Maximize use of DDP Credits- Thoughts/Suggestions

[TheSouthernBelle]

We have been to Disney a ton but are using the DDP on our next trip (haven't in a few years and know there's been some changes) and would like any suggestions of great TS or QS restaurants that help maximize use of your DDP credits? We've honed on most of our use of credits so feel free to add any comments/suggestions below. We do need input on Epcot for TS, we can't decide and don't have a touring plan yet so nothing comes to mind. We're staying at the boardwalk but not sure on food choices around the Boardwalk as we've never stayed there. Any feedback we be appreciated.

TS choices
Storybook Dining at Artist Point or Art Smith at DS
Tusker House (never eaten here and worried my picky family will hate it) May not book and just do Satuli and Flame Tree for two QS meals at AK instead
San Angel Inn or La Hacienda (can't decide, like atmosphere more at san angel)
MK Can't decide (don't want to do Crystal Palace or

QS/Counter
Be Our Guest or Pinocchio Village Lunch
Satuli (or may be flame tree, depends on FP+)
Need Epcot suggestions for QS

 

[Moliphino]

I'd do BOG over Pinocchio, hands down. The food is better and you can get alcohol at BOG.

Epcot:
Tangierine Cafe - shawarma platters are great
La Cantina de San Angel - good food and good margaritas, you get a lot of bang for your QS credit here if you like margaritas

 

[caylene44]

I usually search blog posts for ideas: https://www.disneytouristblog.com/dining-plan-table-service-top-value/

But I will also just look at menus of places we want to eat and think about what we are most likely to order and see how it stacks up against DDP. I read an article that said you should generally spend $5/snack, $21/CS, and $45/TS so I use these estimates to judge. I wouldn't want to eat somewhere just because it's a good value, I want to make sure we would like the menu.

I think a lot of things that are prix fixe are considered to be good value if they are 1 credit (i.e. BOG Breakfast, buffets, etc.).

 

[kiramay]

I'd do BOG over Pinocchio, hands down. The food is better and you can get alcohol at BOG.

Epcot:
Tangierine Cafe - shawarma platters are great
La Cantina de San Angel - good food and good margaritas, you get a lot of bang for your QS credit here if you like margaritas

^^^ This.

Also a lot of food options at Sunshine Season in Epcot.

In AK my favorite is Satuli Canteen.

 

[Mainemama]

We have been to Disney a ton but are using the DDP on our next trip (haven't in a few years and know there's been some changes) and would like any suggestions of great TS or QS restaurants that help maximize use of your DDP credits? We've honed on most of our use of credits so feel free to add any comments/suggestions below. We do need input on Epcot for TS, we can't decide and don't have a touring plan yet so nothing comes to mind. We're staying at the boardwalk but not sure on food choices around the Boardwalk as we've never stayed there. Any feedback we be appreciated.

TS choices
Storybook Dining at Artist Point or Art Smith at DS. * I am going to both on my next trip for the first time, so I can’t help here. Choose for convenience of location, as they both look great!
Tusker House (never eaten here and worried my picky family will hate it) May not book and just do Satuli and Flame Tree for two QS meals at AK instead * My picky kids have been happy, there is a good range of simple to interesting. That said, I pick Yak and Yeti in AK.
San Angel Inn or La Hacienda (can't decide, like atmosphere more at san angel) *Very similar menus. We liked both.
MK Can't decide (don't want to do Crystal Palace or

QS/Counter * I don’t like any choices in MK. I like to head to the Grand Floridian for the Grand Floridian Cafe or 1900 Park Faire. Quick, relaxing boat ride makes for a nice break.
Be Our Guest or Pinocchio Village Lunch* BOG
Satuli (or may be flame tree, depends on FP+) *Haven’t tried Satuli yet.
Need Epcot suggestions for QS

* I love Kabuki Cafe (Japan). Also recommend Sunshine Seasons and La Hacienda de San Angel.
I posted responses directly in the quote above, plus...TS in Epcot favorites are Rose and Crown and Garden Grill breakfast.

 

[scard192]

I have a picky family too. Wanted to try Tusker house for a character meal for the kids. Booked a late breakfast ADR (10:45). Picky people stayed with the regular breakfast fare, more adventuresome had breakfast and then the more unique lunch items as they switched over to lunch while we were there.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Dining packages are typically a great value on DDP....the parade package at Tony's (MK), F! package at H&V or Mama Melrose, etc.
BOG breakfast is a good value, lunch is ok, dinner is a terrible value for 2 credits.

I know you didn't ask about snacks, but many of the festival booth items at Epcot are a great value as well.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

I have a picky family too. Wanted to try Tusker house for a character meal for the kids. Booked a late breakfast ADR (10:45). Picky people stayed with the regular breakfast fare, more adventuresome had breakfast and then the more unique lunch items as they switched over to lunch while we were there.

Thank you. Pretty sure if we did Tusker it would be dinner meal and not breakfast. I just don't think we would get a lot of mileage out of the buffet based on what my family eats. I could see doing breakfast but since we are on the DDP we are going to eat breakfast in our room to save the QS and TS credits for lunch/dinner.

 

[epcotobsessed]

Buffets are definitely the way to maximize your credits and, depending on what you order, signatures can be a great deal as well. Just keep in mind that tips are not included, so that somewhat mitigates the value of "maximizing" the plan's value.

 

[JeninTexas]

Definitely BOG over Pinocchio House. I've never eaten at Satuli, but it gets great reviews. Flame Tree serves great food and is an excellent value on the dining plan. We went to Tusker House for breakfast/lunch and it was just okay. I would not rush back. The same for Crystal Palace at MK. The food was edible, but not good by any means. The Epcot restaurants are usually all good, and many are a good use of your dining credits. Chefs de France and Teppan Edo for table service. Tangierine Cafe is great for QS. We also like Cape May for dinner, and it a good value on the dining plan.

 

[Nancyg56]

I concur: BOG lunch over Pinocchio. I love the braised pork with the Cabernet. Delicious!

In DAK my family likes Flame Tree. We do not care for any meal at Tusker House. THe food is okay, but that is one loud restaurant!

We also like Tratorria al Forno on the Boardwalk. I do think it is one of the best values on the DDP other than character meals, and it gets you a nice meal that is not buffet.

In Epcot we like San Angel Inn for atmosphere. WE also enjoy Rose and Crown, and Le Cellier. I had sworn never again, however my DSIL wanted to go in December, It was delicious.

My family likes Skippers Canteen in the MK. It has a fun atmosphere, and the food is good too. Tony's is getting good reviews lately as well since the new chef took over.

 

[disneyshan]

We ate at Tusker House for the first time in April, and it was not great. Character interaction was the worst of all of our character dining (we did a lot - Artist Point (Storybook), Ohana Breakfast, Chef Mickey, Garden Grill and Tusker House). The adults in our party are adventurous eaters and the food was not good. The kids didn't love it either. That said, the buffet area theme is beautifully themed and one of my favourite on site! I was shocked to see that had we have paid out of pocket, this would have been our most expensive dinner - 60$ an adult (Chef Mickey and Artist Point were both 55 and Ohana Dinner was 52) and it is definitely not worth anywhere near that price for us!

We also ate at San Angel Inn for the first time this trip (we had an adult only dinner while Granny hung out with the kids!) and loved it. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was amazing and the service was great!

Our kids adore Pinocchio Village Haus and we get there early so they can get a seat overlooking It's a Small World. We had two MK days this trip and ate at BOG on one and PVH on the other and the food at BOG won hands down.

Storybook Dining was our favourite experience of the entire trip. The food and service was amazing and the Queen was the best Character we've experienced.