Eating cheap at Disneyland

[DisneylandPlanner]

Lucky me I am getting the opportunity to go to Disneyland twice this year, so I am going to buy my first Annual Pass.
My husband is letting me go, because I am pregnant, which is wonderful and adds a new challenge! MONEY!!!
My first trip down is a bonus and I am trying to keep the expense down. As a pregnant women that expense is food!
I will bring some snack but I do plan on eating most meals in the resort area.

So the question:
what do you think is the best deal for a meal in the resort area?

I will have AAA, AP, and Disney Visa to help with discounts.

 

[bumbershoot]

Have you looked at the menus online at allears.net and dlresortinfo? (I prefer the latter)

The restaurant Mimi's is enjoyed by many and is more of a bargain than eating in the parks.

I haven't been there, but I've read that the IHOP is more expensive than other IHOPs, so if you think about eating there, know that the cost will probably be more than you expect.

Bring snacks in, like granola bars and water. Although you can get a cup of water from anywhere in the park; you don't have to buy the bottles of water.

 

[DangerMouse]

Our total bill at Whitewater Snacks using our AP discount is always pleasantly surprising. Portions are quite large and you can split a meal and just pick up an extra side salad. Very filling, very fresh and very affordable.

 

[jencav5]

You can get "kids meals" for yourself. If you're snacking throughout the day, you may not want to eat huge meals, anyway.

 

[godalejunior]

I thought the corndog castle was a good deal. That corndog was hurkin'!!!

 

[hrhlaurie]

When we were there last week we just walked across the street to Dennys and each had a full meal for about $7 - $8 each. What I loved was drinking my fill of iced tea and then getting my final refill in a to-go cup to take back into the park!

McDonalds would have been just as easy, and cheaper, but we wanted to be waited on and rest our feet a bit!

 

[cinderella_mom]

Disney Visa or an AP will get you 10% off if you spend $10 or more at many food establishments (I hesitate to call them restaurants) in DL and DCA.

I agree, check the websites with menus to get an idea of variety and cost. My family likes the fish & chips at the Stagedoor Cafe in DL or the soups and salads at the Pacific Wharf Cafe in DCA.

 

[Mrs. Bee]

Eating breakfast before you go to the park is always a good idea. Our hotel room usually has a fridge so on some trips we've gotten milk and cereal to eat before going to the park. Or we stop at Denny's on our way there.

I've found the Pizza Port in Tomorrowland to be a good deal. You get a lot of food for the money. If we aren't super hungry...my husband and I will share an order of pasta and then we'll each get a side salad.

I also typically bring my own bottles of water into the park. That saves a lot of money because bottled water in the park is insanely expensive.

As someone else mentioned, you can order the children's menu items at most places.

For a snack I like to get veggies and dip at one of the fruit stands. It's only $4 and much healthier than getting a churro (although I love those too...haha.)

 

[disneegrl4eva]

carnation cafe is very reasonably priced ...the breakfasts are amazing...and range between $8.49-$9.49 and their lunches are $9-$10...food is plentiful and very good....Riverbelle Terrace is very good for breakfast and prices range between $6.99-$7.99 that doesnt include drinks though...their lunch/dinner is a bit steep for sandwiches though. Red Rockets/Pizza Oom Mow Mow (same kind of food) is very cheap and filling...especially their Chicken Fusili for $8.99...stage door cafe has fish n chips for $8.99 and chicken and chips for $7.99...then there is always the standard fare of burgers and fries or chips that will run you about $8 and some change...so there is alot of places you can eat at that is filling and lower in price

 

[Corpsebride]

