TS vs QS

[StayCool]

So I booked an AOA suite with free dining when it came out. I upgraded to the DDP because I wanted to do a bunch of character meals with the kids since it is our first trip and I'm not so sure we will be able to go back. Now we have had some financial setbacks (and before anyone asks, none of this is going to be on credit) and I am likely going to have to drop the DDP. I just need reassurance that we will have a good time regardless. It is so silly but I guess I feel like we are missing out. I *could* come up with the money but it would mean having to not do anything fun all summer and I don't want to sacrifice that for a 8 day trip this fall.

Thanks.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Is there any chance you could switch out of the suite? How many people are you? I'd rather do a regular room and the upgraded dining than just stick to QS. If you stayed at a moderate, you'd have the regular dining included and the room itself would be cheaper than a suite. Or you could go to a regular Value room and pay for the upgrade, as you're already doing. Again, much cheaper! Even if you had to book two value rooms, it's cheaper than a suite at AoA.

I'd actually run through all the numbers, see what resorts are available, and change my reservation. At least to our family, the TS meals are a big part of the experience!

 

[StayCool]

I've run the numbers several times and so far I've only come up with a difference of about $300. Plus I would be looking to see if there is availability for free dining and so far I haven't found any. I'm sitting tight to see if I find anything. Just pretty bummed. I will keep looking though. My husband is eligible for a military discount so if they renew that then it may be an option. I've run the numbers until my head hurts. lol

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

If you're upgrading four adults from QS to regulard DP, it will cost you $18 per person per night, so $72 total per night. That's how much you'll save by backing down to the QS free dining.

The difference between a suite at AOA and a regular value room is about $140 per night. So you'd actually save twice as much by simply downgrading the room and keeping your upgraded dining plan.

Now, whether there's availability at any of the value resorts is another story! Good luck!

 

[StayCool]

Thanks. I will keep trying...

 

[Gumbo4x4]

We stayed offsite, ate ALL our breakfasts in the cabin, carried food into the parks most days, then supplemented with CS meals & ONE TS meal. Trip of a lifetime. We had a ball & so will you

 

[dpswift]

Only you can figure where you can cut back. We do not know what you mean by cutting out fun things over the summer and how much it would save. Also my son and I would be happy doing QS and 1 or 2 TS DH would never go for it. Is there availabily at POP for the time you are going? If so it would be a little cramped but it would be a huge savings. Do you have airfare booked? If not consider cutting back 2 nights.

Your kids are old enough to play a part in the decision. They might be okay with cutting out fun summer activities.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

You will be fine with CS and can always do one or two TS meals OOP. Sci Fi is fun and if you get the burgers and milkshakes not cost prohibitive. Maybe do one character breakfast or Biergarten for lunch. Maybe just do something fun as a family like get the Kitchen Sink at Beaches and Cream.

There are lots of good CS options that will give you a variety of food -

Wolfgang Puck Express in DTD
Be Our Guest, Columbia Harbour House - MK
The countries in Epcot are great - Morocco, Japan, England
Get snacks in France, Germany and Norway
Flame Tree and Yak and Yeti in AK
Starring Rolls in DHS

The CS in AoA is supposed to be good also.

When I was a child we did ONE TS on each trip and it was considered special. I never felt like I missing out on anything by not doing a TS restaurant each day. I mean, we were in DW, who cared about that.

There are some great snack options and what kid doesn't love a yummy treat?

 

[StayCool]

We stayed offsite, ate ALL our breakfasts in the cabin, carried food into the parks most days, then supplemented with CS meals & ONE TS meal. Trip of a lifetime. We had a ball & so will you

Thank you!

Only you can figure where you can cut back. We do not know what you mean by cutting out fun things over the summer and how much it would save. Also my son and I would be happy doing QS and 1 or 2 TS DH would never go for it. Is there availabily at POP for the time you are going? If so it would be a little cramped but it would be a huge savings. Do you have airfare booked? If not consider cutting back 2 nights.

