Quick Service V. Regular dining

[Celidh]

I was thinking of possibly upgrading from quick service to the next step up if i get the free dining I was hoping for. This said, after looking at numbers, I don't know if it is worth it. If the numbers I have are correct, just the upgrade alone would be $420.00 then I would have the added cost of tips that I wouldn't be paying on quick service and I would also want to get the refillable bottles from the resort at least for myself if not my partner, mom and two older boys. (my daughter wouldn't make enough use of it) So, I'm thinking that it isnt quite worth what I figure would be a good $600. extra to upgrade

I just don't think the table service would be worth it for us. None of my kids would be interested in sitting that long. DS 13, is ADHD; DS 11 - high functioning Autism Spectrum/Aspergers and DD 7, well, what 7 year old wants to sit and wait.

My question is, how would one know what restaurant to book and when if you have never been there? I think that would stress me out. I have no idea what resort we will be at when. We want to get the park hopper option so we have the freedom to be where we want, when we want and not worry about being somewhere to eat or risk having a huge wait for a table. I don't know how I would even start making table reservations. I don't want to lose the freedom.

That said, does anyone know if Disney would let you use a table service credit for a quick service meal?

I know I want to go to Chef Mickey's but I will probably stick with the QSP and pay OOP for that. It is still less that the amount I will figure it will add on if I upgrade.

I also looked at a lot of the menus for table service restaurants and I'm not sure that ds 11 would even eat off the adult menu at all. Do they let kids who are not a "child" in Disney's eyes order off the kids menu. I'm not worried about the difference in price or anything, it is a matter of choice for a child who is quite particular about what he eats. (this would be my Aspie child) He lives for chicken nuggets, hotdogs and bologna, not that he gets it nearly as much as he wants at home. He can't figure out why he has to eat veggies!

I am open to any comments or suggestions.

 

[figment_jii]

My question is, how would one know what restaurant to book and when if you have never been there?

The best would be to look at the menus (which it sounds like you did) and to read reviews (here or on allears.net).

We want to get the park hopper option so we have the freedom to be where we want, when we want and not worry about being somewhere to eat or risk having a huge wait for a table.

This is tougher issue because without an ADR you might have to wait a long time for a table, especially if you're going to a popular restaurant or during the busy season or wanting to eat during the most typical hours, etc. Usually resort restaurants have a better chance at a walk-up, as long as it's not one of the popular ones, but if you do not make ADRs, then be prepared to have a back-up plan in place if the restaurant you choose is full.

That said, does anyone know if Disney would let you use a table service credit for a quick service meal?

It is not standard policy to allow changing credits, however others have reported that sometimes it is allowed. Essentially, it comes down to the cast member you are dealing with and if they are willing to do that. In other words, you cannot count on it.

Do they let kids who are not a "child" in Disney's eyes order off the kids menu.

Yes, a non-child can order the child's menu whether paying out of pocket or using the DDP.

 

[blessedby3]

Our family likes the QSDP. We are able to get it and pay oop for 2 ts breakfast buffet meals and still come out cheaper than using the regular DDP. We like that we arent tied to any ADR's and we dont lose valuable time (to us) sitting in a restaurant when we could be out riding or seeing shows. We also like the fact that each of us gets a mug. With 6 in our family, that is a big expense.

 

[Celidh]

Blessed by 3, my thoughts exactly. I want the mug too. If I had to pay for 5 of them, that is what, somewhere around $75.00 extra!

I agree, I want to see as much as comfortably possible and really don't want to spend hours a day sitting in a restaurant and I know the kids don't either.

 

[acpalmer]

It sounds like the Quick Service would probably be a better option for you. We love the QS plan (the two snacks per day per person and the mug are well worth it to us) and from the sounds of your prefered vacation style while you are there, I just think that might be a better fit. We also pick one or two table service (usually character) meals to do and pay out of pocket and that way suits us perfectly!

 

[OatsZoo]

I would agree that QS sounds better for you. We enjoy doing as many character meals as we can, so that is where you would save the money. Is there any other character meals that you want to do besides Chef Mickey? If not, I would go for the QS. We also do not get the hopper package since we like to go to the park and stay put all day. So booking a ADR is easy. But since you are hopping, then you never know where you will be and when, so that could make it difficult to make ADR's too. We have also waited an extra half an hour to be seated past our ressie time at some restaurants too.

 

[KELLY]

We added the QSDP to our package. We had it free last year. For us to upgrade with tips and mugs would be around 450.00. We ar paying OP for 2 TS meals one being T-rex the other Tusker house breakfest. Those will come in with tip under 200.00.

I think you have the right idea and should stick with the QSDP.

 

[Jasperann]

Last time we had the regular dining plan and it didn't fit well with our family. We had a family of 7 when we went. We spent more on snacks than the daily amount of 1 per person and at TS a tip of 18% was automatically added to our bill, no matter how good/bad the service was. It was very expensive and it took so much of our time. We have decided on QS plan this time and we made three TS reservations which will be cheaper than adding on the regular dining plan, and we will get the mug, 2 QS, and 2 Snacks every day for each person. That is AMAZING!!