QS? Is it good enough for an entire trip?

[Mome Rath]

Absolutely. I've done it before and will probably do it again. (Plus, with Satu'li I could eat there every day and not get sick of it.)

MK: Harbor House, Sleepy Hollow, and the surrounding hotel QS's.
EPCOT: Kringla, Tangierine Cafe, Sunshine Seasons, Katsura, Les Halles Boulangerie & Patisserie
DHS: Harder, but you can find a healthier "different" option at most QS locations, and also find fruit
AK: Satu'li all the way, but there are quite a few good QS to choose from

 

[10CJ]

why not forgot the dining plan altogether and just eat where you want? Do a mix of table and quick service. There are plenty of QS locations I like but I don't think I would want that for every meal, even on a short trip.

 

[karly05]

why not forgot the dining plan altogether and just eat where you want? Do a mix of table and quick service. There are plenty of QS locations I like but I don't think I would want that for every meal, even on a short trip.

I never do a DDP; it just doesn't suit the way I want to eat. And personally I'd rather not do all QS. I would miss Via Napoli and I insist on at least one AYCTE breakfast buffet!

That said, there is plenty of good and varied QS food at WDW. Lamb shawarma at Tangierine Cafe is a must do fave for me. And a priority for my next trip, whenever that is, is trying Satuli Canteen and Woody's Lunchbox. Also like Les Halles and Kringle and Sunshine Seasons (lots of variety) in Epcot.

 

[Oliviaxxx]

Hmm I think we could do a week of quick service. There are actually a good amount of options available at different CS. We eat breakfast in the room and then only eat when we feel hungry. We are not interested in the dining plans because they just seem like so much food.

 

[B-Ride]

If you have eaten TS on previous trips you might be disappointed. We did QS our first 2 trips where the focus was on the attractions and we hadn't experienced the joy of relaxing for a TS meal after a long day at the parks.

 

[AnnaS]

We just got back - 8 nights. We had 2 TS (Tiffins & Yatchman's), 1 night Swan F&W and two nights F&W (we picked other nights too). All other lunches, dinners and 4 breakfast mornings were QS.

It can be done. If you are willing to take the time to explore, or eat wherever you are at, each QS offer a variety/different entrees. We don't eat chicken nuggets or hot dogs. We might have a hamburger once but we did not on this trip. Plenty of choices at the resorts, parks and DS - meat, vegetables, some sort of fish, salads, wraps, flatbreads, pizza, soups, etc. etc.

 

[megs1313]

Nope. Disney QS isn't awful, but not something I want to eat for a week (or more). But that's just me, and I'm sure others disagree.

completely agree

 

[captaindavidhook]

No disrespect to Disney or anyone but hell no...

 

[a1tinkfans]

Not something we could or would do. Yes.. there are Options other than the burgers... but
We enjoy the service of the entire sit down meal, not just the food. It is generally less hectic, a myriad of tasty options, and heck... it’s vacation.. I want to be served and relax! We are OOP this visit, planned sitdowns each day for dinner or a late lunch with quick bites and liter options for other meals, when wanted/needed.
Whatever you choose..Enjoy!

 

[tinkerbelletreasure]

We eat all QS most of our trips. Weve tried several TS and even the character dining but I have a hard time justifying $200 for any of the meals or experiences which is what it end up being with 5 people. However, we also leave the parks and eat at some non Disney restaurants each trip as well.

 

[Amunet]

Okay ... here goes ...

We did QS Dining plan in 2012 and got sick of all the paper plates and sub par food. I have had DDP from then until 2016/17 when our stays were too short to justify a dining plan (and the discounts weren't much).
We love a sit down every day, it gives us a nice break OR enjoy some awesome breakfast food. The thrill of obtaining ADRs is kind of fun too
HOWEVER, our upcoming trip is QS plan and I'm quite looking forward to it. This comes from 2 factors:
#1) Disney is making TS pricing far too expensive for us. It's not just price but the quality compared to price and that's just not holding up in a good bit of the restaurants. Add to that the extra tip involved (not debating this practice) and it just costs too much for us.
#2) Disney is upping their QS variety. We enjoy a bit more then the traditional burger/hot dog and, looking through menus, Disney is adding that variety while still keeping the traditional. We are quite looking forward to the QS in Pandora!
I ADORE Columbia Harbor House in MK, the seafood is actually quite good.

