Cost per day

[Chicago526]

I've used the following numbers with great success in budgeting. Last time I used these numbers, I came back with a little left over.

Counter service
All meals $8 child/$10 adult

Sit down, non-buffet
Breakfast $10 child/$15 adult
Lunch $12 child/$18 adult
Dinner $12 child/$25 adult

Buffett
All meals $15 child/$20 adult

These prices do not include alcohol for the adults or deserts for anyone, and are for the more moderate sit down places. Obviously, a more expensive place like the California Grill or the restaurant at the Living Seas would be much more money.

Bringing food is officially not allowed, but I've never heard of security stoping anyone unless it's a glass bottle or alcohol. If you do bring food, don't forget to budget for the cost of the lockers!

 

[goofy4tink]

We try to do one big sit down meal per day. If we do a big breakfast, it's late in the morning, usually around 10ish. Then we get a late lunch, around 4ish. And just grab a snack later. We usually spend about $150 per day for 2 adults, 1 child. We don't get a lot of souveniers. We usually buy the attraction photos, but even that is getting to be less and less, with each trip we do. I've found that we end up spending about $1400 for food/extras on a 9 day trip. And we don't scrimp. We have several character meals and eat at some nice places.

 

[westjones]

Someone said once that ice water is free at the counter service places (we haven't tried that, so I don't know first hand). That would save some money.

Also, you could try 'sharing' meals. DH and I did this with our kids when we weren't real hungry.

DJ

 

[moinab]

Bringing food is officially not allowed

Just curious, where did you get this information from? I've been following this topic for about 6 months, now, and I've never seen anyone come up with a WDW source for this alleged policy. I don't mean this as a flame. I really would just like to get to the bottom of this, because if it is a WDW policy, it's like double-secret probation. I read a few posts saying they read it in Birnbaums, but that is not published by WDW. Anyone have the actual, official word? Any CMs, perhaps?

 

[WDW4KIDS]

Disney's policy is "guest friendly".They'll allow a knapsack carrying sandwiches and juice boxes.They won't allow glass bottles alcholic beverages or those big hard plastic coolers.My family usually brings a fold up type cooler filled with bottled water and food and haven't had a problem.However I don't believe they'll tolerate you bbq.in front of Cindy's Castle.

 

[DizBelle]

The Unofficial Guide to WDW has greate profiles for all restaurants (counter service and table service) with price guides for each. Using this, you can plan ahead of time where you want to eat instead of going from place to place until you find one within the price you want.

 

[maggiew]

Originally posted by moinab
Just curious, where did you get this information from? I've been following this topic for about 6 months, now, and I've never seen anyone come up with a WDW source for this alleged policy. I don't mean this as a flame. I really would just like to get to the bottom of this, because if it is a WDW policy, it's like double-secret probation. I read a few posts saying they read it in Birnbaums, but that is not published by WDW. Anyone have the actual, official word? Any CMs, perhaps?

I emailed Disney and asked them about bringing food in. They responded and said that outside food was not allowed. I don't think I have the email anymore, but I did post the email on a thread awhile back.

Although we still bring in nutrigrains, crackers, etc. in our fanny packs.

Maggie

 

[pjlla]

Maggiew, actually I recently posted a link to that post over at the CB. I'll see if I can find it again and post another link.....P

 

[sydprincess]

Bring more money than you plan to for shopping. Once you get there, you always end up wanting more than you planned on getting. We budgeted $800 for our 2 year old DD and ended up spending $1,000. And that was just on her! Things are expensive there, so be prepared to either spend more or pass up things that you/they may want to get. Have fun!