Is it a cheaper dining option, for Walt Disney World visitors, to just eat at quick service locations?

It's a good question with unfortunately not an easy answer! All Disney park Food is expensive for what you get. Bearing in mind a Big Mac in an Orlando restaurant is just over $4 (no fries or drink) and Cheeseburger with fries (no drink) in the Magic Kingdom is more than $9, you can sort of see that dining there will add up quickly for a family of four. I'd definitely consider; Finding a hotel with complimentary breakfast (many do this) Or Head to a buffet breakfast restaurant, Golden Coral and fill up early Then Only buy the bare minimum inside the park as you need. Or take some light snacks in with you (that won't get ruined by the heat (lockers are pricey!) There's a good guide to the hotels and restaurants; http://www.totalorlando.com/stay.html http://www.totalorlando.com/eat.html

I was last at WDW in 2008. WDW, much like Wild Wood or any other decent vacation spot will have restaurants that serve food at a high dollar amount. It's a vacation spot, what do you expect. Unfortunatly, especially in Disney, those quick service spots, you're paying more for crap food. Yes, it's cheaper then the restaurant's bill, but your getting a bigger meal. One thing we noticed when we traveled down there was that a lot of the dining locations offer larger meals than most Northern dining places do. Biggers meals at a somewhat cheaper cost. Yum.

If you're not staying on Disney property, and not on the dining plan, then yes---the "quick service" meals are cheaper than sit-down meals, but they are still pricey considering the quality. The best deal you can get on food at Disney is by signing up for the deluxe dining plan---you can eat three sit-down meals a day with an appetizer, entree, soft drink and dessert for each individual. If you add up what you're paying daily for the meal plan versus what you would be paying for each meal out of pocket, you save a lot. With the quick service or regular Disney dining plans, you'll about break even. The savings aren't as dramatic as with the deluxe dining plan. There are a lot of terrific places to eat at Disney, and I'd rather pay a little more to sit down in a beautiful atmosphere and experience exotic cuisines than to pay for an overpriced slice of pizza that isn't of great quality.

I think it's cheaper just to pay out of pocket. The quick-service plan has two meals and one snack for $35. But a quick-service meal is around $10-12, so you can easily find options that will give you as much food for less than you'd pay for the dining plan upfront. A lot of people like the refillable resort mugs so if you're drinking a ton of soda I guess you could save money. It's much more cost efficient to simply not drink so much soda, or buy a couple of 2-liter bottles for your room. IMHO the dining plan CAN save money if you're doing a lot of sit-down meals and don't have a car for a grocery run or meals at non-Disney restaurants. Let's face it, most people would not eat one sit-down meal a day unless they're on a dining plan. It's basically a license to indulge and not worry about ordering the most expensive thing on the menu, not a money saving option. I enjoy some of Disney's food but one or two special meals is enough for me. YMMV. I save money by carrying my own snacks--- beef jerky and trail mix works better for me than high-carb stuff like cookies. A water bottle and single-serve drink mixes is one of your best money-saving options. You can also get cups of water for free from most places that serve fountain drinks. If you have a car, eat dinner outside the parks. We usually have a room with a fridge and stock sandwich stuff and ready-made meals from Publix, plus quick breakfast options.

Most of my trips I eat at counter service so I can select the place and time to avoid crowds.Weather can change plans so I am not tied to a reservation.I know nice areas to eat but table service seating is their selection.I can move my table if people overparent their children.Restaurant servers want table turnover so they make more tips during a shift.Water features in restaurants use chlorine that I can smell.There is better technology but chlorine benefits the host not the guest.Some of the themed restaurants are worth a visit before they open.My opinion of restaurants is low because I notice people use them simply to avoid cooking.Even if the food is reheated army rations the customers are relieved of labor.Ask for chocolate sauce on the side for a larger serving.