A family of 4 CAN eat for $75 a day! This is how we did it....(LONG)

[NvrBnToWDW]

So, this was our first trip to WDW and I wanted to have good meals, but at a reasonable price. I figured about $75 a day for 7 days=$525 for the week. But if we went over, no big deal, this is DisneyWorld and anything goes. I wouldn't say no to any snack, or meal, or drink, no matter the price. The only stipulation is that we eat breakfast in the room, and since noone is big on breakfast, I didn't hear any complaints. We took a bag with cereal bars, granola bars, oatmeal bars and bowls of cereal from Wal-mart and just bought milk. We also agreed to drink mostly water and we carried Brita water bottles with us. We also purchase souvenir mugs at the hotel and drank a lot of slurpees and juice. So, I made 7 envelopes with each day written on the front and put that day's receipts in it.
Here are the eaters:
Me, DH, DS11 & DS9

SATURDAYarrival day)
Breakfast-ate at home before heading to airport

Lunch @ Pop Century:
Dbl Bacon Cheeseburger & fries $6.79 (DH & Me)
Extra Bun $0.69
2 Bowls of Grapes $3.98 (All shared)
Chicken Strips & fries $6.59 (DS11 & DS9)
TOTAL------------------$18.05 w/tax

Snack @ Aloha Isle (Magic Kingdom):
Soft-serve Choc. Ice Cream Cup $2.79 (DS11)
Dole Whip Float $2.99 (DS9)
Dole Whip in cup $2.79 (Me & DH)
TOTAL------------------$9.13 w/tax

Dinner @ Cosmic Ray's (Magic Kingdom):
Chicken Strips & fries $6.59 (DS9)
Grilled Chicken Sandwich $5.43 (DS11 & Me)
Rotisserie Chicken w/potatoes & veg. $7.99 (DH)
TOTAL---------------------$21.31 w/tax

Snack @ Pop Century:
Mickey Ice Cream Bar $2.39 (DS9)
Mickey Rice Krispy Treat $2.69 (Me)
Tie-Dye Cheesecake $3.59 (DS11 & DH)
TOTAL--------------------$9.24 w/tax
SATURDAY'S TOTAL=$57.73
Saturday's Comments: Loved the Dole Whips! Cosmic Ray's food is pretty
bland and chicken was greasy. Great burgers at Pop! Cheesecake
tasted like a pile of icing on a dried piece of cake, but loved the
Mickey treats!
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SUNDAY:
Breakfast in room

Lunch @ Sci-Fi Dine-In (MGM):
2 Cokes $4.38
2 Sprites w/glow cubes $11.98
Kid's Grilled Chic w/fry $4.99 (DS9)
Kid's Burger w/fry $4.99 (DS11)
Rib plate w/fry $15.99 (Me & DH shared)
Bacon cheeseburger w/fruit $10.99 (these 2 meals)
TOTAL----------------------------------$57.63 w/tax

Dinner @ Pizza Planet (MGM):
2 Pepperoni Pizzas w/salads $15.58 (Me & DH)
2 Pepperoni Pizzas $11.58 (DS9 & DS11)
TOTAL------------------------------$28.93 w/tax

Snack @ Fantasmic (Vendor carts)(MGM):
1 Cotton Candy in souvenir bucket $4.00 (DS11)
1 Popcorn $3.00 (DS9)
1 Choc dipped Banana $3.00 (Me)
TOTAL---------------------------------$10.00

Snack @ Pop:
1 Choc. chip Cookie $2.02 (DS9)
Chicken Penne Alfredo $8.51 (DH) Snack??
TOTAL--------------------------------$10.53

SUNDAY'S TOTAL= $107.09
Sunday's comments: Sci-Fi's ribs are good, but the fruit was not ripe.Pizza
Planet is okay. Loved the choc banana!
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MONDAY:
Breakfast in room

Lunch @ Pizzafari (Animal Kingdom):
1 Cheese Pizza $5.49 (DS11)
1 Pepperoni Pizza $5.79 (DS9)
Lg Bottled Water $2.00
Lunch @ Flame Tree (Animal Kingdom):
BBQ Beef Sandwich $5.29 (Me & DH)
BBQ Ribs $7.00 (shared)
Seasoned Fry basket $3.49 (these)
TOTAL-----------------------------$30.83

