Cheap.... Frugal.... however you wanna say it.

[starsinnight]

Yeah yeah the economy is bad, but not bad enough to go to Disney right??

So here is the deal, i NEED YOUR HELP! 3 adults going to Disney in the following weeks (last minute thingy) for only 2 days in all the parks and we are trying to find the best of both worlds: cheap AND yummy. sounds impossible, right?

Anyways, this is what I've come up with. Do you think it's doable and if not, how would you perfect it?

Day 1
breakfast: Boulangerie
lunch: Rose & Crown fish & chips
dinner: Animal Kingdom Picnic in the Park (anyone done this?? it sounds too good to be true!)
snacks: AK tea company & mexico margaritas

Day 2
breakfast: Starring Rolls Cafe
lunch: Mama Melrose's
dinner: Beaches & Cream
snacks: dole whip & egg roll stand at MK

Ok and last but not least -
a) do you think we need reservations for any of these places, besides Mama Melrose's and the liklihood of getting one so late?
b) and if i cant.... what would your option be for our one semi-nice (not too expensive) lunch or dinner at Hollywood Studios and/or Magic Kingdom???

Thanks!!!

 

[engle]

First day, I would do lunch at Tangeriene Cafe in Morocco. Yummmmmmy.
And you may want to do Flame Tree at AK instead of the picnic....just sayin.

You definitely need a ressie at Mama Melrose but if you want to stay at the Studios, I would try 50's prime time or sci fi instead. I hated Mama's. With that said, if you are going to hop to MK, try Crystal Palace or Chef Mickeys (contemporary) or Ohana (Poly).

 

[mommystieg]

Yeah yeah the economy is bad, but not bad enough to go to Disney right??

So here is the deal, i NEED YOUR HELP! 3 adults going to Disney in the following weeks (last minute thingy) for only 2 days in all the parks and we are trying to find the best of both worlds: cheap AND yummy. sounds impossible, right?

Anyways, this is what I've come up with. Do you think it's doable and if not, how would you perfect it?

Day 1
breakfast: Boulangerie
lunch: Rose & Crown fish & chips
dinner: Animal Kingdom Picnic in the Park (anyone done this?? it sounds too good to be true!)
snacks: AK tea company & mexico margaritas

Day 2
breakfast: Starring Rolls Cafe
lunch: Mama Melrose's
dinner: Beaches & Cream
snacks: dole whip & egg roll stand at MK

Ok and last but not least -
a) do you think we need reservations for any of these places, besides Mama Melrose's and the liklihood of getting one so late?
b) and if i cant.... what would your option be for our one semi-nice (not too expensive) lunch or dinner at Hollywood Studios and/or Magic Kingdom???

Thanks!!!

Day 1
breakfast: Boulangerie - not sure what time you want breakfast but WS doesn't open until 11:00 am

Only Rose & Crown and Mama Melrose would require ADR's. Depending on when you are visiting, you may still be able to make ADR's for either place. Beaches and Cream can get very busy during dinner time and they do not take ADR's so you will want to arrive early.

 

[cprelaxin36]

Yeah yeah the economy is bad, but not bad enough to go to Disney right??

So here is the deal, i NEED YOUR HELP! 3 adults going to Disney in the following weeks (last minute thingy) for only 2 days in all the parks and we are trying to find the best of both worlds: cheap AND yummy. sounds impossible, right?

Anyways, this is what I've come up with. Do you think it's doable and if not, how would you perfect it?

Day 1
breakfast: Boulangerie
lunch: Rose & Crown fish & chips
dinner: Animal Kingdom Picnic in the Park (anyone done this?? it sounds too good to be true!)
snacks: AK tea company & mexico margaritas

Day 2
breakfast: Starring Rolls Cafe
lunch: Mama Melrose's
dinner: Beaches & Cream
snacks: dole whip & egg roll stand at MK

Ok and last but not least -
a) do you think we need reservations for any of these places, besides Mama Melrose's and the liklihood of getting one so late?
b) and if i cant.... what would your option be for our one semi-nice (not too expensive) lunch or dinner at Hollywood Studios and/or Magic Kingdom???

Thanks!!!

Here's my one tip for you:

Before going into Magic Kingdom, I also like to hit up the polynesian resort and order the polynesian chips at captain cooks. It's a large portion of three variety of homemade potato, sweet potato, and some other kind of chip. Really good and really cheap.

