Which would be better? Quick Service vs. Regular Dining Plan

[stefnik]

Hi there! This is my first post. We are going to Disney in January, for our son's 7th birthday. Looking at our package (and knowing that we were going to do one table service character meal for our son's birthday, and then likely a breakfast as well), we are at a loss on whether our best choice for a meal plan is either the quick service or the full table service.

Our children are 7 and 10 (so, our daughter now has to eat like an adult, even though she eats less than most 4 years olds!), and do love to see the characters. We also think that table service could be quite relaxing after (or during if lunch time) walking through the parks. At the same time, we are not big eaters, and are just afraid that we won't eat enough to make it worth our while (of course, if the wine package was available a la carte....). Another possible issue is the dropping Canadian dollar - the way it has been going, we could be paying twice as much come January if we just went with a Quick Service and did a table service meal!

We are stuck between purchasing the quick service plan, and do two table services (and pay out of pocket), or purchase the full plan, and use the table service when we want, and just downgrade to a quick service supper for those nights where we didn't want to sit down. Would any of you experts (this is our 3rd trip, and the first where we are looking at the food packages) have any sage thoughts or words of wisdom?

Thanks for the help....

Stefnik

 

[Disneydreamer5]

It is a lot of food. I mean a lot. You are getting lunch,usually a combo meal, a drink and then a dessert of some kind.
a snack and the a full on dinner.
If your children are not big time eaters I would say save your money and not do either plan.
You and hubby could get the adult combo meals and share with the little ones and then just pay opp for the TSM that you want to do.
I have 7 in my family and we did DDP last trip and all I kept thinking was there was no way my 7 & 11 was eating $40 worth of food a day.
It comes out to $160 per day for all 4 of you to be on the plan. If you think you would spend more the that then I would say get the DDP cause it does save you money with the TS meals no question.
However if you think you could all eat opp for much cheaper then i would say no.
For my larger then life family its a better deal as we get to eat places we normally couldn't afford so for us it end up being a wash and a good deal.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Hello from a fellow Canadian

You're right....the dollar does stink right now. And it sure makes an impact on the overall cost of a vacation.

Our family of 3 initially planned on doing the quick service plan, but decided to do the basic dining instead. Honestly, I'm so happy with the decision, because I think its right for us. That said, it isn't the best choice for everyone. I think you just have to decide what your priorities are, and decide from there.

We like the fact that we'll be forced to take a sit-down break at least once a day to enjoy a meal together. I think we'll need it, to keep everyone sane and relaxed. We have also booked 5 character meals, because we want to be able to see the characters that way rather than standing in line at the parks (so as far as we're concerned, the cost of the regular dining plan might be more, but it brings "entertainment" to our vacation, not just food, so its worth the extra expense). In addition, we also don't want our DS eating "fast food" type meals for 3 meals a day for 7 straight days......this way, we have a whole host of choices on each buffet that he can pick and choose from. Though I'm sure he'd be happy as a clam, there are only so many wraps, sandwiches, burgers, fries and pizza that I can handle in a week!!

I understand your concern, though, about paying adult price for a ten year old with small appetite. Our 12 year old eats like a man so he'll definitely get his money's worth.

 

[skier_pete]

Hmmmm....the Basic DDP is a much better deal than the QS dining plan, but only if you use it...However, let me run one buy you:

Let's assume you're trip is 7 days long (I don't know if that's right) and you are doing 7 days on QS: 3 x $29.99 + 1 x $8.99 all x 7 = $692.72

Then you want to have two TS meals in addiiton - Let's say each one of those runs you $75 (probably a little low, but a good estimate)

So you've spent = $842.72

Now, if instead you get the Basic DDP for those 7 days 3x$39.99 + 1 x $10.99 again x 7 days = $916.72

So, the difference is only $74, and for that extra $74, you could get 5 more TS meals instead of QS meals. Of course we are not counting the extra costs of tips and such, but there you go.

Generally, I say if you are planning on eating 3 TS meals in a week, then you will save money with the DDP than without it. Since you are only planning 2 TS meals, you could save a little not having it, but personally I like having a TS meal every day...it gives you a nice break where everyone gets to sit down and relax for an hour and a half during your busy trip.

