Anyone else pleased at Disney food prices?

[rance]

Pricing out our upcoming trip and I was pleasently surprised at the cost of food for a theme park.
Some of the character meals are a bit pricey, but all things considered feeding 2 adults and a child at a qs is about the same price as going to mcdonalds.
I think that's pretty good for a theme park, especially since you can bring drinks and snacks into the park.

Was wondering whether other people feel it is good value or do some feel it's too expensive?

 

[r&kmommy]

I don't know where you live, but the quick/counter service meals are nowhere near the price of a McD's meal around here LOL!!!

That said, while I find their q/cs meals to be pricier than McD's, they are definitely better quality food, offer better/healthier options, and you can't be the atmosphere!!!

 

[bangzoom6877]

Compared to where I live (Brooklyn, NY), the prices are fine!!

Even for a theme park, I find the Disney prices at the CS locations to be very reasonable, especially kids' meals! At Sesame Place, a kids' meal was $8.99 and it was very small! I had my 2 boys share an adult meal instead, which was $10, and we always brought drinks with us to the park so no issue with needing to buy an extra drink. At Six Flags Great Adventure, we spent way too much money last July for overpriced disgusting food! I felt horrible the whole ride home because of how greasy and disgusting the food was there.

Even the character meals at Disney are not too expensive to us. Considering the experience, we find them well worth it. The a la carte casual restaurants (i.e., Captain's Grille, Kona, Sanaa, etc.) serve3 entrees that have comparable prices (and even less expensive in some cases) to what we are used to at home.

And as far as alcoholic beverages, the prices are what I would expect on vacation.

However, depending on where you are from, the restaurants can be very pricey. It all depends on what you are used to paying when you dine out on a regular basis.

For us, having the TIW card will be an added bonue is saving 20% off for all our TS ADRs, including alcohol!

 

[MSLRAC]

I wouldn't exactly say I was pleased with any of Disney's pricing but I think their CS meal prices are fairly competitive and realistic in price for what they are. We only had one CS meal on our last trip and we were very impressed with what we got for the price (which was in line with what we spend on a family meal at McD's).

 

[bdoyledimou]

Food court prices around here are about $10 a meal with drink.
Buffet restaurants are about $22.00 with a drink.
Table Service meals (say Redlobster?) for $30 a person with drink.
Theme park meals around here (Canada's Wonderland) can be up to $15 per person for counterservice... (last year i paid $30 for 2 burgers, 2 drinks and ONE order of fries, as a COMBO for 2)..



I always felt Disney was extremely well priced for food.

 

[beroh2253]

We have been getting the DDP so we don't have to look at the prices. If I had to look at the prices I would probably drive over to Kissimmee for every meal.

 

[LowesChevy]

If I compare WDW to other resort destinations we frequent like Key West, Scottsdale, AZ, and Minneapolis, WDW is fairly priced. We can certainly get cheaper food at home at chains or local joints, but dining at the different WDW table service restaurants is more exciting.

I went to Cedar Point a couple of years ago and for two meals with drinks it was $24 for lunch. Even at our local amusement park a pretzel or hot dog will run you $4. I think in general the cs at theme parks are a little more expensive for all the more they are quality wise.

At the end of the week we have spent a lot of money on food, but it was worth it

 

[beroh2253]

If I compare WDW to other resort destinations we frequent like Key West, Scottsdale, AZ, and Minneapolis, WDW is fairly priced. We can certainly get cheaper food at home at chains or local joints, but dining at the different WDW table service restaurants is more exciting.

I went to Cedar Point a couple of years ago and for two meals with drinks it was $24 for lunch. Even at our local amusement park a pretzel or hot dog will run you $4. I think in general the cs at theme parks are a little more expensive for all the more they are quality wise.

At the end of the week we have spent a lot of money on food, but it was worth it

You guys have to take a trip to Knoebels in Pa great food prices and free admission.

http://www.knoebels.com/

 

[crazyfordisney2000]

The prices are about the same as we would pay here in Ontario for a regular meal out, comparing CS (like McDonalds) to CS and TS (like Kelseys) to TS. Actually, I feel like it's cheap to eat at Disney, since you are at a theme park!!

 

[VAN]

I wouldn't say "pleased" but I would say they are in line with what you will find at other amusement/theme parks.

Many ways to keep the food expenditures down during a trip to WDW. I also like the fact that there are so many resources to investigate the menus and prices. I don't like those type of surprises and am glad to have some idea going in what to expect.

