Dining at Disney on a budget?

[mousenewbie]

Hello! I have to say that after reading some of the posts here, you people are my idols. I am in my mid-20's and working on learning to live with a budget, pay off "stupid college debt" (my parents told me it was a bad idea to get a credit card just because it was offered, and man, do I wish I had listened!).

I am going to be at Disney next weekend (from 1/21 to 1/25), and only in the parks for two days (though we are staying in the Downtown Disney area and are not planning on getting a rental car for the duration of the trip). We have been considering bringing small snacks into the park to try and keep cost down (granola bars, bottled water, etc.), but I'm not even sure if this is allowed? What are the rules about outside food and drink at Disney, and would bringing these things be more of a hassle than it's worth? For example, when getting on a ride, is there a place to stow a backpack, or would I need to keep it on my person, thus limiting the amount of things that I could bring in?

We don't mind CS meals, and I've been scouting menus and prices for a month. I think we are going to do one really nice dinner (although ADR is out of the question at this point - I think?) - probably in the Downtown Disney area because we don't have a ton of time to explore all of the parks as it is.

Any suggestions? Help? Please?

Thank you!

 

[deerhart]

yes you can bring in snacks and water bottles (plastic no glass) without problems. All the rides have a place to stow backpacks and such. When they check your bags, they really don't look that hard at what you bring. We walked in with bagels and such without problems (so you can probably get in a sandwich etc)

 

[Fly4free]

I've never had any problems bringing food in the parks. We are a family of 4 and always take a small soft sided cooler with lunch and drinks in the parks. We eat a quick breakfast in our hotel room in the morning. We eat an early "picnic" lunch in the park. Then we treat ourselves to an early dinner, usually cs.
We save a lot of time by not standing in long lunch lines during the busy lunch hours, not to mention the money saved.
Just make sure if you are flying to check with your airline about checked bag fees. Most airlines are charging extra for checked bags, and bags over 50 lbs. will really cost you.

 

[SandrA9810]

You can bring whatever you want to fit into your bag. Besides glass. That's a big no no.

There's not really a ride I can think of that I've had a problem with my bag. If you go on Kali at animal kingdom, just ask a merchandise shop for a large bag, put your bag inside of that, then place it in the center console area. It keeps things mostly dry, but water can get in. Don't forget to empty your pockets on that one too.

For fast rides like Rock n Rollercoaster or Tower of Terror, I just place the straps through my legs and squish it against the seat. I've yet to loose anything out of it, and the zipper doesn't even work on my bag.

Almost every ride will have a bit of leg room to put it at your feet. Lockers are expensive, like 12$ or something... you get 5$ back when you return the key, but I've never found them to be useful.

Dining in the parks can be quite enjoyable, like getting a spot on the porch at Tony's at night and watching the parade. Eating at Japan and watching Illuminations out the window. California Grill atop the Contemp to watch Wishes and the Electric water pagent. You can make it enjoyable without feeling like you're loosing out on "park time". And most places seat almost right up till park closing time. So technically you wouldn't have to loose any time, you'll just be one of the last ones out of the park.

Avoid places like rainforest cafe... you can go almost anywhere in the US and have one of those meals. I don't understand people who frett over going to a place like that. I find the prices high, food just ok, and nothing that screams disney service. And there's plenty of Resort places to dine at. I recently ate at Kat Kora's new place at Boardwalk, and that was really yummy. And sometimes they seat past park closing times, so you can dine after a day in the park. Just remember some of them do have "some dress code". Like no jeans and t-shirts, but you can get away with bermuda shorts and a collared shirt. The only strict place is V&A and I'm sure that is WAY OUT OF THE QUESTION....

And don't pass up on an ADR. You can make them up until that day (2hrs prior to dining). You really shouldn't have a problem this time of year either getting a reservation for something you want. But don't expect there to be many walk-ups available in a timely manner. If you figure out some place you would really like to eat at, go to guest relations and set up your dinning reservation, or they can do it at the podium of the restaurant.

 

[mousenewbie]

That's good to know re: the bags and soft-sided coolers. I'm actually not worrying about bringing food with my airline, as we paid for towncar pick up (we aren't staying at a hotel that offers ME, and the price difference between Mears and MH transportation was less than $20) with an included 30 minute grocery stop. My plan was to use that stop to stock up on small things that could be taken into the park/eaten late at night at the hotel (my girlfriend's daughter is a gymnast who could eat twice MY weight every day! Lol). We are planning on some small treats (Dole Whips, for example!), and while I'm sure we might want something hot for lunch (I've been looking at Cosmic Ray's and places like that), I wanted food to fuel a hungry kid and two adults that wouldn't cost $6 and weigh .2 ounces!

I really had written off ADR altogether, as the 11-year old isn't really crazy about characters, but to be honest, I don't know much about options for older, "tween" kids. Any suggestions?

Thanks so much for all of the advice. You guys are great!