Well, when we go to DL we usually stop at starbucks and get 2 coffees and 2 sandwiches that comes out to about 23-. And then gas thats another 10-. Then when we get to the park we go to the Blue Ribbon Bakery and get 2 hot chocolates and 2 cookies thats about10-. So, with our APs we have already spent 43-. Then we usually eat a big meal at one of the restaurants and that always comes out to about 40-. That brings it up to about 83-. That is a lot of dough ray meee!!
I am usually not happy with the food we get at DL park. So, this time, since we have collected enough of those Mickey Travel Cups We are going to bring our own coffee from home=$0-. And eat a big breakfast before we leave =$0-. And I am going to make a picnic lunch of Bruscetta , EuroMix Salad ,Chicken Mushroom Crepes and kiwi blueberry pineapple salad with Vanilla yogurt for desert.=$0-. Of which we will eat in the car and listen to some cds and then go back into the park.I would eat at the picnic area but its too cold right now. So, we willhave a picnic in the car, lol.
Andthen, we will be bringing one of those coffee thermos's that keep coffee hot for like a year,lol. and when we go home, we can have coffee for the drive. Oh and I bringing blue berrymuffins for the ride home too.
so that would have been another 10- that we would have spent. So , we will save about 83-.Just on food.
That way, if we want to go to say Blue Bayou for a couple of coffees and desert it wont be a big deal!!! And if we want to spend $$ on big dollar souvineers we can. I guess if I were to stay in a hotel I would go to a grocery store and bring in some stuff for sandwichs and stuff like that. You can also get food delivered from Vons.com. I dont know if there are other stores that do that near by, but its a though. So, that is my .2c.

 

[spazzyjazzy]

Eating outside of the park is always cheaper for us. That includes also out of Downtown Disney. We stay away from IHOP because it is more expensive than other IHOPS. We tend to go towards Millie's and Mimi's. Last year we hopped in the car and drove to Red Robin to eat for dinner.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

Well, when we go to DL we usually stop at starbucks and get 2 coffees and 2 sandwiches that comes out to about 23-. And then gas thats another 10-. Then when we get to the park we go to the Blue Ribbon Bakery and get 2 hot chocolates and 2 cookies thats about10-. So, with our APs we have already spent 43-. Then we usually eat a big meal at one of the restaurants and that always comes out to about 40-. That brings it up to about 83-. That is a lot of dough ray meee!!
I am usually not happy with the food we get at DL park. So, this time, since we have collected enough of those Mickey Travel Cups We are going to bring our own coffee from home=$0-. And eat a big breakfast before we leave =$0-. And I am going to make a picnic lunch of Bruscetta , EuroMix Salad ,Chicken Mushroom Crepes and kiwi blueberry pineapple salad with Vanilla yogurt for desert.=$0-. Of which we will eat in the car and listen to some cds and then go back into the park.I would eat at the picnic area but its too cold right now. So, we willhave a picnic in the car, lol.
Andthen, we will be bringing one of those coffee thermos's that keep coffee hot for like a year,lol. and when we go home, we can have coffee for the drive. Oh and I bringing blue berrymuffins for the ride home too.
so that would have been another 10- that we would have spent. So , we will save about 83-.Just on food.
That way, if we want to go to say Blue Bayou for a couple of coffees and desert it wont be a big deal!!! And if we want to spend $$ on big dollar souvineers we can. I guess if I were to stay in a hotel I would go to a grocery store and bring in some stuff for sandwichs and stuff like that. You can also get food delivered from Vons.com. I dont know if there are other stores that do that near by, but its a though. So, that is my .2c.

wow your just a regular foodie arent you? sounds great to me...my issue is I plan on doing the same thing...go to store when I get there and bring in some food but I have to drive 5 hours to get there so by the time I arrive Im dead already...then I think ok I will go before I leave and get non perishables...never happens...so my great ideas just blow like dust in the wind and I end up spending money on food but to me thats half the fun...now when I am staying down south at my aunts I will stop somewhere before I get to DL and get some breakfast or something quick in the drive thru and it does cut down on the amount I spend but hey if you can do all that more power to you...I wish I lived in anaheim...I swear I would do some sort of breakfast/lunch basket to sell to people who want good food at a cheaper price

