Saving dining plan credits

[Fern]

Hi there! My family has a 7 night split stay coming up, 6/2 nights). To save a bit of money, we're only getting the regular dining plan for the first "leg". I'm hoping to save a few credits for the last day and get some items to go that might help us on the second part of the stay (for snacking/picking on in the room)- especially for our 8yo, who is big snacker! Does anyone have any tips/tricks for doing this? Food ideas that will hold well for a day or two? We 'll have a fridge in the room, but no microwave. Thanks in advance!

 

[momto3pirates]

Hi there! My family has a 7 night split stay coming up, 6/2 nights). To save a bit of money, we're only getting the regular dining plan for the first "leg". I'm hoping to save a few credits for the last day and get some items to go that might help us on the second part of the stay (for snacking/picking on in the room)- especially for our 8yo, who is big snacker! Does anyone have any tips/tricks for doing this? Food ideas that will hold well for a day or two? We 'll have a fridge in the room, but no microwave. Thanks in advance!

Are you looking for actual meals that will last or sweets/snacks? Most of the resort QS will have packaged fruit for a snack credit. The cookies at Writer's stop in HS are delicious and also a snack credit. I love the carrot cake cookie! Also many of the QS restaurants have prepackaged desserts that can be saved for later.

 

[figment_jii]

I'm hoping to save a few credits for the last day and get some items to go that might help us on the second part of the stay (for snacking/picking on in the room)- especially for our 8yo, who is big snacker! Does anyone have any tips/tricks for doing this?

Do you mean TS credits, QS credits, or snack credit items?

Most Disney TS restaurants aren't equip to handle take out and you aren't allowed to order extra meals, so I don't think there is any point in "saving" the TS credits.

For the QS, there are several places where you might be able to get stuff that will hold up in a fridge for a few days. I know Les Halles and Norway have pastries that last pretty good in a fridge. You can probably get a sandwich or something like that for the entree part of the QS that will hold up and taste okay cold. Les Halles has to go containers, but it's worth noting that a lot of QS locations do not have "to go" containers; they can give you an extra plate to use as a lid, but you'll have to be careful when you carry the items out. Some resort locations (and Sunshine Seasons) also feature some "Grab and Go" type items (e.g., sandwich wraps) that might hold up pretty good.

In terms of snack, of those there are a lot! They range from sweet to savory, so you just need to see what is at the shops around you and what looks the best.

 

[DJFan88]

It seems like you only need it to hold up for 1 day.
I believe the credits you use are good until midnight of the day you check out. So the day you check in the other place is actually that first night. Then you have 1 whole day and 1 more night.
I have a split stay and if free dining was offered I would only be getting it for the first part too (since it would not be cost effective to rebuy tickets and instead buy a longer days one on the first one) , so I would probably use one of the meals on that day that I check out.
Cold pizza works for me as an idea for the next day if you get it on that check out day and put in fridge.
quick service breakfast ideas could include juices and cinnamon rolls or muffins, fruit like bananas.

 

[Fern]

Thanks for the good ideas! We always end up with counter service credits at the end of our stay that we haven't used, we I was thinking that on the day we check out we could use a few CS for stuff to much on the next day and a half. Was thinking more savory than sweet- sandwiches would be perfect. I forgot about Les Halle's, I think that would be exactly what we need! Ham/cheese croissant type things, fruit cups. Forgot that husband loves the sandwich from the cafe in Norway, so now I'm thinking that well have to grab one of those! The second half of the split stay is at the YC, so I know we'll have a pool day to enjoy storm along bay (and could def use hoarded snacks in our room for that day).

The grab n go stuff from Sunshine Seasons sounds perfect, I'll def try that. And the carrot cake cookie sounds AMAZING. I'm so going there, just for that.

Thanks for the great ideas! I was a little worried about only having the DDP for the first half, but there's no way we could have afforded another ticket package in order to keep the plan. Now I'm excited to not only save the $ on the extra days, but I can challenge myself to use up all our CS For the first time ever.

 

[Amanda999]

Art of Animation's CS food court had a nice selection of pre-packaged 'to go' main courses (sandwiches, but other things too although I can't name any others right at this moment!). I usually stay at POR or POFQ, and really was impressed by how much better (healthier, more interesting) AoA's CS was.

