QSDP vs Regular - My head is spinning ....

[mommyarewegoingback]

Okay, so we are going week before christmas. I made my ADR's 180 days out for every day we are there. We were originally booked with FD, but were waiting for AP rates. We are now on AP rates with added Dining Plan.

My DH and I have agreed that we like to prepay our meals. We have done both the Regular and Quick Serve Dining Plans. We OD'd on the Regular Dining Plan, but didn't like every meal to be QS. So currently we have the QSDP, but we wanted to keep Boma (2A, 2C), Ohana (2A, 2C) and Akerhaus (1A, 1C). With the holiday upcharge, that's approximately $250 out of pocket meals. The difference between the QSDP & Regular (with holiday upcharge) is $288. I know these numbers don't include tip or tax. And we'd probably do another 2 TS meals if we did have regular dining and the other TS meals would be used at QS. And we'd lose the addtl snack per person per day.

Sigh... What to do? My head is spinning.

-Virginia

 

[ciera321]

If I was in the same boat as you, I'd go with the regular since it's not that much more, even adding the gratuities. We did QSDP once and it was a challenge to eat all the CS meals since DH and I usually share at lunch...

 

[2Tiggies]

I would keep the QSDP and pay OOP for the TS you have booked. Here are my reasons:

• As you said, it is going to cost you more than $288 once you have upgraded and added on the additional charges for tax and gratuity.
• You lost the second snack per day
• If you have not yet made the other ADRs you may not have a wide variety of choice.
• On a relatively short trip over Christmas, I would want a bit of flexibility.

• You may find that you are not able to use the extra TS for CS. Some people manage to get it approved, others don't. And I think it is a waste of the extra TS you specifically upgraded to have.

HTH

 

[amyr1]

We are in the exact same situation as you. Going in January and staying at a value with the free QSDP. To upgrade to the basic plan would cost us just about $300 for our trip.

There are only about 3 TS meals we really, really wanted to do (character meals so we can avoid standing in lines at the parks.) I priced them out and it comes to about $300 (give or take a few bucks.)

So we decided that for the same cost as upgrading we'd get the 2 CS meals, 2 snacks, PLUS do 3 TS and also have the mugs. It seemed like the best of both worlds for us.

Amy

 

[Marblies]

Spent last Fall on Reg DDP (free of course) and enjoyed it, but are thrilled that the offer is free QS this Dec. trip. We have done the Castle and Boma etc. already, but really enjoy the freedom of no ressies AND no OOP! Plus the extra snack which covers breakfast and the drink mug. We are bigtime planners, but I prefer not to schedule every day and minute. So for us, QS is the way to go. I even carry a glad box in my purse for the dessert that I can never manage to eat at the meal. (midnight snack - shhhh)


111 Days until Just the Girls Christmas Magic Me DD20 DD19

 

[KELLY]

We are doing the QSDP also. We have Adr's set now because Dh said something about upgrading. After 2 hours I got some good ones including Chef Mickey's But I'm suppose to call to upgrade today and I'm having second thoughts.

The problem is this. DD really wants T-rex which isn't on the dining plan. I have no problem paying op for it but only if we are doing the QSDP. SInce we aren't spending the extra 200.00 to upgrade. Dh wants rainforest same idea. But he has no problem skipping RFC if we do the regular dining plan. I want Garden Grill. I have 60.00 in disney rewards to use towards that meal. So the upgrade would cost us around 140.00 if I use rewards. But then we still will have tips and mugs which brings the cost more towards the 400.00 area.

 

[crmom7054]

My vote would be to keep the QS plan. As others mentioned, the extra snacks and the mugs are worth it, especially with kids on the plan -- their snacks are practically free.

We do QS and pay for 2-3 table service meals out of pocket. We don't feel so "scheduled" everyday and the tips add up fast for the Dining Plan when everyone's meal is $30 or more each. We paid easily $200 in gratuity alone when we had the Regular Dining Plan in 2009.

If you are worried about the extra counter meals left, use them on the day you arrive or leave at downtown disney. Wolfgang Puck Express breakfast is so good for breakfast, and you can get sandwich meals to go for the trip home from Earl of Sandwich.

Whatever you choose, have fun!

 

[theguda]

We are in the exact same situation as you. Going in January and staying at a value with the free QSDP. To upgrade to the basic plan would cost us just about $300 for our trip.

There are only about 3 TS meals we really, really wanted to do (character meals so we can avoid standing in lines at the parks.) I priced them out and it comes to about $300 (give or take a few bucks.)

So we decided that for the same cost as upgrading we'd get the 2 CS meals, 2 snacks, PLUS do 3 TS and also have the mugs. It seemed like the best of both worlds for us.

Amy

How many people are in your party??? The per day cost difference between QSDP and DDP is $10 per adult and $2 per child. My wife and 2 kids are going to WDW in 2 weeks and the total cost difference to upgrade for 6 days was $144. A dinner at Le Cellier alone would cost almost that much, if not more. So for us...paying $144 to upgrade, and having the ability to eat one really nice meal each day is more than worth it.

 

[mommyarewegoingback]

Thanks for everyone's reply. I like the comparison that for the extra money we get 2 CS, 2 snacks everyday plus an extra 3 ts meals.

I think when you upgrade your DDP, you have to do it for your whole stay and not just for part of it. As for the calculations...
Qsdp adult is "31.99" and ddp is "46.99" (holiday rate). So that's $15 * 2 adults * 8 nights = 240. For kids it's "9.99" and "12.99". That's $3 * 2 kids * 8 nights = 48. For a total of $288. Plus we spend around $20 - 25 gratuity at each ts meal which rounded up is another $200. Plus 1 snack a day per person is usually not enough for breakfast and a fun snack/drink during the day. In addition, it really is not enjoyable getting the kids to slow down for a 1.5 hour wait/eat time when they see all that is going on outside.

Thanks again everyone, you've helped me realize what does work best for my family.

-virginia

P.S. We thought le cellier was good but just don't love it. We like TS for the character meals, getting into AC during the summer, and not having to find a table on a real busy day like Christmas day

 

[mommyarewegoingback]

Oh yeah, and we love Wolfgang puck express too! It has become our arrival day tradition even when we're not on a dining plus. And ouch it's expensive when there's no CS credit to cover it.

 

[KELLY]

We are doing the QSDP also. We have Adr's set now because Dh said something about upgrading. After 2 hours I got some good ones including Chef Mickey's But I'm suppose to call to upgrade today and I'm having second thoughts.

The problem is this. DD really wants T-rex which isn't on the dining plan. I have no problem paying op for it but only if we are doing the QSDP. SInce we aren't spending the extra 200.00 to upgrade. Dh wants rainforest same idea. But he has no problem skipping RFC if we do the regular dining plan. I want Garden Grill. I have 60.00 in disney rewards to use towards that meal. So the upgrade would cost us around 140.00 if I use rewards. But then we still will have tips and mugs which brings the cost more towards the 400.00 area.

Cancled adr's today. Talked to dh and we both just decied to do the QSDP. I think it will be a better fit for us.