Best choices for dining on a budget?

[houseful of boys]

We are a family of 6 WDW vets visiting DLR for the first time. I know all the tricks of eating at WDW on a budget. So all you DL experts, which counter service meals are the best bang for the buck? I'm interested in both parks and DTD. Are there any choices that would have big enough meals for sharing? Any and all tips are welcome!

 

[3BoysRDisneyFreaks]

Same here. I hope that the adult meals are big enough to split for all of us. DH & I split one and then get 2 others for the 4 kids.

 

[NVDisMom]

Here are some we utilize:
Whitewater Snacks in GCH - their nachos are awesome
DCA has soup in sour dough bowls that easily feed two
The express windows in DTD are all good and inexpensive
We don't eat in DL very often, but others have mentioned the pasta at the Pizza place in Tomorrowland and the mexican place next to BTMRR.

We eat off property quite a bit too.
Mimi's cafe is a winner any meal of the day
Subway is a great cheap meal (we do his a lot)
We have ordered delivery of pizza and chinese to the room with success.

I always look for coupons before we go too.
Sign up for Mimi's eclub and you'll get a coupon for a free bfast.
Cold Stone Creamery Deal http://www.parkvueinn.com/images/coldstone_coupon.pdf
(we are going to try this again...they refused the coupon last time)
More coupons http://www.anaheimoc.org/Articles/Archive/Webpage10153.asp#dining

HTH!

 

[Mom2micayla]

We're a family of 6 too and I totally feel ya on trying to save $$ on eating. It's outrageous in the parks! As to sharing, I do think it depends on how big of eaters your family is.

Rancho del Zocalo has huge portions and are easily splittable (did I make that word up? lol)

Red Rocketts Pizza Port also has huge salads and pastas. Avoid the pizza though. It's awful and way overpriced.

Plaza Inn has a huge chicken plate that I often split with one of my kids. Not sure 2 adults could split it, but definitely an adult/child or 2 kids.

I haven't found much in DCA that was big enough to split. There aren't a lot of restaurants, really.

In DTD, definitely try Rainforest. Their portions are huge and could definitely be split. (Check out the coupon thread for decent RFC coupons.. like $.99 kids meals, free app with adult entree, etc)

ESPN Zone has big portions too.

But I definitely agree with NvDisMom, consider eating outside the parks if possible. There are several reasonably priced restaurants within very easy walking distance. (Denny's, Mimi's, Subway, McD's, etc)

 

[rentayenta]

We like the pizza at RRs and the slices are huge. The fried chicken dinner at the Plaza Inn comes with 3 pieces of chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans- easily enough for 2 people.

 

[Mom2Joce]

Here are some we utilize:
Whitewater Snacks in GCH - their nachos are awesome
DCA has soup in sour dough bowls that easily feed two
The express windows in DTD are all good and inexpensive
We don't eat in DL very often, but others have mentioned the pasta at the Pizza place in Tomorrowland and the mexican place next to BTMRR.

We eat off property quite a bit too.
Mimi's cafe is a winner any meal of the day
Subway is a great cheap meal (we do his a lot)
We have ordered delivery of pizza and chinese to the room with success.

I always look for coupons before we go too.
Sign up for Mimi's eclub and you'll get a coupon for a free bfast.
Cold Stone Creamery Deal http://www.parkvueinn.com/images/coldstone_coupon.pdf
(we are going to try this again...they refused the coupon last time)
More coupons http://www.anaheimoc.org/Articles/Archive/Webpage10153.asp#dining

HTH!

I was curious what pizza and chinese place did you order from?

 

[Huff]

Offsite is by far cheaper but not as convenient. Within walking distance along Harbor is numerous restaurants including McDonalds, IHOP and many more.

Otherwise we eat at the counter service restaurants in DTD and never eat much inside the parks. Wetzels for preztel dogs is great and Jazz Kitchen Express has good burgers and other items at a decent price.

 

[Mom2Joce]

Food questions:

Where is Subway? What type of food does Millie's have? How are the prices?

Staying at HOJO's and wondered if there were any places that deliver, like pizza places, etc. that are reasonable and good?

 

[LuLusApple]

We ate at lucky fortune cookery in DCA a few weeks ago. We had 2 Asian rice bowls and it fed 3 adults and a child easily. We were full.

