Budget friendly romantic restaurants

[Disneygal97]

Hi everyone hope you’re all having a magical day. I’m looking for some advice on quick/counter service reastraunts with a nice ambiance. My boyfriend and I will be going to disney world in march with my family for a few days to see my sister perform in a parade there. We’ll be there the first week of march which is also the week of our anniversary. We’re poor 20 something years olds so after all the other expenses we can’t really afford many table service meals but would still like to have a special dinner on our anniversary. Any suggestions would be highly appreciated and sorry for the long post.
P.S. this will be my bf’s first trip ever and my first trip in 18 years!

 

[peabody58]

Oh there are so many great locations and QS food selections, it would be hard to pick any single one. Since you didn't say which park you will be at, I recommend you start researching what is available at the park you'll be at. In the end, it won't be the food that you remember, but the experience you two shared.

If you're doing MK, then I'd recommend Columbia Harbor House (eat upstairs for a more relaxing setting), followed by a stop at the Soft Serve in Fantasyland for desert. Find a nice spot to sit and people watch as you enjoy your ice cream.

Either way, don't stress it and just soak in the environment.

 

[tamerbelles]

No romantic QS comes to mind. Can I make a budget-friendly suggestion? Go to Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Lodge. You can get a reservation, or you can just ask for seats at the bar. Don't get a full meal - eat an early dinner somewhere else. Just share the bread service and enjoy a couple of celebratory drinks. Then go out to the viewing area to look at the animals and relax. If you go at dusk, it will be especially romantic! My husband and I did this on our last trip (after we ate an early dinner elsewhere), and it was perfect.

Also keep in mind that at any table service restaurant you can make a reservation and only order dessert. Some people frown upon that for popular locations, but I think it's totally fine, especially when you are celebrating.

 

[marielynn724]

In Animal Kingdom, if you go to Flame Tree BBQ (which has pretty decent food!), walk all the way through their seating area. Tucked all the way in the back is a little covered pavilion that overlooks the water where ROL takes place and you have a stunning view of Expedition Everest. It's a wonderful little spot that not everyone knows about. If you like Japanese food, I recommend Katsura Grill because it's also a smaller location and it's in an out-of-the-way part of the pavilion, surrounded by gardens and a koi fish pond. Honestly your best bet is World Showcase - lots of interesting food and tucked away spots - La Cava del Tequila in Mexico or Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar in Italy.

 

[Mikey15]

I can sympathize with not having a lot to spend starting out. Been there, done that, made our own t-shirts because we couldn't afford to buy them.

That said, it's your anniversary! It's not hard to spend ~$15 per person on counter/quick serve nowadays, but there's also plenty of table service options in the $15-$25 per person range. For just a tiny bit more, I'd look at a place like Skipper Canteen, Yak & Yeti, or even take a bus from whatever park you're in over to a resort for something like Sanaa. All of these are going to have much more atmosphere and be more special than any quick service dinner I can think of, but not cost you character meal or Victoria & Albert dollars.

Bonus if you can get a Disney Visa from Chase and get 10% off (should help cover some of the gratuity).

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

As long as you are 21, I'd suggest grabbing some seats at one of the bars and doing apps a few cocktails. My favorite per park:

AKL: Our favorite spot right now is the bar in the Nomad Lounge at Tiffins. They have great apps and a cool ambiance.

HS: Brown Derby has an outdoor patio that has great apps too. It's a fun spot to people watch and feels upscale.

Epcot: Epcot has some better QS as well as most are more exotic compared to the normal burger and fries places.. The Japanese one has a cool outdoor space that could pass for romantic. The Mexico QS has a great patio that overlooks the water. Also, depending on the dates, the Flower and Garden festival could be going on...which should have some F&W style booths. We love to just walk around the World Showcase and nibble as we go.

MK: "Romantic" isn't a word I'd use to describe the options at MK. We just ate at The Plaza for the first time. It's TS but has some really affordable options. Many tables have nice views of the castle and can be pretty around sunset.