Also my must is the mickey premium ice cream bar!

 

[hurleysweety]

just my 2 cents.

Mama Melrose didn't seem that impressive to me for the price that you'll pay. Atmosphere didn't seem like anything special and I like that the best. I'd do sci-fi or prime time if you want TS.

Starring Rolls has amazing sandwiches for lunch. They have a ham, turkey, and also a veggie pita. The ham and turkey are loaded with meat and taste very fresh and delicious. Probably our number 1 or 2 favorite counter service on our last 9 day trip - and DH is a picky eater! Its $9 for a sandwich, but you can split it and then split a really super good and totally-worth-the-calories butterfinger cupcake.

Not a huge fan of any particular TS in MK or DHS though, just to gain perspective of my opinion.

IMO, the best yummy and cheap place in Disney World is Earl of Sandwich. Hot and toasted sandwiches in a variety of styles - Hawaiian BBQ, Meatball, Ham & Swiss, Italian... all for $5.99 each! We ate their 2 days in a row!

For epcot breakfast, check out sunshine seasons. Not as impressive as any snacks you'll find in World Showcase, but they have some bakery selections that will at least last you til lunch.

Have fun!

 

[gillep]

Just an idea but if you all want fish and chips from rose and crown I believe it was a bit cheaper to get them from the carryout window than the sit down restaurant. So if you all can find something you like from the carryout window and don't mind not doing a table service meal it would save you some money and it is the same food plus you would also save on tip.

 

[AuroraMeansDawn]

When we are not on the DDP and are conserving cash we like to book the last lunch ressie since it's usually easier to get and you still get to experience the restaurant at lunch prices. We just call it "brinner"

My suggestion in DHS for a semi nice, fun and filling sit down would be the
50's PTC. Their lunch menu (check it on allears.net) is pretty reasonable in price.

In the MK I know it's not considered "cheap" but the lunch price for the buffet in Crystal Palace isn't so bad. Esp if it's your big meal of the day and it's a place to sit down and get off your feet inside. It's also an all you can eat. I have teenaged boys so that makes it a bargain. It's also easier to get an ADR at the CP if you go right around the afternoon parade time.

You also might consider hopping the boat over to the Wilderness Lodge for lunch. They have ala carte sandwiches and the all you can eat skillet is less at lunch (again, check it out on allears.net) or Ft. Wilderness Trails end has a big all you can eat buffet at lunch too.

Just a few thoughts. Have fun!

 

[starsinnight]

thanks everyone...

ive been hearing mixed reviews about Mama Melrose's (any more info would be helpful) and now I am thinking about cancelling the reservation. I also made a reservation for Rose & Crown but may cancel that one too and do the window service, if cheaper.

We've been to Prime Time (loved it!) and Tangeirine Cafe too. So we are looking for something new, plus we don't eat meat (makes it even more difficult), just seafood.

So the Earl of Sandwich may replace Mama Melrose's and we may skip the nice meal all together - Disney gets pricey! and we only live a few hours away, so there is always next time.

ps @engle - did you do the picnic, what was wrong with it?

 

[cprelaxin36]

thanks everyone...

ive been hearing mixed reviews about Mama Melrose's (any more info would be helpful) and now I am thinking about cancelling the reservation. I also made a reservation for Rose & Crown but may cancel that one too and do the window service, if cheaper.

We've been to Prime Time (loved it!) and Tangeirine Cafe too. So we are looking for something new, plus we don't eat meat (makes it even more difficult), just seafood.

So the Earl of Sandwich may replace Mama Melrose's and we may skip the nice meal all together - Disney gets pricey! and we only live a few hours away, so there is always next time.

ps @engle - did you do the picnic, what was wrong with it?

Oh also, I've heard the corn dogs in casey's corner are amazing. As well as the pretzels in Germany at EC. Awesome.

 

[Cafeen]

A lot of this depends on why you are going rather than where to eat... but...

First off, I'd consider skipping TS for this trip. It's so short that the typical hr long TS dinners could really suck up too much of the little time you have. It would also have the added benefit of saving some extra cash.