So, that's my view. Our upcoming trip is only 3 nights, our planned one after that is 2 nights, so not really much time to invest with TS anyways.
I think short trips are completely do-able with the variety of QS now but if it were a week+ trip, I'd definitely need to put at least a few TS in there

 

[Nancyg56]

Okay ... here goes ...

We did QS Dining plan in 2012 and got sick of all the paper plates and sub par food. I have had DDP from then until 2016/17 when our stays were too short to justify a dining plan (and the discounts weren't much).
We love a sit down every day, it gives us a nice break OR enjoy some awesome breakfast food. The thrill of obtaining ADRs is kind of fun too
HOWEVER, our upcoming trip is QS plan and I'm quite looking forward to it. This comes from 2 factors:
#1) Disney is making TS pricing far too expensive for us. It's not just price but the quality compared to price and that's just not holding up in a good bit of the restaurants. Add to that the extra tip involved (not debating this practice) and it just costs too much for us.
#2) Disney is upping their QS variety. We enjoy a bit more then the traditional burger/hot dog and, looking through menus, Disney is adding that variety while still keeping the traditional. We are quite looking forward to the QS in Pandora!
I ADORE Columbia Harbor House in MK, the seafood is actually quite good.

So, that's my view. Our upcoming trip is only 3 nights, our planned one after that is 2 nights, so not really much time to invest with TS anyways.
I think short trips are completely do-able with the variety of QS now but if it were a week+ trip, I'd definitely need to put at least a few TS in there [/QUOTE

I htink you are so right, most people need a balance. As I posted upthread, if I had just my 17 YO DGD along, we would be fine with mostly QS and I would just add a few TS in for us. Even with a teen we would look forward to some "real" meals.

 

[TammyLynn33]

We have always done the DDP during our trips but I am wondering if it would be a good idea to do the QS Dining plan for our next trip. I have a few QS locations that we like but if there are any that are exceptional, suggestions would be appreciated. Favorite dishes too. Our regulars are Cantina de San Angel, Sa’tuli Canteen, Pecos Bill, and BOG breakfast/lunch.

We have always done the DDP during our trips but I am wondering if it would be a good idea to do the QS Dining plan for our next trip. I have a few QS locations that we like but if there are any that are exceptional, suggestions would be appreciated. Favorite dishes too. Our regulars are Cantina de San Angel, Sa’tuli Canteen, Pecos Bill, and BOG breakfast/lunch.

We are doing QS this trip but have booked three sit down meals as well and will simply pay out of pocket for them. We don’t usually eat big breakfasts so fruit and yogurt or a muffin will be fine . There are lots of different salads on quick service menus , and quite frankly it’s bavation if the kids want chicken nuggets every day as long as we make other healthy choices why not ? It’s va action lol I figure we can use the extra quick service credits for breakfasts or if my teens get hungry and need food as a late night snack

It depends solely on how you want to spend your time. With 4 kids who are crazy busy and get to wDw every few years they would rather be wandering the parks or poolside .. That said I enforce Sunday dinner ( sometimes brunch depending on sports schedules) so we will be taking time out for a nice Easter brunch , a character breakfast and a bday dinner on this trip

I love Wolfgang Express Disney springs and am hopeful we can get down there

Good luck on your choice. Have s great trip.

 

[ttintagel]

We did the QS DDP last trip. We had 3 TS meals, for which we paid out of pocket, and I was very happy with the whole thing. Honestly, if we'd had more trips under our belt and didn't have TS places we still wanted to try, and if we hadn't wanted the Candlelight Processional Package, I could have been very happy without those 3 meals. The flexibility was great, and so was the food.

 

[ttintagel]

(I didn't make recommendations, because as a vegetarian mine would probably be different from most people's.)

