Universal Quick Service Dining Plan

Percairwen · 21 Jul 17, 08:35 AM

Hi all,

I am currently working out our budget for our upcoming trip.

Is the Universal Quick Service Dining plan worth the money or should be just buy food as and when we want it?

We will be going to the three parks over three days and aren't too fancy when it comes to food. The other half has already said he wants to eat in the Simpsons food court for one of the days...

Any advice greatly appreciated.

TIA

W1zz · 21 Jul 17, 08:42 AM

I've looked into this recently and unless you choose the most expensive options, it can end up costing more than if you bought over the counter.

There's a breakdown on OrlandoInformer

Percairwen · 21 Jul 17, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by W1zz

I've looked into this recently and unless you choose the most expensive options, it can end up costing more than if you bought over the counter.

There's a breakdown on OrlandoInformer

Yeah, I had a look at that breakdown too. I think I'll probably budget $40 each per day ( we will only be having lunch at the parks as we are staying at a Disney hotel with the dining plan).

I'd rather over-estimate than under-estimate and end up with no spending money!

inky1 · 21 Jul 17, 12:51 PM

Does this all have to be used in one day or can it be spread out over a couple of consecutive visits

rhyger · 21 Jul 17, 01:01 PM

We bought it last week. The plan gets you a main, snack and 2 drinks that don't expire so we could use the snacks the following day - the Simpsons donut is enormous and fed the 4 of us!

Guest · 21 Jul 17, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by Percairwen

Hi all,

I am currently working out our budget for our upcoming trip.

Is the Universal Quick Service Dining plan worth the money or should be just buy food as and when we want it?

We will be going to the three parks over three days and aren't too fancy when it comes to food. The other half has already said he wants to eat in the Simpsons food court for one of the days...

Any advice greatly appreciated.

TIA

I'd buy it ( or not ) once you're at the park. When you queue for your meal you can buy the plan there and then if you think the meal is of a high enough value to warrant paying for the dining plan.

Otherwise, to get any benefit from it, you'd need to make a point of buying a more expensive meal to warrant the cost. I took this from the touringplans site ( Feb 17 )

If your entree and drink add up to at least $15 before tax, and you aren't eligible for any discounts, it's probably in your best interest to ask the cashier to sell you a quick service plan. The extra few dollars will net another beverage (worth about $3) and snack (worth $3-$6) for the afternoon, saving you on balance between one and four bucks. Order a ribs platter and soda with a dining plan, and your second drink and snack are essentially free. On the other hand, if you are order an $8 cheese pizza and $3 bag of chips, you'll lose about $3 on the deal. The dining plan cards aren't tied to a particular person, so they can be traded among family members, and they don't expire at the end of the day � unused credits hold their value as long as you hold onto the card.

Guest · 21 Jul 17, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by inky1

Does this all have to be used in one day or can it be spread out over a couple of consecutive visits

The dining plan cards aren't tied to a particular person, so they can be traded among family members, and they don't expire at the end of the day � unused credits hold their value as long as you hold onto the card

highlander447 · 21 Jul 17, 01:33 PM

best to get the refillable cup with deal better value that way

W1zz · 21 Jul 17, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by mike230652

I'd buy it ( or not ) once you're at the park. When you queue for your meal you can buy the plan there and then if you think the meal is of a high enough value to warrant paying for the dining plan.

Otherwise, to get any benefit from it, you'd need to make a point of buying a more expensive meal to warrant the cost. I took this from the touringplans site ( Feb 17 )

If your entree and drink add up to at least $15 before tax, and you aren't eligible for any discounts, it's probably in your best interest to ask the cashier to sell you a quick service plan. The extra few dollars will net another beverage (worth about $3) and snack (worth $3-$6) for the afternoon, saving you on balance between one and four bucks. Order a ribs platter and soda with a dining plan, and your second drink and snack are essentially free. On the other hand, if you are order an $8 cheese pizza and $3 bag of chips, you'll lose about $3 on the deal. The dining plan cards aren't tied to a particular person, so they can be traded among family members, and they don't expire at the end of the day � unused credits hold their value as long as you hold onto the card.

That's useful to know.

We were getting 3 Coca Cola Freestyle cups anyway, so if we got these with 3 * Meal plans and used the food credits for expensive items, as and when. We could may this pay