Eating on a Budget?

[daph0216]

I got a florida resident ticket deal, in which I couldn't add on the dinnning plan.
There will be me, husband, 3 y/o, and 2 y/o
So what are your tips on eating on a budget...do I try and get counter service places, and if so, which do you reccommand?


We will be doing:
Magic Kingdom
Typhoon Lagoon
Animal Kingdom

Thanks!

 

[tiggrsbride]

I got a florida resident ticket deal, in which I couldn't add on the dinnning plan.
There will be me, husband, 3 y/o, and 2 y/o
So what are your tips on eating on a budget...do I try and get counter service places, and if so, which do you reccommand?


We will be doing:
Magic Kingdom
Typhoon Lagoon
Animal Kingdom

Thanks!

At MK the counter service options are pretty good. Burgers at Pecos Bills, and the giant menu at Cosmic Rays are both reasonably priced and sized for sharing; while Hot Dogs at Casey's and really yummy and tuna and fried foods at Columbia Harbor House are quite good in a peaceful setting.

At AK the best counter service is at Flame Tree BBQ. They have great ribs and chicken. The portions are great for sharing.

Typhoon Lagoon is limited in choices. Look over the menus and see what appeals to you and your family. Your little ones can probably share food with you and DH or split a kids meal.

Have a great trip!

 

[Darcy03231]

One thing I found that helps is to bring a small collapsible cooler with me. I make a grocery stop and get cereal in the individual bowls, yogurt, milk, cereal bars/granola bars, fruit, water/soda and some snack stuff (chips, dip, cheese, crackers, etc). I also bring lots of zip lock bags. This way I can fill the bags with ice and keep the milk, yogurt, dip, cheese, etc. cold. We eat breakfast in the room and can snack in the room too. I will bring the granola bars and water with me in the park in case someone gets hungry/thirsty in between meals so we're not stopping to buy stuff. I also bring the individual powdered drink mix to add to the water. We refill the water bottles through the day at the drinking fountains.

 

[Peanut&Piglet'sMom]

We always bring a cooler with simple snacks to help 'fuel' the kids and a few juice boxes as well.

There are plenty of CS places that you can visit and split meals at to help your budget. Visit the MENU's page and you can pretty much see what a kids meal consists of and what the adult meals consist of as well at various CS places.

From there you can decide if you want to buy individual kid meals for the kids or just one adult meal and have the kids split it. We did this plenty of times throughout our last trip. Saved money in the end.

EXAMPLE : At Cosmic Ray's in MK, you can buy an Adult 8 piece nugget meal for $7.89 where one kids meal will cost $4.49...you save a little bit of money, I suppose. At Rosies' in DHS a Chicken Strip Meal costs $6.89 while a kids nugget meal is $4.49. If the strips are large, I'd have my kids split that meal rather than buy 2 kids meals!

There are plenty of ways to save money on food while in Disney.

 

[EC0323]

I don't think I can post the link but... if you go to Slickdeals dot net and a search for "eat at disney" You should be able to find a thread called "eat at Disney World for $12" or something like that. It is in their Hot Deals forum. The op went to Disney World in October and made a spread sheet of a bunch of cheap meals. She did a GREAT job!!!!! It is a great reference for those who are not on the dining plan. You really should check this thread out!

 

[daph0216]

Thanks for the tips!

 

[yitbos96bb]

If you are a Florida Resident, or have one with you, you might consider the Tables in Wonderland (Formerly Disney Dining Experience). It gives you 20% off at most Table Service Restaurants (and some QS at DAK) and costs $75. They do add automatic gratuity of 18% onto your meal, so basically, you are getting the tip for free with the discount. The card is good for a year.

I got a florida resident ticket deal, in which I couldn't add on the dinnning plan.
There will be me, husband, 3 y/o, and 2 y/o
So what are your tips on eating on a budget...do I try and get counter service places, and if so, which do you reccommand?


We will be doing:
Magic Kingdom
Typhoon Lagoon
Animal Kingdom

Thanks!

 

[Dismom55]

Don't forget to bring fresh fruit for the snacks, they really don't need refrigeration and will keep the kids from getting wound up on any sugar treats out there. When my kids were little the usually ate off my plate. So I saved the cost of the kids meal as they not only were happy to share a meal with mom or dad, but my son insisted on it. He wanted to be sure he was eating exactly what the grown ups were eating. I used to take sippy cups with me to pour my beverage into so even buying an extra drink was not necessary.

When at Disney we like to eat at Harbor House in MK; Electric Umbrella in Epcot; Backlot commissary in DHS (I think that is what it is called); and Pizzafari in AK. We will also be trying the counter service in the Land, did not get to it last time because my blood sugar dropped and we had to eat now and it was to far away for me to walk. (diabetic).

Another suggestion is if you want to save money, make the kids sandwiches, and take them to the park in zip bags.

Good Luck!

 

[RLccweems]

 

[Donnainnj]

If you decide to do any table service meals you may want to try The Plaza at the Magic Kingdom, or lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern (MK) or Kona Cafe (Poly). Those meals are more reasonable and they offer a cool more relaxing break. At typhoon Lagoon they have something they call a Garbage Pail, 4 in our family shared it last time and had our fill. It is about $8.99 and includes ice cream in a sand pail with bunches of toppings and such, really good, and we could probably substitute a meal with it. We try to do one dessert for Lunch or dinner during the trip, kids love it, and it saves some money. Might want to get the little ones a little something with more nutrition, but it might work for the grownups.
Donna