 

[Mom2Kids2003]

We are doing the QS plan on our upcoming December trip and are so excited about it. We've done the TS plan many times and just don't find it fits us anymore. We prefer not to be tied into reservations, and none of us find the TS restaurants that amazing of quality of food. Some of the QS restaurants we prefer are Pecos Bill, Columbia Harbor House, Wolfgang Buck Express, Sunshine Seasons, Japanese quick service in Epcot (can't remember the name) and the quick-service breakfast options at Port Orleans French Quarter. There is a wide variety of quick-service options especially if you do a little research looking at menus beforehand. We are not chicken nugget, hot dog/hamburger or pizza people, so it can definitely be done even without those staples.

 

[Lisa F]

I think for sure you can eat very well on QS alone. QS is harder for me as a single mom than TS but I have started to incorporate more and more of them into my plans now that my son is getting older and mobile ordering is also a game changer.

You have a lot of good values on the DDP listed already but in particular I'd be looking at some of the Epcot QS in world showcase that have nice grownup drink options, like Cantina with a margarita or Katsura Grill with some plum wine or sake. Also the options are quite good at Disney Springs too - we are doing regular DDP and planning to hit up D-luxe burger which offers a shake as a beverage for a good value. Add fries for a snack credit to share and you're golden.

AK has some amazing QS meals with Satuli Canteen and Harambe market (which also has very nice cocktails) and don't forget the pulled pork cheese fries at flame tree bbq for a snack credit.

Also the resorts have some nice QS meals.

I would not worry about not eating enough or enough variety or even quality but I just like to go to TS myself

 

[Animal]

We usually only do 1 or 2 TS meals over a 10-day trip. My kids occasionally order a burger or hot dog but mostly we have a variety of things. We don't care for Disney QS pizza at all.

We like:
AK - Flame Tree BBQ and Satu'li Canteen
HS - I like the caprese sandwich at Backlot Express. We used to eat at Fairfax Fare but haven't been there since they changed the menu.
EP - Tangierene Cafe is a favorite, we like La Cantina in Mexico, giant pretzels in Germany (works for lunch on vacation), Sunshine Seasons
MK - Columbia Harbor House for salmon, broccoli and couscous; Cosmic Rays for rotissere chicken and ribs

We've also found plenty of options at the food courts at the value and moderate resorts.

Pretty sure you’re my Disney Twin.

 

[RealBlast3]

I actually think Disney has more than adequate quick service dining for a long trip with many varied and different and exciting dishes and plenty of both healthy and decadent and fun choices and always plenty and bountiful choices, too.

That being said, aside from my very first Disney trip years ago, I rarely partake in it, aside from the odd fish and chips in the UK Pavilion in Epcot or something similarly special that I just have to have as an extra meal, haha. But the reason I don't vacation eating there as my main source of eating is simply because I prefer to sit down and relax and take my time in the regular restaurants.

Like, your first trip to Disney, you don't wanna waste time sitting down in places, you feel overwhelmed and wanna try to fit and cram everything in, so you do more quick service dining. And also, I didn't really know or realize how many sit down Disney restaurants there were as well, so that was another reason for more quick service eating.

But now I am addicted to eating in the restaurants and have gone to Disney enough times that it's no big deal for me to do everything, I vacation at my own pace and honestly, my meals in the sit downs are the "star" attractions for my visits.

But anyway, if you're trying to vacation more economically and efficiently with both your time and money, I still think quick service dining is fine and while there are a few sub-par offerings (in my opinion) like Backlot Express and almost any Disney quick service burger, on the whole there are still many outstanding offerings. I can still remember the hot dog I had at Casey's Corner in Magic Kingdom being one of the best I have ever had. And Disney Springs has some really great quick service eating, too.

 

[Nancyg56]

(I didn't make recommendations, because as a vegetarian mine would probably be different from most people's.)

I actually think your recommendations would be welcomed. I am not a vegetarian, however if I needed to be sure I chose options that included vegetarian choices, I would need help from more experienced folks. I am comfortable with the TS restaurnats, a chef woudl step in and assist, but CS? I don't know.