Cheapest dining options in WDW?

[MyTwoPrincesses]

I'd order kids meals when you can. For example, the kids burger at Pecos Bills, for example, is the same size basically as an adult burger, comes with fries and I think a drink. I agree about sharing food. Some of the combos are humongous. I'd also bring breakfast. We brought cereal bars in 2009 and left them home in 2011 - we ended up buying a lot more food because of it.

So, my #1 tip would be to pack cereal bars, pop tarts, oatmeal packets, things like that from home. Also bring a thermos that you can keep refilling with water (free) and bring a bit of dishwashing liquid in your carry on with the clear toiletry bottles so you can wash it at night.

 

[Natalie's Mommy]

i havnt been to WDW since i was a kid but i second what everyone else here said! i've been studying the crap out of cheap eating at disney and the best advice is look at the kids meals! sometimes the portions are the same and the cost is way less! also pick yourself up a water bottle with a filter and some crystal light packets and drink the free water. saves a TON!!! if you must have soda you and a couple friends could but one of those refillable mugs and split the cost. they are huge and since refills are free it would be a huge moneysaver. don't forget you can re-activate the same mug every day for $6 a day!

and hello from another NYer. i'm in Syracuse NY!

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

You can bring your food in a backpack or small softsided cooler - Disney will allow it.

Definitely pack some 'dry' goods in your suitcase -
- Instant oatmeal (use the hot water from the coffee maker to mix it up)
- Granola bars
- Less delicate crackers (I like goldfish, mini teddy grahams, & cheetos!)
- Cereal (you can buy milk at the resort)
- Dried fruit and nuts
- Single koolaid or crystal light packets (you can add these to your water for some flavor)
- water bottle

You can buy fresh fruits and veggies and milk to supplement these items. You can get these at the hotel food court or 'store'.

The food court also has condiments for free - peanut butter, butter, jelly, etc.

Use Counter Service meals. You can buy kids meals if you want (I'm fine with this portion of food and it's cheaper).

You can definitely eat and get souvenirs for $200 for just 5 meals. If you have a AAA card, some places will give you discounts (meals and souvenirs).

Have fun!

 

[ars0525]

Have fun!!

Drink the free water. Order kiddie meals (I had the BEST mac & cheese at DHS once). Split meals with friends. We got the resort mug last time so we could drink pop at the hotel & then I hooked it on my swing pack to fill w/ water during the day at the parks. Plus I got a cute mug.

Food wise--you must try a dole whip at Aloha Isle in MK (by Swiss Family Robinson treehouse). I like Columbia Harbor House there too & it's not too expensive (by Haunted Mansion). Epcot you could try little snacks at different countries as you walk along.

Since you are staying at All Star, if you do find a souvenir during the day they can just have it sent back to your room. On our last day we were at DHS & I found a cool Toy Story Mania tee I wanted, but didn't want to carry all day. I bought it & they held it at the front of the park for me & we just grabbed it when we left the park that day. Super handy! Just remember to pick it up. But we had other stuff delivered to our room (pictures) & that service worked great too.

Take lots of pics!! I have some of the best pics with me & my mom just being silly & posing all over the place. They are great memories.

 

[Tink2Day]

Get one of those backpack purses, or even one of the small backpacks (at a discount store before you leave). Bags aren't a problem on rides in WDW (as long as they aren't HUGE). Be sure to take some Ziploc bags (we had the Disney princess ones from the $ store here at home) and you can put some snacks like pretzels, gold fish, your granola bars etc in them and even some hard candy to wet your whistle or keep the sweet tooth happy.

Some days we ate more than others but the portions there are huge....
They have these potato skins (chips) with all the fixins on them and they were so big 2 could easily share for around 4.50-5.00 and are something most teens like. The water is a good idea, but also I took bottled water in one of those bottles that has a strap to carry and put my favorite powdered drink in it. Sodas aren't terribly expensive ($2+) but are hard to finish when you are jumping off and on rides, so if you get them share with friends or get the ice water drink it, then split up the soda.
Club Cool in Epcot? You can drink enough free soda of various flavors to float the fleet.

The shrimp platter (about $10) at Columbia House in MK is HUGE lots of shrimp, plus coleslaw AND french fries. We both left at least 4 shrimp, were stuffed and wished we had shared. We also drank just half of the soda we bought and dumped the rest before going on Splash Mountain.

You can eat on the cheap. My suggestion is to eat what fills you up and is budget friendly then if you want to treat yourself with something special, like a cupcake, premium ice cream bar , a treat from the caramel shop in Epcot or something like that you can. One day I had a Mickey Ice Cream bar for Breakfast and another day, Chili cheese fries (well it was breakfast in my time zone and my first food of the day)! So anything goes.
Also be on the lookout for coupons. We had one to Earl of Sand. for a buy one get one free Holiday Sandwich.