From allears.........
Asian Rice Bowl

Each bowl contains steamed rice and seared asian vegetables. $9.49

Step 1: Choose your favorite
Chicken
Beef
Tofu

Step 2: Choose your sauce
Mandarin Orange
Spicy Korean
Thai Coconut Curry
Teriyaki
.............
Also at DCA Cocina Cucaonga is the mostly the same as Rancho at DL. Huge portions.
We get the salads in the bread bowls at Pacific Wharf, easier to split than the soup, and the bread bowl is bigger. Lol
I agree with everyone about pizzaport at DL, pizza is gross and overpriced but the salads and breadsticks are a good value.
We have also eaten at the wetzelpretzel shop in DTD. Real good prices and the pizza pretzel is delicious!

 

[wvnative]

Food questions:

Where is Subway? What type of food does Millie's have? How are the prices?

Staying at HOJO's and wondered if there were any places that deliver, like pizza places, etc. that are reasonable and good?

It just so happens that as we were checking in last month, someone was asking for info on ordering in a pizza. The HOJO front desk recommended Round Table. I concur. I miss Round Table. lol

There appears to be a Subway restaurant on Katella East of Harbor. Google maps says it is .7 miles from HOJO. As for Millie's, it seems to be regular Americanfare. YOu can find their menu here. It includes some pricing but I'm not sure if that is the same pricing for the Anaheim location.

 

[pigby]

There appears to be a Subway restaurant on Katella East of Harbor. Google maps says it is .7 miles from HOJO.

Does that put Subway close to Garden Walk (or am I completely off track here?)

 

[wvnative]

It looks like it. I didn't look all that closely honestly. There's one up on Ball Rd too but IMO that's a bit further than I'd want to walk.

 

[jenniferrose]

I personally LOVE ESPN Zone. The prices are very reasonable in my opinion. They are comparable to Chilis and they are big portions. What is also nice is that it is easy to get in and out if you are in the park. You can hop on the Monorail in Tomorrowland and it drops you right by ESPN.

 

[Had2stopLurking]

my advice is to split meals, split meals, split meals.

Normally it's just my husband and I, and we always split meals (and usually have leftovers)

When we take my niece, in the morning we can all split one steamboat with a side of extra bacon at Riverbelle (costs around $15 for three of us)

We were able to split one fried chicken meal at Plaza (ordered two breasts rather than the dark meat for about $1 upgrade plus a side salad) and still couldn't finish it between all of us.

At taste pilots, we split the large rib plate (don't remember what it's called) and a chicken sandwich (couldn't finish it all).

That's based on three people though, so I would figure double that.

For instance, when it's just my husband and I, we can't finish one breakfast at riverbelle between the two of us.

I can eat about half of my chicken sandwich at carnation cafe for lunch.

If we eat over at DCA, we can split a chicken sandwich and fries easily at WWS.

At the Plaza (sans children) I can usually get a child's pasta and my husband gets a dinner salad and I eat about half before I'm full, and the rest fills him up.

 

[NVDisMom]

Subway is near Gardenwalk. When we ordered pizza we used Roundtable once and another company that had a menu in the hotel room the other time. The unknown company was cheaper and had better pizza IMO. For chinese we ordered from a company with a menu in the room. It was excellent and dirt cheap. $25-30 fed three adults and two preteens. I am the only light eater of the bunch! lol

 

[Dizneydaz]

Ditto Whitewater Snacks in GF. The french dip has a lot of meal and, to me, is shareable. I love the nachos-chicken. I don't get the cheese sauce (hate that stuff) just the shredded cheese. Then I pop it in the microwave they have there to melt the cheese. I order the s. cream and guac on the side as well so it doesn't melt. The best thing about the nachos is the chips themselves-They are cut from corn tortillas in big pieces (maybe from Mission Tortilla Factory?) and are really corny. Yum!

We like to eat at RB Jazz Express (DTD)-the popcorn shrimp is a huge serving. Get a side (we get a small loaf of french bread) and share it.

The fried chicken at Plaza Inn is really good and very sharable. It says you get 3 pieces but it is 1/2 a chicken since the wing is attached to the breast. The veggie (green beans) are never good. Now I get double mashed potatoes and it's so much better. My DM, DD10, and myself share this and it's plenty for us. May leave a little room for ice cream later (from Gibson Girl or Brrr Bank-see tip below).

