$100 challenge

[KSG'sDisneyMem]

I believe you can use the b-day gift card anywhere but the table and counter service restaurants. So you could stock up on some snack type items from the shops for sure. Also, will you be bringing carry ons? If you distribute a couple of outfits into decent size carry ons you can stretch out the space in your check in luggage as well. Just be sure they are small enough to fit in overhead bins. Then, also take a good size personal item. Fill with food items such as your bagels and dried fruit. Add your oatmeal to the check in luggage in ziplocs because those ready to heat packets take up very little space. Not sure which airline you are using but if are using Southwest (although it does not sound like you are) you get two check in bags, one carry on plus one personal item. I use a backpack and a canvas bag to carry on.

 

[KPmom]

The fish and chicken basket at Columbia Harbour House is excellent. It comes with fries or chips for $8.19. It's a nice place and the upstairs seating gives a great view of Haunted Mansion. They have sweet tea here too, it's one of the few places that has "real southern tea".

 

[Disneyadore]

I hate to be a nay-sayer, but I just cannot imagine only having $100.00 for 5 days! I am not saying it can't be done, I am just having a hard time imagining how it can be done. Food at Disney is very expensive. Good luck to you and let us know how it turns out.

And what about an emergency when you do need money that same minute?

A few hundred dollars are gone in a second just by hitting your knee ore arm.
Taxi,hospital and so on.

 

[dawnball]

I really like both vegetables and desserts, so those are my biases. However, for $100 for 5 nights and 2 adults, here's what I would eat (I'm assuming one night at each park, and a DTD night) I also couldn't face a sandwich for dinner if I was eating one every day for lunch, so I've avoided sandwiches and burgers. All numbers are with tax, and based on the All Ears menus.

MK - Cosmic Ray's - 1/2 chicken meal with double veg (veg instead of the mashed potato), side of fries and a sundae from Auntie Gravity's or Mrs Pott's - $16.80.

DHS - (I consider DHS to be a food wasteland, so I went for the boardwalk instead) - Spoodle's pizza window - 3 slices of pepperoni and a specialty sundae from Beaches and Cream - $21.26

Epcot - Japan - Tonosama combo, miso soup, chocolate hazelnut cake from Italy.

AK - Flame Tree BBQ - 1/2 slab ribs, mixed green salad, frozen lemonade (I'd probably have the slightly cheaper chicken, but I know the ribs are popular) $20.20

DTD - Earl of Sandwich - 2 bowls of soup, 1 specialty salad, a treat from Ghirardelli ($8 for that) - $21.14


Total with tax of $96.68

Those desserts are pretty much $4-$8, so you could get non-water drinks instead, or Mickey Bars/ treats from the shops and have more money left over for misc snacks.

 

[CherylA]

When we are trying to keep costs down but are hungry and are worried about the amount of food we order one adult meal and one kids meal at the counter service. It will still keep you under $20 and you'll get a small soda with it which will be a treat if you've been not getting them most of the trip. The kids meals can come with a side like grapes or carrots so that changes things up nicely. For example at the AK you could go to Flame Tree and have

Adult Beef or Pork Sandwich - served with baked beans $8.49
Child Hot Dog $4.99

This would be plenty of food and it would only cost you about $14

Of course not everyone feels comfortable with this, it is supposed to be for 3-9 year olds but as long as you're ordering an adult meal with it I don't see it being a problem.

At ABC commissary in Disney Studios
Fried Fish - battered fried fish served with choice of apple slices or fries $7.09 Kids Cheeseburger - $4.99
12 BUCKS!

You get the idea. The nice thing is you can easily be full and stay under $20 at any of the counter service. You can eat wherever is convenient and not have to think too hard about the best place to get a deal.

Good luck!

 

[RadioFanatic]

We aren't soft drink drinkers so we usually get out bottled water at the Hess station for the week

to save moola, why don't you order your bottled water from Costco to have it shipped to the resort. It was about $7 for 24 bottles. We did that last trip and it was great - you don't have to be a member.

 

[IleneF]

I really like both vegetables and desserts, so those are my biases. However, for $100 for 5 nights and 2 adults, here's what I would eat (I'm assuming one night at each park, and a DTD night) I also couldn't face a sandwich for dinner if I was eating one every day for lunch, so I've avoided sandwiches and burgers. All numbers are with tax, and based on the All Ears menus.

