Meal Vouchers - Their Origin and Would It be Good For Us...

[wdwmo]

I know, I know....another meal voucher question.

The last time we did WDW in 1999, there were no vouchers. We are planning a trip in August and I started consulting my favorite board again to get some ideas. Wow, I just finished reading more then 10 pages and I do have some questions. (I did try to read all about the voucher but with 12 pages.....)

When did they start? What are the companies that are selling these (are they affiliated with Disney)? Why do we have to become members of something to buy them? I understand you don't if bought on an auction...

We are a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 teens 13 & 14); do I have to get 4 adult vouchers? My teens eat like adults...

We will be staying at the new value-priced resort. During our previous stays, we ate breakfast in the room (granola bars, cereal, bagel, milk and fruit). We usually stopped for a nice lunch in the park (sit-down meal including appetizer, entree & dessert); lunch entrees being less expensive in the afternoon. And supper was at the food court or off-site. What I was thinking was to get some for our "nice lunches". What do you think?



WDWMO

I'd like to thank the people that answer all these questions on the boards. You really help us a lot.

 

[Mickey527]

You can get the vouchers from many different places, the most common are Connections (which you have to join) and Lillian Vernon, who's membership is cheaper. I know there are other places to get them but I will leave that to others to tell.
I bought my vouchers from someone who had bought extra and posted them on the DIS auctions for sale.
I used vouchers this Jan for a trip with my two sons. They are 24 and 20 and eat like 2 adults each.
I can recommend them and don't think I will ever take a trip without them again. They were so easy to use and we ate big meals.
My boys loved the Pepper Market at Coronado Springs, and because we had a car it wasn't hard to get there every evening. We ate big meals and took the desserts home for later that evening. We stayed at OKW in a 2 bedroom so we had a full kitchen with fridge. Those desserts were nice with milk or tea while watching the fireworks at DTD each nignt at midnight.
We had bfst in the room and then either a small meal like a hot dog etc at the parks and the big meal at Pepper Market for our dinner. We had planned on having the big meal be the lunch meal but no one wanted to leave the parks for a big meal and then come back later. We ate so much that a couch and tv were what we needed after our meals at Pepper Market.
I would definately recommend the Q&C vouchers. I haven't tried the other vouchers but I don't think they would be enough of a value for me. I think $30 is alot to pay for a meal voucher especially when you can get a huge meal at Pepper Market for $11.25.
But others swear by all the vouchers so let them tell you about their experiences. Peggie

 

[jbthi]

I especially like the Vacation Kingdom lunch voucher. They are 30.50 each. This includes appetizer, entree, dessert and drink. Tax and tip are also included. My husband and I always split a meal so we leave a fairly good sized extra tip.

The 3 restaurants we use them at are Le Cellier, Brown Derby and Rain Forest. Rain Forest is the best value but LeCellier is our favorite. At rain forest we get an entree that is steak and coconut shrimp (we get an upgrade on steak that makes the entree around $35), appetizer is around $8, dessert is $8, my husband gets a frozen drink-yes I know the vouchers say no frozen drinks that is around $5. All of the waiters have been good with the vouchers, some more than others. I had iced tea and when the waiter brought the bill he said I needed a souvenier glass and did I want it empty or a refill of tea to go? They had a special dessert that was more expensive than the others and came in a souvenier glass that they recommended.

At LeCellier our meal is usually around $40 without tax and tip.

At Rain Forest we can't eat the entire meal even though we split it. We manage to finish at LeCellier and Brown Derby but there is more than enough for 2 people.

We also use the Q&C vouchers.

 

[callahanjulie10]

If you love to preplan and your family eats quite a bit- the vouchers are for you. My DD and I usually share and use 1 adult MK lunch voucher and then we buy my DH one. We always have food left over. As for Q & C's we order one per person- we don't always use them but at least we have them just in case. We look around at the size of the food before we order and decide how many to use. We do the same type of eating as you- breakfast in the room, sit down lunch, and take out supper. This works great for us.
Value wise- Rainforest is wonderful, most of the places in Epcot for our MK lunch vouchers. The Q & Cs mainly food courts in different hotels for us. That way we get to see other resorts too.
I am purchasing 4 adults and 2 childrens MK lunch for our next trip of 4 days- I haven't decided on Q & Cs yet- they don't impress me as much as the MK's- which I love.

 

[Mad4Dizne]

We did not feel we made a good choice with the purchase of our vouchers for several reasons,my personal thought is if you want flexibility and value for your $$$, buy Disney Dollars or convert vacation $$$ into Travelers Checks!!!!!!!!

Have a great trip!!!! Wait til you see the new rides!!!!!
Flo

 

[hockey mom]

We use them for our trips and love them. Whether we are saving big bucks at the places like Pepper Market or Beaches "n" cream, or only a dollar or 2 at the counter services it is nice to have all the meals prepaid. I do read some feel the down side to the vouchers is walking to a certain location to use them but almost every counter service restaurant in the parks will take them. Your downside is buying them. Canadians cannot join the clubs that sell them so your only option is E-Bay(which most times are charging to much) or the dis auctions. I managed to get 32 for my upcoming trip from the nice people on these boards. Good luck.