 

[Stumpy]

The last time we stayed off-site we tried to "cut corners" and eat at the nearby restaurants. The food was horrendous and really not much cheaper, if it all, than what Disney charges.

I think Disney's prices are reasonable, maybe a little high, but I've never been disappointed in the quality. We are now addicted to the DDP because you get to experience the best food the parks have to offer and when you break that down on a daily basis for the amount of food you get, it's very reasonable.

 

[christinec68]

I think their counter service places are fairly priced and not too much more then I pay here for something similar.

I find their TS prices to be high based on what is offered and served. I live in NY, NY so it's not exactly sticker shock since a meal out here could cost the same as it would in WDW but I would get more better tasting food for the same price at home. For me, the location and atmosphere do not make up the price/quality difference in its entirety.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I wouldn't go as far as saying that I was pleased with their pricing but I don't think it is that bad. If I were to go to some counter service places around here (not fast food though), I would pay about the same for meals and sometimes even more for kids meals. And the table service is definitely on par or less expensive than other vacation spots. We went to Alaska a couple of weeks ago and paid $150 to $200 per dinner for 2 adults + 2 children and we weren't even ordering the most expensive things on the menu! It puts Disney into perspective when you travel to other destination 'hot spots'.

 

[AirGoofy]

Wow, no wonder all us in KY are so fat. McDonald's for 2 adult meals and 2 kids Happy Meals is $20. Not sure where you find a QS meal for 4 for that cost at WDW. As for cost, we DxDDP and enjoy the dinner shows, CRT, and other signature restaurants. I can't finish all the food, but the show and quality of food is terrific.

 

[rance]

In Canada 2 adult meals and 2 kids meals at Mc.D is about $30.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I don't see the prices for CS to be any worse than the prices I would pay at any other amusement parks.

As for the sit-down restaurants, I think the buffets are more expensive than normal, but I don't go to buffets at home so I can't say for sure. Other places seem to be about the same as I would see at mid-level chains (Friday's Olive Garden, etc.).

 

[TDC Nala]

The prices are about what I would expect from a major resort area with a semi-captive audience.

 

[Familyof4lovesDW]

Wow, no wonder all us in KY are so fat. McDonald's for 2 adult meals and 2 kids Happy Meals is $20. Not sure where you find a QS meal for 4 for that cost at WDW. As for cost, we DxDDP and enjoy the dinner shows, CRT, and other signature restaurants. I can't finish all the food, but the show and quality of food is terrific.

Same for you neighbors to the north. Sometimes it is not even $20 for the 4 of us. Heck myself and the kids ate at Burger King for $9 today. We each got an icee, a sandwich and a large fry to share.

I guess I should not visit Canada. We go to Tumbleweeds on Sundays when kids eat free DH and I both get steak and it is less than $30 with a tip. Way better than McDonald's.

The prices at the QS are about the same as we pay at Kings Island. I think KI is a litttle less, but we are in OH not FL.

Of course the TS are more than you would pay, but I feel we pay for the characters so it does not really bother me. You cannot eat with the princesses everyday.

 

[disnut8]

We always compared Disney prices to those at major sporting events. Just look at a bottle of water at Disney World - $2.50. I challenge people to go to any sporting event and get a bottle of water for that price. Places I've been routinely charge at least $4. And don't get me started with beer prices at sporting events. I can get a Bud Light for $5.50 at Epcot. Think at least $8 when you want to watch a game somewhere. The topper of them all is a small pizza at a NASCAR race. $24! And people buy the things!

Disney World is not as cheap as a dollar menu meal at any of the fast food places but it's certainly less expensive that a lot of other places with a captive audience. Even look at an airport and see what they charge.

 

[bangzoom6877]

We always compared Disney prices to those at major sporting events. Just look at a bottle of water at Disney World - $2.50. I challenge people to go to any sporting event and get a bottle of water for that price. Places I've been routinely charge at least $4. And don't get me started with beer prices at sporting events. I can get a Bud Light for $5.50 at Epcot. Think at least $8 when you want to watch a game somewhere. The topper of them all is a small pizza at a NASCAR race. $24! And people buy the things!

Disney World is not as cheap as a dollar menu meal at any of the fast food places but it's certainly less expensive that a lot of other places with a captive audience. Even look at an airport and see what they charge.

True!! "Buy me some peanuts and crackerjacks...." now requires a home equity line of credit at major league baseball stadiums! I mean, I have yet to go to the new Yankee Stadium, but they actually have a steakhouse in there! And I'm sure it costs WAY more than Le Cellier and Yachtsman combined!!