Pizza Port-DD10 loves the Chicken Fusilli-when she was smaller we would share it, now I also get a side salad as well.

Chicken from Plaza Inn. Plaza Inn Specialty Chicken - Three pieces of chicken, fried to a golden brown, seasoned with distinctive herbs and spices. Served with mashed potatoes, buttermilk biscuit and mixture of vegetables. $13.49 This was the last time I got the green beans-just gross!

Kid's corn dog nuggets at Jazz Express. Their popcorn chicken is really good too-and a nice sized serving.

Kid's popcorn chicken at JE and Gumbo Ya Ya-really good, a little spicy, and very filling. Gumbo Ya Ya - A rich roux based soup with chicken & andouille sausage. $6.99

Popcorn shrimp at Jazz Express Popcorn Shrimp Platter - Fried Gulf shrimp with choice of jalapeno-bacon potato salad, Southern coleslaw, or Cajun fries. $7.99

French dip at WWS.

Hot dog from WWS with chili on the side and fresh fruit instead of fries. Hot dog - with chili, Cheddar cheese and onions, served with seasonal fruit or French fries. $6.59

Pizza Port's Chicken Fusilli and a side salad (I get the Asian dressing-the same one they use on the Asian Chicken Salad)
Count Down Chicken Fusilli - Fusilli pasta tossed with seasoned grilled chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and Parmesan cream sauce with a touch of fresh basil $8.99
Starfield of Greens (side salad) - a great complement to any pasta or pizza dish. $3.99

My ice cream tip-It costs like $4 for a single scoop in a waffle cone or $4.70 for a double scoop. So when getting a cone I order one in a flavor I like and one scoop of vanilla for DD10. I then ask for an empty cup. I put DD's scoop in the cup and then we share the cone. I break off pieces and give them to her. So for less than $5 we each get a scoop of ice cream instead of spending $8.

Or, if I'm in the mood for a sundae, at Gibson Girl, I order

Main Street Mocha Sundae - Two Scoops of Mocha Almond Fudge Ice Cream, served in a waffle cup, topped with hot fudge, caramel, whipped cream and a cherry $5.49

I substitute the ice cream (you can do this on all sundaes) I get vanilla for DD and another flavor for me. I order the 2 sauces on the side-I've never had a problem doing this. The CMs are very accomodating. I am fine with a single scoop sundae and DD likes her ice cream plain. So I spend $5.49 for both of us instead of about $10 if ordered separately. I do this a Brrr Bank Ice Cream as well.

Here's one time when I ordered the choc. chip cookie sundae with the cookies on the side-

As you can see, I'm an on the side kind of girl. I don't like things to get soggy.

Some times we just get water to drink. Some times I bring in our own beverages. DD likes to add those flavor tubes to her water bottle. If I get a soda I get one where I can get a refill before I leave and get a to-go cup. You can even do this at Plaza Inn-just ask the cashier for the cup. Jazz Express, WWS, and Pizza Port all offer refillable drinks.

Hope this helps! Sorry if this is too lengthy!

 

[GrandBob]

Yeah, Subway's is a bit far. If you're looking for sandwiches at a cheap price, we always use the Quizno's attached to Carousel Inn. Just cross Harbor at the big crosswalk, turn left, and go two doors up. Great sandwiches, and splitting a foot-long sandwich between me and DW is almost too much food.

-Bob

 

[houseful of boys]

These are awesome tips! Keep 'em coming. And DizneyDaz.....I loved the pics! Thanks.

Cara

 

[Dizneydaz]

These are awesome tips! Keep 'em coming. And DizneyDaz.....I loved the pics! Thanks.

Cara

You're welcome. I'm a visual person, like to see pictures. My family thinks it's funny that I take pix of food-I've even started taking them at our local restaurants-now that really embarrasses them!

 

[japajsm]

In DTD, definitely try Rainforest. Their portions are huge and could definitely be split. (Check out the coupon thread for decent RFC coupons.. like $.99 kids meals, free app with adult entree, etc)

Can you please tell me what coupon thread you are referring to? TIA