Quick Service Dining Plan for family of five

[momtocss]

We just got back from our stay at All Star Music Resort. We were there from August 7 (plane was delayed and we missed our connecting flight so really got there on August 8) to August 13. I booked our trip 47 days out and did not want to mess with reservations for table service or working around a schedule at the parks to make it to our meals. As a matter of convenience, I opted for the quick service dining plan. I wanted to pay for the meals up front and not worry about how much I was spending once we got there.

Our party of five is:

Me - 41 year old mother (planner of all vacations)
DH - 38 year old father (happy to go along with all my planning)
DD - 15 year old daughter
and the twins
DS1 - 12 year old son
DS2 - 12 year old son



I did my research on the disboards and allears before we left. I had decided which counter service places we would choose from at each park and made a menu of the items that looked like something we would like to eat as well as where we could go for the most delicious snacks. I don't have any snack pictures, but tried my best to get meal pictures.

I also tried to keep track of how much we were being charged at each place to see if we would come out ahead with the quick service dining plan. I hope this helps in your meal planning. I know the 2012 plan has changed with one less snack.

 

[momtocss]

The plan was to use a meal credit at the food court once we arrived. With our plane being delayed, we had to eat at the airport and the food court was closed when we arrived at the resort. We weren't even able to get a snack or our mugs. Luckily we had packed some snack and breakfast foods, so the kids did not starve once we got there.



We got to bed shortly after arriving as I was determined to be at Hollywood studios by 9:00 am, which we were. Before leaving, we did pick up our mugs and had a drink. We let the kids get pop and DH and I had coffee.

First meal of the day was at Catalina Eddie's. DD really wanted to go to Pizza Planet, but we were hitting Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and The Tower of Terror pretty hard and this was closer. It was also on my list, so hunger took over and Catalina Eddie's is where we went. Seating is outside. We sat under an umbrella and got a little warm as other seating had some fans. However, it started to rain as we finished our meal so the umbrella came in handy.

I guess I had not read everything about how the dining plan worked, so I had each person order using his/her KTTW card to pay. We ended up with five receipts and each person needing to pick up their own order. We all ordered the pizza/salad combo. The two boys got cheese pizza and the three of us got pepperoni pizza. Dessert choices were chocolate cake or carrot cake. We got four chocolates and one carrot. We each got regular sodas.



The meal totals were around $15.00 each, so I estimated $75.00 for this lunch. I get better at keeping track of amounts as the trip goes on.

The salad looks small but really there is quite a bit in that little bowl. It was good. Pizza was a bit greasy, but for park food it was just fine. Chocolate cake was good and DD loved the carrot cake.

 

[momtocss]

If anyone can explain to me how to upload my pictures without the link showing, I would be most grateful. I have them in an album on photobucket.

 

[bluejasmine]

When you upload your photos on photobucket look to the right I believe and copy the link that says IMG and paste that here..Looking fwd to more reviews and pics!

 

[momtocss]

When you upload your photos on photobucket look to the right I believe and copy the link that says IMG and paste that here..Looking fwd to more reviews and pics!

Thank you so much for your help!

 

[momtocss]

Our first snack of the day was what I thought was KRNR but our receipt says Teens and Tweens. DS1 got a root beer float. DD and DS2 got lemonade slushes. DH got a cappuccino smoothie, and I got a strawberry smoothie. These snacks hit the spot for all of us! I wasn't keeping good track of totals yet and again we each used our KTTW card to order, but I think we spent around $25 on these snacks.

Our next meal was dinner at ABC Commissary where we really learned some things about the Quick Service Dining Plan.

1. Use one KTTW card and place one order. Not so many receipts to keep track of. You can see how may entitlements were used and how many you have left all on one receipt. And, all of your food can be picked up at the same time.

2. You can order a large drink instead of a regular! Believe me, there is a big difference. When you are REALLY thirsty, you want that large!

From the menu I had made from allears, the boys were looking forward to getting double cheeseburgers. Instead, they had a surf 'n' turf cheeseburger with fries. This appealed to four members of our family while I ordered the chicken bleu sandwich. We got four chocolate mousse and one strawberry parfait for dessert. All five of us ordered large drinks.

