mmfan
Registered: February 2007
Posts: 73
|
|
Review Date: Thu March 21, 2013
|
Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 2
|
|
Pros:
|
hels to determine budget -
|
|
Cons:
|
not cost effective for us
|
|
We have visited the World many times, and have never chosen to have a dining plan, as we felt it was not cost effective for us. This time my DD made the reservations, and chose a package that included the quick service plan. As I found out, we were right - the dining plans do not fit our style.
The issue was not the amount of food, we are a family that likes to eat. We never order dessert with our meals though, choosing to do snacks when we want, so that caused us to eat food we really never would have purchased.
We found that it really took away our flexibility. Sometimes we only have one meal a day, depending on snacks we eat, or find a sit down meal that we can get into at the last minute and decide to do that, all based on how the day has gone. Sure, you can use the meals and snacks however you want, but we found ourselves scrambling to fit them in. We have saved our receipts over the years and found no matter how we ate, the plans never saved us any money. I am not sure what the convenience factor is, as we charge our meals to our room key, so never handle cash. I don't happen to find it difficult to figure how much we are spending, maybe because we visit so often.
If the plan is free, you are paying full price for your room, which negates the savings. we experimented once before our vacation, covering up the prices on the menus, choosing restaurants that we wanted and meals that we wanted regardless of cost, and found that according to our likes and dislikes, we did not save any money. The important thing is to know your families habits and style before you decide if a dining plan is right for you.
|
|
kclhendrickson
Registered: March 2013
Posts: 4
|
|
Review Date: Wed March 6, 2013
|
Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 8
|
|
Pros:
|
variety of options to use dinning plan at
|
|
Cons:
|
lack of "healthy" type options for adults
|
|
I am thrilled that we chose this dining plan!I loved that it was already "paid" for and it felt like we were eating for "free" at each meal.There were several enjoyable options at each park and hotel, and we enjoyed having a different dessert option at each location (yum!- but not good for the waistline).
I also liked the variety of "snack" options both in the park and at the hotel.
My only disappointment was that french fries were the side for most adult meals. When I actually ordered apple slices one day I got an incredulous look from the cast member. I would have liked as many options for sides as the kids (yogurt, carrots, apples, grapes, cookies, heck- even a side salad option would have been wonderful!).
You will NOT go away hungry with this plan, and it saved us on "tipping" and allowed us to have one table service meal that we paid for out of pocket and was well worth it.
|
|
slapps
Registered: May 2012
Posts: 23
|
|
Review Date: Sun January 27, 2013
|
Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 7
|
|
Pros:
|
Convenient
|
|
Cons:
|
Makes it easy to overeat.
|
|
We have visited Disney 10 times over the past 11 years. We have used the regular DDP (counter, table service, and snack) plan on several occasions and if you like to enjoy table service meals, we found it nice. The problem is that a lot of times when planning expenses, you do not figure in the tips which can add a huge chunk to your expenses.
This time down we stayed for 10 days. We did the first 5 days on the Quick Service dining plan, which we had never used. We did this because we always visit during the Christmas Holiday and it can be a hassle to get to your ADR's, so we decided to experiment. We stayed at a DVC resort the Animal Kingdom Kidani Village the first 5 days in a studio. We found that we would eat breakfast in the room and then lunch and dinner on the QS plan. We also did out of pocket at two restaurants. On our last day of our first reservation, we had 6 meals left.
We then checked into our home resort Old Key West and we did not use the meal plan. We had 3 table service meals. Our stay at OKW was in a two bedroom with our good friends also from up-state New York. We had discussed many times in the past the better deal dining plan or not. I must say we did not cook in the villa, just a quick breakfast and then most days we were on our way. We charged all our meals to our room and we figured there really was not much difference in cost between paying out of pocket or the DDP. I must also point out we did not deal shop, if we were hungry we ate. We did not look for the best price.
One thing we did notice was we were not overfull when paying out of pocket. When we did the DDP, we tended to overeat I think because you are getting your dessert and the things that come with the plan. So we figured we did not eat as much off the plan.
