Good food, good times, on a budget

[mattkrass]

So I'm a bit of a goof and I missed out on a great opportunity to get Free Dining, which now I can't get. But it's alright, I had budgeted money for food anyway, I was wondering if i could tap your wonderful minds for some help here.

I'm going to be in the World 8/17 to 8/21, 5 day parkhopper with the girlfriend, we're not terrible picky eaters, but we're trying not to break the bank on it. Major TS and anything needing an ADR is out, as we just want to have a good time and get some yummy's without going nuts on the price, or the time commitment, or the attire. So what places in the parks and around the world can y'all recommend for some decent QS (I hope I'm using these acronyms right, I'm new around these parts, by QS I mean quick simple, 'food tray' places )

Food quality should be at least edible, preferably somewhat tasty, and I'm not looking for fine dining, but not McDonald's either. So please I guess I'm asking for a list of eateries in the parks and the World would you guys recommend? I think I repeated myself

Thanks all!

 

[wezee]

WPE in DTD has great food at a decent price.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

Agree with WolfGang Puck Express in DTD.

Also the Earl of Sandwich

Columbia Harbour House in MK
Pecos Bills in MK - wife loves the topping bar.

Sunshine Seasons in Epcot

Flame Tree BBQ in AK
Pizzafari - not great but good, daughter likes the bread sticks and sauce

 

[Neesy228]

Agree with WolfGang Puck Express in DTD.

Also the Earl of Sandwich

Columbia Harbour House in MK
Pecos Bills in MK - wife loves the topping bar.

Sunshine Seasons in Epcot

Flame Tree BBQ in AK
Pizzafari - not great but good, daughter likes the bread sticks and sauce

Scott listed many of the same places I would have! All good food...

I would add that many of the countries in Epcot have excellent QS/CS meals if you like to try different foods - anything from Morrocan to good ol' fish and chips. Lots of variety - and even an easy place to stroll and snack, if you want to take in the sights while enjoying your meal!

 

[mainegal]

MK - Pecos Bill's

Epcot - Sunshine Seasons for variety
Epcot - Do try different countries. I was very happy with Morroco's counter service.

 

[julluvsdisney]

this is a meal but dont miss out on DOH bars from cookes of dublin (counter service by raglan road in DTD)! All I can say is heaven on a stick! only 3.50! Gotta have it!

 

[mattkrass]

I will look in to all of those options, they seem to be all good places, thank you for the input!

One other thing, my girlfriend and I were looking through the menu's and the fora, and we saw the Sci-Fi Dine In in DHS, and she just about fell in love with the place, and I'm pretty fond of it myself. The WDWInfo page on it states reservations are 'recommended'. Where do I call for them, am I likely to still get them, and do they serve things from the lunch menu for dinner?

Help me out here, I don't want to disappoint her

 

[onelilspark]

During this time you MUST call for ADRs ("Advance Dining Reservations") at any sit down restaurant.

You can book online through the Disney website, go to www.waltdisneyworld.com then "book" then "dining reservations" Find the restaurant you want and click "make a reservation."

You can also call 407-WDW-DINE. For you, since it sounds like you're new at this I would recommend calling and talking with an agent. They'll be able to help walk you through the process.

 

[teach22180]

It's not CS, but I would recommend Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club Resort. It's burgers and fries and the best ice cream, all for less money than most TS. They don't take ADRs, but it can get busy, so pick an off time. I was there at 4 pm, and it was fairly empty in early June. You can go to HS for a little bit and then take the boat up to the resort for lunch/dinner and then either go back to HS or go into Epcot. It was a nice break from the heat and the craziness of the parks.

 

[mattkrass]

Thanks for the help and the suggestions, I'll be poring over them tonight. I made my first ADR online today, for the Sci Fi dine in, they didn't have my preferred time, but I found one close enough

Thanks guys, this trip gets better by the day!

 

[Smile4Me]

I think the hardest place to find something special for QS is Hollywood Studios, that said we like Pizza Planet. Its good enough pizza and salads and there is an arcade!
We like Yakatori House in Japan *but really you could easily try any place in World Showcase and get something real good
also Sunshine Seasons at the Land for Epcot
Cosmic Rays and Pinnochio Haus in MK
and FlameTree BBQ at Animal Kingdom

Enjoy!