 

[Mrs. Bee]

Well, when we go to DL we usually stop at starbucks and get 2 coffees and 2 sandwiches that comes out to about 23-. And then gas thats another 10-. Then when we get to the park we go to the Blue Ribbon Bakery and get 2 hot chocolates and 2 cookies thats about10-. So, with our APs we have already spent 43-. Then we usually eat a big meal at one of the restaurants and that always comes out to about 40-. That brings it up to about 83-. That is a lot of dough ray meee!!
I am usually not happy with the food we get at DL park. So, this time, since we have collected enough of those Mickey Travel Cups We are going to bring our own coffee from home=$0-. And eat a big breakfast before we leave =$0-. And I am going to make a picnic lunch of Bruscetta , EuroMix Salad ,Chicken Mushroom Crepes and kiwi blueberry pineapple salad with Vanilla yogurt for desert.=$0-. Of which we will eat in the car and listen to some cds and then go back into the park.I would eat at the picnic area but its too cold right now. So, we willhave a picnic in the car, lol.
Andthen, we will be bringing one of those coffee thermos's that keep coffee hot for like a year,lol. and when we go home, we can have coffee for the drive. Oh and I bringing blue berrymuffins for the ride home too.
so that would have been another 10- that we would have spent. So , we will save about 83-.Just on food.
That way, if we want to go to say Blue Bayou for a couple of coffees and desert it wont be a big deal!!! And if we want to spend $$ on big dollar souvineers we can. I guess if I were to stay in a hotel I would go to a grocery store and bring in some stuff for sandwichs and stuff like that. You can also get food delivered from Vons.com. I dont know if there are other stores that do that near by, but its a though. So, that is my .2c.

whoa...how many cups of coffee do you drink in one day?

 

[Quest4fun]

Lucky me I am getting the opportunity to go to Disneyland twice this year, so I am going to buy my first Annual Pass.
My husband is letting me go, because I am pregnant, which is wonderful and adds a new challenge! MONEY!!!
My first trip down is a bonus and I am trying to keep the expense down. As a pregnant women that expense is food!
I will bring some snack but I do plan on eating most meals in the resort area.

So the question:
what do you think is the best deal for a meal in the resort area?

I will have AAA, AP, and Disney Visa to help with discounts.

I would not recommend bringing a bucket of KFC into the park. Some people on these boards would be really sore with you for doing so.

Since you're preggers I'd suggest finding the least expensive way to keep a beverage handy at all times. My wife and I lug a smallish backpack around with a couple of water bottles in it. If you don't mind getting a locker you can store a few there as well. I think a bottle of Desani in the park is $2.50ish and that can add up over the course of a day. You can get a case of Desani at Targer (24 bottles) for $5.99.

Pizza Port has great prices and gigantic portions to help feed you and your youngin'. French Market also has some killer prices. Go for the beef stew or the fried chicken with mashed taters. A rather large salad is included in the price of your meal. Since you'll already have the water you brought with you you're sittin' pretty and saving money.

The fast food joints are a little less than these places but I wouldn't say you get as good a meal for your money.

If you have a car and don't mind leaving the park (keep your parking voucher) there are three Denny's restaurants within a half mile of the park. No really. Three of them! The closest is right across the street from the main entrance and you would likely survive the walk.

 

[staley7580]

I would not recommend bringing a bucket of KFC into the park. Some people on these boards would be really sore with you for doing so.

Since you're preggers I'd suggest finding the least expensive way to keep a beverage handy at all times. My wife and I lug a smallish backpack around with a couple of water bottles in it. If you don't mind getting a locker you can store a few there as well. I think a bottle of Desani in the park is $2.50ish and that can add up over the course of a day. You can get a case of Desani at Targer (24 bottles) for $5.99.