Last year we used the standard plan and we did not plan well and ate our table service late in the afternoon and we had about 8 QS meals left over between our two families. We have our reservations for check in this next December and we will not be using a dining plan at all.
In summation I think it all depends on what you are looking for while visiting Disney. If you plan a lot of table service meals it might be worth while. If you have small children, the QS may be better.
|
|
pontelad
Registered: June 2006
Location: Pontefract, United Kingdom
Posts: 1
|
|
Review Date: Fri November 16, 2012
|
Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 8
|
|
Pros:
|
Meals already paid for, convenience
|
|
Cons:
|
Same food, easily bored
|
|
We've just come back from WDW Port Orleans. We had 2 QSM 2 Snacks per day. We ended up with 50+ snacks left on our last night. Just couldn't use them all.
We did work it so that we had cereal and fruit each morning from the local supermarket rather than using the credits which worked out much better. The QSM then meant we could have lunch and dinner on the QSM credits!
Overall a great value product. Although now only 1 snack could mean we don't do it again!
|
|
Tish
Registered: September 2012
Posts: 4
|
|
Review Date: Sat September 15, 2012
|
Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 8
|
|
Pros:
|
flexible
|
|
Cons:
|
some limitations
|
|
Visited in August and had the QSP free, decided not to upgrade as I was travelling with my D13 who lives on Chick nuggets and pasta. Overall I was pleased with the selections. I had a great pulled pork sandwich in MK, Mexican in Epcot, decent pizza. You can find options other than hamburger/chick nuggets. It was fine for a few days...didn't hastle with reservations and planning
|
|
Momof4
Registered: January 2007
Posts: 22
|
|
Review Date: Wed July 25, 2012
|
Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 10
|
|
Pros:
|
Convenience
|
|
Cons:
|
kids meals
|
|
This was our first time using the QS plan. We usually purchase the Basic dining plan but decided to try this so we would have a more flexible vacation. It worked really well for us. I don't think it saved us much money but it was super convenient. There were 8 in our party- 2adults, 2 young adult children and 4 kids. It was great for the teens because they went off and did their own thing and I didn't need to worry about them getting something to eat. It was also nice because we weren't being controlled by ADR's and we could split up and each get what we wanted for our meal. We were stuffed each day and usually did not use our snack. (Even being counter service, it was a lot of food.) I had a bunch of snacks to use in the gift shop on our last day. We visit Disney frequently and I always do my research so I have no real complaints over the meals offered. We had some really great meals. (Wolfgang puck express, Pinocchios, Kringla, Mara, Tangierine cafe)In fact, several of us did not have any burgers, chicken fingers or fries the entire week!! Only complaint is the kids meals. They just aren't very good except for Mara and Pinocchios. My daughter is not a fan of pb&j and grew tired of carrots, apples and applesauce. Again, I thought the amount of food was definitely sufficient and the mugs are a nice bonus. I wish there was some way to save the desserts until a later time. We usually couldn't finish them or attempted to take them with us but they melted in the summer temps.
|
|
RoqueFamily
Registered: April 2012
Location: Nashville TN
Posts: 3
|
|
Review Date: Thu July 19, 2012
|
Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 8
|
|
Pros:
|
Ease of use, convienance and quality of meals
|
|
Cons:
|
1 snack
|
|
We love this quick service meal plan, but were disappointed about loosing one snack per day. I was also disappointed in loosing the ability to change a meal into 2 snacks and the limitation of what you can choose for your snack portion.
|
|
gizzmo
Registered: April 2012
Location: Stewartstown, PA
Posts: 2
|
|
Review Date: Fri April 27, 2012
|
Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 9
|
|
Pros:
|
ALMOST EVERYTHING
|
|
Cons:
|
TOO MANY FRENCH FRIES ON MEAL PLAN!
|
|
While the quick dining plan is just perfect for my wife and me because of the way we do things and the food, generally, was very good and had a lot of variety, our only complaint would be that French fries were EVERYWHERE, with, usually only one other choice. I know how easy and popular fries are, but, when confronted with them for almost every meal for nine days, it is just too much. How about a third or fourth option with each meal?
