Food butget tips when at dl and other parks

[smusiak]

family of 8
How would you set up food
We do have few little onces
I am thinking
8 days
suppers each 25$ and 10$ Each
Lunch and breakfast 15$ Each 10$ each
Does that look and sound right

 

[bcwife76]

Is this to eat onsite or offsite? Don't forget to add beverages to your total. As in yes adult entrees could cost you about $25 for dinner, but then you need to add a drink to that - even if it's not alcohol you are looking at $3-$4 just for a pop or something. Do breakfast offsite if you can at least (though we recently came back from our latest visit and had a good breakfast at Flo's V8 cafe in DCA and the 4 of us ate for less than $35 total I think. The french toast was amazeballs!)

 

[smusiak]

we plan on DL for 4 days
and lego land for 4 days
where staying at DL hotel
not sure if we going leave the park much

 

[bcwife76]

Ok if you're going to eat on site (we did not leave at all on our last trip either) then probably the quick service restaurants like Flo's, Carnation Cafe, Smoke Jumpers Grill, etc, offer the best bang for your buck Haven't been to Legoland (yet) so can't help you there.

 

[disneychrista]

We do mostly counter service meals, so lunch/dinner are usually less than $20 and water is free. Breakfast is less than $15. Offsite is not really cheaper, as these are mostly table service meals, add to that the loss of park time, it just isn't worth it for us.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

Have you been to Legoland before? I can't imagine going an entire day there let alone 4. Have you considered Sea World or the zoo(s) in addition to just one day at Legoland? Will you be staying at the Legoland hotel? The Disneyland hotel is about an hour and forty five minutes from Legoland. You get free breakfast with your stay if you stay at the Legoland hotel.

 

[pjlla]

Share, share, share! It is really hard to "take it along" if you order too much food. And if it is really warm, that may dull your appetite.
Breakfast in the room (bring it along)..... instant oats, tea, cocoa, snack bars, fruit.... so much faster and easier and CHEAPER than paying $15 for an omelet and toast!
Bring snacks and save your $$ for the real meals..... Clif bars, Z-bars, Nutrigrain bars, granola bars, nuts, raisins, trail mix, crackers. Sure, you will still want a Mickey bar every once in a while.... but when true hunger strikes, the snacks you bring along with be priceless!
Bring along an empty water bottle and plan to refill with free ice water or water from a fountain. Better for the budget, better for the environment!
Does your resort offer any freebies? "Manager's reception" or "afternoon tea"? If you are going to be near/in the resort anyhow, it may be worth stopping by for a free mini-meal or snack!

Remember.... the kids probably do not know what kind of food options are out there, so they may be happy with a peanut butter sandwich and banana at the end of a long tiring day in the parks! I know my kids were! Have a great time!...............P

 

[ronandannette]

Have you been to Legoland before? I can't imagine going an entire day there let alone 4. Have you considered Sea World or the zoo(s) in addition to just one day at Legoland? Will you be staying at the Legoland hotel? The Disneyland hotel is about an hour and forty five minutes from Legoland. You get free breakfast with your stay if you stay at the Legoland hotel.

Not exactly what the OP was asking about but I must agree...you're coming all the way across the continent to the San Diego area; you'll really want to enjoy some of the other attractions (even IF you could do Legoland for 4 days, which I personally couldn't). 4 days at DL should be about right though and if budget meals are a real issue there's a McDonalds right across the street from the main gate esplanade which we've found really useful for breakfast, coffee and afternoon snacks/cold drinks (love those mango smoothies for less than $2).

ETA: I also like BC's mention of Flo's in DCA. It's got a really great menu and while all the counter service places in the park are a little more expensive than they need to be it's still a pretty cost effective (and neat) place to eat on-site. For table service I'd recommend Big Thunder BBQ in DL - again slightly more $$ than it's worth but a good value when you factor in the ambience.