If you have a car, I think it's worth a trip over there to see it - the grounds are very well themed (the Cars section could be in a Disney park, easily; check it out after the sun goes down).

We had SEVENTEEN CS credits left at the end of our trip last summer, so I'm thinking of this too.

 

[RedskinFan]

Thanks for the good ideas! We always end up with counter service credits at the end of our stay that we haven't used, we I was thinking that on the day we check out we could use a few CS for stuff to much on the next day and a half. Was thinking more savory than sweet- sandwiches would be perfect. I forgot about Les Halle's, I think that would be exactly what we need! Ham/cheese croissant type things, fruit cups. Forgot that husband loves the sandwich from the cafe in Norway, so now I'm thinking that well have to grab one of those! The second half of the split stay is at the YC, so I know we'll have a pool day to enjoy storm along bay (and could def use hoarded snacks in our room for that day).

The grab n go stuff from Sunshine Seasons sounds perfect, I'll def try that. And the carrot cake cookie sounds AMAZING. I'm so going there, just for that.

Thanks for the great ideas! I was a little worried about only having the DDP for the first half, but there's no way we could have afforded another ticket package in order to keep the plan. Now I'm excited to not only save the $ on the extra days, but I can challenge myself to use up all our CS For the first time ever.

Boardwalk Bakery also has some nice CS meal options that would hold up well and as a bonus it is within walking distance of the YC.

 

[MatoMany]

On our last day we like to get a few Earl of Sandwich sandwiches and use them as meals on the way home. It works well and uses the extra counter service meals we have. For snack credits there are tons of options, I believe there is a thread that lists options. I find a good potion of what is available as snacks good for taking with you.

 

[TwoAtDisney]

Most of the Disney hotel counter service areas have microwaves you can use.

I always pack lots of baggies - quarts & gallons - for our leftovers & take-aways. I also include 2 big paper grocery bags with the flat bottoms. So if we have lots to take to our room, we can safely & easily carry everything. BTW, Boardwalk Bakery has those big flat bottom paper bags at their self serve station - where the plates, napkins, plastic ware are.

Caution - We have noticed that some of the in-room fridges are not cold enough for meat. If this happens to you, call & have someone come to the room & increase the cold temp. NOTE - You will probably be told it is as high as possible, but that is not always true. Just mention you are putting "meat" in the fridge & you don't want it to spoil, so you need the cold temp increased. It helps if you can be there when the person arrives so you can stress the need. It's always worked for us.

Our take-away favorites QS -
1. POR create your own pasta. We use the hotel microwave to heat it up. It's big enough for 2 or 3 people!

2. Starring Rolls QS - get turkey or ham sandwich, bag of potato chips, & a bakery item. DH & I split this too.

3. Boardwalk Bakery QS - lobster roll, bag of potato chips, & bakery item - yum, yum!

4. Poly Hawaian Pork BBQ sandwich.

5. POFQ Pork BBQ sandwich.

Snacks -
1. Magic Cookie Bars from POR
2. Cupcakes from Starring Rolls
3. Sticky Buns from Boardwalk Bakery (so yummy when heated in microwave!)
4. Strawberry cupcake from Boardwalk Bakery
NOTE - We didn't like the Carrot Cake Cookie from Writer's Shop. So I suggest getting one & tasting it before getting more.

Enjoy!

 

[Fern]

Thanks for the tip on the fridge, we actually noticed that on our last trip but didn't think to see if it could be rectified. This will be our 5th trip since having kids, and we were lucky to be able to stay in villas the first few trips, so had a "real" fridge with freezer. The little squares are a whole 'nother animal, and it was disappointing that we could never quite get water bottles to freeze (the milk certainly had no problem though )

We are at BWI and then moving to YC, so the Bakery will be perfect. We live in Boston, so I have to admit that I've always been a bit afraid of lobster rolls onsite! Maybe I'll give it a shot though... Hawaaian Pork BBQ sandwich sounds right up my alley however! We booked Via Nappoli for pizza one lunch figuring we'll have leftovers (plus, cold pizza for breakfast is a favorite for the kids!).

I love the deluxe resorts (and have been spoiled by them), but the times we've stayed at value and mods, it's so nice to have the better QS options.