Disney on a budget...

[mhingher]

We're going to WDW the first week in March. We usually go in the summer, but wanted a change.n My husband owns a nadcaping business so winter is his slow season. We're used to going out for meals all the time and not worrying so much about money. We're staying at the All Star Movies (who can beat $89/night to stay in the park???!!) I plan on having breafkfast a few times in the room, and maybe bringing some PBJ sandwiches in for lunch. I'd like to do at least one character breakfast. Chef Mickey's or Crystal Palace? Any suggestions on where to eat at a reasonable price, without having cheeseburgers every day?

 

[powellrj]

we have done both chef mickey and Crystal Palace and both are ok but I think I would have to say we like chef mickey a little more. Our favorite character meal is the ice cream social at Epcot. Its not really a meal, its an ice cream sundae, but its not crowded and its only around $7.00 a person. There are lots of places to eat that offer more than just cheese burgers, you need to go to the resturant board and there is a list of the menus and what the meals cost. Have a great trip!

 

[disneyjunkie]

Check out the menus on Deb's site.

http://allearsnet.com/menu/menus.htm


I think Cosmic Rays is a good choice if you want to avoid burger and fries. I'm looking forward to trying Columbia Harbour House during our next trip.

 

[momxx5]

Keep an eye out for room only codes. Sometimes you can get the AllStars and POP for $49/night. That would free up some money for other things - food, souveniers, etc.

 

[DukeStreetKing]

I think Cosmic Rays is a good choice if you want to avoid burger and fries. I'm looking forward to trying Columbia Harbour House during our next trip.

I really enjoy CHH. They have some very good sandwiches and the clam chowder is awesome.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

March is considered to be "peak" season in WDW. If you got ASMo for $89/night, you've already gotten a discount over the rack rate of $109/night! WTG!

Personally, I like Chef Mickey's for breakfast over the Crystal Palace but that's more due to my preference for the types of characters (Mickey & Friends vs Pooh & Pals). To save some money, you might want to consider joining Hotwire Savings Club and ordering a few vouchers. The breakfast vouchers cost $18.25 per adult with no charge for shipping. It will cover the cost of the buffet ($17.99) plus tax (6.5%) and gratuity ($15%). So, instead of spending $21.85/adult for the meal, you'll only spend $18.25. Child vouchers cost $11.00 and will save you about $1. for each character breakfast.

If you like eating a sitdown meal at least once per day, consider making that meal a sitdown lunch instead of dinner. Lunch menus often have similar selections to the dinner menus but with smaller portions and lower prices. I like using the Vaction Kingdom Lunch Vouchers for these meals but even if you don't like the idea of using vouchers, you'll save money over eating sitdown dinners just by switching up your dining schedule.

Another suggestion that I got from MouseSavers.com was to get the Trails End Buffeteria (Fort Wilderness) as take-out. The cost is $16.99 for an adult and they give you one large styrofoam container, a salad container, a soup container and a beverage container. Load them up at the buffet and take them home to share.

Do the AK "meals plus" program and get a counterservice meal, small beverage, voucher for popcorn or ice cream and a voucher for bottled water for the price of $11.99/adult.

In EPCOT, one of the best-kept secrets is the Tangierine Café in Morrocco. The Shawarma Platters include hummus, tabbouleh and tangierine couscous salad, Moroccan bread and chicken for $8.95. It's more than enough for one person and if you add another sidedish for $1.95, it can fill two people up easily.

If you have a car, try going offsite to eat. You'll have your pick of many family-friemdly, affordable places. I'm sure that you'll get plenty of suggestions. Have fun planning your "budget" trip!

 

[crazymomof4]

Hi
I'm from NJ and my DH used to own a landscaping business (sold it 2 yrs ago)

Anyway, my best money saving tip from our last trip 14 mo ago was this:
Buy the Brita water filter bottles!
We have 4 kids and I'm sure we saved a small forturne by refilling our bottles at water fountains instead of buying the bottled water. About half-way through the trip I wondered how much the filter actually improved the water taste so I tasted it unfiltered.....YUCH! We could have never tolerated that. Another perk, over and above the $$ saved, is that the water is so much healthier than buying soda.

As mentioned, the hotwire meal vouchers are a great savings. We used them and often split meals and always had plenty to eat. The one time we didn't split, so much food was left over and we left feeling over-stuffed.

 

[MELSMICE]

Hi
Anyway, my best money saving tip from our last trip 14 mo ago was this:
Buy the Brita water filter bottles!

Where did you find these?

For something different, we have enjoyed the Flame Tree BBQ in Animal Kingdom. The Harbour House has good food - although the fish is a touch greasy IMO (didn't stop me from enjoying it though! )

We like Chef Mickey's for a character breakfast. The Big River Grille on the Boardwalk has a good menu to choose from.

There are a few places in the parks that serve pizzas (usually individuals).

Good luck with your food budget. Another great way to save money is to have each person bring in a small fanny pack filled with snacks in snack size zipoc bags (pretzels, dry cereal, nuts, goldfish crackers, etc). & also carry water bottles. It saves an armload of money!!!

 

[DiznEeyore]

I have to throw in my .02 for Crystal Palace -- we've done both Chef Mickey's and CP, and much prefer the food and atmosphere at CP. IMO, the food at CM's can be hit-and-miss, but we've never been disappointed at CP. Plus, even though all character meals can get loud, CP is definitely tamer than CM's. Have fun whichever you choose!

 

[Glennwood]

I loved the Rose and Crown Pub in the British pavillion. A quick sit and some appitizers. If you can plan ahead and make a seating reservation even better.

 

[HookedOnDiz]

Our favorite character meal is the ice cream social at Epcot. Its not really a meal, its an ice cream sundae, but its not crowded and its only around $7.00 a person.

We tried to make a PS for the Ice Cream Social and were told that its closed for a refurb from January thru April... has anybody else heard this?

 

[sugermouse]

The Earl of Sandwich in DTD is an oustanding value for the money.

 

[LauraAnn630]

People may disagree. We felt we were spending ALMOST as much money at the fast food service counters for lunch and dinner as we did at the Crystal Palace all you can eat buffet. (the food was awsome) We are a family of 4 with 2 boys that get very hungry! Our next trip, we will make PS everyday around 3:00 - 4:00. This will be our big meal for the day. We eat breakfast in our room. After the parks close we have plenty of things to eat in our room. Ill send a box full of stuff to our hotel a few days ahead of time.