The cheeseburgers and shrimp were devoured by the four of them. My chicken bleu was just so-so. Nothing special as you really couldn't taste the sauce. My strawberry parfait was yummy. It was a mixed bag on the chocolate mousse. Two thought it was really good and two thought it was way to rich.

Total for this meal was around $83.00.

 

[weswife]

Enjoying the review!

Great pics. and I like knowing the totals!

 

[Marblies]

I like your style. It is a great report for first time QSDP users. Like reading Harry Potter - the reader discovers things as you learn them. ie. large drink instead of regular. Little tips that would really help a newbie.

 

[iloveeeyore]

Interesting reviews of ABC Commissary. We had a bad experience there years ago, but I don't remember Buffalo Chicken or Surf & Turf burgers on the menu. We might have to give it a try again (2 weeks from today!).

I'm enjoying your reviews and looking forward to more!

 

[momtocss]

Thanks for the feedback! I know I learned alot from these boards before going on our trip. I am glad to give back.

The end of our day at Hollywood Studios was a rainy mess. DH ended up taking DD and DS2 back to the room before Fantasmic! started. They announced a rain delay and we didn't know if the show was even going to happen. They stopped at the food court on the way to our room to get their evening snack. I have receipts for a single cone, single waffle cone, and milk shake. I believe the cones were okay but DD complained that her milk shake was more milk than shake. DS1 and I stuck it out and saw Fantasmic! and then used our EMH to ride some rides. At 23:57 we went back to Teens and Tweens where he got a strawberry smoothie. He tasted mine that afternoon and decided he had to have one of his own. I went to Hollywood Scoops to order an ice cream cookie sandwich. I saw there was no DDP symbol by it, but it was listed on the confirmed snack list on the disboards. Of course I got in the slowest line only to be told it was not a snack on the dining plan. Oh well! I wasn't really hungry but just wanted to try it because it sounded really good. I found out later, DD also tried to order an ice cream cookie sandwich at our food court and was also told it was not on the plan.

Total for evening snacks at the food court was around $10.00. I included the night time smoothie snack in my total earlier for Teens and Tweens.

 

[momtocss]

Day 2 found us at Epcot. Our first ride was Soarin' which we got fast passes to ride again before we even rode it the first time. We were in the front row and I decided it was not my thing. When my family went to ride it again, I snuck over to Sunshine Seasons and got myself a cinnamon roll. I thought it was only fair since I did not use my snack credit the night before. Cost was $3.29. It was good, but would have been better with a cup of coffee. I had already drank my cup of coffee for the day back at the resort in my refillable mug.

I know people are going to think I am crazy for this, but for lunch we were not very adventurous. We ate at Liberty Inn. DH, DD, and DS2 got the chicken nugget combo and DS1 and I got the pork sandwich and slaw. We all ordered large drinks. For dessert we got three apple blossoms, a rocky road mousse, and a crisped rice treat (mine, and it was so cute!).

We all enjoyed our food at this meal. Eight chicken nuggets is really alot. DD voted the apple blossom as her favorite dessert of the whole trip. But then DS1 didn't like his, so I ended up eating it and saved Mickey for later. DS2 liked his rocky road mousse.

Total for this meal was $74.00.

 

[momtocss]

After we walked around the World Showcase it really started to rain. DD and DS2 decided they were done and opted to catch a bus back to the resort. On their way to the room, they stopped at the food court. DD got ice cream and DS2 got cotton candy. On our way back to the room DS1 got a vanilla milkshake at the food court and said it was much better than what DD described her chocolate milk shake as the day before. Total for snacks at food court was around $12.00.

DS2 did not want to go back to Epcot, so DH stayed at the resort with him. DS2 fell asleep and refused to wake up for dinner. DH went to the food court by himself and got a Maestro Burger with fries, drink, and a cookie. No picture taken since I had the camera. Cost of this meal was around $13.00.

