Do you honestly find the food prices at Disney expensive?

[dsneygirl]

Well maybe a "bit" pricey, but I can honestly say I don't think they are extravagant for the most part. Especially when you consider the business. If I go to McDonald's at La Ronde ( our local six flags in Montreal ) I pay around, if not MORE, the amount I would pay at say, Pecos Bill's. Actually, I found that when we ate at Mel's Diner at Universal, it was much more expensive.

Me neither. Counter Service compared to McDonalds down the street sure but to another "theme park" or "attraction" and I don't find it out of line at all.

Last year at Marineland at combo (hot dog, fries, drink) was like $9. At the CNE you pay $2.50 for a bottle of water. We dropped $30 on dinner in the food building without batting an eye.

At quick service we almost always get only 2 meals for the 3 of us. Either 1 adult and 1 kids or 2 adults depending on what it is.

For Table Service we really try to do lunches instead of dinners. In most cases the meals are cheaper and the restaurants not as full. You can have a nice lunch entree at $14 or $15 at most restaurants.

 

[TLPL]

My advice: Just don't do the Dining plan, it make you spend alot of money on food you normally wouldn't. And lots of desserts you normally don't eat.

 

[candielips]

We have only ever done the DDP so the only time I really pay attention to prices is when we will be paying OOP which we do for quite a few meals. But as all other PP's have said, the prices are pretty comparable to what we pay here, maybe even a little less.
I was at Swiss Chalet last week and a kids meal was $6.99, which is pretty comparable to most TS restaurants at WDW.

 

[canabrits2]

Honestly, I find that most prices are in line based on what you get for the money. I also think it's quite unreasonable to even expect to pay normal Wendy's, McDonald's, Swiss Chalet prices. I mean, those places do not have the overheads that Disney does (the parks as a whole), when you think of it. Disney has to fund everything from the buses to the package delivery to the security teams etc. Yes, you are paying premium prices but I've come to the conclusion, after having gone to Disney a few times, that you honestly get what you pay for.

For instance, when you go for ice cream there, it's not like you pay a premium price and then receive some budget-value, frozen white water, cheaply dipped ice cream....you really do get a huge, five star, all singing, all dancing ICE CREAM for the money you just shelled out. I think that's fair. They don't do "cheap" and I'm glad for it. If people want cheap and low quality, then go vacation at Wal-Mart.

I also did the DDP on the last trip and thought it was awesome. You pay up front and then don't count pennies the whole trip. I find it saved a lot of mental space and it made me go to restaurants and try things that I might normally not let myself because of cost calculations in my head and trying to constantly maximize my dollar or my tendancy to spend on my daughter and never on myself.... DDP is the only way to go from now on.

I LOVE Disney food.

 

[dopeyluvsgrumpy]

The counter services are a decent price, but the table service is ridiculous if you consider the food and not the fact that its a disney experience. I would NEVER spend $39.99 on a buffet dinner anywhere other than disney.

 

[papertraveller]

I think so much depends on where you eat, and how much you order. We're finding that the best combination now is to mix the DDP with our other favourite stops. So, for example, we use our double TS credit for California Grill and offset that with a far less expensive meal (for which we pay cash) somewhere else.

Prices, in general, seem okay. I think some of the buffet breakfasts are a bit high, but they are generally higher at home too! That said, I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to enjoying some of my favourites again this summer! I know people dispute the quality of the food elsewhere on this board, but we have dined like royalty at Disney.

 

[VeroBeach]

I would NEVER spend $39.99 on a buffet dinner anywhere other than disney.

Which buffet was that?

 

[Jareds_mommy]

Which buffet was that?

Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner Adult - $40.46
Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner children 3 - 9 years - $20.23

 

[VeroBeach]

Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner Adult - $40.46
Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner children 3 - 9 years - $20.23

Yes, but consider the location....and its not a buffet ....AND a photo package is included.

 

[Jareds_mommy]

Yes, but consider the location....and its not a buffet ....AND a photo package is included.

UMMMM nope it is a buffet and no photo package included you are thinking of Cinderella's Royal Table magic kingdom thats more it's $57.19 and kids are $34.78
, this is the one in the GF

 

[Jareds_mommy]

Chef mickey breakfast

Breakfast Buffet: Guests 10 & over (7:00 am - 11:30 am) - Premium Fruit Bar: Seasonal melon and fresh fruit display, assorted flavored yogurts and more. Cereal Selections: Almond granola, Frosted Flakes, Fruit Loops, Cocoa Krispies, hot oatmeal and grits. Breakfast Specialties: scrambled eggs, Pluto's cheese blintz, 3 cheese omelet, Chef's daily omelet, Corned Beef hash with cornbread, Goofy's veggie lasagna, Mickey waffles, cheese potatoes with bacon, Breakfast potatoes, bacon & sausage links, Minnie's breakfast pizza, Challah French toast, pancakes with a variety of toppings, and buttermilk biscuits with country gravy. Pastry Chef's Creations: bagels, chocolate croissants, muffins, cinnamon rolls, Rice Krispie treats, peach cobbler, warm bread pudding, assorted danishes and more. Traditional breakfast beverages included. - $35.99

 

[VeroBeach]

