For those paying oop for food do you venture outside of Disney

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

We've never stayed on site so we always have the option to get food at other locations.

 

[supersnoop]

Honestly, I don't think the savings is worth the transit time. Maybe if you're already driving out of the world on a grocery run, then it might make sense.

That said, I saw a Chuys on the way to Target. If there's anything that could get me off site. It's good Tex Mex.

 

[bumbershoot]

We really like Sweet Tomatoes right outside DTD. It's a buffet with really decent food and a big salad bar. Good prices compared to WDW.

We go to the store, we go there. I've been tempted to go to Waffle House but it was during a "run-cation" and I didn't want to risk getting a bad waffle and not feeling well because of it before my rundisney event.

We almost always have a Universal part of the trip as well (we like Uni more than WDW, frankly) and I wouldn't have an issue heading up there for food if we felt like it.

We roam around a lot on our Orlando trips.

 

[nluvwithdisney]

Since we always have a car even staying onsite, it is not that much of an inconvenience especially since we may be out and about shopping in Orlando. We love Landrys

 

[tami82]

When I looked, I couldn't find a whole lot comparable places (fun theme, etc) off site that was a whole lot cheaper. I was hoping for an Ohana alternative but places like Texas de Brazil cost even more.

That said, we had a super cheap meal in Cici's Pizza recently with a Groupon

Ohana is one meal I do plan on doing and I know it's probably hard,to find anything like it.

 

[tami82]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, I didn't realize there were so many places we like in the area.

We tried Sweet Tomatoes last trip and really liked it, plan on going back.

 

[CraigInPA]

When I've had a car in the past, I went to off site restaurants. Since DME started, my wife and I haven't bothered with the car rental, so we're exclusively eating on site.

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

We usually have a couple of ADRs, maybe a breakfast and a dinner and then eat most dinners off site. We like the Ale House. It has a huge menu, great specials and has two relatively close locations to WDW property. Maggiano's at Pointe Orlando and Giordano's are also some favorites.

When we first began vacationing at WDW we never went offsite to eat, but the mediocre, overpriced food that we have experienced on many occasions has changed our way of eating. Many of the one credit, order from the menu places are so similar and several of the WS restaurants food is not as good and far more expensive that offsite dining.

So, for us, it is a big money saver and we have a better attitude about our vacation because we don't feel like we have been "taken" as far as dining is concerned.

 

[tami82]

We usually have a couple of ADRs, maybe a breakfast and a dinner and then eat most dinners off site. We like the Ale House. It has a huge menu, great specials and has two relatively close locations to WDW property. Maggiano's at Pointe Orlando and Giordano's are also some favorites.

When we first began vacationing at WDW we never went offsite to eat, but the mediocre, overpriced food that we have experienced on many occasions has changed our way of eating. Many of the one credit, order from the menu places are so similar and several of the WS restaurants food is not as good and far more expensive that offsite dining.

So, for us, it is a big money saver and we have a better attitude about our vacation because we don't feel like we have been "taken" as far as dining is concerned.

This is great to hear! we did FD on our last two trips years ago which was great as we got to experience the character meals, now kids are a bit older we don't need to do that anymore. This time we are staying at my dream resort and don't want to break the bank on top,of it. It sounds like it will be very doable for us.

 

[Fizban]

Does anyone ever venture outside of Disney to eat dinner and save a buck or two, probably close,to half of what we would spend at the world. We can usually eat a decent meal with appetizer for around $60 2 adults 2 kids.

I' was showing my husband the prices which I figured with the dining calculator and he brought up if I would mind eating outside of Disney a few times. We won't be on the dining plan our next trip and to get the most bang for our buck would like to eat outside of the world once or twice instead of paying Disneys high price for a table service. It's going to cost 100+ to eat and don't want to pay that every time we want a decent meal.
We don't need anything fancy even a chain would be ok or good local place.

My husband doesn't mind taking a drive outside of the resort to eat a few times for dinner. It's been a few years since we have been in the area and I don't recall what is nearby.

Absolutely! We especially love the Bull and Bear. We are also fans of Sweet Tomatoes. We don't do it for the cost so much as for the food. B&B is very expensive but OMG is it worth it to splurge once in a while.