That was TERRIFIC You eat like I do...it's really all about dessert
Thanks for that wonderful summary. And for those of you worried about emergencies etc. It's not like I don't HAVE more $, I'm just choosing not
to spend it for just that reason. i really appreciate the more than
the doom and gloom

 

[IleneF]

Not sure which airline you are using but if are using Southwest (although it does not sound like you are) you get two check in bags, one carry on plus one personal item. I use a backpack and a canvas bag to carry on.

Actually I AM traveling SWA I completely forgot about that. I can take a whole small carry on filled with bagels, cereal bars, oatmeal, shelf stable Healthy Choice meals and fruit I'm really getting psyched now!

Thank you all for your help!

 

[KPmom]

to save moola, why don't you order your bottled water from Costco to have it shipped to the resort. It was about $7 for 24 bottles. We did that last trip and it was great - you don't have to be a member.

I have water delivered from staples. It's about $6.75 for 24 bottles, and when you become a member it's free delivery.

 

[disneyagogo]

That was TERRIFIC You eat like I do...it's really all about dessert
Thanks for that wonderful summary. And for those of you worried about emergencies etc. It's not like I don't HAVE more $, I'm just choosing not
to spend it for just that reason. i really appreciate the more than
the doom and gloom

Thanks for pointing out that you are CHOOSING to keep your meals to a certain amount. I was about to make this point to the Debbie Downers. Anyway...I think you are going to have great time and the challenge of "how low can we go" will be fun. Be sure to pop back in and tell us what you ended up eating.

Have fun!

disneyagogo

 

[IleneF]

OK so my water is ordered from costco, just hoping I ordered it in enough time and that I used the appropriate address...a little nervous as I haven't done this before Now I have to figure out a shopping list for items to pack in the suitcase, which goes no charge..thank you very much SWA!
I'm thinking I need bagels, peanut butter (which I found out may cause a bag search as it sets off the detectors due to density, so I will carry on), foil packets of tuna, oatmeal, granola bars, 100 cal chex mix snack bags, "to go" flavor crystals for water. Other ideas for packable lunches?

Hoping Orlando got the 95 degree days out of it's system and are back on track with 85-90 degree days, I can't believe how much difference a few degrees make in comfort.
Looking forward to my Mexico Burrito, Earl of Sandwich and Cosmic Rays cheap eats
Thank you all for your help. DH did find a part time position but we are still playing catch up.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

OK so my water is ordered from costco, just hoping I ordered it in enough time and that I used the appropriate address...a little nervous as I haven't done this before Now I have to figure out a shopping list for items to pack in the suitcase, which goes no charge..thank you very much SWA!
I'm thinking I need bagels, peanut butter (which I found out may cause a bag search as it sets off the detectors due to density, so I will carry on), foil packets of tuna, oatmeal, granola bars, 100 cal chex mix snack bags, "to go" flavor crystals for water. Other ideas for packable lunches?

Hoping Orlando got the 95 degree days out of it's system and are back on track with 85-90 degree days, I can't believe how much difference a few degrees make in comfort.
Looking forward to my Mexico Burrito, Earl of Sandwich and Cosmic Rays cheap eats
Thank you all for your help. DH did find a part time position but we are still playing catch up.

It sounds like you have it all ready to go! I would double-check that you can take peanut butter in the carry on. It may be considered a "gel/liquid" by the TSA and you would have to throw it out.

Good luck!

 

[hsmamato2]

don't forget cs kids meals...at sunshine seasons, I like the chicken leg/veggies,etc plate for like 4.00- and free soda with the refill station for that price!
The fast food place in Japan is good-
Columbia harbor house in MK is good to split either a big sandwich,or salad,add a side and you're set!
Don't discount Earl- the salads are HUGE- 2 could split one,plus add a cup of soup each(maybe 3.00 each) plus ONE drink (free refills) for both of you- the cost would be wway less than $20 for all of that- they have so many varieties,you could have different options every night! trying to recall- big salad,around 8.00,soup(yum) 2.50,drink,around 2.00(refill) and no need for tips- can you tell we love this place?

