My Q&C and VKL Voucher Meal Report

[Epscot]

We used the Quick & Casual vouchers and the Vacation Kingdom Lunch vouchers for the first time on our trip that ended last Saturday (10/16). We used Q&C Vouchers for 3 meals and VKL vouchers for 1 meal. Our party included 4 adults (me, DW, Mother, Sister), DS 6 & DS 2. At each meal we bought 1 kid's meal for our boys to share, except as noted. They also ate from DW's plate.

We ate at the Pepper Market twice using 4 Q&C vouchers. On the first visit all 4 adults got the "Grill Special", which was a large cut of prime rib, a baked potato and grilled veggies ($18.95), a soft drink ($1.99) and a piece of cake baked fresh in the bakery ($3.25). Including tax & service charge, the cost of each meal would have been approx $28.00. The Q&C vouchers cost $11.50 each, for a savings of $16.50 per person. Total savings was $66.

The second time at the Pepper Market, 3 of us again got the same "Grill Special", while DW got a Chicken Fajita Platter ($11.95). Drinks and dessert were the same as before. Total savings was $58.

We also ate a Beaches & Cream using Q&C vouchers. We ordered 2 Grilled Steak Subs($10.99/ea) with Onion Rings ($3.99/ea), 1 Cheeseburger ($7.39) with fries ($1.79), 1 Double Cheeseburger ($9.39) with Onion Rings ($3.99), 3 Fudge Mud Slides ($7.99/ea), 1 Banana Split ($7.99), 1 regular soft drink ($1.99/ea) and 3 soft drinks with cherry syrup added ($2.28/ea). We ordered an extra bun and my DW used one patty of her double cheeseburger to make a burger for the boys to share. Including tax, the cost of this meal would have been $98. Total savings was $58.

We used the VKL vouchers at Rainforest Cafe AK and ate like Kings & Queens!! We used 2 adult ($31/ea) & 2 child VKL ($12.75/ea) vouchers at a cost of $87.50. Each voucher receives an appetizer, entree, dessert & non-alcoholic drink and includes your server's tip. The kids can order from the adult menu, so we ordered 4 adult entrees and all 6 of us split the food. For appetizers we chose 2 Cheese Sticks ($7.99/ea), 1 Caribe Chicken ($7.99) and 1 Rainforest Pita Quesadillas ($8.99). For entrees, 3 of us ordered the Primal Steak (14 oz. ribeye) with stuffed half Maine Lobster ($39.99), but we all substituted Coconut Fried Shrimp for the lobster, and one of us ordered the Tree Top Filet with stuffed half Maine Lobster ($39.99). All the entrees came with garlic mashed potatoes and steamed veggies. I read a tip on the boards that you get more coconut shrimp if you sub it for the lobster than if you order it as an add-on. For dessert, we used 2 vouchers to order 1 Sparkling Volcano ($12.99), 1 Bananas Foster ($6.99) and ordered a Gorrillas in the Mist ($5.99) to go. We ordered iced tea & soft drinks, but the prices weren't listed. I imagine they were over $2 each, but will assume $2 each. The total cost of this meal, including tax & tip, would have been $277. Total savings was $189.

The overall savings using Q&C and VKL vouchers to feed 6 people over 4 meals was an astonishing $371. Incredible! I will use continue to use these vouchers as long as they are available.

For more info on the vouchers including maximizing their use, please read this topic on the Budget Board.

 

[Epcotgal8]

Wow! That's a big savings. Thank you for posting.

 

[caribear]

Thanks for the great voucher report!! Looks like you really saved a lot by using the vouchers. I ordered a couple for our December trip and look forward to using the VKL vouchers at RFC!

 

[MateasMom]

Sounds yummy I can't wait

 

[momloveson]

Thanks for the awesome update one what you did recently. We used your post to finally decide on the number of vouchers to get for our 8 day trip.

One question....Did the RFC people frown at you for ordering off the adult menu for the "kids" then sharing? We've got DH, Me and DS (4yrs) so we plan on eating there with 1 adult and 1 kids voucher. Same question for Beaches and Cream.

