Food Budget help

[heatherleigh]

I am trying to figure out what I should budget for on my upcoming Disney vacation. There will be one adult, a 14-month old toddler, 3-yr old, 5-yr old (who doesn't eat), and a 7-yr old.

I plan on doing one character meal, which depends on where we stay. Most likely Lilo & Stitch. I also plan on bringing lots of drinks with us, which should save us a little. Of course we will have to get dole whips, tinkerbell twists, and frozen lemonades as treats at some pt during the trip.

I also plan on eating once at Carnation Cafe, a breakfast at Storytellers, bengal bbq for a lunch once, and Cafe N.O. Just to give you an idea as to where we'd be eating.

Back to us: one adult w/ four young children (one of whom does not eat), do you think $140 per day is reasonable? If not, please let me know, because I'd like my food budget to be on the liberal end of the spectrum.

 

[disheadz]

For us, 2 adults and 2 children, $120 worked. Some days a little less, some more.

 

[bumbershoot]

Well, definitely check out the menus here (wdwinfo.com) and on allears.net, to get an idea of the prices and selections. I would probably want to budget on the high side...then if you find that you're sharing meals etc etc, you'll come out ahead.

Note: Storytellers breakfast IS a character meal, even if you order off the menu (vs buffet).

 

[Sherry E]

...And the Storytellers menu offerings are not exactly inexpensive. It almost makes more sense to just get the buffet - I personally think the buffet is a better value than paying about $17 (with tax and tip) for what is essentally a plate of food equivalent to a Denny's Grand Slam - or smaller. But it is nice to have the option of doing either the buffet or ordering from the menu.

 

[teatime]

Family of 3 here going , we budgeted for 120.00 a day for one sit down ( cafe Orleans etc) a night , snacks, cold things, treats. we will pack water in and a few juices.
We already paid for the goofy breakfast thru get away today so not out of my pocket while we are there. Also going to get a 50.00 gift certificate to buy on line and bring with me to eat at Millie's while we are there so we have a dinner there or breakfasts. makes it easier to have these things paid for before we go so we do not go over budget.
Im sure your little one eats, well or he would be dead by now, but I would just share food with him, that way your not paying for an extra meal.

 

[darph nader]

We figure abt $15.00 per/person/meal/day.
Mostly burgers,snacks and stuff/like/that/there. Breakfast usally outside the park.

 

[teatime]

same here, breakfast out of the park, 15.00 a meal for each person, 2 snacks a day. ( getting breakfast certificates long before we leave for breakfasts, or late night snack at milli's or mimi's )

 

[heatherleigh]

"Im sure your little one eats, well or he would be dead by now, but I would just share food with him, that way your not paying for an extra meal."

LOL, you're right, he does eat every now and again, but he isn't much of an eater. Many times I will get him something that he'll take one or two bites of, then I'll just eat the scraps. He is sort of like a snake- he will eat one or two big meals per week, then just have a bite or two here and there the rest of the days.

 

[tinkcollector]

My kids are all grown now, but here is what I used to do. Absolutely bring in water bottles, then you can refill them at the water fountains. Okay assuming you will have a stroller, I would pack a seperate backpack with juice boxes (frozen when I could) and snacks. I had a picky eater as well. String cheese, crackers (Teddy Grahams, Cheezits) and celery or carrots did well. Then I knew he was eating well, and it kept the cost down. And don't forget the wet wipes.

 

[teatime]

sharing food with the little one who does not like to eat much is a great way to save money, also like she said above bring in his favorite crackers and juices, snacks etc, and I always bring hand wipes . Milli's out side the park has great prices on meals, we plan to eat there for breakfasts.