If you're like a lot of people (and you sound pretty perky) you'll be so excited to be there and do all the fun stuff that meals will slip your mind!
Just remember to keep yourself well hydrated, THAT is the most important thing. THAT and having the time of your LIFE!!!!

Oh, and this is just MY opinion, the food at Disney isn't to die for and worth spending tons of money on. It's mostly a survival thing and the occasional very good item (like something from the bakery in France at Epcot).

 

[waynesgirl]

I highly advise, if you can do it, packing some snacks in your luggage...

We always take granola bars, Crystal Light drink mix packets for bottled water (buy a bottle and continue to take it in and fill it at a fountain- it must be empty when you go to the park), and fruit roll ups and such.

These items, mixed with a piece of fruit (1.00) or a peanut butter and jelly uncrustable (2.95 I think) is a convenient way to save money and it tastes really good, knowing you are going to eat a great burger or whatever you like later.

Easier to budget your money when you aren't paying 2.95 for a soda or water all the time.

 

[squirrel]

i havnt been to WDW since i was a kid but i second what everyone else here said! i've been studying the crap out of cheap eating at disney and the best advice is look at the kids meals! sometimes the portions are the same and the cost is way less! also pick yourself up a water bottle with a filter and some crystal light packets and drink the free water. saves a TON!!! if you must have soda you and a couple friends could but one of those refillable mugs and split the cost. they are huge and since refills are free it would be a huge moneysaver. don't forget you can re-activate the same mug every day for $6 a day!

and hello from another NYer. i'm in Syracuse NY!

You're thinking of the water park refill mugs. They cost $6 for the day to refill. The resort mugs cost about $13 and they are free to refill for your stay at the resort.

If you can't live without pop for your trip, then the refill mug is worth it. Use it at the resort and then drink water while at the parks.

 

[Tink2Day]

I highly advise, if you can do it, packing some snacks in your luggage...

We always take granola bars, Crystal Light drink mix packets for bottled water (buy a bottle and continue to take it in and fill it at a fountain- it must be empty when you go to the park), and fruit roll ups and such.

These items, mixed with a piece of fruit (1.00) or a peanut butter and jelly uncrustable (2.95 I think) is a convenient way to save money and it tastes really good, knowing you are going to eat a great burger or whatever you like later.

Easier to budget your money when you aren't paying 2.95 for a soda or water all the time.

Funny we took bottled water in to all of the parks, my sister in a regular bottle and me in one I bought at Walmart with a carrying case and strap and we never had a problem. p.s. Just checked mousesaver.com and Mom's panel on the official WDW web site and they both say it's fine to bring bottle water in as long as it's not in glass containers.
"The security people aren't the food and beverage police" to quote them.

The water from the drinking fountains is not good and to me tasted even more horrible when I mixed it with my Crystal Light.
Sodas are 2.19 for regular and it was big, the large is REALLY large and we paid 2.49 for those. So if she MUST have a soda, she and her friends can easily share or go to Epcot for the freebies.

 

[figment_jii]

(buy a bottle and continue to take it in and fill it at a fountain- it must be empty when you go to the park)

We also did this, but took the bottle in filled with water each morning and never had any problems. According to the Mom's Panel bringing in drinks and snacks are fine as long as they are non-alcoholic and not in glass jars.

http://disneyworldforum.disney.go.com/questions.aspx?sort=&page=&qid=51939&pid=94&cid=148

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/common/helpFAQ?id=HelpFAQDiningPage#q11

 

[Tink2Day]

We also did this, but took the bottle in filled with water each morning and never had any problems. According to the Mom's Panel bringing in drinks and snacks are fine as long as they are non-alcoholic and not in glass jars.

http://disneyworldforum.disney.go.com/questions.aspx?sort=&page=&qid=51939&pid=94&cid=148

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/common/helpFAQ?id=HelpFAQDiningPage#q11

Right. The freezing the bottle idea is good, but I have trouble getting my powdered drink mix to dissolve into that really cold water.

 

[ZoZo]

We always take bottled water (buy a bottle and continue to take it in and fill it at a fountain- it must be empty when you go to the park).

Actually, this is not true - you can bring bottles of water into the park. They just don't want you to bring in glass bottles.

This poster might be thinking about the rules on airline flights -- you can't go through security at airports with a full bottle of water. At WDW, it's okay to bring in your own water!

