Hi, AidensMommy!
We've done many a Disney trip on a strict food budget! You seem to be looking at approximately $100-120/day for food. That's actually fairly easy. Breakfast in the room, one TS meal, and one CS meal you just
might be able to pull off each day, depending on what you order.
I see from your signature that you have two little ones, age 4 and 2. If the baby is still under 3 at the time of your trip, you don't need to pay for food at family style & buffet restaurants - something you might want to keep in mind. 'Ohana is a major expense, but not quite as bad if you don't have to pay for one of your kids.
I'd suggest working backwards, figuring out how much your must-do meals will cost. Then figure out how much money you're working with for the remainder of your meals. (Don't forget to add tax & tip at table service restaurants.)
Counter Service meals are typically seen as cheaper, and I think you'll get a good bit of response on those. (I agree with the mention of Earl of Sandwich, btw... and if you have a birthday near your trip date, sign up for their email club to get a coupon for a free sandwich, good about 1 week before birthdate and up to 3 weeks after - basically a whole month that it's valid.)
My family is particularly fond of
Table Service restaurants, so I'll tell you how we've saved money at those:
- Order water to drink. Adult fountain drinks can cost $3/meal. Two adults makes it $6... and sometimes (like in some Downtown Disney restaurants) the kid's meals do not include beverages, which means another $2-3 for each child. So save yourself that $6-12/meal. (Drinks are included at some family style & buffet meals though, so enjoy what you'd like!)
- Share entrees - goes for both adults and children. Sometimes, there may be a meal that you can order and either the other adult or a child can share it with you. Liberty Tree Tavern (MK) has some big meals we've shared before - especially the Pilgrim's Feast is PLENTY for two people at $14.99, meaning it's costing just $7.50 each! You may not often be able to share a kid's meal, but my kids have shared one meal at Chefs de France (EP) - there's a kid's meal with pasta and chicken strips, and I have one kid who likes pasta and the other likes chicken strips - makes it more affordable!
- Order appetizers as your entree. Just this past week, I got the Heaven on Earth (baby back ribs) at Raglan Road (DTD) for $14, whereas ribs as a meal in other TS restaurants might cost $25! It may not be served with a side dish, but I don't always need a side dish with a tasty meal like that! Appetizers in other restaurants might appeal to you the same way.
- Look for coupons. Disney World restaurants take coupons? Well, some of them do... Rainforest Cafe has had some coupons and rewards on their website, and T-Rex has accepted them as well (same company owns both). Sometimes you can get $.99 kids meals with an adult entree. Right now, I believe there's a Planet Hollywood coupon available online, valid through the end of December for $10 off a $20 purchase - maybe they'll have a new coupon in the new year. If you're interested in any of those, do a web search for printable coupons for those restaurants as your trip draws closer.
- Dessert only. Once in a while, an ice cream sundae makes a great meal - especially when you're on vacation! Maybe go to Beaches & Cream or Ghiradelli for a sweet treat, and make that a meal!
Try splitting 3 meals at counter services between the four of you. It'll probably be enough food. Ask for ice water-FREE!!