OTHER: If you are staying via DVC points Top of The World Lounge is an amazing spot that has some tasty apps. We stay at BLT quite a bit and love it there. Trader Sam's at the Poly is another fun one. Just be aware you need to get there before it opens to get in on the first wave.

Almost all my suggestions are more drinks and apps versus a full meal. But I think you should be able to get enough to eat if you order several apps.

 

[Remy is Up]

This is an interesting Question. I think you can find a memorable and affordable meal on property but it may take some thought.
1. Go to BDW and eat at the brew Pub and then sit on the lawn and watch the nighttime movie ( Or watch the fireworks from Epcot) and then cap the evening off with Dancing at Atlantic Dance Club ( No cover fee to get in).
2. Go get some food at the Port Orleans food court and go sit out by the canal and enjoy the evening then take the scenic walk over to Riverside and see Bobs show. Make sure you get there early enough to talk to Bob as he walks around before the show and tell him its your anniversary.
3. Eat at the GF Cafe and then walk out to the boat dock area near Narcoosees or on the Narcoosees porch and watch the fireworks
4. Get some food at Captain Cooks and sit out on the porch, have a nice meal, order a drink from sams and then go sit on the beach and watch the fireworks.

 

[Remy is Up]

As long as you are 21, I'd suggest grabbing some seats at one of the bars and doing apps a few cocktails. My favorite per park:

AKL: Our favorite spot right now is the bar in the Nomad Lounge at Tiffins. They have great apps and a cool ambiance.

HS: Brown Derby has an outdoor patio that has great apps too. It's a fun spot to people watch and feels upscale.

Epcot: Epcot has some better QS as well as most are more exotic compared to the normal burger and fries places.. The Japanese one has a cool outdoor space that could pass for romantic. The Mexico QS has a great patio that overlooks the water. Also, depending on the dates, the Flower and Garden festival could be going on...which should have some F&W style booths. We love to just walk around the World Showcase and nibble as we go.

MK: "Romantic" isn't a word I'd use to describe the options at MK. We just ate at The Plaza for the first time. It's TS but has some really affordable options. Many tables have nice views of the castle and can be pretty around sunset.

OTHER: If you are staying via DVC points Top of The World Lounge is an amazing spot that has some tasty apps. We stay at BLT quite a bit and love it there. Trader Sam's at the Poly is another fun one. Just be aware you need to get there before it opens to get in on the first wave.

Almost all my suggestions are more drinks and apps versus a full meal. But I think you should be able to get enough to eat if you order several apps.

Nomad Lounge is our favorite "lounge/Bar" anywhere on the WDW property. The Wine Cellar ( Tutto Gusto) In Italy is our second favorite. Both are really nice and can be enjoyed inexpensively. I would also throw in Geyser Point at Wilderness Lodge and the boat ride back to MK is really nice at night.

 

[sponica]

If you're over 21, I'd find a nice lounge to hang out in.

Under 21, maybe the Plaza at Magic Kingdom?

 

[Deb & Bill]

As long as you are 21, I'd suggest grabbing some seats at one of the bars and doing apps a few cocktails. My favorite per park:
...
OTHER: If you are staying via DVC points Top of The World Lounge is an amazing spot that has some tasty apps. We stay at BLT quite a bit and love it there. Trader Sam's at the Poly is another fun one. Just be aware you need to get there before it opens to get in on the first wave.

Almost all my suggestions are more drinks and apps versus a full meal. But I think you should be able to get enough to eat if you order several apps.

The poster or her bf would need to be an owner in order to go up to the lounge. Or else go with the owner of the points up to the lounge. Not an owner? Won't be going up without the owner they are staying with.

 

[Malestrom Troll]

I think Mama Melrose at HS could be considered romantic. It's Italian and not super expensive, the entrées are right at $20.

