$250 to Eat for 5 days at Disney. How would you do it?

[robinb]

I think you should be able to do it easily enough. I'm going to estimate $15 for an adult CS (no dessert or drink) plus 1/2 of a kid's CS ($11 + $3 + tax) You switch off paying for the kid's meals.

Day 1: You're paying CRT, Total = $0, Leaves $250
Day 2: Tusker House, $45 CS Dinner $15, Total = $60, Leaves $190
Day 3: Pack Lunch, CS Dinner $15, Total = $15, Leaves $175
Day 4: Pack Lunch, T-Rex $31 ($20 adult + 4.50 1/2 kid's meal + tax + tip), Total = $31, Leaves $144
Day 5: Pack Lunch, CS Dinner $15, Total = $15, Leaves $129

Frankly, she has enough for CS meals every day without packing lunches in. Is she expected to contribute to the groceries for breakfast and lunch?

 

[worm761]

I assumed that they would have separate bills so no ordering just half a meal. Unless they are just splitting the check. then that would work.

Heck, if just splitting checks and they both like the same foods some meals the adults could split too. The hummus/broccoli slaw sandwich at CHH is HUGE and easily shareable.

 

[robinb]

I assumed that they would have separate bills so no ordering just half a meal. Unless they are just splitting the check. then that would work.

Heck, if just splitting checks and they both like the same foods some meals the adults could split too. The hummus/broccoli slaw sandwich at CHH is HUGE and easily shareable.

If the kids are going to share, they can take turns buying the kids meals at the CS restaurants. At T-Rex, just have one person toss $6 at the other for the kid's meal. They don't need to split the bill.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

No, I won't expect her to pay for the groceries. I would buy groceries either way.

 

[DaughteroftheKing]

This is our first trip that we're not doing a dining plan and are just paying out of pocket for food.

Hence, I have an entire spreadsheet of QS places in MK and the prices of what each of us would (roughly) choose to eat. With your friend's $50 budget per day that's basically $25 for lunch and $25 for dinner. I think it's very doable.

For example, at Pecos Bill their menu shows a kid's meal for $6 and an adult Chicken Salad for $11. That's only $17 (no soda or extras included) and you said your 2 yr olds will probably share so in that case she'd only need $3 towards the kids meal and $11 for hers=$14. That leaves $36 for dinner and again, at Cosmic Rays a kids nugget meal is $6 and an adult BBQ Pork is $10.29. So $17 for dinner. That's $34 for the food for the day, leaving $16 for snacks and extras if she wanted.

 

[Sparkly]

Quite honestly, if your friend's on a limited budget, I would just skip TS meals and just do CS. Her budget will probably allow for 2 CS meals, but 1 TS and a CS meal is pushing it a bit.

 

[jerseygirl81]

It sounds like you have your mind set on a few table service dinners. A table service can take about 1-1/2 hrs with 3 little ones that can be a challenge especially a baby. We did the counter service dining plan once and I did a lot of research and found some very good choices, one of my friends said we would end up eating burgers and nuggets all week but we didn't unless we wanted to, and you can take your time in the I wouldn't leave the park to eat unless you are planning on going back to the townhouse for a break to much extra work involved and no DH's to help out.

 

[HCinKC]

For DH, ODS (6), and I, if I exclude the character meals, the only TS we did, then we easily ate for this. I did bring bagels and granola bars, so that was our breakfast every morning. This worked great for us. We would eat in the room while getting ready or while waiting for the bus. I often got a kids meal which was plenty of food. ODS often had grapes or something leftover from his meal that were used as a snack later (usually a snack for DH lol). The kids Power Pack was also a nice option. Since everything is individually packaged, it was easy to save leftovers. We also found some of the QS meals to be pretty large...like the chicken burrito at Tortuga Tavern could easily be split. And keep in mind that you can sometimes ask to drop the side item for a lower price. I also second the snacks in Epcot. AK also has some nice, non-burger/nugget choices.

Everyone is different, but we are not really fans of character meals. We did do them for SWW, but otherwise, it is not worth the time or cost for us. No one enjoys it enough. I would just be sure that the kids in your group will enjoy it before adding that into the mix. Or space them apart enough that you could cancel without penalty if the first one is not a success.

 

[katyjeka]

I just wanted to add, the portions r so big at disney that it is possible to share a lot of the meals. Even get kids meals for adults at lunch. Also many snacks can be used for a light lunch. Have a great trip

 

[jacknsally19]

Personally, I would recommend not getting the hoppers and using the extra money toward food / souvenirs. I think park hopping with little kids is just a PITA. I would suggest skipping Downtown Disney if short on funds and with little kids.

