Average price spent on food

[Cold71]

I've got my Disney Vacation in a few weeks planned for me and my wife. Room's paid off, Plane tickets purchased, park tickets purchased, and i've got about $1200 cash left to spend. I'll be down there for 8 days and I'm wondering how much food is going to cut in to my budget. This worries me because I have not been to Disney since 2000 and i've been told even basic sit down meals can run about $60 minimum. I don't mind eatting the "cheap food" off the food carts and what not for lunch but I think I'd like to have atleast a basic sit down for dinner each night. Can anyone give me a ball park on what I can expect to pay total for my meals? I guess my fear is have to spend half my budget ($600) on just food. Thanks.

 

[Faldred]

Prices are, of course, variable based on what you order and where, and for table service, when.

I'd say an "average" TS entree is probably about $15 for lunch and $22 for dinner. But there's a pretty wide variation in restaurants and their offerings, so there's a pretty large range within those averages. An "average" appetizer is around $7-$8, an "average" dessert around $5, and an "average" beverage is around $2-$3. Plus 6.5% tax and whatever gratuity you would typically leave. $60 for 2 adults per meal is a not unreasonable budget.

An "average" CS entree is about $8-$9, an "average" dessert around $3, and an "average" beverage is around $2-$3. Again, plus 6.5% tax. Figure $20-$25 for 2 adults.

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

You may want to take a look at some of the menus to get an idea. allears.net is a good website. As far as how much you spend, there's no real way to gauge. Many variables-do you orders apps, are you a steak/seafood eater vs pasta dishes, do you order dessert or drinks?...and the menus vary greatly.
That being said, you could expect to pay an average of about $8-10 per person per counter service meal (lunch or dinner), more if you add a soda and/or dessert, and table service entrees can range anywhere from about $15-$45.
SO yes, it's going to take a huge chunk of your budget.

 

[Cold71]

Thanks! I guess it doesn't help that the wife wants to go to Fulton's and have dinner in the castle. Oh well, I'm sure my budget will hold up ok. I just need to keep myself out of the Universal Studios gift shop. I'm a sucker for Terminator, Aliens, Predator, etc. souvenirs.

 

[Nadjalu]

Sorry I don't think you will have any of your budget left. To be honest the above poster's numbers I think are a little low.

If you are not on a dining plan then drinks (even sodas) are extra. So eating lunch at a CS is going to run ~$15-17 per person. Now that leaves breakfast and dinner.
Breakfasts at CS are usually $8-10 without a drink.
TS options can range from $25 and up. Most average out about $30 if you include a drink.
Now if you want an alcoholic drink with your meal or "snack" (LOL) they start at $8 and go up from there.

When DH and I go to WDW we average $150 per day for the 2 of us. That is with splitting a breakfast, 1 CS lunch each and a sit down dinner. And 1 snack each.
NO alcohol is purchased with this number.

If you use our numbers for your 8 days you are at $1200---your entire budget.

So unless you are going to eat very light, not go to signature dinners, no alcohol and extra snacks you are going to be close to spending your entire budget.

You may want to look into a dining plan.

 

[purple figment]

The best way to determine approximately how much you'll spend on food is to look at the menus and see what you might be ordering. As a PPsaid, allears has most of the Table Service and Counter Service menus. Also check this site (disboards) and the official Disneyworld site.

You mentioned the castle and Fultons. Those 2 alone could easily cost you $250.

Have you made any reservations? People can make ADRs starting 180 days before their arrival date so it's likely that many of the most popular places are already booked up since you'll be going in a few weeks. Be flexible with your time because you may find availability if you eat at off hours. If you find any restaurants you would like to eat at, call or make the reservations on line as soon as possible or you may find yourself eating at a lot of CS places for dinner as well as lunch. However, even the CS places have a lot of variety - just look at the menus.

Many of the resorts have excellent TS restaurants and are easier to book. Those that are near the MK and Epcot are easy to get to from the parks.

Whatever you decide, have fun!

 

[2Tiggies]

If you can be flexible on this, you will find it cheaper to do sit down meals for lunch instead of dinner. Often it is the same menu, but you pay a premium for eating at dinner time. You could even consider a few sit down breakfasts to help keep costs down.

 

[phabric]

Have you checked to see what it would cost you to add one of the dining plans. Call Disney to see if you can add the dining plan to your reservation.

 

[mindyd]

I would go on Allears and look at the menus of where you are eating and do a guess of what you will have to get a estimate they have all the counter services listed also.

 

[Deb123]

8 days, yeah, u r going to spend some money on food. Check out the menus on allears.net like what was suggested. A large pizza is one of the most affordable options on property around $15. I agree with calling Disney to see the cost of adding the plan. You have to do it at least 3 days before. There are a good many meals you and your wife can share (CS included) The very first time we went to Disney we were on a shoestring budget. Brought a cooler into the value resort, had milk and poptarts for breakfast everyday in our room. Brought snacks from home. Now we discocovered the QS meal plan and won't go to Disney without it. I see many a family every time I go having a picnic with PB&J sandwiches. The price u spend on food can really vary alot!