Gizz
|
|
llwright1972
Registered: April 2012
Posts: 5
|
|
Review Date: Mon April 16, 2012
|
Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 8
|
|
Pros:
|
don't need to plan in advance
|
|
Cons:
|
number of snacks
|
|
Myself, DH and DS (age 8) were at Disney 04/06-04/13/2012 and utilized the QSP. What we really liked about it was that we didn't have to plan our trips to the parks around our dining. We had the table service plan a couple years ago and felt a bit constrained by all of the extra planning. Also, my guys are a bit of picky eaters and quick service/fast food meals are more to their liking.
My DH's favorite snack was at the Fountainview Cafe and the ice cream shop in the Magic Kingdom that offer as a snack 2 huge scoops of ice cream. This, compared to a bag of chips, is a very good option.
My DH and I found pretty good options in the parks. I was able to find salads at several of the restaurants. My DS (age 8) was not happy with any of the kids' options. The chicken nuggets are just pressed chicken, he's not a peanut butter and jelly sandwich eater, he ate some of the mac n cheese (which I thought was pretty good), he would eat some of the hotdogs (when on the kids' menu). He mostly ate carrots and grapes the whole week.
Also, I was thinking that Disney should perhaps offer Jr. meals for those kids that are a little older, but not quite eating the amount provided in adult meals. My DS would prefer the chicken nuggets from the adult meal, but wouldn't need 8. Also, 2 year olds eat differently and also different amounts than 8-9 year old kids.
We ate breakfast at our resort (All-Star Music). My DH and DS are cereal eaters for breakfast. The pre-packaged bowls of cereal that are offered for breakfast are tiny. My DH and DS could each eat 2 of these bowls. Disney should upgrade to the larger size pre-packaged cereal bowls. On the QSP, my DH and DS were only allowed one pre-packaged bowl of cereal, a milk, and a drink. Just not enough for a full day of park activities. And also a bit disproportionate from the Mickey waffles that are offered as a meal.
Also, I would like it if Disney offered not only a snack, but perhaps a drink option. As it is now, you can get a beverage or a food item as a snack. Sometimes, with running all over the different parks, we get hungry, but also thirsty. Many of the water fountains at the Disney parks are not cooled so they're not really refreshing on hot days. It would be nice to be able to get a drink during a part of the day and then later get ice cream.
|
|
killnme
Registered: March 2009
Location: FL
Posts: 33
|
|
Review Date: Sun March 18, 2012
|
Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 7
|
|
Pros:
|
carrying less cash
|
|
Cons:
|
never seem to use all meals
|
|
We (DD,DW and myself) used the QSP this pass week. We stayed at POFQ and quickly got burnt out on the dinner options at the hotel.
The meals on this plan always give you more food then you need. I truly wish we could get one plan and my wife and I could split all the food.
If you never tried the plan give it a shot and see what you think, but I believe we won't get it next time.
|
|
MellieBeans
Registered: January 2010
Location: FL Panhandle
Posts: 10
|
|
Review Date: Sat March 17, 2012
|
Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 7
|
|
Pros:
|
Mugs, Ease of Use
|
|
Cons:
|
Food Choices, Quantity Of Food
|
|
We have used the QSDP before. I think, however, after this trip from 3-10-12 to 3-15-12, we will choose the table service dining instead.
I am a planner, but, I like that I didn't have to plan our meals in advance. Although, next time it will be worth the effort.
I think the amount of food that we ate was actually too much, even with the reduction in snack credits. I felt like we were always eating! We never even used our snack credit's until the 2nd or 3rd day there.
The choices aren't as good as the table service dining and you typically find yourself eating the standard fast food. There are a couple of exceptions: Flame Tree BBQ at AK and Wolfgang Pucks Express at Downtown Disney. I would never tire of those 2! The snack's are adequate in my opinion. We never bought one single food item, only bottles of water, during our trips. I never use my snack credit's for drink purchases anyway so I didn't feel cheated.