 

[tina.tina]

I totally agree with the snacking around the countries. That is so much fun.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

Snacking around the countries seems like it would take forever. Like most of your day would be spent in a food line or eating. I don't see 3 kids under 3 dealing with that well. It would be nice to try new foods, though

 

[ELSA711]

Snacking around the countries seems like it would take forever. Like most of your day would be spent in a food line or eating. I don't see 3 kids under 3 dealing with that well. It would be nice to try new foods, though

Believe it or not the QS stops in Epcot are really quick, you just stop and get a side of something here and a side of something there. We have three kids and they love the countries! All under age 10 at last trip. We also did a trip at 4 and 1, there are so many things for them to look at in the countries, it's actually rather easier to grab something and keep walking. We don't have a lot of success with sit down meals unless Mickey is coming...lol

 

[Baklava]

You're right, I assume I could pay for all of her food too, and if it came down to it, I would, but I don't want her to feel like a charity case.

I think you could grab the check at a couple of the most expensive meals without that being a problem. I have a dear friend with a lot less money. It's just a fact of life, we both know it, and if I invite her out, I'm paying. If you say, "And then I'm treating you to dinner at Tusker House" during your planning, she knows and can budget around it and it's done. If she protests, say something about how happy you are she could join you and how you want to do something nice for her. Or call it a birthday party and yourself the hostess of that meal. That's a graceful way to do it because birthday parties are generally paid by the host.

 

[Ali]

While true that TH breakfast is under $40, lunch is $37.27. Add in a 20% tip and you're looking at $44.72. I round. I find rounded numbers easier to deal with. I guess I could have said $45 instead of $50.

A kid's meal at T-Rex is $9. That leaves her $20 for tip, drink, and food. Unless you pick up that tip too. It's doable if she chooses wisely. Which I am sure she will. I could do the quesadilla appetizer and call it a whole meal and that's just $11. Thought I normally do the nachos for two and call it a meal and share with DH because it is HUGE and I can't eat it all.

I still suggest carrying lunches every day but your AK day since you will have lunch at TH. That is a really tight budget and those tend to make me nervous. And this way she can maybe have some souvenir money too. There is a thread on the resorts board and one on the budget board aimed at carrying lunches/ food into the parks. I plan to pack lunch into the parks most days on our upcoming trip.

They will not give any adults or children over the age cut off a kids meal at this restaurant at all - very strict.

 

[piccolopat]

Although I suppose for the price, we could skip T-Rex and do a character lunch at Crystal Palace or another MK table service, giving us a break from the heat.

Instead of trex, why not rainforest cafe when you are at AK? Different theme but same idea.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

Instead of trex, why not rainforest cafe when you are at AK? Different theme but same idea.

DD loves T-Rex. And since it is her birthday trip, I am trying to do her favorite things. I think we will just scrap that meal though. Also, on our AK day, my friend wants to try TuskerHouse. She grew up in Africa as a missionary's kid, and wants to see if the cuisine compares.

 

[Nancyg56]

TH is a really good meal, and one that will get the children their character fix.

I think that I would handle things a bit differently if I was in your shoes, and I was last October. My DH gave me a trip of my lifetime, in that I was going to get to visit some DIS friends who I had never met. WE are not well off, but we are comfortable. My DH could not fly at the time, as he was under a DR care. My neighbor wanted to join me, and I was thrilled for her company, but both if knew her circumstances were way different than mine. We paid for most of the expenses, and I thanked her profusely for coming with me.

So, I would book whatever TS meals I wanted, tell her that they are meals I have my heart set on and therefore they would be my responsibility, and I would pay for those. I would then let her share CS expenses, and believe me, those options are fabulous because you often can split them. If you plan on breakfast in your room, and then a buffet or AYCTE lunch, which is less expensive than dinner, you can then share a CS dinner, and supplement with snacks. Snacks, especially in Epcot are quick, easy and can be shared.

 

[AriesAriel]

We just got back. I have a 5yr old and a 6yr old. We did NOT do the dining plan because I knew it would have been a waste of money for us, and it definitely would have been! My sister's family did the dining plan - no way would my kids' have eaten that much!

Most of the time we got 2 adult meals and 1 kid meal. I would share part of my meal with my 5yo DD and she would also end up with part of her brother's kids meal. We shared drinks (yeah, we're not germaphobes lol). My sister had the QSDP, so we did counter service except for our character breakfasts. I budgeted $1000 for our family of four and we came in under budget enough to spend at least $100 on soft drinks/snacks AND souvenirs plus came back with still $38 on a gift card. The dining plan would have been $1100 for us.

With two 2yr olds and a baby, you will have more than enough on your plate with just adult meals.

And my suggestion for the souvenirs? Those adorable baby Disney characters! ($23.95+tax)

 

[LynnTH]

I also don't think you need to get the 2 year old separate meals. I would just have the 2 year old share with Mom. Last time we went which was 2 years ago. DD and I split a lot of our meals. And she was 12 at the time. I think the budget is totally doable.