Quick Service and Saving money

You can find some great quick service dining information on the web but make sure you are getting accurate information.

I love browsing many Disney Sites and I advise all to do so! It helps in gaining different perspectives on what to expect for your own travel. Sometimes, many sites can have misleading information. Reading multiple sites can help filter through some of it.

Also!!! 

Always use your Travel agent to get the facts! If you come across something and have doubts or want more info on it, ask for their research/knowledge! 

This post is mainly regarding Disney Quick Service Dining & making most of it. 

One thing I saw on a very popular blog post was how to save money when ordering Quick Service.

''you can save money if you order a quick service meal entree only and take off the sides '' ~this was made to sound like it was a nice saving. 

What they were saying; when you see a platter offering, you can usually just order the entree and remove the sides to save some money. This is partly true but there are some caveats to it.

Example: If you order a Cheeseburger, you request to order only the cheeseburger without the platter cost. You just saved 1 dollar my friend. Technically, you did save but not by much!

The other part to this is; you can't pre-order specialty requests through the My Disney Experience APP 'order food' option. I would much rather not deal with a line and get my pre-order in over saving a single dollar!

What are your more beneficial/realistic options to saving money with quick service?

Well, let me tell you!

*1) Split a quick service meal(When you can)! I know this can depend on who is in your party & where you are ordering from!
Most quick service meals can be a plentiful helping.
*2) When selecting your sides, select a side that is in a sealed bag to use as a snack for later.
examples; chips, grapes, carrots, dessert in a container etc. Usually platters will list your side options, but always ask if something may be substituted for anything else not listed but is still sold at location (such as the bagged grapes). This option is especially true at the Resort Food Courts!
*3) Order a kid's meal: The portion is not much less than adult and it comes with the drink!
*4) Share a drink! If the location you are at has a soda fountain stand with guest access, you are provided 4 refills with your drink order. I am not ashamed to admit, my family has done this. If you are at a dining location that does not provide guest direct access to the soda fountain, no refills allowed. (BOO). Of course, you can always ask for the free water.

One Quick Service location that is not the best deal as an out of pocket location is Casey Jr. They do NOT have kid meals! So, everyone is paying adults prices. This means not just entree but adding drink to each order (Unless you share a drink) HOWEVER, two people could easily share the footlong and fries from one meal purchase!

When using your Dining Plan, here are some great quick service options to maximize benefit!
Could you go cheaper, yes. BUT Do you want to relax and enjoy your vacation, typically yes!
These are not necessarily my preferences but more rated to value when using Dining Plan. I do enjoy these, but there are some others I really enjoy not listed due to not best value under plan.

Let's start with Magic Kingdom!

Be Our Guest: Menu options are $25.00 each for breakfast! Lunch ranges from $13.-$17.00 (entree only) This can easily over compensate the cost of the dining plan!
Other added bonus, you have reserved seating instead of rushing & trying to grab a table/chair.  Here you can enjoy watching the snow Fall See the snow from the Ballroom windows or dare to sit in the forbidden west Wing. Keep in mind, if you are lucky enough to be in west wing, what it comes with. You will have many people coming in and touring around the room while you are eating. To some, this can be annoying but I can't blame the guests wanting to see it either. menu

EPCOT (The World Showcase provides so many more options)

Electric Umbrella: Now,, this is not the most expensive quick service however they do serve alcoholic beverages which adds value to the plan but also to the spirit! Entrees alone range $9.-$13.00 Menu
Katsura Grill: If you want some Sushi or a little more flavorful option, this is your place!
Entrees will run $11.-$14.00 AND they have more alcoholic options! Menu
La Cantina de San Angel: Great Mexican options at quick service rates and serious Entrees run $11.-$14.00 They also have many specialty drinks to boot! Menu
Sunshine Seasons: This place has the most options. It is more like a mini foodcourt! Perfect for grabbing side items to use as snacks later. The food is great. They typically have Disney's specialty cupcakes available and a nice alcoholic beverage selection! Entrees average at $13.00.
When you add your snack options and a beverage, your meal could easily total $30.00. The Dining Plan would come in mighty handy with this order! Menu

Hollywood Studios

Not a huge savings at the recommended quick service counters at this park.
ABC Commissary: entrees average $12.00 BUT you could get the Chicken & Ribs Combo Platter priced at $17.19! Add a little Wine with your Dine here or a simple beer! Menu

Animal Kingdom

Flame Tree Barbecue
Now... Here they offer a sampler entree priced at $19.00!! This is a large helping that can be easily shared between people! Other platters are priced between $11-$19.00 making this one of the top Dining Plan value location!  They of course also offer beer & wine as well as yummy dessert options! menu
Satu'li Canteen: This is my favorite Dining location at Animal Kingdom and it is a great value with Dining plan! Get a great meal for $16.00 (entree), You can also order a 22oz beer as your alcoholic selection under the dining plan as well! MENU