QS Dining plan Tips? Better Food?

[dskib]

Hi!

We did the regular dining plan for the first time this year for a 3 night stay in Jan. It was my birthday, so I wanted nice TS dinners, and I really liked it.

I just booked Sept 2011 with the Regular DP at POFQ, and I know I could save a substantial amount of money by staying at POP with the QSDP instead.

So my question is this. How does one do the QSDP and eat better than average food - so that I don't miss the quality of the table service. I just feel like counter service meals would get a bit tiresome. Am I wrong?

Thanks!
Deb

 

[amyr1]

We had the regular DDP on our last trip and really enjoyed the TS meals. For our Jan trip we decided to just do the QSDP. We will be going for 10 nights so I've been concerned about the sheer amout of CS we will be eating. Here is what I have decided:

1. I am paying oop for 3-4 TS character breakfasts. The price difference between QSDP and DDP was less than $400. But by upgrading I'd be losing 1/2 of my CS meals and only gaining 10 TS meals/per person...and we share most CS meals. I'll spread these TS meals so they are every couple of days. Might even make one a lunch.

2. We will utilize places like Pepper Market and WGP Express to give us some different foods and a nicer experience.

3. I will pour over all the CS menu's and make sure we visit a variety of cuisines so we are not eating burgers every single day.

4. I will insist we order fruit on many meals so we don't eat so many french fries. I don't like Disney tummy.

5. We will get food "to go" and find pretty spots to have a picnic type meal.

Amy

 

[alala]

I think we ate pretty well with QSDP last trip. I agree with amyr1's suggestion to try WGP Express. Other good options that don't seem so much like fast food include Sunshine Seasons at Epcot (great deserts) and the CS restaurants in many of the World Showcase countries. We liked the ones in Norway, Japan, and Morocco. Just try to look over menus before you go so that you can find things ahead of time that look good to you and plan for some variety.

 

[Kath0915]

One thing you could do is book at Pop with the QSDP but pay to upgrade to the Regular DP. We did that for our trip that we are going on tomorrow. We are staying at ASMovies and upgraded since we wanted Table Service meals. It still cost less than staying at a moderate and getting the free RegDP.

 

[Dizneydaz]

We are doing the QSDP for the first time in 2 weeks. We've done the regular DDP 6 times now and I'm looking forward to not having to make, and keep, ADRS. I will miss a few of our favorites but I think we'll still eat well.

We will probably eat most of our meals out of the 4 main parks. DTD and resorts are some of our favs.

Look over the CS menus and decide where you do, and don't want to eat.

I'm looking forward to several meals in DTD at WPE, Cooke's and Earl of Sandwich.

We have our own (rental) car so going to eat at DTD is pretty easy. As well as going to other resorts.

 

[Gina]

Pop has a wonderful selection of food -- I would argue the best CS of any of the resorts. My faves include the Chicken Penne Alfredo, the Parmesan Crusted Chicken (SO good), and the Mom's Night Out dinners.

I was wary of the QSDP... but after going with it last December, DS and I are hooked now. I seriously loved not being tied down to ADR's as before, and we both loved all those snack credits!! We're paying OOP for one meal next trip, 'Ohana, because we love that place, but otherwise we just don't miss table places at all. We had so much more park time with the QSDP. Can't wait to do it again!