Budget For Dining

[EMHDad]

Our Family includes myself, dw, ds14, ds11, dd6.
We got the 35% Discount for our YC stay. This freed a lot of money for our Disney Budget. We are budgeting QS Lunch & Dinner for 6 days and one snack 'credit' per day. We will cover breakfast with doughnuts, cereal bars, fruit, bagels. We will also have granola bars, bags of fold fish, and other easy and small snacks to cover extra cravings. Here's my question, what should I budget? (We will not be getting drinks with meals. Will have our water bottles.)
I looked and most QS meals run $10-$14. Most Kids QS meals are $7-$9. So, I am budgeting $64 per meal for the five of us (Includes tax) for $768 total. I am also budgeting $7.50 (includes tax) per snack for $225 total. My numbers work? I want to make sure I am budgeting right for this. Thank yo for the help.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I think you might be a bit low. If your two sons are growing boys, they might not be happy with the kids' meals. And one meal might not be enough for them. They aren't that big. I'd go with closer to $200 per day. If it is really hot outside, you'll need to drink a lot more water.

 

[HappyDisneyWife]

I think you might be a bit low. If your two sons are growing boys, they might not be happy with the kids' meals. And one meal might not be enough for them. They aren't that big. I'd go with closer to $200 per day. ...

100% agree! Plus there are QS meals that are over $15... which is why $15 is my QS average/assumption number (as I plan rough numbers rather than budget, per se, & if we spend less, hurrah!). I mean it’s not that big of a difference from what you suggested, but if it’s a true budget, you may want to pad it a touch. I think your snack plan is perfect though & your kids will be so thrilled to chose something each day (that’s exactly what we have done & it’s been great!).

 

[EMHDad]

Thank you for the help. I think I will up the QS budget from $64 to $75 ($15 a person) a meal ($150 a day) and have a bunch of snacks and food in the room for munching. Ill keep the snack credit where it is.

 

[kevgraub]

I think the dining plans (not currently offered) have always been a pretty good indicator of what we should budget for meals. Some families save money with the plans, some families waste money with the plans, some come out almost exactly even. Overall it is a pretty good number to use for a budget.

Based on your family size, the QS Dining Plan would be about $220/night. That includes 2 QS meals, 2 snacks and a refillable mug for each person.

You are budgeting $190/day, but only planning on one snack (dining plan includes 2 snacks). If you were to add in the second snack that is included in the dining plan, you come out almost dead on.

I'd say your current numbers will work out just fine.

 

[tcherjen]

Just a note we have spent $200 for four of us, 2 days in

 

[Tigger's ally]

Just a note we have spent $200 for four of us, 2 days in

Wow. You guys are doing great. I wish we could do that. Usually travel with 6'5" and 6'3" twin sons that are drinking age and try to out drink their old man. No way!

 

[EMHDad]

Just a note we have spent $200 for four of us, 2 days in

Can you break that down? How many meals? how many adults/kids? That is great, spending wise.

 

[tcherjen]

Do we at Pop last night
1 cheese
1 pepperoni pizza
1 turkey club
1 burger platter

morning
2 breakfast platters
2 kids meals
I think 16 dollars left on that gift card

Today at Epcot
We had food in Canada
1 water
We also had Brazilian cheese bread
Specialty drink

Specialty drinks in China, festival drink and pop
Teens used gift cards in Japan
I think safe to report on our eating habits
$100.00 per day for us, but we are not super big eaters

 

[MICKIMINI]

We average $75 per day for two adults. We buy groceries for our villa using our regular grocery budget so we don't count that expense. We don't do a lot of cooking other than a couple easy meals, breakfast and snacks.

We often split a QS meal which is a good strategy for a family. Order a couple entrees and possibly a couple sides and split it up. Despite that strategy, I really think you are underestimating your daily budget despite bringing snacks. OP's higher estimates are more realistic. It's the snacks that get you at $8-$10 a pop.

I'd spend some time on allears.net looking at menus. It will be a huge timesaver to give yourself a couple options for meals and snacks at each park. You'll find prices do vary for the exact same meals and you can identify snack options

Have fun!

 

[EMHDad]

We average $75 per day for two adults. We buy groceries for our villa using our regular grocery budget so we don't count that expense. We don't do a lot of cooking other than a couple easy meals, breakfast and snacks.

We often split a QS meal which is a good strategy for a family. Order a couple entrees and possibly a couple sides and split it up. Despite that strategy, I really think you are underestimating your daily budget despite bringing snacks. OP's higher estimates are more realistic. It's the snacks that get you at $8-$10 a pop.

I'd spend some time on allears.net looking at menus. It will be a huge timesaver to give yourself a couple options for meals and snacks at each park. You'll find prices do vary for the exact same meals and you can identify snack options

Have fun!

I know, snacks are crazy expensive, We have budgeted one snack ‘Credit’ of $7 per person each day. We are prepping the kids to eat the snacks we bring for additional food, along with their lunch and dinner, and use their snack credit to indulge (preferably something sweet lol).

allears has been great for research. I have been going through the menus the last few days and figuring out where I want to stop (like sleepy hollow and yak & yeti). The hardest is Epcot. SOO many choices.

also, forgot to mention, I have budgeted $160 to for my wife and I to drink around the world. Lol (that is, sharing the drinks of course. We still need to parent. Lol)

 

[gharter]

If you only eat at QS restaurants, you might get by for $75 per meal per day. I suspect you are still low. If you plan to stop at any of the lounges, you are very low.
Depending on their appetites, I'm not sure the 14 and 11 yo will be happy with kids meals.
Good luck with the budget.

 

[DKNHM]

I would budget $20 a meal for adults and teenagers and $12 per child per meal. This will help w/tax. Enjoy your vacation!

 

[kniquy]

I looked and most QS meals run $10-$14. Most Kids QS meals are $7-$9. So, I am budgeting $64 per meal for the five of us (Includes tax) for $768 total. I am also budgeting $7.50 (includes tax) per snack for $225 total. My numbers work? I want to make sure I am budgeting right for this. Thank yo for the help.

I think you are on the low side (my thought is always plan for the worst) Your 14 & 11 yo will likely want adult meals as the portions are rather small for kids meals.

If you want to plan out almost a dining plan, start buying some discount Disney gift cards from target in the amount of what you plan to spend. Not only will you save 5% if you end up with a little extra at the end you can use for little souveniers.

 

[MissionMouse]

Agree with kniquy regarding the kids meals. We found our daughters reached a point where they found the portions to be small, but they observed what we were eating and our options and wanted out of the narrow choices of the kids meals. I consider food and beverage adds to the festive component of our trip, so I always expected to spend in this area and planned for it. Its also a way to create memories and experiences with the unique snacks or beverages like you find in Epcot and other parks with themes. So buying discount cards like knoquy suggested. is a way to save too, that I will admit we overlooked.