Your kids are old enough to play a part in the decision. They might be okay with cutting out fun summer activities.

Cutting back on fun things means camping, going out to movies, the state fair. Things that we likely take for granted. I wouldn't mind doing just QS and paying oop for the 2 character breakfasts I really want but my husband is like yours. I've looked at the values (regular rooms) and there is no free dining options. I will continue to look and maybe I will make the switch anyway. I have a little time and am looking for options. I do have airfare booked and we are going on a Sunday and returning on a Monday because it was the cheapest option by far and I got a really good deal. Thank you for the suggestions.

 

[StayCool]

You will be fine with CS and can always do one or two TS meals OOP. Sci Fi is fun and if you get the burgers and milkshakes not cost prohibitive. Maybe do one character breakfast or Biergarten for lunch. Maybe just do something fun as a family like get the Kitchen Sink at Beaches and Cream.

There are lots of good CS options that will give you a variety of food -

Wolfgang Puck Express in DTD
Be Our Guest, Columbia Harbour House - MK
The countries in Epcot are great - Morocco, Japan, England
Get snacks in France, Germany and Norway
Flame Tree and Yak and Yeti in AK
Starring Rolls in DHS

The CS in AoA is supposed to be good also.

When I was a child we did ONE TS on each trip and it was considered special. I never felt like I missing out on anything by not doing a TS restaurant each day. I mean, we were in DW, who cared about that.

There are some great snack options and what kid doesn't love a yummy treat?

Thanks! Yeah, I shouldn't worry so much since the kids won't know what they are missing anyway. I'm the only one that has done all the research. Too much maybe. lol

 

[Disneylover99]

Awww, don't sweat it....you don't need table service to have a good time at Disney.

Now you won't be tied down to ADR's, plus you'll save money on tips. It would cost our family of four roughly $160 in tips for an 8 night trip.

We've had both regular dining and quick service dining trips. I've loved both kinds of trips and there was never any regret when we just did quick service.

We had lots of fun! Hope you enjoy your trip!

 

[quandrea]

As someone who visits a lot I can assure you that ts options are highly overrated. It's a lot of waiting around for mediocre food and service. We are good for one, maybe two ts per trip. We actually really enjoy a lot of the cs options. I'd take the nicer room over more food. With the suite you can eat breakfasts and snacks from your room stash. You can even make light lunches. It will make the odd ts more special.

 

[dpswift]

I understand your feelings it is too bad that POP is unavailable. My kids have finally gotten tired of the NYS fair and I must say I have also. We live 20 minutes away and used to go at least 4 days a year. When we started doing Disney I began cutting back on it. I told them no rides you have Disney next month.

Money is extremely tight for us right now also. My 3 middle kids 19, 21 and 22 are taking their 12 year old brother this Sept. I am struggling to come up with his share. I also would like to pay for one of their extra meals.

DS would like to go to Darian Lake for a day but I am not sure if it is going to happen. Most likely one day at the fair. However I do agree that family time camping is also very important.

 

[StayCool]

Awww, don't sweat it....you don't need table service to have a good time at Disney.

Now you won't be tied down to ADR's, plus you'll save money on tips. It would cost our family of four roughly $160 in tips for an 8 night trip.

We've had both regular dining and quick service dining trips. I've loved both kinds of trips and there was never any regret when we just did quick service.

We had lots of fun! Hope you enjoy your trip!

Yes. Based on the ADRs I have I figured about $200 for tips. Then add in MNSSHP and I'm still waffling on the TOT bash... It all adds up. I need to just let it go and be happy that we are able to go at all!

As someone who visits a lot I can assure you that ts options are highly overrated. It's a lot of waiting around for mediocre food and service. We are good for one, maybe two ts per trip. We actually really enjoy a lot of the cs options. I'd take the nicer room over more food. With the suite you can eat breakfasts and snacks from your room stash. You can even make light lunches. It will make the odd ts more special.

