No DDP, best bang for buck?

[Shelly888]

Still undecided about DDP. We are eating at MK and EPCOT. I was thinking of THe PLaza at MK for burgers and fries and unsure about EPCOT. Pretty much every place I have checked has availability(Jan 19th+20th). DH prefers to eat in the parks d/t lack of time this trip to maximize park time vs travel time and I tend to agree.

I may add DDP if the places the most cost effective don't appeal as much to us. I'd love ideas!

 

[RocketEAR99]

It's true, the DDP does save you money generally. (side bar, if you're a FL Resident or AP holder, the Tables in Wonderland card saves you more in my opinion).

If you're looking to eat at the Plaza and another place of similar price range, the DDP probably isn't worth it as much, but if you're looking to eat at something a bit higher dollar (in the $40 range), it's worth looking into.

 

[Shelly888]

Well, I would "settle" for The Plaza, if I was on DDP, this would not be my choice, but to pay OOP, it's cheap and we like a good burger. I was looking for an EPCOT suggestion along the same price point. If I can't find one, I may just get the DDP and then eat where we really want and not think so much about price.

If I wasn't thinking of cost, I might go to Biergarten or Askersus (Probably killed the spelling of those both) maybe Garden Grill. We have the 2 year old, so going to a buffet would eliminate the need to buy a kids meal for him.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

The Plaza has great sandwiches too. And kettle type chips. I love them.

In Epcot for sit down - most places are a bit pricey I think.

I liked Chef De France for lunch but not dinner and lunch is cheaper. I'll be trying the Rose and Crown on my next trip and I can't wait for that.

Le Cellier - love the cheese soup but so much is expensive that I'd go there for a salad and cheese soup if you want to save some money. Lunch is also cheaper there but I don't know how easy it would be to get into.

Tepan Edo - I love that place. But there are similiar places near where I live so I don't go there often. I do want to try Tokoyo Dining sometime.

Restaurant Marrakesh - Ick. Yuck. I will never, ever go back there and can't recommend it at all.

Via Napoli - Love it! so much that I've been 3 times so far. I thought the value Vs. price was very good.

For CS, Sunshine Seasons is great so is the bakery in France and the Tangerine Cafe in Morrocco. Those are my top 3 places in Epcot for CS.

I have never done the DDP and using allears.net, I've discovered that it wouldn't be a good value for me since some meals I just do a salad and appetizer. Other meals just an entree. Plus I like to have a drink or 2 with my meal.

Have fun choosing your restaurants!

 

[sharonabe]

Liberty Tree Tavern at MK for LUNCH is also a good place with some lower priced meals (including a hamburger).

At Epcot, you could share a pizza and salad at Via Napoli. Les Chefs de France has sandwiches, quiche, and other things for LUNCH that are in that same price range. Rose & Crown also has some things in the $15 range for LUNCH.

 

[SusieBea]

Still undecided about DDP. We are eating at MK and EPCOT. I was thinking of THe PLaza at MK for burgers and fries and unsure about EPCOT. Pretty much every place I have checked has availability(Jan 19th+20th). DH prefers to eat in the parks d/t lack of time this trip to maximize park time vs travel time and I tend to agree.

I may add DDP if the places the most cost effective don't appeal as much to us. I'd love ideas!

I'm a big fan of the Plaza - good variety of sandwiches and good desserts. I'm also a fan of the Liberty Tree Tavern, but don't know if your kiddos would enjoy that.

In EPCOT, I think you'd be wise to consider the Garden Grill as you suggested. Maybe consider Via Napoli as well.

 

[tndisneyfan]

If you are going to The Plaze just for burgers, why not try Cosmic Rays or Pecos Bill instead. It would be much cheaper than eating at a TS reataurant.

The Plaza probably isn't great use of DDP credit.

 

[clanmcculloch]

The Plaza actually doesn't cost that much more than eating at Cosmic Rays but at The Plaza you don't have to deal with the insane lines or crowded chaotic dining area and you actually get served plus you then have the option of a delicious ice cream dessert while still seated at your table rather than having to wait in another line at the counter next door. I love The Plaza. LTT at lunch really is also great both for the food and the price. These are actually the 2 MK ADRs I've booked for our upcoming trip. Not only are they great values but we also really enjoy the lunches at these restaurants.

At Epcot, GG is very expensive. If you've going to end up getting the DDP then GG and Akershus are both good values for the dining credit but OOP they are very expensive. For OOP, lunches are much better values at most restaurants (not at Akershus and GG isn't open for lunch) but the rest of the restaurants are better at lunch. We like Biergarten for lunch and find it to be the most reasonably priced of all of the fixed price/all you can eat restaurants at WDW plus we really enjoy the food. If you don't want all you can eat then check out the lunch menus at any of the WS restaurants and see which looks best to you (other than Akershus which is rediculously expensive IMO). If you don't care if you have CS or TS then you can check out Sunshine Seasons in Future World or you can even snack around the WS, trying little things in all of the countries.