 

[SandrA9810]

If you're staying at DTD resorts. Hop on the shuttle to DTD (i know sounds reduntant), but the bus drop off is on the west side, and right across the street from the Hess station. Prices there are "normal" like a bottle of soda is still only going to cost you 1.50 or whatever the going rate is, not 2.50 or more Disney charges you. But under contract they still can only sell coke products. And you can get other snacky items without costing a lot.

And in not so bad walking distance, go to the end of the street (if your at the beginning of the street, you can get on the shuttle and go to the last resort). Across the way at CrossRoads is McD's, Taco Bell, Uno's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Fridays, Red Lobster, and a mexican place. If you take a left turn, just past the big pinnapple hotel is a Subway, Qdoba, and some chinnese place, and Ihop.

Some not so bad prices at DTD for dining is Earl of Sandwhich (love the caprese wrap), Wolf Gang Puck express, and even though it's a little expensive... it's so totally worth it, is Ghirradelli. How can you resist a treat like that?

Did I just give an information overload??

 

[SandrA9810]

There's some place for every one. Barely half of sit downs are character meals. It really depends on the atmosphere you want, and the food you like.

Cosmic Ray sells a 1/2 and 1/2 plate of ribs and chicken, with two side. Two of those could easily be split between 3 people. Although they're a little more expensive than a regular meal, it'll probably be more filling than 3 cheeseburgers.
Peco's has a great toppings bar as well. I love the Taco Salad there. They pretty much put the meat in the bottom of the shell, then you load it up at the toppings bar with cheese, salse, lettuce, tomatoes.... It's 10$ for it and a large drink, but that can fill me up for the whole day.

Prices might be expensive, but they do give you enough food to fill almost any one.

If you would like, Publix is a great grocery store to go to. And if you go to iheartpublix.com, they list the following week's ad. So you can see if anything you want is on sale there. I find their prices to be fairly comparable to even Wal-Mart... and I doubt you'd be able to get in and out of wal-mart in under 30mins. I have rarely had to wait in line at publix. Even the day before thanksgiving went fairly smoothly.

 

[mousenewbie]

No, not information overload at all! I actually showed my girlfriend the menu at Earl of Sandwich and she is sold (on the same wrap, oddly enough!), so I'm sure we'll stop there. I wanted to try Wolf Gang Express, and I love chocolate, so the last suggestion will probably make it in, budget or not!

You've actually told me about a lot of places to eat within close distance of our hotel that I didn't know about (we're staying at the Regal Sun Resort, so I think I heard that we are either first or last on the shuttle drop, depending on whether you're coming or going), so that's great! Gf doesn't really care about fancy dining, but as a treat (I have stocked away some extra cash for this purpose), I would like to take the "baby" somewhere fun for a nice meal. I think that they have a T-Rex place in DTD? The prices were a little nuts, but this is our first "family" vacation (made possible because of a gymnastics competition at Wide World of Sports), so I want to do something special to celebrate - as if Disney isn't special enough, right? Lol!

 

[mousenewbie]

I think Publix is actually the store that MH stops at - I think I read that somewhere, so thank you so much for that tip!

And we love Mexican food (although girlfriend is a borderline vegetarian), so I think anything in that mode will go over really well!

 

[deerhart]

my tween (going on 10) loves the character meals. In fact his choice for one of our meals for our vacation was to go back to Crystal Palace and see the Pooh characters.

So don't count it out. She may get there and really get into them.

 

[mousenewbie]

Deerhart- That's true. Maybe when she's away from all of her friends, she'll decide that it's "cool" to do it after all. I know I think it would be fun!

 

[SandrA9810]

Hey, you could come visit me at qdoba... it's like Subway only mexican, and there's actually several vegetarian options. I walk from work to the DTD resort to hop on the shuttle to the TTC to get on the bus (talk about a long ride home), but it's not that bad of a walk.

T-rex is another rainforest cafe place, so is yak and yuki. I do not feel like you would get your disney experience from them for your special sit down meal.

How about you give us your plans, and I can name some places that would work into your schedule. And we can go from there. I can name a dozen or more places off the top of my head that would be great, but might not work into what you want to do.
Also, eating lunch is cheaper than dinner, would that be an option for you? You still get the experience for a slightly better price.

 

[torinsmom]

You can get free ice water at CS restaurants and most kiosks, just ask. I bring in the flavor packs and add those for a better taste. You can also buy kids meals for $5 at CS places for anyone in your group. They come with 2 sides and a drink(you can get fries even though they are not listed) We bring in things like fruit snacks, small cans of pringles, pretzels, etc. as well.

 

[mousenewbie]

Qdoba, huh? I will definitely suggest that. GF is down for anything that gives her vegetarian options (so that she can make me look like the horrible carnivore that I am!).

