QS Dining

[Dakylin]

I just booked the Quick Service Dining Plan!

Any advice or tips? What do I need to know?
(We are a family of four...two adults, two kids.)

 

[ohiotinkfan]

My DD (12 almost 13) and I tried the QSDP on our Easter trip, we returned April 12. We are AP holders and also have the DDE card (Tables in Wonderland now). Since it was just the two of us this trip we decided to try the quick plan. It is very nice to have the meals prepaid so, that is a plus. We had more than plenty to eat and we did use the refillable mugs often at the Contemp Cafe. Since we were both considered "adults" we had a wide variety of food choices.
Just to keep things straight with the dining plan, I asked that our room keys NOT be given charging privileges. This way I knew there would be no unexpected dining charges on my room bill. This worked fine for the two of us since we were always together on this trip and I carried my credit card anyway.
We did not have any problems with any of our credits at all. To help keep track of our meals and snacks I made a business card size “card” that I had typed out the exact number of credits on. I used Word to create the “card” and I put CS meals on one-side and snack credits on the other side. I crossed out the credits we used each time and always double-checked them with the receipt when we made a “purchase.” I carried the “card” with my room key/QS card so it was very handy.
Although we paid OOP for two table service meals, (used the DDE card for those meals) you certainly don’t need TS ADR’s with the QS plan. You should have plenty of food and choices too.

 

[Lisa P.]

To the OP, familiarize yourself with the QS restaurant menus in advance. Select a couple at each park and DD which offer the kinds of foods that you'd expect to want to try or where everyone in your family will probably find something they'd enjoy. See if there are any particular resorts besides where you're staying, where you may have reason to visit, with a menu that's especially appealing.

Secondly, familiarize yourself with the thread around here that lists the "snack" options in the first post, which are available to you for a snack credit with the 2009 plan. This can give you some great ideas for breakfasts and alternatives to all the sweet snacks, especially since dessert is already included with your QS meals. Stretching your snack credits to provide breakfasts and/or using up any unused credits to bring home special gift treats or bottled water for the plane ride home seem to be popular tips.

Along those lines, I have a question too...

On many of our FL vacations, we spend some time at or near WDW and some time visiting other regional attractions or state parks. Then, we usually spend a night or two, out at a beach area hotel or someplace in GA or SC, on our way home. I understand that we could use up any number of unused snack credits on the last day, if we get a DDP. But what about the QS meal credits?

For example, if there are 2 people on the plan and 4 unused QS credits, may we use them to obtain 4 QS meals altogether at the same time, perhaps to take with us in a cooler out to a state park picnic area or even to the beach hotel? Where's a great place to do this, with really good wraps and desserts that'll keep well, for a fun picnic lunch or early supper several hours later? TIA!

 

[marcyinPA]

To the OP, familiarize yourself with the QS restaurant menus in advance. Select a couple at each park and DD which offer the kinds of foods that you'd expect to want to try or where everyone in your family will probably find something they'd enjoy. See if there are any particular resorts besides where you're staying, where you may have reason to visit, with a menu that's especially appealing.

Secondly, familiarize yourself with the thread around here that lists the "snack" options in the first post, which are available to you for a snack credit with the 2009 plan. This can give you some great ideas for breakfasts and alternatives to all the sweet snacks, especially since dessert is already included with your QS meals. Stretching your snack credits to provide breakfasts and/or using up any unused credits to bring home special gift treats or bottled water for the plane ride home seem to be popular tips.

Along those lines, I have a question too...

On many of our FL vacations, we spend some time at or near WDW and some time visiting other regional attractions or state parks. Then, we usually spend a night or two, out at a beach area hotel or someplace in GA or SC, on our way home. I understand that we could use up any number of unused snack credits on the last day, if we get a DDP. But what about the QS meal credits?

For example, if there are 2 people on the plan and 4 unused QS credits, may we use them to obtain 4 QS meals altogether at the same time, perhaps to take with us in a cooler out to a state park picnic area or even to the beach hotel? Where's a great place to do this, with really good wraps and desserts that'll keep well, for a fun picnic lunch or early supper several hours later? TIA!

According to the plan rules, if your card says 2A on it, you can only purchase that number of meals at one time. However, considering it's your last day and you are trying to use the credits before they expire, as far as I know, you can either 1) stand in line twice to order or 2) let the other person in your party order two meals and you order two meals.

 

[Disneychix]

We used the QSDP when we went in March! We thought it was great. I loved getting quality food and not paying for tips like on the reg DDP.
Make sure you try Wolfgang Pucks Express in DTD. Really good food, huge servings, and excellent dessert!

 

[Faldred]

One piece of advice to consider is that you don't need to use four credits at a time. If you share meals amongst the four of you, you can frequently get by on fewer meals ordered (especially if you go for the larger ticket items like combo plates), allowing you to spread your credits out more, being able to use the extra credits for some breakfasts as well.

Same applies to snacks -- if you just want something to get you by until the next meal, splitting a couple of snacks helps extend those credits as well.

 

[2 Little Mermaids]

We got the QSDP as well and will be using it in 10 days I also looking over the menus on wdwinfo site. It gave me a idea on how to get the most out of it. I also printed of the snack list (found in this forum.)
Some other things I learned was the kids have to ordered from the children's menu which is mostly mac n'cheese or chicken fingers (which is all my girls will eat anyway) but it comes with two sides one of which is the dessert. However, the kids snack is equal to the adults. So I think that we will try to take our dessert that comes with our meal to go (a piece of fruit, package cookie or I've heard yogurt) then use our snack credits for a big yummy dessert. Also any leftover snacks can get used at Goofy's in DTD for the trip home. Hope this is helpful. Enjoy your trip and the food

 

[jtw]

Just to keep things straight with the dining plan, I asked that our room keys NOT be given charging privileges. This way I knew there would be no unexpected dining charges on my room bill.

THANK YOU for this tip. Seems obvious to me now, but wouldn't have thought of this. I plan on doing this now for our trip.

 

[ohiotinkfan]

You are welcome! The room key/QS card also says no charging on it.