Snacks @ Pop Century:
Choc. Chip Cookie $1.89 (DS9)
Snickers candy bar $1.17 (DH)
Yogurt & Granola Parfait $3.79 (DS11)
TOTAL-----------------------------$7.30

Dinner @ Pop Century:
Chicken Penne Alfredo $7.99 (DH)
Kid's Sloppy Joe $3.99 (DS11)
Fried Chicken Dinner $8.99 (Me & DS9)
Kid's Mac & Cheese meal $3.99 (DS11 got this because the
sloppy joe was gross!)
TOTAL-----------------------------$26.59


MONDAY'S TOTAL= $64.72
Monday's comments: Loved, loved, loved Flame Tree's Ribs! We're from
Texas and we know ribs. This is great BBQ! The seasoned fries were
great too, wish we could get them at all the parks. DH really likes
the Chic penne Alfredo at Pop. Mom's Night Out at Pop served some
wonderful Buttermilk fried chicken. The sloppy joe was disgusting!
I think it was Manwich or something, but my son had to get some
mac & cheese instead.
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TUESDAY:
Breakfast @ Pop Century:
2 Kid's Mickey Waffles w/bacon $7.18 (DS9 & DS11)
1 Choc Milk $1.99
1 Pop Waffle w/topping & bacon $5.99 (DH & Me)
TOTAL-------------------------$16.15

Lunch @ Refreshment Port (Epcot):
9 pc. Chicken nuggets $3.99 (DS9)
McDonalds Fry $1.99 (DS9)
Lunch @ Cantina de San Angel (Epcot):
2 Grilled Chicken Salads $15.98 (Me & DH)
Kid's beef burrito w/chips $3.99 (DS11)
TOTAL-------------------------$27.64

Snack @ Pop Century:
2 Cheesecakes w/topping $7.66 (Me & DH)
Choc. Chip cookie $1.89 (DS9)
Mickey Rice Krispy Treat $2.69 (Me, save for later)
Worms in Dirt $1.99 (DS11)
TOTAL------------------------$14.66

Dinner @ Pop Century:
Double Cheeseburger w/fries $6.79 (DH & DS11)
Extra bun $0.69 (shared this)
Chicken Strip w/fries $6.59 (Me)
Pepperoni pizza $5.79 (DS9)
TOTAL--------------------------$21.16

TUESDAY'S TOTAL= $79.61
Tuesday's comments: Waffles are okay. Today was the worst meal of the
whole trip-Cantina de San Angel. We are Mexican and this wasn't
Mexican food! The black beans were disgusting, I didn't want them
touching my chicken! And Mexican salads come in a taco shell and
this one didn't. I just picked at the chicken and lettuce that didn't
have any beans on it. I wish I had eaten the McNuggets like my
son. Pop has great cheesecake and we asked for strawberry
topping because it comes plain.
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WEDNESDAY:
Breakfast in room. Milk $2.12

Lunch @ Columbia Harbour House (Magic Kingdom):
3 Fish, chicken & fry meals $20.97 (all shared)
2 Sprites $3.98
TOTAL-----------------------------$26.58

Snack @ Sleepy Hollow (Magic Kingdom):
1 soft serve Vanilla cup $2.79 (DS9)
2 Funnel cakes w/topping $8.58 (DS, DH & Me)
TOTAL----------------------------$12.11

Dinner @ Pop Century:
Kid's Pasta w/meatball $3.99 (DS11)
Pepperoni Pizza $5.79 (DS9)
Loaded Nachos $6.59 (DH)
Pepperoni Pizza $5.79 (Me)
TOTAL----------------------------$23.61

Snack @ Pop Century:
Chocolate shake $3.59 (DS11)
Choc chip Cookie $1.89 (DS9)
Strawberry Sundae $3.99 (DH & Me)
TOTAL---------------------------$10.09

WEDNESDAY'S TOTAL= $74.51
Wednesday's comments: Columbia Harbour House has great fish and is a
great place to cool off and rest (eat upstairs). Loved the funnel
cakes! Hubby didn't care for the nachos, I think it was the same
meat from the sloppy joes. As you can see, we really like Pop's
pizza. Chocolate shake tasted like home.
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THURSDAY:
Breakfast in room

