drink. Even the QS places we're looking at has meals that will definitely meet the $17 goal.

 

[dnllmz]

Great thread. I'm taking notes.

 

[KnittingMom]

Any ideas about "reconfiguring" the QS dessert? I seldom want a slice of cake or a brownie, as more sugar on a hot day does not appeal. Do places have a fruit cup option for dessert? Does Disney not understand how many Americans are diabetic or pre-diabetic?

 

[celina14]

Any ideas about "reconfiguring" the QS dessert? I seldom want a slice of cake or a brownie, as more sugar on a hot day does not appeal. Do places have a fruit cup option for dessert? Does Disney not understand how many Americans are diabetic or pre-diabetic?

I have noticed several places where a fruit cup is listed as a dessert option. Also, from my understanding at QS locations you can swap your dessert for a side or something that's listed as a snack credit. I'm new to using the DDP and still trying to figure this out so I may not be 100% accurate on that but maybe someone else can clarify as well.

 

[MrPTato]

You've gotten a lot of great suggestions from PP of good things to eat.
For me, the "most value" is that which I enjoy the most and it has nothing to do with dollar cost.

Well said. Eat what you want and enjoy it. Price has been paid.

 

[Princess_Kirky]

The fajita platter can easily feed two people at Pecos Bills - if you load up on toppings from the salsa bar.
BOG Breakfast and Lunch are also good "values" with the dining plan as they are a QS credit.

 

[jon18uk]

You are still eating things you normally would not because you are on a plan. If you are paying $64 a day for a person to eat on the dining plan (not including tip) and your out of pocket meal at table service is $28 (pork chop) and your counter meal is $18 and your snack is $5, you are still not getting a value. You can still pay OOP and "explore" other options for the same money you gave Disney for credits and you get some back. Surely a souvenir mug is much less than that out of pocket.

It all comes down to how you eat. For some it is convenience, but in general, what I see on this board, people are looking for how to get the most from their money to make sure they are doing better than breaking even.

This also depends if you are paying cash for DDP or as part of a free dining offer. I agree with momtotaryn, if we didn't get a free dining offer I wouldn't eat anywhere near as well at WDW. Paying cash we would have a lot more QS and a lot less TS. But I'm not sure if I would pay cash for the DDP either. We would either use free dining (as its the main special offer for UK trips) or limit what we eat, go off site for more meals (especially after the non-Disney parks) and maybe only splurge on one signature.