 

[shocker]

Great thread. As many of us are budget conscious at WDW, so we can afford to come back.

My picks for saving some $$ while paying OOP (all TS) are Boatwrights at POR (used this for our anniversary dinner many moons ago) they have a fireplace & carriage rides outside & a nice stroll along the river.
ESPN if any sports fans at a price akin to Applebee's. Big River Brewing if any beer drinkers. The Plaza Inn in MK, share a sundae, look at the castle, old thymie kinda place.

Otherwise, I'd share a meal & a sundae at beaches & cream and then sit in the chairs along the beach overlooking a lit boardwalk at night, walk out to the lighthouse, take the boat ride.

 

[epcotobsessed]

I highly recommend the bar at Capa at the Four Seasons. I know you are on a budget but their terrace on the 15th floor is open to everyone and getting there around 8:30pm will mean you can get a drink and see all of the fireworks shows. It's incredibly romantic and you can order whatever you want (i.e. nothing, or just one drink) and enjoy the fireworks from each park.

 

[tguz]

Hi everyone hope you’re all having a magical day. I’m looking for some advice on quick/counter service reastraunts with a nice ambiance. My boyfriend and I will be going to disney world in march with my family for a few days to see my sister perform in a parade there. We’ll be there the first week of march which is also the week of our anniversary. We’re poor 20 something years olds so after all the other expenses we can’t really afford many table service meals but would still like to have a special dinner on our anniversary. Any suggestions would be highly appreciated and sorry for the long post.
P.S. this will be my bf’s first trip ever and my first trip in 18 years!

How about Be Our Guest for lunch? It is a qs location for lunch. We loved the little table by the window in the main ballroom where it looked like it was snowing.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would do the Brown Derby lounge at DHS or Tangierine Cafe in the Morocco pavilion in EP. At Tangierine, there are some tables in the back that tend to be a little quieter or you can eat outside as well.

 

[CraigInPA]

3. Eat at the GF Cafe and then walk out to the boat dock area near Narcoosees or on the Narcoosees porch and watch the fireworks

Narcoossee's has closed their porch to people who aren't dining there, but the boat dock is still open for anyone.

 

[mikeyg1479]

Budget friendly and Disney just don't go together. Even counter service burger/fries/drink is going to rock you for $15-20 total per person. And at that price range, you really aren't far off from the prices of lower tier entrees or sandwiches you could get at a nicer sit-down place on property. You might be eating chicken or pasta instead of steak and seafood, but it certainly beats the cafeteria style dining of counter service places.

That said, I would also echo people who say for a fun date night- to hit up Epcot's world showcase and find some good grub at the countries food you might enjoy sampling (food and wine festival time is GREAT for this, as there are little stands all over the place- you could dine on a variety of small dishes -and adult beverages while you walk around the lagoon, and enjoy the sights.). But even outside of the food and wine festival season, most countries have counter service options that are good, and have seating available in view of the lagoon, and food will be far better than the typical amusement park fast food junk.

Seriously the world showcase is great, and a wonderful place for adults/couples to go to in general

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

How about Be Our Guest for lunch? It is a qs location for lunch. We loved the little table by the window in the main ballroom where it looked like it was snowing.

This is exactly what I was going to say.

 

[SinCityMMAFan]

Share a spaghetti and meatballs entree at Tony's Town Square at the Magic Kingdom. I think it's around $20-$22. The portion size is decent and you can always add an appetizer or dessert to split as well. Tony's has a fairly nice ambiance to it.

 

[Micca]

Share a spaghetti and meatballs entree at Tony's Town Square at the Magic Kingdom. I think it's around $20-$22. The portion size is decent and you can always add an appetizer or dessert to split as well. Tony's has a fairly nice ambiance to it.

I was gonna say "A six pack and a bag of Cheetos in your resort room" but this might be better Besides you get to share a strand of pasta "Lady & The Tramp" style. Bella Notte!