I can get my husband on board with breakfast in the room but he would have a hard time dealing with lunches. He was raised in a totally different way and has much higher expectations that I do. I'm trying to accommodate them but he has been warned that it might not happen. Money doesn't grow on trees.

I understand your feelings it is too bad that POP is unavailable. My kids have finally gotten tired of the NYS fair and I must say I have also. We live 20 minutes away and used to go at least 4 days a year. When we started doing Disney I began cutting back on it. I told them no rides you have Disney next month.

Money is extremely tight for us right now also. My 3 middle kids 19, 21 and 22 are taking their 12 year old brother this Sept. I am struggling to come up with his share. I also would like to pay for one of their extra meals.

DS would like to go to Darian Lake for a day but I am not sure if it is going to happen. Most likely one day at the fair. However I do agree that family time camping is also very important.

For my kids we go to the State Fair for one day and I think they have only been 2 or 3 times so it is all a novelty. We don't do rides when we go and instead just wander around and take everything in. It's fairly cheap other than driving up since we live about 1 1/2 hrs away. Still isn't too bad.

Darien Lake is a good time but I haven't taken my kids yet. We have gone to Sea Breeze a couple of times and Water Safari a couple of times. I think my son is finally old enough to enjoy Darien Lake now but definitely not going to happen this year.

I've been dreaming about this vacation since I decided to go back to college. Now that I am done I was determined to make it a reality. Unfortunately I think I had unrealistic expectations. It's kind of my gift to my family for putting up with me for 7 years of college and craziness. It's the first big trip for us. The kids have never flown before and neither have been to Disney so I wanted it to be this amazing thing that they always talk about. I guess what I didn't realize is that it will be that amazing thing they always talk about because they are going to have a blast anyway. Now I have to just let go.

 

[dpswift]

I agree that it is time to cut back on the planning enough so that you are not disappointed. My daughter is all bummed out because she planned their trip to stay at WL and now the pool is closed. Everything is based on staying in MK area.

I agree with the others that the table services are not everything. Try researching QS restaurants. You will find that there are some good ones. Often if you include the time you wait to sit down it can be 2 hours for a table service.

My kids loved the Nemo pool at AoA.

Congradulations on your graduation.

 

[StayCool]

I agree that it is time to cut back on the planning enough so that you are not disappointed. My daughter is all bummed out because she planned their trip to stay at WL and now the pool is closed. Everything is based on staying in MK area.

I agree with the others that the table services are not everything. Try researching QS restaurants. You will find that there are some good ones. Often if you include the time you wait to sit down it can be 2 hours for a table service.

My kids loved the Nemo pool at AoA.

Congradulations on your graduation.

Thank you.

 

[quandrea]

I bet your husband is thinking pb and j sandwiches. It doesn't have to be that. I do some terrific, yet simple meals while at disney. We even enjoy cocktail hour and appetizers many a night. We are dvc and good eating in the villa is common. I plan my menus and really look forward to my disney meals. My kids actually prefer eating in to dining out at disney. Your suite is gorgeous and that kitchenette will be so great with a family. I love being able to grab something whenever we want it. All that tipping is a downer too.

 

[Perditamarie]

As someone who visits a lot I can assure you that ts options are highly overrated. It's a lot of waiting around for mediocre food and service. We are good for one, maybe two ts per trip. We actually really enjoy a lot of the cs options. I'd take the nicer room over more food. With the suite you can eat breakfasts and snacks from your room stash. You can even make light lunches. It will make the odd ts more special.

Honestly this is spot on!! Being a slave to ADR times for mediocre food is not magical!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Honestly this is spot on!! Being a slave to ADR times for mediocre food is not magical!

Taking 2+ hours of your day for lunch is no fun, either.

 

[StayCool]

Thanks everyone for making me feel better! I'm going to hold onto everything until the bitter end just in case it does work out, but I will not stress over it if it doesn't. I think I will just call once a day to see if any other free dining opens in a regular room, but if not we will go have a blast anyway.