 

[branv]

I just wanted to add that I completely agree with the Kringla Bakeri og Cafe. Last time we visited, DH & I were sweating our pants off and desperately seeking A/C. What we found was a lovely shaded patio with a fan blowing, & a cheap lunch! We split the Roast Beef Sandwich $8.89 & a School Bread $1.99! Mmmmmmm. You could save the leftover $9 for something else (like a turkey leg a little ways down at the American Pavilion). Or you could add another sandwich at Norway & hit $21 after tax, or add a side salad to split for $3.99 or the aforementioned soup. If was a wonderful lunch for both location & menu.

I don't care for the food in Mexico b/c I'm too used to really good versions where I live, but you can get the Plato Combinacion - chicken taco, beef burrito and a quesadilla served with black refried beans and Mexican salsa $8.75.

And at Boulangerie Patisserie, they have Ham and Cheese Croissant $3.25, Ham and Cheese Quiche $4.95, Ham and Cheese Sandwich $5.25. Can't speak for how large they are, but those prices will let you add on a dessert

At MK, I've only seen it open twice, but if the Liberty Square Market is open, you can get a baked potato for $3.50/ea. DH & I wanted something filling without being overwhelmed one night, so we each had one of these, ear of corn for $2/ea, & split fruit for $3. And then we went & got a tub of caramel corn at Sleepy Hollow for $4 that we snacked on for 2 days . You could do all of that for less than $20.

Mmmm...now I'm getting hungry.

I just wanted to add that speaking as someone who is starting to master the fine art of snacking while dieting , the most filling granola bars I've found are the Kashi TLC bars (DH is a big fan of the Chocolate & Cherry one). They're more expensive, but they definitely give us more mileage on fullness.

 

[momejay]

You may not want soup if it is warmer, but when we visit in winter weather I bring instant soup. (with hot water in refillable mug) I snag a breadstick from hubby's meal or a bagel & bingo instant lunch.
If you are bringing on plane watch weight of items. Think light! I bring Freeze dried fruit, chips, (tend to get crushed put in a plastic container) snack crackers, fruit bars & granola bars. They also have chicken in the foil packs, but they may get you searched also. Tuna gets boring if eaten daily.
My luggage is opened every time to inspect my son's medicine. (The foil wraps look like explosives to them.) The only thing that was ever missing, & only once, when we got to Florida was my son's frozen hotdogs & a bag of BBQ chips. The chips must have dropped out somewhere. They had a dog come sniff the hotdogs to make sure they weren't TNT & the dog took a bite. They appoligized. I got a handwritten note in my suitcase. LOL!

 

[branv]

The only thing that was ever missing, & only once, when we got to Florida was my son's frozen hotdogs & a bag of BBQ chips. The chips must have dropped out somewhere. They had a dog come sniff the hotdogs to make sure they weren't TNT & the dog took a bite. They appoligized. I got a handwritten note in my suitcase. LOL!

Oh my goodness, you gave my whole household a big laugh this morning. We had this image of one of those fierce looking bomb/drug dogs thinking to itself, "okay, play it cooooool, just act like you're doing your job" and then CHOMP. LOL! Goes to show, highly trained or not, a dog is a dog is a dog.

 

[ScotnSteph]

That was TERRIFIC You eat like I do...it's really all about dessert
Thanks for that wonderful summary. And for those of you worried about emergencies etc. It's not like I don't HAVE more $, I'm just choosing not
to spend it for just that reason. i really appreciate the more than
the doom and gloom

Thanks for pointing out that you are choosing to only spend $100 on meals. I was dying to say that, but didn't. Our family too makes choices about how we spend our vacation dollar. I choose to spend less so that I can play more. We choose to stay offsite. We choose to eat most of our meals in our condo. Our choices mean that we can vacation for longer, 3.5 weeks this trip.

I love Earl of Sandwich!!!

 

[jdes88]

Well, yes a little less perhaps because the oatmeal and bread/tuna will come out of that budget too. I've actually gotten some good ideas from another
website I frequent. Like I just found out Earl of Sandwich has sandwiches for $6 and 20%off with a AAA card I'll probably do that a couple of the nights! Maybe even breakfast once as the breakfast sandwich is $2.49.
This CAN be done!

I think the AAA discount is with the AAA diamond card, not a regular AAA membership card..........

 

[HayGan]

I think the AAA discount is with the AAA diamond card, not a regular AAA membership card..........

YMMV with that. Many people have reported getting the discount with a regular AAA card. Some have reported not getting it unless they had the card (Diamond) you get or booking a package.

 

[Crystal0608]

-