Best deals for eating at Disney?

[tigger32583]

I am going to Disney for ten days with my son(7), sister(12), and my mom.

We really don't want to sit down at a restaurant and eat we would rather just do counter service.

The plan is to do breakfast in the room, go to a park and around noon get lunch then leave for an afternoon rest then back to a park for dinner and enjoy some rides.

What counter services places have the best deals, are there any spots that include a salad with your order or a drink for a relatively fair price? Maybe even a dessert? The kids aren't picky eaters, pizza, chicken nuggets, sandwiches, fruits, they eat whatever. But I would still like to know what places should we try for snacks, what are snacks we must try. I know a dole whip and to go to Goofy's Candy Co. but what else?

Let me add that we do have reservations for Hoop Dee Doo and the Rainforest Cafe. But that is all for sit down restaurants, does anyone recommend a good restaraunt that we must do?

I'm so excited, can't wait!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Here are some good deals. I'll also add that at all of these places, portions are large and can be easily shared.

At Magic Kingdom, Cosmic Rays has a variety of large sized meal combos that really pack a lot of food. These are easily shared!

Columbia Harbor House, also at MK has fish, chicken and shrimp baskets that are good sized, come with fires and cole slaw. Very tasty.

At Animal Kingdom, Flame Tree BBQ has a ribs meal or a chicken meal that is good size, comes with beans and a corn muffin and you can add a basket of fries for a few bucks to round it out and make that easily shared.

At Hollywood Studios, Pizza Planet has a pizza meal that comes with a salad. Its also pretty decent sized.

Also at Hollywood Studios, there is a place called Fairfax Fare that has ribs, brisket, chicken and combos that come with beans and coleslaw and can again be easily shared between an adult and child.

At Epcot, there is all sorts of stuff but Sunshine Seasons in the Land Pavillion has meals that come with two sides. and are great for sharing.

In Downtown Disney, Wolfgang Puck Express (there is one at Market Place every near the Rainforest Cafe and World of Disney and then another one in the West Side area across from Disney Quest) that has very good sized entrees. Its a bit pricier than other counter service, however its more of a "real" type restaurant where your food is served to you, on real plates and they refill your drinks for you.

In all of Disney, we have found portions to be large. You can always share, you can order ice water for free to save money on drinks (all those combo meals I mentioned above do not include a drink, those are extra) and anyone can get a kids meal (at cs places).

I think with two women and two kids, you can keep your meal budget down with sharing.

I also might recommend a character meal. They are fun for kids and adults! Just pick one with the characters the kids want to see. Breakfast is always cheaper than dinner, and you can do a late breakfast, fill up and skip lunch. The 7 year old will pay the kids price at a buffet (like $9.99) but the 12 year old will be an adult. Still, its a lof of fun.

I think your Hoop Dee Doo Review is a great idea, my kids love that show (and my husband and I like the free wine and beer) the food is good and its just a fun experience. We also love Rainforest and I can tell you that the portions there are huge and you can share.

As for snacks, we love MIckey Ice Cream Bars that can be found everywhere, the Main Street Bakery in MK is great (and has breakfast foods and sandwiches) and they have this homemade chocolate chip ice cream cookie sandwich that is to die for! In the World Showcase at Epcot we love the pastries and rice cream (think rice pudding) in Norway, and the bakery in France is every sweet tooth's dream. Make sure you go there! AT Hollywood Studios, Starring Rolls Bakery has really good baked items (they have to die for cupcakes) and in AK, we enjoy getting egg rolls from the Yak and Yeti counter serve place in Asia. We also enjoy the fact you can get fresh fruit and pickles around the parks for snacks that are a bit healthier. The turkey leg carts and stands are also places to get snacks. We like the turkey legs, but they usually have a few other items as well.

If you want, (and you may have already), check out the menus and prices for all WDW restaurants, full serve and counter serve, as well as snack stands on this site:
http://allears.net/din/dining.htm

Just click on the menus on the left side and you can really get some good ideas.

Have a great trip!