Budgeting and planning food

[dr&momto2boys]

We're in the process of setting a budget for our upcoming trip to Universal. Please help...

We are a family of 5--although only 4 of us really count for expenses! We have 2 adults, a 4yr old, a 3 yr old, and a 7month old.

How much per day for food?
Breakfast?
Are there any character breakfasts before park hours? (Hours are 9am to 6pm on our trip.)
We usually do a combination of instant oatmeal in the room for the kids and picking up yogurt, rolls, and coffee as we head to the park.
Open to suggestions on where to eat too!

Lunch?
Most likely counter srevice at the park.
Does $35 for lunch sound about right? I don't know how much kid's meals cost. I figured 2 kids meals, 2 entrees, 1 drink, 1 dessert.

Dinner?
$70?
Two adult entrees, 2 kids meals incl.drinks, 2 drinks, 2 desserts to share.

Snacks (and drinks)?
$20
Any suggestions?

 

[Bluer101]

DW, DS 6, and I always figure $150 per day for us. We enjoy the buffet breakfast at RPR which runs about $42 with tip for us. The we normally spend about $20-40 at lunch if it's sit down or CS. Then we give ourselves $50 for dinner at Citywalk. The left over is used for snacks, drinks, and rollover to the next day.

 

[Darcy03231]

I was just there the last week of April. It was me, DD (17) and DS (15). We averaged $30-$60 a day for lunch and $60-$135 a day for dinner. We ate breakfast in our room other than one morning and then breakfast ran $55.

Here's what we ate and where:

NBA City - (1) burger & fries, (2) grilled chicken sandwiches and fries, (3) soft drinks. I used my AAA card for a 10% discount. Total with tip came to $40.

The Kitchen (Hard Rock Hotel) - (1) chicken fingers & fries w/salad, (2) chicken/vegetable/pasta dishes, (3) soft drinks. Total with tip was $65.

Hard Rock Cafe - (1) burger & fries, (1) chicken fajitas, (1) Haystack Salad, (3) soft drinks. Total with tip was $62.

Margaritaville - We were still full from lunch so we had appetizers and drinks. We had the shrimp & mushroom dip, buffalo chicken wings and nachos (they're huge). I had two pina coladas and the kids each had two virgin frozen drinks. Total with tip and AAA discount was $75.

Mels Drive In - (2) chicken finger & fries, (1) chicken salad, (3) drinks. Total with AAA discount was $30.

Bubba Gumps - (1) coconut shrimp, (1) shrimp po' boy sandwich, (1) burger and fries, (1) smoothie, (1) frozen lemonade concoction, (1) ice tea. Total with AAA discount and tip was $65.

The Kitchen for Breakfast - (3) bacon, eggs, homefries & toast, (1) coke, (2) coffee. Total with tip was $55.

We did eat off-site 2 nights. One was at BB Kings House of Blues and the other was at Jack's at the Rosen Hotel. I got $25 certificates from restaurant.com. At BB Kings we had (1) burger & fries, (1) rib dinner, (1) fried shrimp dinner and (3) soft drinks. Total with tip after taking off the $25 was $40. At Jack's the kids both had an appetizer (escargot), all three of us got the filet mignon, and both kids had dessert and we all had soft drinks. Total with tip after the $25 off was $135.

Generally speaking I've found that a counter service in the park with a soft drink runs about $10. A child's runs about $7.

As I mentioned earlier, we ate breakfast in our room. I brought a small collapsible cooler with me and we got milk, cereal, yogurt, fruit, and poptarts at the grocery store. We also bought a case of water, (2) 6 -packs of soda, cheese & crackers, and chips & dip to snack on in the room.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Very helpful, thank you!

I forgot about Bubba Gump's. I love that place. And I don't even eat seafood.

As I was thinking about my budget, I'm thinking it might be wise for us to get the MP and eat an early lunch and an early dinner at the park. MP would cost us $60 vs. aprox. $150 per day. Maybe we'll do that just one day.

Day 1 we arrive in the afternoon, so we'll just eat once at Universal. Day 2 we could use the MP. Day 3 we could budget the $150. We'll be ready for a sit down place by that night. (Then we leave for a cruise and food galore!)

Sounds like a good compromise!

 

[Pink Flamingo]

Here's a link to menus with prices - some are a bit dated, but they will give you a general idea of what it might cost you: http://allears.net/uni/menu/menus.htm

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Thanks!

 

[DisneyFairytale]

When I went they had those bracelets that last all day. You can buy them once you are inside the park. They cost $25.00 and you get unlimited food all day long at selected restaurants. That also means as many seconds and thirds as you want.
Was there for 2 days and thought it was an excellent way of saving money.

Good Luck