Eating on a budget

[crazy for mic]

My family and I (2 adults and 1 10 year old girl) are going to Disney for 5 nights in 2 weeks. It is my daughter's birthday so we are surprising her with 2 nights at the FQ then moving to the Cr. She knows about the FQ but not about the CR. Everytime she has been on the monorail and went through the CR, she always commented on how cool it would be to stay there. Well, we saved and saved, but could only stay for three nights. We celebrate every one of her birthdays in a big way because she is a cancer survivor and we could have lost her. Anyway, since this is the big "10" we are doing the CR. Now we have to eat for those days, on a very limited budget. We can only go into the parks for one day, so does anyone have any ideas where we can get the most for our money?

Thanks in advance for all of your help.

 

[marcyinPA]

Wow! Happy birthday to your daughter, and blessings on her beating cancer. What a nice thing for you to do for her...I'm sure she'll be thrilled!!

One of the places we really enjoy eating is at the Trails End at FW. You can take the boat from the CR to FW and the Trails End is right down the path from the docks. We've only eaten breakfast there, but I understand that lunch and dinner are both really good too. The value can't be beat...breakfast is 9.99 for adults, 5.99 for kids, all you can eat.

FW is a neat place to visit, too....you can do the petting zoo and there is the campfire program in the evening. Very relaxing place to explore!

Have a great time!!

 

[Aimeedyan]

What a fun trip! She'll be thrilled!

I have found that Disney portions are HUGE and DH and split every meal last time and had PLENTY to eat.

Also, since you're only doing the parks 1 day, you'll likely be offsite some, right? Eating at offsite places, like chain restaurants and quick food, will save a bundle as well.

You can always bring snacks and breakfast items with you, too, and that cuts out a lot of $ =)

Check out all the menus at www.allearsnet.com and see which places might be easier to swing =)

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Have you considered looking into hotwire savings club, and ordering some of the vouchers. You could do the free month membership, then cancel. Our family of 3 (DH, DS(12), & I) are planning to only use 2 vouchers for each meal. Have a great trip!

 

[krishouse]

Hi there!
Another reasonable place we liked to eat is at Wolfgang Pucks EXPRESS at Downtown Disney. They have a little courtyard with tables and chairs the food is great and reasonable.
There are wood fired pizzas that are a good size and filling as well as a killer mac and cheese dish.
good luck
Kris

 

[CRCrazy]

As far as counter service goes - my daughter thinks that the fries at the CR Food N Fun are the absolute best! She would rather have the kids meal there than go out for a real meal! The chicken strips kids meal with fries or fruit cup is only $4.29. She and my hubby split several orders of just fries out by the pool during our stays!

Luckily - since your DD is only 10 - she's still considered a kid for eating! How much do you have budgeted for food for the day - since it is her birthday - all the servers will make a big deal of her - be sure to pick up a birthday button!

At the Contemporary - you've got Chef Mickey's of course - not cheap, but oh, so much fun for a birthday!

You could also hit the Concourse Steakhouse - the adults could share a meal, with a second side dish, and the kid's meal is reasonably priced for good foods!

As previously mentioned - Trail's End is a moderately priced buffet - it's 10.99 for adults, and $6.99 for kids for breakfast or lundh, and $16.99/7.99 at dinner.

Good luck, and have a magical trip!

 

[Taratink]

A place we love to eat at MK is the Plaza restaurant. It is about the same cost as the counter service rest. but the food is much better. It is cute inside and the sandwiches and salads are excellent. It is a easy and specail place for us. I get sick of eating junk and the chicken, pear and gorg. cheese salad is one of the best salads I've had. I have also heard great things about the earl of sandwich at DTD. It looks to have huge portions that are easy to split. Have a wonderful time!
Tara