Do they post times somewhere when you can use the vouchers for VKL?

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Wow, that is a big savings! Sounds like you robbed WDW like we did Universal this summer, with Clear Channel GC's.

I just ordered 4 Q&C vouchers for our Christmas week trip. I'm probably going to order 2 more later. I'm definitely going to order 2 VKL vouchers for RFC, for the 3 of us. I just can't decide whether to get 2 adult vouchers, or 1 adult & 1 child, for our 12 yo. I definitely want him to be able to get the steak and lobster. I keep worrying that by the time we go New Years Day, RFC will catch on to how much money they're losing, and start restricting the voucher usage. It would be my luck to order them, then find out right before we leave, or worse at the restaurant, that he has to order off the childs menu. We'd end up losing the childs voucher, and have to spring for the $39.99 Rambling over. Thanks for the great reviews.

One question: What time did you eat? I made a PS for 6pm, and am hoping that we won't have any problem using the VKL vouchers that late.

 

[Epscot]

Originally posted by momloveson
Thanks for the awesome update one what you did recently. We used your post to finally decide on the number of vouchers to get for our 8 day trip.

One question....Did the RFC people frown at you for ordering off the adult menu for the "kids" then sharing? We've got DH, Me and DS (4yrs) so we plan on eating there with 1 adult and 1 kids voucher. Same question for Beaches and Cream.

Do they post times somewhere when you can use the vouchers for VKL?

Our waiter was more than happy to let us order our boys' meals from the adult menu because his tip is based on the value of food ordered, not on the cost of the vouchers. That means it was in his financial best interest to help us maximize our savings. Now, whether it is in the financial best interest of the restaurant to continue to allow this, I can't say. Since it is currently allowed, I took advantage of the policy.

By the way, I read about the ability to order an adult meal using a kids voucher on these boards.

 

[Epscot]

Originally posted by tarheelmjfan


One question: What time did you eat? I made a PS for 6pm, and am hoping that we won't have any problem using the VKL vouchers that late.

Our reservations were for 5:45 PM and we had no problem using them.

 

[Epscot]

Originally posted by momloveson
Same question for Beaches and Cream.

I forgot to answer this part...

We used 4 of the Q&C vouchers that cost $11.50 each to order our 4 meals. Our waiter was very familiar with them and used the menu to tell us exactly what we could choose from. No problems at all.

 

[hellooothere]

I read somewhere on the boards that because the RainForest doesn't have a "kids menu" the children are allowed to order from adult menu for vouchers.

 

[dizcrazy]

WOW!!!
Thanks for the report. of course, now I'm hungry!

 

[ZuZugal]

We're just back from our trip as well. Also used VKL vouchers at RFC at AK. They DO offer a kids menu, so I am very surprised that they allow ordering off of the adult menu for a kids voucher. We were using 2 adult vouchers, and our server was kind of new and not very helpful. I had read the boards about the best buys and also printed the menu from allearsnet so we could look at it ahead of time.

My kids would have nothing to do w/the adult menu anyway, so DH and I both ordered the steak/lobster dinners. My DH was very hungry so ended up eating lots of mine; on hot days I just don't have much of an appetite so probably should have used only a voucher for him and ordered something small from the menu for myself.

The kids menu is expensive. Hot dog, hamburger, chicken nuggets cost 5.99 to 6.99 per plate. They have a choice of corn, chips, or applesause, but can substitute fries for .99. (Our server did not mention that it was an additional charge and of course my kids wanted the fries!) Also, a kids drink in a small plastic cup - no refills - is 1.99. So, by the time you order a meal w/fries and a drink for your kids it adds up to $9 or $10. Better off to use a voucher and order off of the adult menu if you can.

 

[hellooothere]

Hi,
I made a Dec.8th4:15PS for RFC this morning for Dec. There are 6 of us. I have 2 adult and 2 child vouchers plus we have 2 extra children with out vouchers. When making the PS the I was told that the gratuity would be increased because there are 6 in the party. I don't have a problem with this but wonder how it will work with the 4 vouchers (tips are included). Anybody know?