With that said, I would also flip Day 1 around. Hitting AK first and then Epcot second will maximize the amount of time you have in the parks. This is because AK will close quite a bit earlier than Epcot (unless it's AK EMH, but even then it's earlier). It would also get you into Epcot for better timing on meals since WS will be open.

I'd eat breakfast in the room and then go to AK until midday. Head to Epcot for lunch at either Sunshine Seasons (The Land) or the Fish & Chips CS window thingy.

On day 2, hit DHS early and stop by Starring Rolls for a late breakfast. Top off that day by either heading back to Epcot for CS somewhere else or DTD as you mentioned.

If you do want a TS, I'd look into Epcot again for both (try it for lunch, will save a bit of money as well, which (in looking back) was part of your original plan ><). I have heard that the Fish and Chips from the take-out window CS thingy is better than inside Rose and Crown though, so that may be something to consider. (Can you tell I don't like fish? I don't even know the name of the place). I won't even attempt to suggest good places for non meat eaters, I'd probably get it way wrong.

 

[kayrosek]

Since it's summer I'm not sure if this has changed but you might want to check the times on the picnic when we were thinking of it the latest food pickup time was around 1:00

 

[cglaura]

We really enjoyed Sunshine Seasons for breakfast at Epcot. We got our fastpasses for Soarin' (next to / in same pavilion), then went for breakfast. By the time we were finished our fastpass times were ready. We were there at rope drop though.

To save $$....the breakfast platter w/ eggs, biscuit, hashbrowns and bacon was big enough to split if you bought a side of fruit as well. We had grapes, 2 coffees and platter (we brought our own water). It was under $10 for 2 people.

If you really really want to save $$, you can buy the Folgers or Starbucks instant coffee sticks at home (sort of like the Crystal Light for water bottles)...Starbucks is much better imo.

The hot water is free. I used these alot for decaf at night. Of course when we went it was in the middle of that January coldsnap where we needed gloves and hats

 

[AuroraMeansDawn]

You might try Columbia Harbor House in the MK since you're not meat eaters. Plenty of seafood options and while I've not tried it the Tuna Sandwich seems to be the item of legend on these boards. It's not a TS but it has an upstairs dining area that gives you a place to get away and have some peace and R&R time.

Have fun.

 

[Planogirl]

You might try Columbia Harbor House in the MK since you're not meat eaters. Plenty of seafood options and while I've not tried it the Tuna Sandwich seems to be the item of legend on these boards. It's not a TS but it has an upstairs dining area that gives you a place to get away and have some peace and R&R time.

Have fun.

I would think long and hard about cancelling the ADR at the Rose & Crown. It's nice to sit down in the air conditioning at an actual table. I don't think that there's anywhere nice to sit down if you go to the outside window (but I could be wrong).

 

[cprelaxin36]

Cafeen seems to really be on something there with that tip. Skipping a TS would benefit the trip by adding time to the itinerary.

 

[AuroraMeansDawn]

I would think long and hard about cancelling the ADR at the Rose & Crown. It's nice to sit down in the air conditioning at an actual table. I don't think that there's anywhere nice to sit down if you go to the outside window (but I could be wrong).

Oh! I didn't mean to sub Columbia for R&C They had asked for suggestions to eat in DHS or MK in the OP.

 

[epcotfan]

The Egg Roll cart at the Magic Kingdom is only open during busy periods. My mom was there a little over two weeks ago and it was closed.

 

[Planogirl]

Oh! I didn't mean to sub Columbia for R&C They had asked for suggestions to eat in DHS or MK in the OP.

I should have been more specific. Not Columbia Harbour House but someone suggested the take out window in the United Kingdom rather than R&C. They thought the food would be just as good but we did that once and sat on a curb in the heat which I thought was the pits. It was hot and I made a mess.

CHH is the best! I would never tell someone not to eat there.

 

[EastonCat]

Yeah yeah the economy is bad, but not bad enough to go to Disney right??

b) and if i cant.... what would your option be for our one semi-nice (not too expensive) lunch or dinner at Hollywood Studios and/or Magic Kingdom???

Thanks!!!

If you aren't opposed to leaving the park, try Gasparilla Grill and Games at the Grand Floridian. I like getting a sandwich there and sitting outside to eat at the marina. It's not haute cuisine, but the view and surroundings are darn good. One of the best "bargains" on property.

If you use the boat launch to go back and forth to the resort it can really be an event!