Lunch might be an option, but only on Friday. We get in late afternoon on Thursday, have plans to take it easy on Friday so that our athlete isn't exhausted (competition is Saturday, ending at approx. 1 p.m.). From there, we were planning to hit DHS from the Wide World of Sports Complex, and then on to MK to end the evening. Sunday we were looking at AK in the morning, Epcot for the later part of the day. Kiddo is mostly interested in roller coasters, and I've been told that the attractions she's interested in will be doable in this time frame. We fly out early Monday morning.

Thank you so much for offering to help me!

 

[smidgy]

sleepy hollow aat MK sells funnel cakes. hubby and I EASILY split one, it's huge!
sunshine seasons in The Land has an oriental station that has a CS option,...2 entrees and 2 sides. hubby and I each pick one entree and one side each .
Casey's Corner at the end of Main street at MK has a foot long hot dog with a ton of fries! easily splitable.
El pirato (whatever it's called, whenever it's open) at Mk has an order of 2 tacos with beans, etc. easily splitable.
hubby and I recently split and order of ribls at flametree BBQ at AK.
chicken fingers with fries (they always give you too many fries anyway) are easily splitable .

 

[dyna]

Rarely do we wat in the parks anymore when we do we almost always share a meal ... sometimes for a light meal DH an I shares a kids meal .....just so we don't get to hungry before supper but we don't need a big lunch either.

Budget we have had many peanut butter sandwiches at disney many trips we rotated days of eating p/bsandwich dinner or supper with CS meal for the other meal.

When we stayed onsite always had cereal in room for breakfast .

 

[smi727]

DH and I love the Boulangerie Patisserie in the France pavilion at Epcot. You can get a ham and cheese croissant that's practically as big as your head for $3.25. We usually split a croissant, a dessert, and a drink for about $10.

 

[disneymarie]

There is a The Earl Of Sanwich down town and we have a meal there every trip. Take a beverage in with you. I am not sure how far away a walk is from which bus stop in DTD, but there is a mini mart with great sandwiches fres made and drinks by case. etc

I always take some water, few snack drinks and snacks in never had an issue, They just check carry in bags for protection. You can get free water at any meal area.

In the Animal ingdom is a great BBQ grill good prices, and in MK we get a great lunch at the spaceship looking thing in tomorrow land side. Epcot there was a Mexican stand there you can sit and see the light show too. Inside LAND OF Mexico if you call now you may get a ressi for meal there at EPCOT.

There is a cafeteria in the back lot at Disney Studio.

The only meal we got short notice, like a week or two was Chef Mickey which was great but extremly pricey. It is in the Contemporay.

Have fun, don't fret the small stuff,

 

[disneymarie]

DH and I love the Boulangerie Patisserie in the France pavilion at Epcot. You can get a ham and cheese croissant that's practically as big as your head for $3.25. We usually split a croissant, a dessert, and a drink for about $10.

Have to try that if we get back

 

[SandrA9810]

hmmm... What time do you normally eat dinner at??? If you can get away with a late lunch on sunday, to tied you over till after park closing, the boardwalk and beach club are right there. Then you can just take the DTD bus to market place and walk back to your resort.

Lets see... friday would be a good DTD day, you can have lunch at earl of sandwhich, aout 7$ per sandwhich, and they make good kids meals too. Love the pizza sandwhich. Drinks are expensive, so bring your own bottles, or share a soda. Then you can come to qdoba for dinner. She can have her veggies, you can have your meat. And a kids meal is 4.25 with a drink and chips and salsa... I find it just as filling as a burritto or quesadilla alone.
Saturday, i'd wait to eat at studios. I'm not fond of many of the dining choices, but pizza planet is always good. And it's better than what you can get at WWS. Or bring your own food for this meal, and don't forget to bring stuff with you to the competition, that always made me hungry waiting around till it was our turn. But i'm a nervous eater too.
MK does have the better CS options. Go for cosmic rays or peco's. But your g/f might have an easier time with the choices at cosmic. There's a soup/sandwhich bar there.

DAK, bring your own food for this park. Again, pickings are slim and not outstanding. And you'll probably be in and out of this park before your stomach can rumble.
Epcot has many great places to eat at. Sunshine season, in the land pavillion has the best choices for the both of you. This is a counter services. There's also some great treats along the way in the different countries.
or you could eat at the garden grill in the land. For your special meal. Chip, dale, pluto, and mickey are there, in their farmers outfits. Most of the food you see grown in the greenhouse is used there in the restaurant. So lots of fresh veggie options. This is served family style, but it's all you can eat. And it's not bad price wise, about 30 dollars per person. Btw, all character meals are all you can eat.
If you would like to wait till past park closing time (9pm), you can go to kat kora's, which is greek food. Or beaches and cream, which is just a overall fun atmosphere with the best ice cream choices possible.

Any disney place can accomadate special requests, and even the best meat place, boma's, is also best known for the vegitarian options.

Let me know if you need any more help. I'm good at this whole food thing. I love eating at disney.