Thanks for any info. Sounds like the vouchers are a great deal at RFC.

 

[momloveson]

Originally posted by Epscot
Our waiter was more than happy to let us order our boys' meals from the adult menu because his tip is based on the value of food ordered, not on the cost of the vouchers. .

Could you explain how tips work? Do they come out of the voucher, or do we pay? If we use 1 adult and 1 child voucher and there are 3 of us do we add tip? Is there a standard (like 18%) that is added on automatically? Any help appreciated. Thanks. I love this board!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[hellooothere]

bump! Anybody know how tip works?

 

[caribear]

From what I understand tips are based on the monetary value of the food you purchase with the vouchers. So if you use an adult voucher which costs $31 and actually purchase $60 worth of food on that one voucher...then the restaurant gives the server a tip based on the $60 amount.

 

[DMRick]

Just a couple things to add to this. First, I'm glad you liked the tip about the shrimp being substituted. We also tell our waiter to make sure it's a substitute, since you get more: )

When you buy the meal at Peppermarket, you are also allowed to get a side salad with your meal..even though sides come with it. It is very confusing there the first time you go.

The tip at Peppermarket is only 10% (even on the voucher), so we always leave extra. The tips at other places are 15% of the total amount of food you get..so the waiters always encourage you to oreder, order, order! We usually leave extra, for good service, since we generally tip 20% for good service.

 

[momloveson]

Is there an official list of restaurants you can use the voucher at? Does that list tell what the tip percentages are (so we know to tip more if its just 10% for example). I've found lists online at DIS and a couple of other helpful sites...but I'm not sure everything is up to date. Is there an official place I can geta list? Hotwire is NO help.

Mitch

Love all your help.

 

[robinb]

Mitch,

You can find all that information over on the Budget Board:

Everything You Wanted To Know About Meal Vouchers

It's a long thread, but full of great information!

We used vouchers on our last trip and we're looking forward to using them again in December. We loved the Pepper Market. My DH got the Grill Special with extra grilled veggies instead of potatos. I had the grilled Ahi Tuna Steak (about $20) with grilled veggies and it was perfect! Doris, I didn't know you could order a side salad too, we'll do that on the next trip. We fed my picky 5 year old on a fruit cup dessert.

We also used VKL vouchers at the RFC in Animal Kingdom. We had the Primal Steak and Lobster ($40), the Tsunami Shrimp Cocktail ($11), the Cyclone Crab Cake ($11), a Kid's cheese pizza (big enough for 2 kids) ($6), a Frozen Raspberry Lemonade ($3) an ice tea ($2) and Volcano that was too big to finish ($13). The lobster was OK, but I wasn't wild about the stuffing. I think I'll choose the shrimp next time. 2 adults and 1 child ate off of 1 adult and 1 child voucher. The total for our meal would have been $106 and we paid less than $45 for the vouchers.

My DH also used one of our VKL vouchers for Le Cellier and we were a little ahead on the cost of his meal.

 

[momloveson]

OK, my fever must be affecting my brain. Looked at the breakfast vouchers that we recieved and the restaurants are all listed on the back. So, I don't have to worry about an "official" place to know when we are on our vacation. I've got the silly info on the back of the voucher. Sometimes I wonder about myself!

I'll be sure to let everyone know how we made out using them....


Also, I had asked somewhere if anyone knew if refridgerators are in the Port Orleans French Quarter. I called and they said they are already included in the rooms. Also, a bunko buddy just told me they stayed there a couple of months ago and it was very nice (they were'n't impressed with the food there at the POFQ though). Only thing they missed was a kitchen. She said it was the best family vacation they'd ever had. We're so excited.

My 4 yr old son counts down the days till we leave. And, Each night he asks for more information on what's at DisneyWorld rather than his typical nighttime story. He's most thrilled that he gets to meet the REAL mickey mouse.