 

[barbliny]

Another vote for Sweet Tomatoes - every trip. We are all usually craving salads and fresh vegetables on Disney trips - and the perk of all you can eat including soft serve ice cream!

Make sure you signup for their mailing list, you will get coupons every two weeks or so that can save a substantial amount of money. As an example, I have a coupon for a 'family meal' that includes 2 adult meal, 2 children meals and beverages for all for $24.99

 

[crostorfer]

Nah. Time is money in Orlando, you spend one to save the other. When we aren't on the DDP, I just load several hundred dollars onto 2 gift cards, (one for me and one for my husband), and use that as our dining plan. The wonderful thing about that, as opposed to the DDP, is that is that it pays for apps and alcohol too, and I'm not goaded into dessert if I feel like I'm going to pop.

 

[crostorfer]

I love all of the comments, but I don't understand why people would go off property to seek out places that they can (likely) eat at when they are home?

 

[alex9179]

We never have. One, we don't want to have to find our way around town. Two, and really the most important, we like not having to flip a coin for who's the DD in case we'd like an adult beverage with our meal! While on vacation, we almost always enjoy this freedom.

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

I love all of the comments, but I don't understand why people would go off property to seek out places that they can (likely) eat at when they are home?

The places that we visit, we don't have at home. We are from a very rural area and have one Mexican, one Chinese, a few family owned restaurants, pizza places, and fast food. That is it. So when I say we go to the Ale House, Maggianos, and Giordanos or Bahama Breeze etc., there is nothing like that anywhere near us. And I suspect there are many who vacation at WDW that are in the same boat.

I don't understand why people would willingly and repeatedly pay 3x or more what a meal is worth and it is only mediocre.

 

[robinb]

We will usually get a pizza from Flippers at least once per trip. We will also usually hit Cici's for lunch which is quite cheap and vastly inferior to Flippers. We also really like the Sweet Tomatoes salad bar. If you join their "Club Veg" they will send you great coupons by email. Just bring them up on your phone when you pay. We also MUST stop at Miller's Ale House for Lobster Wednesday. They serve a 1 1/4 whole Maine Lobster with sides for a mere $16.95.

 

[joannamet]

I love all of the comments, but I don't understand why people would go off property to seek out places that they can (likely) eat at when they are home?

Agree. If you're not staying on property I can understand stopping somewhere offsite on your way back to your hotel. We stay onsite so we park the car and never get in it again. 2 adults and 2 children can eat for $60 at many CS restaurants in the parks and resorts. WS restaurants in particular go way beyond burgers and nuggets. I have no desire to fight traffic only to go to a chain restaurant like Chili's or Bahama Breeze when I could eat at Tangerine Cafe, La Cantina de San Angel or Columbia Harbour House in MK. The resort food courts have some great choices as well.

I say keep the magic going until its time to go home.

 

[ibcindyb]

Ohana is one meal I do plan on doing and I know it's probably hard,to find anything like it.

Ohana/Texas de Brazil, there is no comparison if you have not been to TdB do yourselves a favor and have a little splurge. It is not much if any more money than Ohana

 

[itchin2go]

We stay offsite, so we do eat some meals offsite, mainly for convenience, but the lower cost certainly is a factor.

Here's a fairly recent thread from the Orlando Hotels and Attractions thread, which has a lot of good suggestions:
http://disboards.com/threads/off-property-restaurants.3412381/page-3#post-53815455

That said, we love Disney dining too. Some of the restaurants are attractions in and of themselves to us.

I don't see anything wrong with all Disney, all offsite or a mix. Do what's best for you!

FWIW, we like Chuy's, Sweet Tomatoes and Flipper's Pizza. Didn't really care for Giordano's, but I know it has lots of fans.

 

[itchin2go]

I love all of the comments, but I don't understand why people would go off property to seek out places that they can (likely) eat at when they are home?

There's some discussion of that in that thread I posted. Not all chains are in all areas, so some people want to try certain chains that are in Orlando, that they actually can't get at home.

For us, sometimes it's just because it's easy. Take Starbucks for instance. We don't have to think about what to order because we know what we like. Now, I don't want a whole week of that, but it can be appealing at times.

And the cost savings doesn't hurt ...