a challenge for all you spend thrifts

[disneywith6kids]

Here's the situation:

1) Have 3 adults, 6 kids(17,15,12,8,7,3)

2) Need to find the least expensive counter service at each of the parks so we can eat lunch during the day without having to waste time sitting down or leaving the parks

2) Breakfast and dinner will be at the HIFS for free

4) If I can get away with 5.00(OR LESS) a person per lunch we can stay for 3 extra days

5) please help me asap so I can book my stay

Thank you all for your help!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Kermit]

That really shouldn't be too hard, as long as most of you aren't really big eaters. (If the oldest 3 kids are boys, you may have more of a challenge. )

First of all, order water with your meals. Not bottled water, but water in a cup. It's free. You can carry some presweetened drink mix with you if anyone doesn't care for water.

Secondly, small eaters should share. Portions are HUGE and can easily be shared.

Kids' meals are cheap. Most are around $3.50, so you have about $1.50 (minus tax) extra for the grownups each time someone orders one. And don't think they're just for kids. The portions are big enough for most adults.

Finally, even if you're hungry and don't want to share an entree, be aware that most menus present food as "baskets" or "combos" that have an entree and a side, but you can always order just a part of it, even if the price isn't listed. So one person may want to order a combo with a burger and fried, then another person can order just a burger and share the fries with the first person.

 

[Mic]

Uhh..How well does your group like Turkey legs? We have 4 kids(or 2 kids and 2 adults by Disney definition) and we have stumbled on some reasonably priced counter service. We traditionally eat at Tony's for lunch at the MK, so I am not as familiar with the counter service there, but I do remember ordering a salad somewhere for less than $5. At Tony's, my DD and I have split an adult plate, and added a salad with no problem before. The kids meals there are $5(including beverage). At MGM, the backlot express has kids meals for less than $5, and adult combo meals for @$7 that can be shared. Also, the area across from the Fantasmic theatre has lots of counter service choices. My daughters once bought a baked potato and some fruit for less than $5, as well as the famed turkey leg. We usually do Rainforest Cafe at AK, but we tried Tusker House once, and it was ok. DD and I shared an adult sandwich there. At Epcot, the Fish and Chips at UK, or the counter service in Japan would keep you within your budget. The Land pavilion has a food court that has a few reasonably priced meals, too. Make sure to bring a few snacks in your fanny packs, as well as a bottled water or 2, as these things really kill a budget if purchased in the parks. I don't know if I could stick to $5 a day per person, but I wish you luck!

 

[bobcat]

Check out the menus on Deb's site www.wdwig.com This will give you a better idea on what the prices are.

Columbia Harbour House and Cosmic Rays at MK are good. The turkey legs are also very filling. I share one with my two kids for a lunch. The land food court at Epcot offers variety. Good luck.

 

[luv2nascar]

In MK try Casey's all kids like hotdogs
a hotdog $3.09 or a 1/4 hotdog for $3.59
FF are $1.79 (split those between 2-3 people)

At peco's bills in MK a 1/4 cheeseburger w/ff is $5.49

At MGM - backlot express tuna sub$4.69
Kids meal w/out lunch box chicken nuggets w/ff $3.49

At Toy story pizza planet individual cheese pizza $5.29

 

[disneywith6kids]

Thank you all so much for your help . I really think we can do it! My 15 and 12 year olds are boys and yes they are really big eaters(skinny though) But as long as I know there are places we could buy food for under 5.00 I think we can do it. I'll take any more specific suggestions you have. Thanks again---I knew I came to the right place for answers.

 

[ReneeQ]

I remember one lady posted on here that she and her husband bought one "double" hamburger combo to share at Pecos Bills. They split the hamburger and each had an open face (bottom bun only) hamburger. Pecos Bill's has a great toppings bar! There are usually plenty of fries to split in the combo, too.

As far as drinks, I keep an empty sippy cup in my backpack when I take my nephew. I buy myself a large drink and pour some of it into his cup, as he doesn't drink much. One large drink is cheaper than 2 small drinks and none goes to waste.

 

[tar heel]

The double burger at Pecos Bill's is a good idea. The toppings bar is really good, so you can practically add a salad. Also, there's cheese sauce for the fries, which will make them a more substantial part of your meal.

If you do decide to do any drinks, order the largest size available with no ice and ask for as many small cups of ice as you need. I routinely split large drinks between more than one person, and they are happy to give you extra cups. They will also do this with ice cream, icees, etc., too.

If the item is acceptable (often hotdog or pbj), you can usually get a kids' meal including drink for under $4.

I think you can do the $5 a day, but it won't be easy. Also, be forewarned that there is a snack around every corner and some of them smell and/or look absolutely heavenly.

Make sure to carry plenty of water and have each child put a juice box and small snack in his/her fanny pack -- that will help you stick to your budget.

 

[crazelion]

I have question do eat three meals a day at home or is only on vacton that you do it. the reason that asking is it's possible that just breakfast and dinner only not worry about park food. When I go vaction I just do breakfast and dinner only in not lunch. It savings alot money.

Also I with the bring a plastic water bottle with you ask for water at the counter and the will fill it with ice and water. that will save money. The reason I know this because i work in the tourism industry I know how cut cutters. I also do it at every amusement park I go to.

