QSDP making me sad

[TARAMEOW]

On our up coming trip we opted to take the QSDP becaus it was included with the value resorts. I have always gone on the DDP so this is my first experience making no ADR's besides one special lunch at Chef's. It has me feeling kind of down

Although I do see the plus side for not having to plan around meals I really kinda feel like I am missing something

Anybody else in the same boat??

 

[ekball]

Somewhat, but minimally. I'm missing the *idea* of a few old favorites, BUT, I'm REALLY looking forward to the flexibility of eating where I want to eat, when I want to eat there. I'm looking forward to not having to drop what we're doing to run to an ADR. I'm looking forward to being able to fly by seat of our pants and be less structured than previous years (on the DDP). I'm looking forward to LOTS of yummy snacks. I'm looking forward to shaking things up a little bit this year, knowing we can go back to the regular DDP next trip if we miss it terribly.

 

[MouseEarsJenny]

Well, you could always upgrade if you're really sad about it.

We've always done the DDP as well, but we're going on such a short trip this time that we really wanted to maximize our park time and decided to keep the QSDP. We especially liked the two snacks a day, since we're planning to snack around the World Showcase.

We did consider upgrading because we're paying for two meals OOP (plus one that's not on the dining plan) but we decided to stick with QSDP to save time. Then again, we ended up having so many extra credits (from our OOP meals and our arrival/departure days) that we'll be eating actual breakfasts rather than grabbing granola bars. So are we really saving any time? But at least we don't have to rush to get to a specific ADR most of the time.

 

[Bork]

We were in the same boat, but I started getting concerned about doing all QS meals with my son's allergies. So we upgraded to the regular plan for $22/day for the 3 of us. Now I can't stop making changes.

 

[TARAMEOW]

We considered the upgrade and then decided to wing it with the quick service because we missed a few of our ADR's last trip. I guess I am just feeling nostalgic for my fav's. I also want to save money because we are going to MSSHP and getting married next year, my mother say's I am being spoiled just going at all

 

[kaybird]

We also traditionally do regular DDP, but are doing QS this trip. I am actually really looking forward to using all the credits, and the extra snack! I will miss some of the ADRs, but there are some outstanding cs out there, and at this rate i may be able to try most of them this trip!

 

[Yummy]

I've never done the regular DDP, but I don't think it's really for me. I'm totally sold to the QS: doing it for the third time in August.

I like being free to eat when I want and to not eat when I'm not hungry. On our first 7-day trip in May 2009, we had 2 ADRs for which we paid OOP. In order to get the two restaurants we wanted with decent hours, we had both ADRs in the same day (Sci-Fi Dine-in for lunch and San Angel Inn for dinner). On our lunch ADR, it was so hot and humid, I was barely hungry, and just ordered two appetizers (chili and salad). Had we not had that ADR, we probably would have eaten lunch an hour or more later, and would have split a QS meal.

On our second 7-day trip on the QS plan last December, we only had one ADR (Boma), and again, I didn't like having to plan my whole day around that one meal.

In August, we're on a budget trip, so the credit card stays in the hotel safe, and we're sticking to the plan, not buying anything OOP (except lockers at the water parks). From our past two experiences, we know that for two adults, especially in the heat, 28 QS meals and 28 snacks for 7 nights/8 days is way enough.

We're planning a trip with my parents in May 2011 (their first visit!). Since they are getting older, don't eat that much and won't want to walk as much as we do, we may try the regular DDP (if we get a code or good deal, and depending on what pans out regarding the possible changes discussed in other threads), or simply go OOP for the whole trip.

 

[KELLY]

I wouldn't be sad. We are doing the QSDP also. We did make 3 adr's and are paying op for those. But if we did the rdp it was 200.00 to upgrade and another 200.00 in tips and around 45.00 in mugs. The 2 adr's are for Garden grill and Norway princess breakfest. One is for rainforest which isn't on the dining plan anyway.

Total meal out of pocket is around 275.00 that includes tip. Plus I forgot I have some disney rewards so that will bring the total to around 225.00.

