$6 and under meals in and around DL.. anyone want to play?

[funnygarcia]

ok, got a holiday trip planned and I'm not in the mood to charge a bunch on the card. Feeding a family of four (me, DH ,and DS 10 and 13) for less than $5 a meal would be my ultimate goal! :thumbsup2

New game!
Anyone want to play?
who can eat on vacation for the lowest cost?

McDonald's dollar menu
http://www.mcdonalds.com/usa/eat/features/dollar.html
(located across from DL on Harbor, I heard they have the menu but they kinda hide it behind a cooler):
Side Salad, Fruit and Yogurt Parfait, soda/pop, fries, hot fudge sundae, two pies, McChicken, Double Cheeseburger

Pair up with 10% off coupon here:
http://www.anaheimoc.org/banner_admin/ads/mcdonalds2.gif

Mimi's
http://www.mimiscafe.com/menu.aspx?id=1
Muffins $1.69 each or $11.49 for 12
Soup $4.29 (includes their yummy bread basket, I like their Corn Chowder)
Soup and 1/2 of a 5 way cheese sandwhich $6.29
2 large AA eggs breakfast (potatoes, muffin and juice ) $5.29
Pancakes , waffles or french toast ala cart
Oatmeal or granola
Pain Perdu
Bagel and cream cheese
Carrot bread- YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Denny's
http://www.dennys.com/en/
Grand Slam breakfast, other new slam breakfasts pomo price $5.99
Soup
other breakfast foods
Do they serve breakfast 24 hrs??
Not sure of pricing on most of the items.. I picked up coupons for $5 off $15 order, any hints for good meal for cheap?

Millie's
Website looks old, last press release is listed as 2003 :(
http://www.millies.com/menu.asp
Possibilities :
Soup
Soup,salad, cornbread
Breakfast bowls
Pancakes
Frenchtoast

Disneyland
Prices based on All Ears site
Kid meals at just about any CS style location $5.99

Bengal BBQ
Skewers at $3.29 and up, eat two and share some breadsticks $1.99.

Pizza Port
Slice of pizza $5.69
Starfield of greens side salad $3.29

Coke Corner
Hot Dog $5.39
Chili Cheese Hot Dog $6.29

Carnation Cafe
Breakfast $6.29 and $6.49 choices
Loaded Baked Potato Soup $5.29 bowl

Daisy's Diner and Village Haus
(breaking the rules but good value)
Pizza and salad $6.99

Corn dog cart
$5.80 with chips


Any other nearby places for $6 and under ??
We typically share meals but want some new choices without sharing.

[webprinter]

When we were there last year the Little Ceasars Pizza place by DL had $5.00 large pizzas. Debby

[flying_babyb]

love the build a bears web

[kristenhh]

I would go to Redd Rocket's and get one Count Down Chicken Fusilli ($8.49) and one Celestial Caesar Chicken Salad ($8.49). They are both a pretty good size and in my opinion, very tasty. Excluding tax that is $4.25 each.

[junglejoy]

Are you going to have a car? If so, head North on Harbor about 2-3 miles and on the right in an In N Out. YUM!!! And so inexpensive. You can get fries, burger and shake for about $6 or maybe less. We always go there at least once each trip.

Also, head south on Harbor to Jack in the Box. My kids love their Breakfast Jacks which they often have for .99. They'll eat them for breakfast/lunch/dinner.

We love the burritos at Tortilla Joes at Downtown Disney. I can't remember how much they are but one can feed two people easily. Maybe $6 for one? It's one of our bargain meals too.

If you can, you should do one character meal. It is so worth the price for the food and the fun. We love Goofy's Kitchen at the DL Hotel, but they're all great. If you have an AP you get a discount, also with AAA.

Have fun! We'll be there in 41 days after a 15 month hiatus - we went to DW! But DL is our home. Can't wait!!!!

[1-AlterEgo]

good information

I will use it

[funnygarcia]

mmmm I love In and Out :love: , sadly not happening this trip. The manager at the location near the Character Warehouse was impressed that MN people ate there, he gave us a free car sticker! :woohoo: Our winter road salt grungied car looks so pretty with a bit of SoCal on the trunk.

Thanks for the heads up on Little Ceaser's, might check into that.

What usually happens is we have an early lunch, eat a snack and go- go- go in the park, exhausted and ravenous we walk back to HoJo's. During off season (early closure) we go to Mimi's . This year it may be Denny's or McDonald's more often (24 hr) as Mimi's closes at 11 pm. Boo Hoo!

[Albort]

Any of the grocery stores got nice food for under $6. I remember getting a roast beef sandwich with chips for like $3.

beat that! :P

[tirby]

Any of the grocery stores got nice food for under $6. I remember getting a roast beef sandwich with chips for like $3.

beat that! :P
First, Albort, I think you actually LIVE at DL. ;)
Second, Where are some close stores for shopping if needed?
Some REAL food would be nice and I think on our trip we will need to restock on water and things before we head out .

[Albort]

First, Albort, I think you actually LIVE at DL. ;)
Second, Where are some close stores for shopping if needed?
Some REAL food would be nice and I think on our trip we will need to restock on water and things before we head out .

well, i was saying like Albertsons, Ralphs, etc... not in park...