DD, DS1, and I ate at Sunshine Seasons. The two kids got sweet and sour chicken and I got spicy cashew chicken. You get two sides with your meal. DD got stir fry vegetables (which you can see in the corner of the first picture) and lo mein, DS1 got rice and lo mein, and I got steamed broccoli and lo mein. We only found cups for regular sodas. For dessert DS1 got New York cheesecake with berries and DD and I got strawberry shortcake.

This meal was delicious. The cashew chicken did have a spicy kick to it but the flavor was very good. DD said the stir fry vegetables didn't taste much different than what was in her sweet and sour chicken. The desserts were wonderful as well. We ate late, and were so full from this meal we did not even get a snack that night.

Total for this meal for the three of us was $52.00.

 

[momtocss]

Day 3 and we are headed to Animal Kingdom. We decided to stop at the food court for a little snack/breakfast before heading out, but only three of us got something. DD chose a cinnamon raisin bagel, DS1 got a cheese danish, and I got a mini loaf of banana bread. All good choices for us. The cost was $8.00.

We ate lunch at Flame Tree Barbecue. I knew long before we got there that I would be having the rib meal. Both DS1 and DS2 made the same choice. DH and DD got the pork sandwich meal. I was really thirsty and got a large drink while the others ordered regulars. For dessert, three of us got chocolate mouse and two got key lime mousse.

The ribs were excellent! I didn't even need a knife to cut them and could pull them apart. I love cole slaw and it was good as well. The beans I could not finish. I don't know if I was just too full, but I know they were not my favorite. We all enjoyed our desserts. The chocolate mousse had a small piece of white chocolate in it that looked like a decoration. One of the boys was brave enough to try it to let us know it was edible. I like how the pork was served here were you add your own sauce. At the Liberty Inn where I got a pork sandwich, the sauce and meat were already mixed together. The total for this meal was $73.00.

 

[Marblies]

Mmmmmmm. Flametree ribs! The only time I eat ribs all year is in AK and I have yet to be disappointed. So much food for 1 person though, we always split 2 meals for 3 of us. Keep it coming.

 

[momtocss]

I apologize for not having any snack reviews for Epcot or Animal Kingdom. The rain really put a damper on walking around with a snack at either park. It cleared off for the afternoon at Animal Kingdom and I really wanted my DH to try the Jalapeno Cheese Stuffed Pretzel, but he was way to full after our lunch to get one. The kids hit the food court on the way back to our room and got a single cone and two got waffle cones. The cost of this snack was $11.42. (I am getting better at keeping track of prices.)

That night we went to Downtown Disney where we hit the JACKPOT with our quick service dining plan by eating at Wolfgang Puck Express. We took one look at the prices on the menu and I had to go ask a server if we could use our plan to eat here. Her response was, "Yes, you can have anything on the menu."

DS1 and DS2 got the chicken tenders, DH and DD got the spaghetti and meatballs, and I got the alfredo. We got five fountain drinks (free refills) and for dessert we got two cookies, two cheesecakes, and one brownie.

We ordered at the counter and then a server brought us our food and offered to get us refills while we were eating. Just from the pictures, you can see this was a good meal. The cheesecake was the best dessert for me on the trip. It had a creme brulee topping. The two kids that got cookies thought they were the best cookies. We left there stuffed and ready to walk around Downtown Disney.

The total for this meal was $108.90.

 

[weswife]

great review!

I want to try the Flametree! The food looks great! I enjoyed WPE last year and its on the list for our Nov. trip! My DH will not go to WDW without the DP, he is hooked! We were going QS but when FD came out we switched and saved $$!

 

[rznhal]

Thanks for the awesome reviews!
Your sunshine seasons meal looks wonderful.....do you know if the chicken was white meat or mixed? Also, did you notice if there was a reuben on the sunshine seasons menu when you were there? I've heard people talk about it, but i've never been able to find it on the allears menu...?

Thanks and Welcome back!!!!

 

[vettegirl]

Enjoying the reviews! WPE is such a great value on the dining plan!

 

[Tinkerbellah]

Enjoying the review! We never did the QS plan but I can totally see getting it! Someday we'll have to try it! Looks like some really good meals!!

 

[Disney_Mama]

Love your review and pictures. Thanks for sharing.