The one thing I wanted this trip was vegetables. If we use the table service dining plan, I feel we can make better food choices and not fast food type meals, so much. The kind of food choices that come with vegetables and not fries or grapes! 
|
|
figment43
Registered: February 2012
Location: Miami, FL
Posts: 1
|
|
Review Date: Thu February 9, 2012
|
Would you recommend the product? No
| Rating: 5
|
|
Pros:
|
easy to use
|
|
Cons:
|
not enough snacks
|
|
Only one snack per person per night is not enough. Even with just 2 people you quickly run out. We already only get 2 meals a day, which means we're substituting a snack for a meal. This means we won't have enough snack credits to get another snack when we're hungry again a couple hours later. Let's face it, a piece of fruit for a meal isn't going to cut it when you're using all that energy running around the parks. It's no longer a cost-saver, so I don't think I'll be purchasing it anymore.
|
|
lizzie1974
Registered: March 2011
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 30
|
|
Review Date: Wed February 8, 2012
|
Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 5
|
|
Pros:
|
convenient
|
|
Cons:
|
lack of variety
|
|
Giving this a "yes" on the recommendation because it is works well for a few reasons. Giving it a "5" because of the inherent drawbacks.
The positive: Super flexible for just eating when you are hungry. No set schedule to work around, say, if you are at MK and have made a reservation for dinner at EPCOT. You need to always be thinking about where you need to be for your table meal. With quick service only, that is never a concern.
The negative: It is just fast food. No way around that. We were there for 8 days and by the time the week was over, I was dying for a real salad or some nicely prepared vegetables. I eat fast food on a semi-regular basis and even I got really sick of the offerings. I do tons of research before a trip to find the best places to eat in each park but we still ended up with fries at every meal! And the dessert is just the same everywhere...carrot cake or chocolate cake! We opted for the cookie most times. I can't eat cake with every darn meal! Cosmic Rays had "gelato" which was a refreshing change.
The receipts that you get now do not have any prices on them. They are all zeroed out. I assume this is an attempt to keep patrons from making side by side comparisons after the trip to see if the plans are worth the money (when they are paid for and not offered for free). I watched the register every time and made mental notes of prices per meal. They really are outrageously priced and I'd be much less likely to pay for those meals out of pocket. The quality in many cases does not warrant the prices.
If we do the dining plan again, free or not, I will opt for the table service plan. Then you are guaranteed 1 healthful meal a day if you make informed choices.
If you go with this plan, ask for alternatives once in a while when ordering. There are things they will substitute if you ask.
|
|
bcfbrian7800
Registered: January 2012
Posts: 1
|
|
Review Date: Tue January 3, 2012
|
Would you recommend the product? No
| Rating: 5
|
|
Pros:
|
Quick Service Meals, Mugs
|
|
Cons:
|
Only 1 Snack in 2012!!!
|
|
I have been a very BIG fan of the QSR Dining Plan for the last several years, but this new change is horrible!!! With a family of 5, I run out of snacks quickly. What I "loved" about the QSR plan is the ability to have food "on the go." For example, if we had our counter service meals earlier in the day, we may grab a snack and drink to take to Fantasmic. Then at Magic Kingdom, who doesn't like to get a orange/vanilla/pineapple dole whip in the heat of the early afternoon and then get some ice-cream on Main Street at some point during the day. This change is going to make me reconsider getting the Dining plan on trips that I normally would get the QSR. You may say, "why would you do that over one snack?" The answer, first of all, is that it is not one snack, it is 25 snacks over a 5-night period for my family. Second of all, I like to pay for these things in advance so I don't have to worry about those costs when I have kids wanting every toy in sight. I hope that Disney reconsiders this change, and puts things back the way they were!!!
|
|
marsdnr
Registered: November 2006
Location: East Windsor, Ct
Posts: 77
|
|
Review Date: Mon November 28, 2011
|
Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 10
|
|
Pros:
|
you don't have to worry about paying food
|
|
Cons:
|
none I got mine free
|
|
My DH and I went to WDW to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of Disney. Being there over a dozen times, we were not running to do the rides. The DDP was free for our visit, and casual meals fit right in to what we want. No running for reservations, no planning what park we would going to be in that day. More than enough food and plenty of choice. We used our last two counter service for four snacks. Only thing is you have to do it in the cafeteria.
|
|
|
Subscribe
to AllEars.Net's RSS feed.
New to RSS? Click HERE for more info.
;)
;)
;)
