Thought I would start a thread for how to save a few bucks while dining at WDW (including Disney Springs). Any great ideas could go in this thread. I know my son likes T Rex, so I was considering getting a Landry's gift card (if I can find at a discount maybe we can save on a family of 5). Any other ideas?
Note that the Landry's thing also works at the Rainforest Cafe just outside Animal Kingdom. Their theme is fun, especially for kids, but the food is terribly overpriced for what it is. The go-straight-to-the-elephant-and-get-the-next-table thing is almost as nice as the savings.
ABC Commissary at DHS has a mediterranean salad with chicken for $12.79. Large and filling, and we just drink water with it.
That sounds like a good deal!
If you decide to do the PB&J, bring a cheap rubbermaid container with you to protect sandwiches in backpack. In your suitcase, fill it with socks or something. Sandwiches taste better not squished and oozing.
I'm not AT ALL willing to carry sandwiches around the parks. Snacks are more heat-safe and easier to carry.
We bought waterbottles in park.
You can get all the free ice water you want from the Quick Service restaurants. You don't even need to stand in line -- just do an online order. You can even order two cups per person. No carrying water bottles, and no drinking hot water.
for the same Mickey Waffles
This is off-topic, but I've long desired a Mickey Waffle Iron of my own -- I haven't looked in a while. Does anyone know where they can be purchased?
Other thoughts about eating for less at Disney:
- We only go in Spring or Fall, so the weather's hot, and we don't really want big meals. As such, we like either to split meals or buy kids' meals -- kids' meals are surprisingly filling.
- Still thinking of the heat, since we eat less during the day, we do enjoy a larger-than-usual snack after we get back to the room /condo. We like to get a shower, get into fresh PJs, and then enjoy something substantial. If we have a refrigerator, I make some things ahead of time -- like a pizza dip that needs to be heated, nachos, or just good sandwiches. And we often have ice cream (with homemade sauces and a variety of toppings); it's easier to happily skip desserts at restaurants when you know you can make your own sundae at the end of the day.
- We like to do a sit-down at lunchtime -- not so much for the meal; rather, for the rest, cold drinks and air conditioning at mid-day. It does perk everyone up.
- Ordering water instead of drinks is quite a large savings.
- If we do a character meal, we like to do it on a no-park day (could be dinner for our arrival day, or a mid-week break day, or breakfast for our departure day). This usually means doing a character meal at a resort. Why pay for expensive park tickets, then spend that time eating an expensive meal?
- The cheapest in-room meal you can have (that doesn't involve a cooler) is pizza delivery.
- If you're going to have a kitchen, consider preparing a grocery order ahead of time --
Walmart, Target, Aldi's and Publix are all located within a few miles of Disney. Even if you don't have a car, it only takes a few extra minutes to have your driver stop for the pick-up.
- Consider splurging on The Kitchen Sink at Beaches & Cream (an easy walk from Epcot's International Gateway). Yes, it's expensive, but it's an experience, and it's cheaper than buying 4 individual sundaes for an average-sized family.
