First time in years without DDP...Help?

[disney*mom*82]

Ok, so we just recently booked a room only trip to WDW. We havent been to WDW without the DDP since our 2001 one trip or so? So, we are not going to be super cheap, but dont wanna blow money not necessary. KWIM?

Anyways, we will not eat a TS everyday, but several planned including:
Rainforest Cafe (got kids eat free coupons and $.99 cent ones too)
Via Napoli
Planet Hollywood
House of Blues
* possible T Rex since I heard they will take RF coupons

Other than those, Im not sure. Any suggestions for us for good cheap places TS or QS at MK and DHS? Or even other resorts..anywhere? We usually try to go on the more expensive side and I normally plan for many months in advance, not as much time now AND I have 2 vacations before our WDW vacation.

Also, the day we plan to go to AK, we will eat Rainforest. AK closes at 7pm, how late will the buses come? If we eat at 6 or 6:30 will we be ok? Dont wanna drive or be stranded.

We are a family of 5. Dh, myself, DS14, DD11, DD3. Both DD3 and I are vegetarians. As you can see below, we do go to WDW often, so pretty familiar with places, just not with being on the cheap side. We will be there for 10 nights!

Thanks in advance!

 

[disfanforlife]

I have heard that the CS at Poly is good. We haven't tried it yet but want too. In MK I would recommend Rays starlight cafe or Pecos Bills. Don't really like eating at DHS but I think we usually end up at Rosie cafe for CS.

 

[OhThePain]

Lunch at 50's PTC at DHS is pretty inexpensive for a TS meal. Also, The Plaza at MK is one of the least expensive TS restaurants. I would suggest either of those if you like to have a mid-day TS meal to rest and regroup a bit. Both of them have a vegetarian option or 2.

Buses usually run for a couple of hours after a park closes for the later ADR's. If you eat at 6 or 6:30 you should have no problem getting a bus to whatever resort or park you want.

 

[Quin]

Remember that breakfasts are cheaper than lunches, and lunches are cheaper than dinners. The last breakfast seating of a buffet that serves b/l/d is your friend - not only does the timing make it brunch, but if they begin putting lunch foods out you are generally allowed to take them too.

I can't help you much on the vegetarian angle, but for the meat-eaters there are CS places that are known for split-able meals: the ribs/chicken at Flame Tree and at Cosmic Rays; the ginormous sandwiches at Starring Rolls. This might also work for you at Kringla in Norway at Epcot - the sandwich is a meal in itself and the side item can be a pretty hearty veggie soup, so sharing would work.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Make sure to get a restaurant.com certificate for House of Blues. You should also google a restaurant.com discount code so that you can get 70-80% off the certificate. This makes HoB a really inexpensive place to eat.

If you are going to be in DTD, Earl of Sandwich has $5.99 sandwiches.

At MK, Columbia Harbor House has a bowl of clam chowder for $4.49 which is really filling.

Also if you are a AAA or DVC member, you can get some discounts at certain places.

 

[Beauty & the Best]

I second Earl of Sandwich in DTD. It is def one of the cheapest places to eat in wdw and they have a yummy vegetarian sandwich.

I would focus on splitting meals to save $$$ and I would also bring breakfast foods for your room - nutrigrain bars, bananas, etc. - so breakfast is taken care of every day.

The vegetarian platter at Tangerine Cafe in Epcot is pretty big and could be shared.

Also since you're veggie, Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Lodge might be a good choice for a less expensive TS. You can get the breads as an appetizer $8.99 if you want, and then everyone can order their vegetable side combo which is only $14.99 or even the salad combo which is $6.99 depending on everyone's appetite.

And remember, there is no rule that you must order an entree at TS. Your family could do appetizers and then veggie sides

 

[KTJAY]

We've gone to WDW without the DDP before and these are the things we've done:

Late breakfast buffet (love Quin's idea of being there when it turns into lunch ), then maybe snack later on and a CS for dinner.

Eat snacks through the world showcase-we love splitting nachos from CS @ mexico and then maybe split sandwiches from Kringla in norway. Sushi from Japan, etc. I always get a ham and cheese croissant from France and pay oop for it even on the DDP-its only around $4. They have a good quiche there too-i think its veggie?

The sandwiches @ Starring rolls in DHS are reasonably priced and big enough to split-and then split cupcakes

Liberty Sq Market in MK has a great baked potato for around $4. And Friar's Nook has homemade fries. Yum!!

There's also egg rolls in MK and AK for around $2-I don't like egg rolls but people in my family do. Pretty good sized and I know they have a veg one.

Have fun!