How about Hometown Buffet... yum yum! and pretty good price... i think its $10-12. Steak nights THur and Sun... i think... theres also a grocery store there too... i think its Ralphs.

but i think its a great thing to take in though...

THis is what i learned... eat light, eat snacks instead of real food. If you really really hungry, eat a Turkey Leg... its ONLY $6!!! :P Then when you exit out, eat fast food.

Enough about food, there also a arcade for video game lovers... its called Nickel Nickel, everything is paid in Nickel... ranging from $0-.50... the best package cost $6.95 and you goet like 100 nickels... Cheapest way to blow around 4-5 hours :)

[stampinshauna]

I like to stay in the parks, so here's what I came up with...

Wetzel's Pretzels is yummy for lunch. It is in Downtown Disney and the Pretzels are around $3 or so.

Pasta from the Plaza Inn is huge and around $9, so split it between 2 people.

[tlovesdis]

I can't believe no one has mentioned White Water Snacks! Their meals are around $6 or $7 and can easily be shared! They have hamburgers, hot dogs, a yummy grilled cheese, etc...

[tirby]

I have not been any where around DL to know where grocery stores are....Thats what I was wanting to know was where (close) is an Albertsons or the like??????

[Albort]

I have not been any where around DL to know where grocery stores are....Thats what I was wanting to know was where (close) is an Albertsons or the like??????

pretty pretty far... closest one according to Albertsons.com is
810 SOUTH STATE COLLEGE BOULEVARD

head east on Katella and North on State College.

[abby]

If you find a grocery store, we do the roasted chicken with a salad from the deli, cheap and good.

[funnygarcia]

I read abut Nickel Nickel before.. sounds like something my boys and DH would enjoy.
How far from DL and is it nice looking? I have been to old arcade places that are really slimey (dark depressing, smoking, kinda scumy/dirty-- yuck! They finally closed a few years ago).


Grocery:
I've heard there is a Food For Less not far from Character Wharehouse outlet.
And I think a Sam's Club??

Bummer is we won't have a car this trip.

[Albort]

I read abut Nickel Nickel before.. sounds like something my boys and DH would enjoy.
How far from DL and is it nice looking? I have been to old arcade places that are really slimey (dark depressing, smoking, kinda scumy/dirty-- yuck! They finally closed a few years ago).


Grocery:
I've heard there is a Food For Less not far from Character Wharehouse outlet.
And I think a Sam's Club??

Bummer is we won't have a car this trip.

I think its 2 blocks from Disneyland... its on Eculid and Katella.
It looks pretty old, though inside isnt bad and no smoke at all. the neighborhood doesnt look too good either.

THere is a Costco if you continue down Harbor for about a block from the warehouse.

[GreenGirl8]

There are lots of meals for under $6 at White Water Snacks. The kids meals are large enough for the adults. I like getting the grilled cheese there.

[JRDisneyClan]

Most of the meals under $6, except for the grilled cheese, at WWS are pre-made sandwiches & salads if that matters. The foot long (or mile long) hot dog is $6, chili cheese dog is around $7, beef or chicken nachos around $7.50 or $8.

The Ralph's Albort mentioned is actually a Food 4 Less, a Ralph's subsidiary. It's open 24 hours, but it's not the cleanest grocery store you'll ever see. It's also at the corner of Euclid & Katella, but before the stoplight where Nickel Nickel is. It's about a mile from Harbor Blvd. to Euclid Ave. on Katella. Also in that general area is a Papa John's Pizza & Arby's.

[challada]

If your boys are anything like mine, SHARING is out of the question...at this age, they would eat TWO whole meals rather than half a meal.

WWS is a great choice as my preteen can eat a kids meal there and be satisified. It's also NEVER crowded which is nice break from the parks.

Get a hotel w/free breakfast if don't already have one. Most everthing in the area does breakfast which will save you about $25 in the morning that you can then use towards the other two meals later.

Pack snack food in a backpack or fannypack to tide the kids over. Even our teen will take snacks knowing it will keep him from complaining later. Granola bars and fruit roll-ups are favorites w/mine.

Don't overlook the value of your time too. Yes, food is cheaper farther off from the "land" but you will spend a considerable amount of time leaving the park, getting the car, traveling there and traveling back....you will miss out on park activities to do this and if you are paying the usual $50-$60/day PER PERSON for admission, it's a silly use of your time to save a couple bucks and end up losing out on entertainment bucks. If we go off campus, we end up being away at least two hours, which could be more valuable if you have limited time than the $2 difference between a McD meal in park and out of park.

[50thisyeartoo!]

Stay at Homewood Suites; they have breakfast and dinner...

[Shakthi]

I usually do the kids meals because I am always on a diet. My DH who loves middle eastern food sometimes drives all the way to Zankoo Chicken to get his shawerma and hummus fix after a long day in the park. I know this is a bit unusual but we always have a car so he doesn't mind the distance.

[Albort]

Most of the meals under $6, except for the grilled cheese, at WWS are pre-made sandwiches & salads if that matters. The foot long (or mile long) hot dog is $6, chili cheese dog is around $7, beef or chicken nachos around $7.50 or $8.