I also don't think the new QS plan is a very good deal - to me, you only save at most $5 a day (the cost of the snacks) over what you would spend without it...the Basic DDP saves each adult about $10-15 a day.

Hope that helps!

SkierPete

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I also don't think the new QS plan is a very good deal - to me, you only save at most $5 a day (the cost of the snacks) over what you would spend without it...the Basic DDP saves each adult about $10-15 a day.

Hope that helps!

SkierPete

I agree, I don't see the great value in the QS plan either.

We always get the basic DDP and it is a great fit for us. I have never, not one time, thought it was too much food. I mean, we eat at least two meals and a snack per day at home, why wouldn't eat that much on vacation? The basic DDP can usually save us between $300 and $500.00, but we usually do at least one sit down/table service meal per day anyways. If you're the type of family that only eats fast food the entire trip or brings your PB&Js into the parks for meals, then the DDP is probably not for you.

 

[TDC Nala]

The only value in the QS plan is if your party does not want to partake of sit-down meals at all.

 

[RllngRckBrw]

I think the best bet for you would be to pay out of pocket for your meals. Downgrading, or ordering food you will not eat generally makes the dining plan a poor value.

 

[jeff1966]

We had the ddp last June.My 10yr. old had to eat off the adult menu;he wanted to order off the kiddie menu like his 4yr.old brother.I'm a big guy who can eat and there was to much food for me.Our fridge in the room was filled with desserts we couldn't eat.Also,the exagerrated prices led to higher tips for the waiters,who in my opinion did not go out of the way to earn them.The QS ddp doesn't impress me much.

 

[catne]

We really, really like the DDP (the regular one.) We schedule our days with the plan almost always to be at the park for rope-drop (not always an early EMH, but always a rope-drop) So we eat a quick breakfast in the room, usually around 7-7:30. Do the park all morning - don't usually get any snacks in the a.m. Then we eat a counter-service lunch either in the park or back at the resort around 11:30 - 12:00. Stay at the resort in the afternoon for rest or swimming. Then we have a dinner reservation between 5:00-6:00 at or near the park we're spending the evening in. Yes, the portions are very generous at Disney. We found that we rarely ever wanted any sort of snack after the first day so we spent our snack credits on pastry for the next day's breakfast. The only OOP food money we spent was a mickey-bar one day (and adult beverages,lol.)

If your kids like characters, do the regular DDP...so much easier to get character interaction, photos & autographs in the character meals. They come to your table...so you're not wasting up to an hour or more of your park time standing in a hot line that goes on forever! The buffets are great for families...characters & everyone gets to choose what they want to eat.

 

[septbaby]

We didn't find it to be too much even when the appetizer was included. We had 3 of 5 meals at buffets (CM, H&V, Boma) and shared most CS meals. One way to manage the too much food, chose one or two 2TS meals. Since you have kids consider Hoop Dee Doo Review. Supposed to be a fun show and the menu is all you care to eat and kid friendly. Wine and beer are also included for the meal.

An example of TS meals for your family:
Chef Mickey's bday meal (we did a bday breakfast for our 6yo)
Coral Reef
Hoop Dee Doo Review
Sci Fi or 50's Prime Time
Narcoossee's or Yachtsman Steakhouse

That would give you 5TS meals to use your 7TS credits

You'll still have CS credits left for each day and if you shared some of those meals, plenty of food for a day w/o a TS meal planned.

I'm not a fan of the QS plan as I'd just pay OOP if I wanted those meals. I really don't think I'd spend $30 a day on 2-QS meals and snacks. I also found that I drank a lot of comp water vs buying drinks outside of meal times.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

We had the ddp last June.My 10yr. old had to eat off the adult menu;he wanted to order off the kiddie menu like his 4yr.old brother.I'm a big guy who can eat and there was to much food for me.Our fridge in the room was filled with desserts we couldn't eat.Also,the exagerrated prices led to higher tips for the waiters,who in my opinion did not go out of the way to earn them.The QS ddp doesn't impress me much.

You do have to pay the adult price for the DDP for kids 10 and over, but they can still order from the children's menu. My oldest daughter ordered off the children's menu about half of the time last time we were at WDW and I'm sure she will do the same thing in December when we are there. Actually, any adult can order off of the children's menu if you have alread paid for the DDP - that actually saves WDW money and they do not mind that one bit! lol!