 

[mattkrass]

I'll add it to my list!

These ADRs are addicting, I'm planning the whole trip by accident, I keep going "oh that's interesting, and this time is good, book it." and my girlfriend is rolling her eyes at me.

 

[remark44]

and my girlfriend is rolling her eyes at me.

Get used to this. My DH still rolls his eyes at me when I talk Disney planning.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

CHH in the MK is so good.

 

[TifffanyD]

MK: We like columbia harbour house or Cosmic rays (esp the free hot cheese at the latter)

Epcot: Used to love Japan but it was bad last time . China is decent (DH loves the egg rolls). DH also likes morocco and mexico (I am picky and don't eat beef/pork). I like sunshine seasons in the land - the salmon is yummy and they have a great bakery case!

DHS: We usually eat at backlot express but this is just your normal fast food fare.

AK: We've eaten at pizzafari and flame tree and they are alright.

Downtown: Cooke's of Dublin or Wolfgang Puck Express. Both can be pricey but good!

Resorts: We love the POP foodcourt. Pepper Market is pretty good (but expensive if paying OOP)

 

[CiSide]

All this talk about the restaurants has me so ready to get to the world to eat!!

 

[monosgrande]

Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe had some monster good sandwich in the Norway section of Epcot.

In Magic Kingdom we liked Cosmic Rays, and the fish and chips at Columbia Harbor House. Chicken wraps at Pecos Bills were good as well. On the other hand, Tony's Town Square tasted like reheated Stouffer's frozen dinners.

back to Epcot-
Marrakesh was okay food, but entertainment was pretty good.
Everybody dogs the Hell out of the Coral Reef, but we loved it. The catfish was great, and my daughter (usually very picky) loved the talapia.

In the Animal Kingdom Flame Tree BBQ was outstanding for fast food. The lines are long, but move fairly quickly, and while it doesn't look like it, there are more places to sit and eat behind the building than anywhere else in the rest of Walt Disney World.

Beaches and Cream at the Yacht and Beach Club was pretty good. The burgers/fries were fair, but the ice cream's why you go anyway.

In Hollywood Studios the pickings are kinda slim. The ABC Commissary had very friendly employees, and even better still plenty of seating and it's air conditioned. 50's Prime Time was not as good as the last time we went. I've never liked the Sci-Fi Dine-in Theater. Expensive hotdogs and burgers in uncomfortable surroundings. The three of us were put at a table that sat like a car. This meant my wife and daughter sat in the front seat, with me by myself in the back. We asked to be moved and they acted like we'd asked for free food. The place was half empty.
Brown derby= expensive and food I didn't want. Too chi-chi.

Hope this helps

 

[sharadoc]

Scott listed many of the same places I would have! All good food...

I would add that many of the countries in Epcot have excellent QS/CS meals if you like to try different foods - anything from Morrocan to good ol' fish and chips. Lots of variety - and even an easy place to stroll and snack, if you want to take in the sights while enjoying your meal!

This is a great idea - get one CS and share. Instead of another meal, get a frozen alcoholic drink or beer from different countries. Then walk around, shop a little or see a show, then grab another CS and share. It's fun!

DH and I always went on a budget and found that by sharing and snacking, you can have a great trip, never be too full and have lots of fun searching for that perfect meal to share Eating three meals a day just slows you down - both in the time it takes to eat and the slower pace you have to take to digest your food!

We switched from free dining to a room only discount because we really didn't want to eat that much. We were planning on doing mostly CS anyway, so when the good room discount came out - we switched and can stay for 4 more day!! We'll just snack in the parks and cook in the room.

 

[ltl engine]

Sci-Fi, yes you can get lunch items at dinner. Just ask but they most likely will accomodate. Also if you miss your ADR we have walked in with minimal wait at the beginning of lunch (11:00?) and dinner (4:15 or 4:30) during free dining. Enjoy!

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

Get some food stuff before you get there. Either stop at a grocery store or get www.gardengrocer.com You will save a lot of money. Get water, peanut butter, bread, bagels, lunch meat, cheese, yougurt, tuna kits, fruit, snacks, etc. You can supplement with Disney food.