I agree with your DH about eating in the parks. If we leave the park to eat, we're generally not going back to the park and use the ADR as a way to force us out of a park at a specific time (before meltdown can happen).

 

[shalom]

Have you checked out this thread?

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2684936

Although prices have gone up since it started, so has the cost of the DDP, so it's still eating at one CS and one TS a day for less than the DDP costs.

I would stick with mostly CS (eating outside the rush -- lunch at 11:30 at the latest, dinner early or late) if you're trying to maximize your time in the parks. TS restaurants really cut into your time, IMHO, especially if they don't get you seated right away.

 

[maman_et_fille]

Have you checked out this thread?

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2684936

Although prices have gone up since it started, so has the cost of the DDP, so it's still eating at one CS and one TS a day for less than the DDP costs.

I would stick with mostly CS (eating outside the rush -- lunch at 11:30 at the latest, dinner early or late) if you're trying to maximize your time in the parks. TS restaurants really cut into your time, IMHO, especially if they don't get you seated right away.

I'm a big fan of eating CS for the exact reason that TS takes a lot of time - walking to where it's located, waiting for a table, waiting for your server, etc. Yes, there are some lovely meals to be had, but sometimes, depending on your situation, it's not worth the time. Our favorite CS's in Epcot have already been mentioned - Sunshine Seasons and Tangerine (sp?) Cafe. We ate lunch at Le Cellier in January 2011 for around $70 (not including tip) for 2 adults and 1 child - they offered a 3 course prix fix menu that one adult ordered - we split the app and dessert and ordered an additional entree.

Plus keep in mind that while the DDP might save you a bit of money on your TS meals, you're stuck eating Disney's way with your CS and snacks. I'd rather pay marginally more (potentially, because I don't think the DDP always saves money) to eat what I want to eat, when and where I want to eat it, without paying OOP when I've already paid for the DDP.

 

[Shelly888]

Thanks for the great tips and ideas! We are going with NO DDP, and paying OOP, at MK eating at The PLaza and not 100% sure on Epcot, but I love the idea of snacking and walking through each country, sounds fun.

 

[BriarRosie]

Others mentioned this, but they really didn't go into much detail about the logical reasoning behind it. I'm talking about going for lunch reservations vs. dinner reservations at table service locations.

The price point will be more reasonable than dinner in most cases (if it's not a buffet or character meal). If you are booking a few character meals or buffets, I'd suggest you use the DDP. The price point on those meals is a breaking point when you pay out of pocket.

The other benefit of making lunch ADRs is that it's a nice break in the day before heading back into the park for touring.

 

[kelldawn]

Pecos Bills is the best value for the money and the best tasting.. The burgers are thick meat and you have all those fixins you can put on your fries or burgers or salad. If you go to the PLAZA you will have to tip and never eaten a burger at a sit down wait service before because the Pecos burgers are very reasonable and best for your money.

 

[h2odivers]

I like biergarten at epcot. It's dinner with a show.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

In Downtown Disney Marketplace I would highly recommend Earl of Sandwich.

 

[h2odivers]

I've never tried Earl of Sandwiche but everyone seems to like it. Whats your favorite item there?

 

[emmysmommy]

In Downtown Disney Marketplace I would highly recommend Earl of Sandwich.

Me too!!! Love it! Just found one in Las Vegas last week - sweet!

 

[maman_et_fille]

I've never tried Earl of Sandwiche but everyone seems to like it. Whats your favorite item there?

There is so much that is yummy! Always something new to try

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I've never tried Earl of Sandwiche but everyone seems to like it. Whats your favorite item there?

My favorite is The All American without the Cranberries and on the side I order their Tomato Soup.

 

[waynesgirl]

My DH and I, even with our children, feel that OOP is much better for us, even if we eat TS. We tend to eat 1 big meal, a someone decent breakfast with lots of carbs, and maybe a snack. It still comes out cheaper for us than the DPs and it gives us more flexibility in menu choices.

If you like (I think that I agree with some posters), lunch at many of the TS places are cheaper if that is what you are looking to consider. If you eat at them about 3:30, you can snack later, or split a burger if you are hungry enough.

This is what we do:

Have a nice breakfast- not too much, but enough.
Eat a late lunch- a good TS meal is wonderful, especially Le Cellier or Brown Derby at DHS- excellent portions for sharing and choices are amazing.
Snack about 8:00- if we are so inclined.

I do like La Cava del Tequila for a small dish like taquitos or guacamole and chips. I like a lot of the CS meals in EPCOT- American Pavillion or Mexican Pavillion.

We NEVER miss Pecos Bill's at MK and I love the Columbia Harbour House.
We enjoy the Tangerine Cafe at EPCOT.
We LOVE Rainforest Cafe at AK- huge portions. Definitely share.
Starring Rolls has great sandwiches at DHS and a cupcake for dessert.

Whatever you decide, have fun.