But I'm really excited to be doing the QSDP. It gives us more freedom not to be stuck any one place. I may just add hoppers to our 10 day MYW base ticket. We have never really used the hoppers because we have always had adr's to be at. IT was just easier to go to the park and plant our selfs there for the day.

I'm happy about it!!

 

[Mom2Elliot]

I felt the same way when I was planning for our QSDP trip. But you know what? I loved it! We tried a lot of new counter service places and really really enjoyed the freedom. Plus, we enjoyed those two snacks even more It makes for a different type of trip - and one I would look forward to doing again! Plus it made me enjoy the one ADR I did have even more!

 

[beroh2253]

We are booked at POP in October and have the QSDP for the first time, we will be there for the food and wine fest so 2 SC each day will be great. We may also do 1 or 2 TS OOP (need our Le Cellier), but I do know the feeling we have for the last 5 trips had the DDP, so still thinking of upgraging to that.

 

[TxRabbit]

I totally understand. There used to be this time of planning and planning and reading menus and looking at park hours and planning and planning. And, for me, planning was half the fun! It's on THIS side of the trip that having the QSDP can be kind of sad. But like others, I'm really looking forward to having a more go with the flow kind of trip! AND I'm looking forward to actually being hungry enough to get some of the super yummy snacks that are all over WDW!

 

[2Tiggies]

Just think how much fun you can have at the Food & Wine Festival with those extra snack credits. You won't get that on the DDP

 

[TARAMEOW]

Everybody is making good points! I hate having to be somewhere at a certain time and DF loves to sleep in. I happen to like eating the resort also!! And snacks galore all I wanted last trip was ice cream this should work out fine. I will miss the character meals however, but I never really go for the foodAnd this makes my one ADR at Chef`s really special and a romantic treat.

Yummy I noticed you are in Montreal also, how cool !! A local Diser is so exciting

 

[Suzanne74]

I feel the same way but we have a 1 year old on this trip and no way and I am waiting for all my ADR's, sitting down for and hour, and keeping her entertained. Looking forward to not having to rush around just for dining options. We are still doing Chef Mickey's though!! Otherwise - QS - here we come!

 

[2Tiggies]

And this makes my one ADR at Chef`s really special and a romantic treat.

And it will be! Believe it or not, it is a benefit of having the QSDP. Because you aren't running after ADRs the whole trip, when you do have a TS reservation you allow yourself the time to get ready, to get there and you really sit and take it all in. It isn't lost in a string of meals. Well from my experience anyway. Sometimes less is more.

So how are you feeling about the QSDP now?

 

[TARAMEOW]

And it will be! Believe it or not, it is a benefit of having the QSDP. Because you aren't running after ADRs the whole trip, when you do have a TS reservation you allow yourself the time to get ready, to get there and you really sit and take it all in. It isn't lost in a string of meals. Well from my experience anyway. Sometimes less is more.

So how are you feeling about the QSDP now?

I am feeling better I just need to stay away from others food reports And if Remy is at Chef's then I will be really happy

 

[florep1]

We just came back from a trip using QSDP and it was so nice not having to run to ADRs. We've used QSDP before so we knew what we were getting into. Having also used DDP before, I was glad to have saved $300 in tips! We had plenty of credits to last us through the trip and had tons of snack credits leftover at the end of our trip. Enough to buy enough snacks for our family for a 3 day weekend in Destin lol. Having the refillable mug helped a great deal as we brought it to the CS meal at the resort for our meals so we still had a drink credit which we used for bottled drinks and took to the parks. For our family, it is the way to go.

 

[sorul82?]

Think of all the tip $$ you will save!

 

[patsal]

I was feeling the same way last year whe we tried it. It ended up being the most hassle free, fun, and loose travel we have ever done. I'm not sure, but I doubt I'll ever go back to eating at a TS every single day. Whe I considered not getting a plan at all this year my DD reminded me of all the CS places she knew I would not pay for OOP as well as all the fun she had with snack credits.

 

[TARAMEOW]

I do feel that the QSDP has a good value since they are giving you the mugs and 2 snacks!

My first experience a few years ago with the DDP we got 2 snack and Appetizers and Tips were included(we always gave a little extra) now that seemed like a good value but it is changed now

Looking forward to my no food planned trip, ice cream and pizza daily