quick service dining plan an option ?

[joggers]

We have booked in AS Music for 10 days !

We are a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 girls) from South Africa and do not know the reataurants , locations etc. in the Park.Therefore I can not book ahead (ADR).
I assume the Park is at its busiest in July.We do not know how and for which "Character meals" to book so will leave them.(my girls are 8 and 10)

Could we take a quick service dining plan and occasionally simply walk into a restaurant for a evening meal when we felt hungry -or is booking essential ?

Are the resort breakfasts buffets ? Are some meals buffets or mostly a la carte ?
We are not very big eaters but do not want to live on junk food alone for 10 days .
Or would it make more dollars sense to not take a dining plan and simply pay for everything out of pocket ?

Thanks all.

 

[Faldred]

If you want a table service meal of any type, it is usually recommended to have ADRs -- walk-in, especially at park restaurants, will be extremely difficult at a peak time like July.

Any character meals/buffets/etc., are considered "table service" and ADRs are strongly recommended.

It's quite possible to go on quick service for a week or more and not do a hamburger or chicken nuggets once. You just need to know where to look, although most locations have at least some other options.

You'll want to look at AllEars.net, they have menus for all of the on-property eateries. That will give you an idea of what's available and allow you to compare costs to possibly doing a dining plan (or deciding that pay-as-you-go would be better). Try and find park maps online so you can cross-reference locations to the menus.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I would suggest ADRs also. However, you could always wait until you arrive and see what you can book then. You don't have to book several days in advance. The longer you wait the less availability generally, of course.

You will be surprised at the nice offerings at counter service though. Yes, you can get standard junk food. But there are places to get much more than that for selection.
Of course, it is still counter service and the food is not the same as the sit down restaurants.

 

[2Monkeys]

Search the boards - there are many threads about the best counter service at each park.

The very best counter service in my opinion is Wolfgang Puck Express in Downtown Disney. We also really enjoyed the food court at Port Orleans Riverside. You can go eat there even if you are not staying there. They have a build your own pasta & build your own salad option that are awesome!

I would think ADRs would be necessary for table service restaurants, especially at a busy time. However, last time we were there, we called dining reservations in the morning and asked what was available for that night. We were able to get a reservation at Alfredo's in Epcot (not there anymore). If you can be flexible on which park to be in for a table service, you might have some luck that way.

Definitely go to allearsnet at suggested to look at the menus and see what you think your family would like at each park. Then decide if you can be happy with just the QS plan.

Have a magical time!