The Ralph's Albort mentioned is actually a Food 4 Less, a Ralph's subsidiary. It's open 24 hours, but it's not the cleanest grocery store you'll ever see. It's also at the corner of Euclid & Katella, but before the stoplight where Nickel Nickel is. It's about a mile from Harbor Blvd. to Euclid Ave. on Katella. Also in that general area is a Papa John's Pizza & Arby's.

there actually a lot there. Hometown Buffet, Burger King, Mcdonald, Taco Bell, Carls Jr, Pizza Hut, etc etc etc... lots...

But i know the ultimate place to eat at, $1.50 Hotdogs(includes 20 ounce drinks) $1.99 Pizza slices, $9.99 Whole pizza (18") etc etc :P If you got membership, you can get $5 whole roasted chicken...

[funnygarcia]

Oh we are NOT leaving the park to eat. Not during a busy Christmas Week!
Just trying to be creative..... But all of you have offered me (and many other posters) a few more choices for affordable eats.

I think I will add Tortilla's Joe's window service to my list of good food. Haven't tried that one yet.
I've tried a few things at WWS, need to check out the Nachos this time.. mmmm.
Skipping Wetzel Pretzels .. tried that a few years ago becuase they have a good AP discount (no AP this year) but the boys wouldn't eat the pretzel hotdog.. I liked it but if it's too weird they won't touch it.

Next trip we will go to Nickel Nickel when we have a non park day... sounds like something my boys would love.. even my DH who plays more games than the kids!! :rotfl:

[JRDisneyClan]

there actually a lot there. Hometown Buffet, Burger King, Mcdonald, Taco Bell, Carls Jr, Pizza Hut, etc etc etc... lots...

But i know the ultimate place to eat at, $1.50 Hotdogs(includes 20 ounce drinks) $1.99 Pizza slices, $9.99 Whole pizza (18") etc etc :P If you got membership, you can get $5 whole roasted chicken...

LOL...thanks, Albort...I couldn't remember exactly what was over at that corner at the time, so rather than disappoint, I left it at what came to mind.

As for your ultimate place...that would be Costco. 2 in the area, but one's right by the Character Warehouse Outlet at Orangethorpe & Harbor in Fullerton (maybe a little longer to get to). The other is in Garden Grove at Garden Grove Blvd. & Euclid Ave. (about 2 miles from the Nickel Nickel).

Would agree it's not worth the trip out of the park for getting food to save a few bucks if you're trying to maximize park time, but for anyone interested, there you have it.

For what it's worth, I like the nachos at Cocina Cucamonga at Pacific Wharf better than the ones at WWS, which were decent. Better chips...Mission Tortilla Chips!

The tacos are still a good value at the Tortilla Jo's Taqueria at $4-$4.50 for 2 tacos, but those prices are up almost $1 from last year. The menu overall is still good, but they took my fave tacos off the menu...beef & potatoes.

Nickel Nickel is definitely worthwhile for a few hours on a non-park day, especially for the big kid ;)

[jlmarr]

As for your ultimate place...that would be Costco. 2 in the area, but one's right by the Character Warehouse Outlet at Orangethorpe & Harbor in Fullerton (maybe a little longer to get to). The other is in Garden Grove at Garden Grove Blvd. & Euclid Ave. (about 2 miles from the Nickel Nickel).One thing to note is that the Fullerton Costco has an outdoor food court so is accessible by non-members. At least I've never heard of anyone being carded there.

And a few weeks ago someone was asking about Taco Time. The location on Katella has now opened. It's in the same center as Nickel Nickel, but at the extreme northwest corner of it, on Katella. I tried it, and really didn't care for it, but if you're a Taco Time fan you're in luck.

[Zoemakes5]

We got pizza at the pizza place in Toontown. Can't remember what the name of the place is, sorry. But, thanks to tips from my Dis friends, I was able to cut the cost significantly! They had side salads with each of their pizza slices. I told them to delete the salads on all but two slices. Cut the cost a bit. I do the same thing with the burgers/sandwiches. While my boys each like very different sandwiches, we can usually have them split a fries and a drink. DD is still in kids meal mode, so she gets everything there. DH and I will typically share a fries or onion rings, too. I'm hoping that I will be able to split some with my step-mom this trip. Not able to split a sandwich with the boys or DH because he's too hungry, typically. Sometimes I will get the kids meal, too, but doesn't usually have enough fries to share, so I'm not saving all that often.
The drinks kill ya in the end, so if you can reduce that by bringing your own, sharing, and water refills, that will cut alot off the price. I know, for us, it's about $10 cheaper.
I also bring fruit (either fresh or fruit cups or raisins) in with me. Adds to the meal and doesn't cost alot, also brings something slightly healthy into the mix! Another thing I do is bring PB&J uncrustables. Often, that will tide my kids over until a "real" meal. Great for sitting and waiting for parades or fireworks with.

[swtangels4me]

When we stayed at PP in April this year we ordered pizza from Papa Johns and they even delivered it!! They had a special: large pizza, breadsticks, and soda for under $20 including the tip!!

Nicole