Chef mickey breakfast

Breakfast Buffet: Guests 10 & over (7:00 am - 11:30 am) - Premium Fruit Bar: Seasonal melon and fresh fruit display, assorted flavored yogurts and more. Cereal Selections: Almond granola, Frosted Flakes, Fruit Loops, Cocoa Krispies, hot oatmeal and grits. Breakfast Specialties: scrambled eggs, Pluto's cheese blintz, 3 cheese omelet, Chef's daily omelet, Corned Beef hash with cornbread, Goofy's veggie lasagna, Mickey waffles, cheese potatoes with bacon, Breakfast potatoes, bacon & sausage links, Minnie's breakfast pizza, Challah French toast, pancakes with a variety of toppings, and buttermilk biscuits with country gravy. Pastry Chef's Creations: bagels, chocolate croissants, muffins, cinnamon rolls, Rice Krispie treats, peach cobbler, warm bread pudding, assorted danishes and more. Traditional breakfast beverages included. - $35.99

All you are looking at is the food... you need to factor in the location and characters and the experience to get a fair comparison.

 

[Jareds_mommy]

All you are looking at is the food... you need to factor in the location and characters and the experience to get a fair comparison.

I am not sure what you mean I am not looking at or comparing anything I am directly answering your question
they said they would never spend $40 on a buffet anywhere but Disney and you asked what buffet that was and I showed where those $40 buffets were nothing more . I think Cape May that is not a character buffet for dinner was about $37.

Originally Posted by dopeyluvsgrumpy
I would NEVER spend $39.99 on a buffet dinner anywhere other than disney.

Which buffet was that?

 

[CanadianGuy]

You know it's funny.. I go to McDonald's here in New Brunswick and a quarter pounder meal with supersized fries is like $8.

And guess how much it was last time I was in Florida -- same meal (more fries tho) .. was like $8.50.

Now back when you had to mentally add 35 or 40% to every pricetag you saw while in the US.... then yes, I would have found that 12$ for a McDonald's meal was excessive..

 

[MikeJ]

You know it's funny.. I go to McDonald's here in New Brunswick and a quarter pounder meal with supersized fries is like $8.

And guess how much it was last time I was in Florida -- same meal (more fries tho) .. was like $8.50.

Now back when you had to mentally add 35 or 40% to every pricetag you saw while in the US.... then yes, I would have found that 12$ for a McDonald's meal was excessive..

I find it's not just restaurant food, either. Go buy a dozen eggs or 4L of milk and the sticker prices are the same in Florida as at home. We almost always stop for a grocery run before we check in (we're DVC members) and a week's worth of groceries in Orlando (even if we *don't* shop at Goodings) will be comparable to what we'd spend in London.

- Mike

 

[Jareds_mommy]

I find it's not just restaurant food, either. Go buy a dozen eggs or 4L of milk and the sticker prices are the same in Florida as at home. We almost always stop for a grocery run before we check in (we're DVC members) and a week's worth of groceries in Orlando (even if we *don't* shop at Goodings) will be comparable to what we'd spend in London.

- Mike

I noticed that too
I have been looking at US flyers and produce is the same as here,
pop and junk food is the same as here too

 

[TracyD73]

Chef mickey breakfast

Breakfast Buffet: Guests 10 & over (7:00 am - 11:30 am) - Premium Fruit Bar: Seasonal melon and fresh fruit display, assorted flavored yogurts and more. Cereal Selections: Almond granola, Frosted Flakes, Fruit Loops, Cocoa Krispies, hot oatmeal and grits. Breakfast Specialties: scrambled eggs, Pluto's cheese blintz, 3 cheese omelet, Chef's daily omelet, Corned Beef hash with cornbread, Goofy's veggie lasagna, Mickey waffles, cheese potatoes with bacon, Breakfast potatoes, bacon & sausage links, Minnie's breakfast pizza, Challah French toast, pancakes with a variety of toppings, and buttermilk biscuits with country gravy. Pastry Chef's Creations: bagels, chocolate croissants, muffins, cinnamon rolls, Rice Krispie treats, peach cobbler, warm bread pudding, assorted danishes and more. Traditional breakfast beverages included. - $35.99

$35.99?? I have ADRs at CM in April (NOT at Easter) and when I looked online at the menu at allears it said $22.99/Adult $12.99/Kid. Have the prices changed? I'm totally fine with $23 - it's really not out of line to what I would pay at home for a nice brunch buffet, but $35 seems pricey to me.

 

[Jareds_mommy]

$35.99?? I have ADRs at CM in April (NOT at Easter) and when I looked online at the menu at allears it said $22.99/Adult $12.99/Kid. Have the prices changed? I'm totally fine with $23 - it's really not out of line to what I would pay at home for a nice brunch buffet, but $35 seems pricey to me.

I got it from here
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=55

 

[TracyD73]

I got it from here
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=55

Thanks! At least I know in advance and won't be suprised when I get there . It kinda sucks to spend so much on a meal, but still can't wait

Tracy

 

[MikeJ]

I got it from here
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=55

That's gotta be a typo. That page shows the adult breakfast is $6 *more* than dinner, but the kids breakfast is $2 *less* than dinner. The price quoted on allears.net seems much more in line with what I would expect a buffet breakfast to cost...

- Mike