 

[d-r]

honestly, just imho.
If you stick to fast food, counter-service type places (and honestly, I think you will want to, because you'll be with a group and you'll want to spend more time hanging out and doing stuff in the parks than sitting around waiting for a table), I don't think you'll have a hard time doing this at all. And I don't think you have to plan that much for it. Basically, I think you can get a meal and a drink at any fast food restaurant for between 10-15. So that would be like $75. That would leave you another $25 for snacks, and another $100 for stuff! I don't think you'll have a hard time at all.

Some tips. The cantina fast food place outside the mexico pavillion in epcot is kind of expensive for fast food, you can do better at epcot. All of the fast food restaurants have signs that list prices so you'll know what you are getting in to. There is a food court at the all stars that has a lot of stuff also. I don't think you'll have any trouble at all. Just have fun.

 

[number1tiggerfan]

i havnt been to WDW since i was a kid but i second what everyone else here said! i've been studying the crap out of cheap eating at disney and the best advice is look at the kids meals! sometimes the portions are the same and the cost is way less! also pick yourself up a water bottle with a filter and some crystal light packets and drink the free water. saves a TON!!! if you must have soda you and a couple friends could but one of those refillable mugs and split the cost. they are huge and since refills are free it would be a huge moneysaver. don't forget you can re-activate the same mug every day for $6 a day!

and hello from another NYer. i'm in Syracuse NY!

hiiiiii! those are some great ideas and actually we're all getting refillable mugs free, as part of the cost of the trip i guess lol

and i am just soooo excited to go, i definitely intend to take TONS of pictures (my mom wants me to send her lots as well haha)

 

[Tink2Day]

Be sure to do a trip report! Can't wait

By the way, if I was the one choosing? I'd choose to spend more on souvenirs and less on food.
Economize on the food since the only tangible reminder is the extra pounds!

 

[Marblies]

Great advice everybody! We travel cheap almost without exception and have done several school trips as well. Your daily voucher will probably cover an entree with side, dessert and a drink. Like most people have mentioned, the quick service meals are big. Really check the menus ahead of time for price and variety and your friends will thank you that they didn't have to eat burgers and fries the whole time. Also, if you choose a non-melting dessert, you can stash it in a plastic baggie or container for a snack later. Snacks and soft drinks can really add up. You can also make popcorn in the microwave in the cafeteria. It packs easily and is light to carry around. You are smart not to waste money on breakfast.

You may also want to check your groups schedule and see if they booked a sit-down meal together at any time. Our cheer team did this and I ended up spending over $60 for a meal that both my daughter and I were really unhappy with - but had to budget for.

As for souveniers...everything is soooo cute and sparkly and cute at WDW, but what will you do with it at home? Make it something special and sentimental. Beware of leaving all shopping to last day - you may have to run all over to find that special something that you saw earlier as not all shops carry the same merchandise.

Have a great time and don't stress, with a little planning and wise spending, you won't have any problem stretching your dollars!

 

[Tink2Day]

Depends on the souvenir and the age of the person buying it.

Sparkly cute stuff? Under age 10 maybe that age is into the sparkle etc but a nice hoodie or something useful. Or if you're a collector of Tink or Pirates etc, something like that. Plus a picture frame is a great collectible. When you're spending $60 for a sweatshirt jacket then the money goes fast.
Also they usually have a special. If you buy a certain $ amount you get something for $10-15. I've gotten a picture with pins in it and a red faux leather tote with a Mickey metal adornment on it, for $10 each.

A lot of the desserts come in containers, that is a great idea, could even have it for a special treat late at night or for breakfast!

 

[waynesgirl]

I think they still have the store where everything is like $10 and under.

Many of the stores in the parks have things on clearance from last season's merchandise. It is sometimes hidden in bins and such, so when you are looking around, just remember where it was.

Pins, with the date and park, are really cool souvies!

 

[squirrel]

I'm glad you get the refill mugs as part of the trip. They have coffee, tea, hot chocolate and soda for filling up at the resort.

You can probably stretch the vouchers if you have a friend. If you order some of the larger meals you could share for lunch and then use the other persons voucher for dinner. Add in a side or a treat later and it's really cheap.

 

[number1tiggerfan]

I'm glad you get the refill mugs as part of the trip. They have coffee, tea, hot chocolate and soda for filling up at the resort.

You can probably stretch the vouchers if you have a friend. If you order some of the larger meals you could share for lunch and then use the other persons voucher for dinner. Add in a side or a treat later and it's really cheap.

these are excellent ideas, thanks

also, i have a friend who's been to WDW before, so i'll have her to help out the newbie lol

 

[FormerFF]

When we were at Fort Wilderness, the Trail's End restaurant had carry out pizzas for $15, which fed two adults and two children. There may be some other places that have carryout meals as well.

As a total aside, is there anyone in your group who sings well? If so, get him or her to audition for the American Idol show at Hollywood Studios. If he or she is good enough, he or she will be on stage!