Pizza Port has great prices and gigantic portions to help feed you and your youngin'. French Market also has some killer prices. Go for the beef stew or the fried chicken with mashed taters. A rather large salad is included in the price of your meal. Since you'll already have the water you brought with you you're sittin' pretty and saving money.

The fast food joints are a little less than these places but I wouldn't say you get as good a meal for your money.

If you have a car and don't mind leaving the park (keep your parking voucher) there are three Denny's restaurants within a half mile of the park. No really. Three of them! The closest is right across the street from the main entrance and you would likely survive the walk.

Sorry, but that was funny!

I have to agree with the bringing in your own water. I think that is probably the biggest moneysucker for us... Drinks!

 

[MommyWithDreams]

I second the Pizza Port Chicken Fusilli. Also the chicken strips at StageDoor
yummmmy

 

[Corpsebride]

That is so funny! I know, I drink a lot of coffee on Dland days. It just keeps me going!!!More rides, more stuff lets go lets go lets go!! woo hoo!!
And , yes, Iam proud to say, I am a totall foodie. I love to cook , I think that is why I get so disappointed in the Dland food. It could be soooo much better with just some minor adjustements. Ooooh I cant wait to go! Friday will you ever get here??

 

[Mrs. Bee]

That is so funny! I know, I drink a lot of coffee on Dland days. It just keeps me going!!!More rides, more stuff lets go lets go lets go!! woo hoo!!
And , yes, Iam proud to say, I am a totall foodie. I love to cook , I think that is why I get so disappointed in the Dland food. It could be soooo much better with just some minor adjustements. Ooooh I cant wait to go! Friday will you ever get here??

haha...i noticed the love of coffee right away! i can only handle one cup a day. maybe two on disneyland days though.

Have fun in the parks!!

 

[pixiewings71]

Oh man, I drink a cup of coffee and I'm jumpy all day. LOL So, I just don't. Besides I know coffee addicts like you will be all over the coffee I don't drink. LOL I am surprised at how many of us are going this weekend, it's going to be Dis Day at DL!! LOL

To the OP, my best suggestion is to take your own water bottles, we use Aqua Clips to carry ours around, I love those things!! I just refill my bottles at various restaurants, usually Rancho Del Zocalo because they have a water dispenser outside and it's easy to use. I also love PP's pasta, they are huge and so yummy!! We like Mimi's outside the park, and Rainforest Cafe in DTD. Also, the Jazz Kitchen is really good as is Napoli pizza, both in DTD. Don't forget to use the AP for your discount, when we first got ours we kept forgetting.....lol

 

[bumbershoot]

That is so funny! I know, I drink a lot of coffee on Dland days. It just keeps me going!!!More rides, more stuff lets go lets go lets go!! woo hoo!!
And , yes, Iam proud to say, I am a totall foodie. I love to cook , I think that is why I get so disappointed in the Dland food. It could be soooo much better with just some minor adjustements. Ooooh I cant wait to go! Friday will you ever get here??

At Cafe Orleans the server "filled" my cup twice (there was at least a 1/4 cup still in my cup each time) and on the third (not really third b/c of the incomplete refills) she felt the need to comment on my coffee consumption. I made a little "oh I live near Seattle" joke, but come on, are servers *really* supposed to make negative comments about what their customers are having?


OP, I've been thinking more about your question and the reason behind it. And I think that quite a bit will depend on your eating style while pregnant. Many of my friends just wolfed food all day long. I found myself with more aversions than cravings, and then what I did eat gave me heinous heartburn so I was miserable. For me, tiny little meals quite often would have been good, so eating a kid's meal (or even half a kid's meal) here and there would be my style if going to DLR while pregnant. But for others, ordering huge meals all day might be best. So it's all going to depend on how YOU are while pg.

But for the saving money aspect, it's really very likely going to be all about going offsite, especially if you're like my voracious-eater-when-pg friends.


Now if you'd like to talk in a few months about how to eat when nursing a voracious newborn, THEN we'll have quite a bit to talk about!