 

[Mari annie]

Hi

I was looking at hot wire, they don't list vouchers.

Please send info on where site-
I can order this vouchers.


Many Thanks!

 

[callahanjulie10]

You have to join HOtwire and log in to get to the vouchers- they are under WDW or theme parks - I just did a 30 day trial and had my member # within a couple of minutes. I went back to the site, signed in, and ordered Q&C's and breakfast vouchers. SO far so good!

 

[DisneyMomOK]

1111111111

 

[Rippington'sFan]

here is some info. on meal vouchers courtesty of "mousesavers.com

http://www.mousesavers.com/mealvouchers.html

 

[wdwmo]

Thanks to all for your input. Now i finally know where they are from, how to get them and if it's the good choice for our upcoming trip.


Mo

 

[jaross]

After doing alot of research, I purchased my Q&C vouchers from Hotwire savings club. They have a 30 day free trial. I ordered 20 Q&C. They shipped immediate by Fed Ex (3 day, I think) at no charge and I received them in a few days.

I haven't used them yet, but it looks like we'll save a bundle. We usually eat at alot of the counter service places and most of them are included. However, you would not come out ahead if you were buying the cheapest of the available meals.

I didn't buy any lunch vouchers because I'm not sure we would save enough. I know that at Hollywood and vine, we would not come out ahead. But, from what other people are saying, Rainforest is a great deal.

I did look at ebay when I was trying to decide. It must be that people are buying these that don't really understand how much they cost direct. They are bid up way too high, every time!

Let us know what you decide.

Chris

 

[wdwmo]

When buying vouchers at Hotwire.com, do they have a fixed price or do you have to bid?

Thanks.

Mo

 

[ceecee]

I have to argee with one of the above posts. You save only a few dollars at the majority of places and you have to go to one of the places listed. I understand people like to pre pay...so I too would advice Disney dollars or trav. ck. Maybe a few vouchers if you would go to those places anyway. Making a special trip to Beaches & Cream or Pepper Market may not fit into everyones plans. We bought one Vacation for RFC because we knew we were eating there after being at AK. A few Q & C because we knew we would be going to Peco Bills (saved a big $2.04) and Beaches and Cream!

 

[jaross]

At the Hotwire Savings Club (not a regular hotwire auction item) The vouchers have a fixed price.

To find the savings club go to hotwire, customer care, and then it's listed on the left side of the screen.

Like I posted before they have a 30 day free trial, then they say it's less than $10 a month, but I don't plan on keeping it after the trial period. However, the 20% rebate for the gift cards look interesting. Has anyone used that feature?

I don't know if hotwire savings club is the best way. But, it worked for me. I tried to do my homework before choosing it. There are others on this board with more experience with the vouchers. But, I hope this helps.

Chris

 

[mary o]

I joined hotwire, too, and am now into my first "pay" month ($7.95/month). I joined for the meal vouchers, purchasing several QCV's and 6 VLK for an upcoming trip in March. However, I opted to try a few of the Target gift cards and some of the restaraunt cards. So far, I am pleased. The first rebate was posted to my charge account within 2 weeks, and the second rebate was posted about 4 weeks later. (note - you have to have an active account in order to get the rebates back from the gift cards)
Target tells me the cards do not have an expiration date (none listed), although there might be a fee charged if not used in a 12 month period. With my weekly shopping trips, that won't be a concern!
I can't wait to see how we do with the meal vouchers at the park. I am having fun reading about how others have used theirs, and reviewing the menus ahead of time for ideas.
Thanks to all who have shared their experiences!

 

[HaleyB]

I don't see how you can not save money with the vouchers. The only draw back can be too much food but with two teenagers I doubt that will be an issue. If you look at the menus and do the math you almost always save money or break even. I looked at what we are likely to order and we are almost always better off with vouchers, that is saying something because 2 out of the 3 adults in my group do not eat meat. The veggie option is almost always one of the lowest priced main courses on the menus (and because not every counter place has a veggie option, but all that we have found are listed on the vouchers there is no chance of us being put out by having to go where they are valid).
When analyzing wether or not to use the vouchers I figure the value assuming we will not be given an extra side with the meals that come with fries already, even though from reports here it looks like most of the time you get it. That way it is a 'worst case' that I am looking at- if we break even we use a voucher. Remember to add the value of tax when looking at numbers.
The vouchers are also an awsome way to give teens some freedom, while being sure they get to eat. My oldest is 17 and I am pretty sure he will not want to wait in line to meet Minnie Mouse with his 6 yo sister (maybe one time for the picture, but she will have to see Minnie more than one time). I can send him off for a few hours with a voucher (he is meeting a friend there so he has a buddy to hang out with) and know that he will eat (instead of spending the money in some other way).