Cool Dining for cheapish?

[auntylinda]

We are staying off property, so we won't have the dining plan. I am looking for some suggestions on neat, but affordable places to eat. I am looking for things along the line of the SCi-Fi Dine-In. A "different" experience. My boyfriend has never been to Disney and is not from the states, so I like to make things fun, but we are by no means rich!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, yeah, there are themed restaurants. CityWalk has a few, although I'm not sure if Universal still allows free parking if you arrive after 6.

There may be a Race Car Cafe on International Drive? But my favorite unique place is Cafe Tu Tu Tango. It's as expensive or as cheap as you want it to be - they serve tapas.

 

[mainegal]

Prime Time Cafe and Tusker House are "different" enough and reasonably priced at lunchtime.

 

[Hopefully]

There is nothing "cheapish" inside WDW, all of the meals are costly.
Go to allearsnet.com and check out the menus and prices to get an idea.
Good Luck

 

[Madi's Mom]

An option is to try going late afternoon for your big meal - still lunch pricing.

 

[monarchsfan16]

As Disney restaurants go, Sanaa at Kidani Village at Animal Kingdom Lodge is relatively reasonably priced, and really is a hidden gem. The restaurant overlooks the savanna, and the food is unique (and good).

 

[GeorgeG]

I agree about there being nothing "cheapish" in the parks. Table service is going to run $12-$13 just for a burger that may or may not be to your liking. Other meals will be more expensive, and that doesn't include drinks. While there are a lot of neat themes at TS restaurants, you may want to focus more on counter service, or even snacking through the day. The counter service pricing is around $8-$9 for burgers, hot dogs, etc.. The food is far from being good quality, but right now it's a better option for people on a tight budget.

Since you're staying off-site, I would suggest you eat as many meals as you can off-site and choose your on-site meals according to your budget, possible splurging on one or two special meals. This site has a menu listing for all the restaurants on-site so you can get a good idea of what to expect. All-ears is another place to look.

 

[amy-momofthree]

Boulangerie Patisserie in France (epcot) is wonderful! Very affordable as well. You can get a ham and cheese sandwich on a French baguette for around $3. The atmosphere is neat as well!!

 

[Luv2Roam]

Agree "cheap" is not on WDW property, nor much really around WDW that is not just typical fast food. It is a tourist area, afterall.
You are wanting dining experiences. Those have prices attached for a reason.
There are lots of good places that are off property and away. However you will waste a lot of time driving around to eat food that be eaten most anywhere.

 

[wildcatfan]

The one in France is exactly the one I was thinking of. We always eat there and enjoy the meal, as well as the atmosphere.

 

[jcemom]

CS:

Flame Tree BBQ at AK -- not exactly a unique, entertaining atmosphere, but they have a very nice seating area in back, near the water, with a view of Expedition Everest

Boulangerie Patisserie at Epcot -- you can pretend you're in France, lol, but as PPs mentioned, the prices are reasonable and the food is really good.

Cosmic Ray's at MK -- if you're into corny humor, Sonny Eclipse is kind of funny. my kids love him, not so sure if adults would agree

Casey's Corner at MK -- you can sit on the bleachers with your hot dogs and watch cartoons. not an upscale atmosphere, lol, but it's fun if you like that kind of thing (my family does)


TS:

Sci-Fi Dine In at DHS -- for lunch

50's Prime Time Cafe at DHS -- for lunch

The Plaza at MK -- lunch or dinner -- maybe not terribly unique, but it's pretty, like an old fashioned ice cream parlor, with lots of windows and a nice view

 

[DizneyLizzy]

50's Prime Time Cafe is fun and "cheap-ish" ...for Disney...their lunch prices (for sandwiches and salads) aren't really all that much more than a counter service meal.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Definitely go for a lunch (if you are talking about a sit down restaurant) since the entrees will be cheaper. Sci Fi and Prime time cafe at HS are both reasonable for lunch and have really cool themes.

 

[lurkernj]

T-Rex in downtown disney was a "cool" experience, and while I wouldn't call it cheap, it wasn't bad.

 

[auntylinda]

Thanks guys. I have no pie in the sky ideas about theme park food prices. I have been to Disney World a couple of times and Disneyland once... also, we like theme parks and there isn't a theme park in the US that I have been to with cheap food. I am positive this is where they make a TON of money. I think that $25 for both of us is cheap. I am thinking about doing the Picnic in the Park and AK and SciFi at HS. Other than that I will have to look in to all the suggestions. Our hotel offers a breakfast, no matter how small that will help a lot, we are not huge eaters. And, I think we will hold off for dinner until we leave the parks except at MK. But that might be a good time to get the hot dogs on the bleacher! Thanks for the warnings and suggestions. We know we are going to pay a lot for food, but we are trying to keep the price below the cost for tickets! lol

 

[Madi's Mom]

Another thing we do which helps is make breakfast and lunch your big meals and eat light at dinner. We also keep snack items in the hotel to eat when we get "home" . Try keeping peanut butter, bread and some simple things like granola bars, trail mix and things around for late night snacks when you return

 

[zhazhazsu]

One of the best tips I ever heard for eating on the cheap @ WDW was to book the latest Breakfast Buffet at a restaurant possible. The idea is to eat a light breakfast in your room ( like cereal or a granola bar ) hit RD and then eat @ like BOMA for " brunch" @ like 10:30am. BOMA for breakfast is 24.99 pp whereas BOMA for dinner is 36.99.

You get the same atmosphere an huge meal and save cash.

The have your evening meal be a light snack ( like hotdogs at Casey's)