Lunch @ 50's Primetime Cafe (MGM):
1 Cherry Sprite w/glow cube $5.99
1 Chocolate shake $4.99
2 cherry Sprites $4.38
Kid's Hot Dog meal $4.99 (DS11)
2 Fried Chicken, potatoes & corn $25.98 (DH, DS9 & Me)
TOTAL-------------------------------$49.35

Snack @ Ice Cream Cart (MGM):
1 Chocolate Banana $3.00 (Me)
1 Popsicle $2.50 (DS11)
1 Ice Cream Cookie sandwich $3.00 (DH)
TOTAL----------------------------$8.50

Dinner @ Pop Century:
Chicken Parmesan w/salad $7.99 (DH)
Meatball Sub $6.09 (Me & DS11)
Pepperoni Pizza $5.79 (DS9)
Pudding cup $1.19
Choc chip Cookie $1.89
TOTAL---------------------------$24.45

THURSDAY'S TOTAL = $82.30
Thursday's comments: 50's chicken is good and their potatoes are to die for!
They give you 3 big pieces (breast, leg & thigh) and the shakes
are big enough for 2 people. We really liked the meatball sub and
also had to share that.
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FRIDAY:
Breakfast in room. Milk $2.12

Lunch @ Pop Century:
Dbl Cheeseburger w/fry $6.79 (DH)
Chicken Parmesan w/pasta $7.99 (Me & DS11)
Pepperoni Pizza $5.79 (DS9)
TOTAL------------------------$21.92

Snack @ Main St. Bakery (Magic Kingdom):
2 Cherry Turnovers $3.78 (DH & DS11)
Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich $3.49 (DS9)
Strawberry Shortcake $3.49 (Me)
TOTAL--------------------------$11.46

Dinner @ Columbia Harbour House (Magic Kingdom):
3 Chicken, fish & fries $21.49
TOTAL--------------------------$21.49

FRIDAY'S TOTAL = $56.99
Friday's comments: Chicken parmesan @ pop is delicious! I can't say enough
about Main St. Bakery! I wish we had eaten there more. Everything
looks so good it's hard to decide. Columbia House was worth a repeat
====================================================================================================================
TOTAL FOR WEEK = $522.95
DAILY AVERAGE = $74.70!!!
YEAH! WE WERE ABLE TO DO THE $75 A DAY AND WERE NEVER DEPRIVED! WE ATE EVERYTHING WE WANTED AND I NEVER TOLD ANYONE NO!!

 

[magicmouse2]

Well Done!!!

Wish I could stick to budget like that!!
And you even managed to get in a couple of table service meals too!!

The only part I would have problems with is the drinking water. Kids love their Sprites and Root Beers.
Thanks for Sharing

 

[Minniespal]

Enjoyed reading your reviews.

Wouldn't have believed that 4 people could eat for under $75 a day.

 

[Leota]

Wow! Good job! I was hoping to do a budget trip with DS (16) this Aug., but we love our table service too much & his appetite is too big to share. I'm looking at $100 a day for 2!

 

[WithDisneySpirit]

Did you save enough to start planning your second ever trip to Disney? I really enjoyed reading your dining reviews. That is a lot of food for $75 per day!

 

[jkmmah]

Thanks for the effort you put into this report! Great job and very interesting. We loved POP's fried chicken and chicken parm, as well!

 

[lillygator]

Great job!! I am only feeding myself, DH and a 2 year old and we could never do it for that!!

 

[pennyplanner]

Congratulations for staying on budget! Thanks for sharing your success.

--penny

 

[widget]

Great reading - you did good!! Now im hungry!!!!

 

[k-wa]

Impressive budgeting! As a person who likes the table service restaurants, I would just like to add my family's strategy: breakfast in the room; lunch at a table service restaurant (always cheaper than dinner and often a very similar menu) and a casual dinner. The lunch strategy saves a ton of money and doesn't leave you feeling deprived.

 

[VickiVM]

Monday's comments: Loved, loved, loved Flame Tree's Ribs! We're from
Texas and we know ribs. This is great BBQ!

Great to know as I have this on my list of where to eat next week!! I actually think my husband makes the best BBQ so we're definetly picky about this.

Today was the worst meal of the
whole trip-Cantina de San Angel. We are Mexican and this wasn't
Mexican food!

