For "free", is WolfGang Puck Express worth it?

[Dunleyg]

I am going to WDW the August 15th week, and am on the Quick Dining Plan. I found numerous reviews about WGP-Express, and each says it's the best quick dining in WDW, I plan on going eating there for diner on fly-in day (Monday) and lunch on the fly-out day (Saturday).

My question is; on the days I am going to the Parks, is it worth taking about 96 minutes out of my vacation, to get to WGP-Express and then back to the Park? I do plan on taking a break from noon to 6:00 and head back to the Pop Century to relax/swim/sleep. Unfortunatly, you can't bus directly from a park to DTD.

Taking a Taxi would be less than 30 minutes, but the cost of about $30 is not worth it. For $30, I can eat well at a closer sit down restauraunt. The bus is free but waiting at the Park (15min), then the Hotel (15min) for the bus to DTD, then eat, just to wait 30 Minutes just to back to the park, I cant see it taking less than 60 Minutes, is WGP-Express really worth it?

Thanks

 

[wolf359]

No, it isn't worth it.

Besides, you're already eating there twice in your current plan. Why would you want to consider eating there any more than that?

 

[SpoonOfSugar]

I wouldn't go. that would take so much time out of your day you probably wouldn't get back to the parks until around 7:30 at earliest.

 

[lebeau]

No. It's only worth it if you are planning to go to DTD. But if you go to DTD, definitely stop by WGPE.

 

[Monorail Lime]

It's good, but not that good. Two times should be plenty.

 

[mickey2008.1]

I dont think its worth the hassle of leaving the parks just to go there. The food is ok, not great. The meatloaf is good though, and would be worth getting if you planned a night at dtd.

 

[4everDory]

We really enjoyed the pizza there, but no quick-service is worth that much travel time! If you're already going to be at Downtown Disney, I would definitely try it, though!

 

[Pioneer Hall]

There are plenty of good QS options in the parks (esp in Epcot). No reason to venture out of the parks unless you are already heading to DTD. Pop also has a very good food court, so if you ever leave the park before eating you can get a decent QS meal at your resort.

 

[disneygirl1]

I REALLY enjoy WGP Express! Definitely a great deal on the dining plan. I have always had a great meal there. However, I will say that I wouldn't take time out of my park days to travel to DTD to eat there, BUT if you are at DTD I HIGHLY recommend eating there!!!

 

[slappy magoo]

I'll echo what everyone else is saying. On the occasions I stayed at Saratoga Springs, I requested the section closest to the Marketplace section of DTD (known as Congress Park). Each time, we wound up walking over to WPE twice for breakfast, and once we got dinner to make it an early night at the resort. Both dinners, we didn't eat there, but called ahead to order (which they let you do) and then I walked over and picked it up and brought it back to the room. I find the food at WPE much better then Artist's Palette.

Another nice perk of WPE is that, while technically a counter service restaurant, they serve you your meal. You order at a cashier, you get a number for your table, get your drinks, sit down and then the food comes to you. They also check in on you to make sure everything it up to par, and offer to refill your beverages and bus the table. So, don't be afraid to leave a couple of bucks, since it's like half-a-table service meal.

Now having said all that, if I weren't going to DTD, or staying at SSR, I probably wouldn't make the effort. Maybe, if I were staying at other resorts with boat access to DTD (Port Orleans, OKW), I might opt to go over in the morning for breakfast or that calling-it-an-early-night dinner.

 

[lebeau]

So, don't be afraid to leave a couple of bucks, since it's like half-a-table service meal.

In my handful of trips there, I have found the service at WGPE to be more deserving of a tip than at Puck's table service. Definitely leave 'em a couple bucks!

 

[harveyt0206]

I also agree that I would be reluctant to actually leave a park to make the trip to DTD just for WGPE. Now, as others have said, if your there already, definitely go because it's great. I would also add that depending on the weather, it can get very crowded in there and seating can be difficult if it's too cold to sit outside. When we stopped in there during our last trip it was during one of those freakishly cold days and sitting outside just was not an option. We waited approximately 20 minutes for an open table. But once we were seated and our food was served, it was wonderful. AND our server was so nice we definitely made a point of tipping her.

 

[quirkle]

:wave:I agree with everyone! WGPE is awesome - my kids dont like burgers and fries all the time and they let me order a regular sandwich for them instead. Plus the creme brulee is the best I have had in a long time. :animwink:

One of the reasons I stayed at POFQ was because of the boat ride to DD. We love the relaxing boat ride combined with the narration of the captain. The kids got excited every time. I would eat at WGPE as often as I could but nothing is worth a 30.00 cab ride.

And tip - they bring out the dessert AFTER you eat so it does not sit.

 

[Dunleyg]

TY all. I will make at least 1 trip to WGP-express, but I enjoy dining in a park that I am touring that day.

 

[Computer Magic]

We went there for our first time in Dec. It is the best value Counter Service. It almost like a TS for a CS usage. I wouldn't make a special trip but if you are already going to DTD, it is a great place. DTD has two great CS in Earl Sandwich and WG express. I just wish there was more to do at DTD to get me to visit more often.

 

[slappy magoo]

I would also add that depending on the weather, it can get very crowded in there and seating can be difficult if it's too cold to sit outside.

Because many shops are not yet often, it's a great place to go for breakfast. I've never seen it crowded in the morning. Of course, it defeats the purpose of saying "don't go out of your way" if nothing else is really open when you go in the morning. But if you're planning on going to DTD in the morning, arrange to get there about an hour before stores open, it'll give you plenty of time to eat breakfast at WPE, walk around and soak in the sights.