 

[jfis1020]

Each of us has our own "water bottle". It is a plastic bottle with an insulated cover. I just recently bought three new ones at Old Navy on clearance for $3.99. Fill (leave about 2-3 inches at top) and freeze. You will have ice water all day! I use them at home outside too! You reuse the bottles! They sell smaller ones at Disney for $11!

 

[Disneydenise]

I would also suggest that you keep a good supply of snack food in your room. I usally throw some peanut butter crackers in our back pack becuse if you are hungry they are good to munch on and will hold you till the next meal. I also get peanuts and granola bars. My DS needs to graze all day and it helps to have something to just hand him when he starts complaining.

 

[merryweather's twin]

I could not do it but maby you can. I have 4 and they are allways wanting popcorn or Ice cream or a drink. You could bring snacks and drinks and eat big at the hotel(make sure the kids eat free covers the older ones and how many kids you have per adult in a room.We have ran into the 1 child per paying adult thing more than once.) We have hot dogs or turkey legs in the parks and they have fruit that is around .85c. Maby you could start a change bucket for extras.And have the kids save from B-days and such so if they want a ice cream they can have it. I would take a family vote.... See if the kids would rather have 1 less day in the parks and a solid meal and a snack every day. Being hungry in a park when all the kids around are eating is no fun for your kids. Maby the change jar will give you all the extra money you need. We did one last year and saved $280. and it was all pennys and small change. I hope you have a great trip.

 

[IowaGirl]

Make sure everyone is wearing a fanny pack with favorite snacks. And gum, gum helps the need to chew if your not reallly that hungry....
I bought big jars of cashews and sunflower nuts, and honey roasted peanuts and re-filled mini-m&m tubes with them and brought them to the parks. Teenagers love slim jims, too and would provide a filling protein snack. Or beef jerky(although I think it's too expensive to buy)

We ate counter service everyday, but next time we go I might throw in a tuna salad kit with extra crackers for myself and just store it with my water bottles til I'm ready to eat. I got kind of tired of fried food everyday. Of course, the other three were quite happy with that. I'll also order kids meals for myself, not just my kids. I think they'd let me do that.

Have a water plan. don't spend money at the parks on bottled water, costs as much as a kids meal for one bottle.

 

[Cindy B]

We usually buy those Lunchables on sale (sometimes $1 or less for the ones without the drink). The kids eat the Lunchables no problem.

 

[disneywith6kids]

Thank you all for your helpful suggestions. Believe it or not we are used to cutting corners with a large family. I couldn't imagine having 6 kids if we didn't. We recently took a trip to Washington DC for a week and never ate lunch. We stuffed those belt bags with nutritious snacks. Every morning we ate a full breakfast at the hotel and for dinner we had frozen dinners(Marie Callendars--the best tasting frozen dinner I've ever had) in the microwave. We had a full kitchen in our suite but didn't have time to cook. Total food bill for 7 days and 8 of us was 120.00(that included all the snacks, dinners and water bottles)I figured we wouldn't be able to do this in DW(with our marathon pace) so I was trying to figure in the cost of a small lunch from counter service,plus the usual snack thing. As far as the kids eat free-thank you for the info but I think we're covered. We're getting 2 suites at HIFS that include breakfast for all and 2 free dinners per room. That will cover DH, me, DD, and DS, the rest are 12 and under. The change jar idea is great. I think we'll start one today. As far as our family vote--the kids said they would rather starve and go for a month(Ha Ha)This is only our 2nd DW trip and we planned it around Christmas. They all took a vote and decided to give up all their birthday and christmas presents for a year just to go to DW. So far we seen 3 birthdays come and go with no complaints. However, they don't know I'm planning to celebrate each child's birthday on a different day while we're there.You can do that can't you?

 

[Justhope]

I think that your B-day idea is wonderful they'll be so surprised. What a great reward . You can do it!!!
Hope

 

[PhotobearSam]

I agree with the people who say bring snacks...We brought cashews in our packs as well as granola bars and cheese (or peanut butter) and crackers.

Water bottles are the best!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Kermit, I did not have a clue that you could order just a burger or the chicken fingers out of the combo and not have to get the extra fries and drink. There is always wayyyyy too much food when the three of us order our own combo. Thanks so much for that tip, it is one of the best ones I have learned in a long time.

 

[chris1gill]

Hmm, okay, you've gotten lots of suggestions... here's a wild one for you Order vouchers from Connections & use them at Beaches & Cream on the days you visit EPCOT... it's just a 5-6 minute walk from the gate....

There are 8 of you that could split food, therefore using 4 vouchers...

Each voucher would get you roughly the following
Caesar salad or Chilli or ?? (this is the side order)
Bacon Burger with ALL the fixings or Chicken or Prime Rib Sandwich or adult size hot dog(with fries for all)
A Gourmet frozen drink
A fabulous dessert (How about a couple of Kitchen Sinks???)

This would be an awesome way for your family to experience B&C!!! Each voucher is 11.00 & sharing is definitely allowed at Beaches & Cream!!! The voucher includes all taxes & gratuity!! So your whole family could eat for 44.00, plus maybe an extra childs meal added in...

You can sign up for connections for their 1.00 first month trial offer (make sure to cancel within that month), or you might be able to watch the boards for extra vouchers from those who come back with extra...

Besides doing B&C (I really suggest trying this!) But, if you don't, the Yakitori House is EXCELLENT as a fast food restaurant & the prices are really good too....

 

[A kid at heart]

What about the baked potato cart in liberty square for eating? Those potatoes can be pretty filling!