Well, not the Mexican food we're used to, at least. San Angel I think is more regional cooking and not what we're used to getting from our local Taco Cabana. I agree, though, it's actually one of my least favorities and I've tried it several times.

I'm so glad to see your post. I just eyeballed our meal budget and over estimated it. I know I can cut probably $50 off just by limiting our drinking to more water (our own bottles) and less soda. In the summer, the water is better for you anyway.

Thanks for your insightful reports!

 

[cristbaby]

Wow, congratulations for sticking to your budget. I know I'm going to try to use the envelope method when we go.

 

[jlcbshaw]

Well done!

We are a family of 5 and our budget is usually $20.00 per person per day and we have never gone over that amount. At least I don't think so, maybe by a few dollars, but for the part most we are on budget and this includes one character meal. Our kids are not big on sodas and are limited to one a day, even when not on vacation and they usually don't even want that.

PS we also always eat breakfast in the room, or stay at an offsite hotel that offers breakfast.

 

[jlcbshaw]

Impressive budgeting! As a person who likes the table service restaurants, I would just like to add my family's strategy: breakfast in the room; lunch at a table service restaurant (always cheaper than dinner and often a very similar menu) and a casual dinner. The lunch strategy saves a ton of money and doesn't leave you feeling deprived.

Also wanted to add that we have used this strategy on many trips and this is the main reason we stay on budget!

 

[pjlla]

SOOOO glad to hear about your success keeping the food budget under control. I have budgeted $80/day for a family of 4 (DH, myself, DD almost 10, and DS 7 1/2) for our trip to the Southwest and DL this summer. I know that this will be difficult, if not impossible to stick to. But two of our meals during the vacation will be at a wedding and a rehearsal dinner... so no $ out for those. I figure the extra I save from those meals will go toward our character meal(s) at DL. And on the days when we are traveling between stopping spots, I figure we can eat take-out type stuff in the car and save some $$ (and time). I have already bought a collapsible cooler to bring along and I plan on buying some bottled water and soda and snacks at our first stop in Albuquerque. Breakfast in the room would work for everyone except DH, who eats low carb, so no cereal, bagels, or granola bars for him! Thanks so much for taking the time to share your detailed report!.................P

 

[eeyoreforever]

I know I can cut probably $50 off just by limiting our drinking to more water (our own bottles) and less soda. In the summer, the water is better for you anyway.

Thanks for your insightful reports!

Thankfully, my kids love water-especially when its really hot outside. Drinking a soft drink just doesn't seem to quench your thirst. We will still get some soft drinks, but will drink mostly water. Its amazing how much you save at each meal by doing that.

To the OP - Great review!! Thanks for taking the time to post all of that. I have a rough budget in mind, but it was really helpful to see your very detailed report. Doesn't sound like anyone went hungry and you still had plenty of snacks, but didn't break the bank.

 

[mom23boys]

Wow, that was great budgeting. I do agree that water is the key. I myself am a Diet Coke junkie, but going in August I will try to drink just water.

Also, I like the sharing of food, my DH and Oldest (11) can eat a meal by themselves, but me and my other boys (6 and 3) will definately try to share.

Thanks for the review.

 

[Jade Starr]

Well Done!!!

Wish I could stick to budget like that!!
And you even managed to get in a couple of table service meals too!!


Thanks for Sharing

LOL I have a hard time keeping $75 a day w/ 2 people sometimes
Well.....CRT for lunch and Puck's for dinner can be a bit pricey but sooooo good!

Jade Starr

 

[married@wdw]

Holy crud -- you barely ate any veggies. And my arteries wouldn't stand for so much of that fried stuff, cheap beef and greasy cheese. I know it's vacation but the reason we budget about $100 per day for two adults is because I NEED to eat healthy, otherwise I feel run down after the first or second day and just want to lay by the pool. That stuff would just sit in me and weigh me down!!!

 

[amyjo]

Wow! Thanks for posting all the details. I'm hoping to stick to $100 a day when we go (we have more kids, but they are little).

Drinking only water really helps. For the past year, whenever we go out to eat, we offer the kids a deal--if you order water, we'll give you 50 cents when we get home. Our oldest is nine, and they all think this is a great deal. I'll continue this at Disney--we save lots of money this way! We'll most likely buy mugs at the resort and tell them they can drink pop there.