How Can I save on disney world dining??

[lanorat@wavecable.co]

How Can I save on disney world dining??

 

[Mickey country]

Do you mean how can you save on the dining plan, or out of pocket?

 

[ancestry]

Well you can purchase one of the dining plans which may save you money over paying out of pocket. Or if you have an annual pass you can purchase the Tables In Wonderland card for $75 which will then entitle you to 20% off of many table service restaurants.

 

[rcraw45425]

If you are not big eaters you can share meals as long as you are not on the dining plan or at an all you can eat restaurant. A lot of CS meals are quite large and are shareable.

 

[marciemouse]

You'll get more detailed responses if you share your party size and ages, eating preferences, etc.

We usually eat granola bars (brought from home) for breakfast, share some meals (both TS and CS) and order a case of bottled water (shipped free from Costco) to have in our room.

 

[CanadianPaco]

If you have an idea where you'd like to eat, review the menus ahead of time. It could give you an idea of how much you would spend at various restaurants or ones to avoid. It might help.

 

[jlk51496]

and order a case of bottled water (shipped free from Costco) to have in our room.

really?!!?? sorry to crash OP ... but costco does this...do you call the costco down there or your local costco? I am very interested..bec all my DH and I drink is water so we are def going to go through a lot of it and dont want to pay an arm and a leg for one at the parks every day!?!?

 

[ksbean]

Breakfasts and lunches at table service restaurants are less than dinner. Just check the menus as they do not always offer the same meals at lunch as they do dinner. A lot will depend on your eating habits.

 

[TillyMarigold]

really?!!?? sorry to crash OP ... but costco does this...do you call the costco down there or your local costco? I am very interested..bec all my DH and I drink is water so we are def going to go through a lot of it and dont want to pay an arm and a leg for one at the parks every day!?!?

Costco stopped resort delivery last year, IIRC, but the way to do it used to be to go into their website for businesses and order from the breakroom snacks section. But there were reports last fall that they would no longer deliver to Disney resorts.

 

[CrabbyPatty]

RE: Costco not delivering water to WDW Resorts. We were there the last week of August last year and ordered water (delivered to CBR) without any trouble. This policy must have started afterwards ......

For saving money on dining - use a grocery delivery service and get items to eat in the hotel room for breakfast or take along to the parks for snacks. You can get water for FAR cheaper than in the parks this way, and if you have a refrigerator in your room, you can lay in a small stock of other items (although our refrig at CBR hardly kept water cool .....)

 

[WatchMeEat]

People are talking about buying bottled water out of the park to save money, but I have one better. Bring reusable bottles and drink tap water! 1 cubic meter of bottled water costs about $1000. Same amount of tap water costs under $1.00!

Despite some people who claim otherwise, the tap water in Florida is actually very safe to drink. You'll be saving money, your health, and the environment!

 

[AJKMOM]

People are talking about buying bottled water out of the park to save money, but I have one better. Bring reusable bottles and drink tap water! 1 cubic meter of bottled water costs about $1000. Same amount of tap water costs under $1.00!

Despite some people who claim otherwise, the tap water in Florida is actually very safe to drink. You'll be saving money, your health, and the environment!

It's safe to drink, maybe, but it smells like sulphur and tastes nasty. It upsets our stomachs when we drink it. Try to find a water bottle that has a filter in it. Brita used to make one, not sure now. Maybe a camping store could help.

 

[kirbsam]

you can hang around counter service restaurants and pretend you are cleaning tables and take used trays and eat the leftovers. hope this helps.

 

[Luvchefmic]

you can hang around counter service restaurants and pretend you are cleaning tables and take used trays and eat the leftovers. hope this helps.

OP staying on site ? Off? Have a car? We want to help you

 

[TillyMarigold]

RE: Costco not delivering water to WDW Resorts. We were there the last week of August last year and ordered water (delivered to CBR) without any trouble. This policy must have started afterwards ......

Yes, we did the same at POFQ the first week of September. The reports that Costco no longer delivers to resorts came out later that month, after we got back.

I haven't looked into it again because we will have a rental car for the first couple days of the trip this year.

 

[mdinme]

If you're used to spring water or simply have excellent drinking water at home you WILL NOT be able to stomach the water in Orlando. Smells awful and tastes worse.

We're spoiled here in Maine with great water, none of us can drink the Orlando tap water. Last trip we went through 2 cases of bottles plus 3 gallons that we used to make coffee with in our room.

W/O a vehicle to shop with it's tough, we always have one, but if you're using ME you may have to consider a cab ride to the store.

 

[WatchMeEat]

If you're used to spring water or simply have excellent drinking water at home you WILL NOT be able to stomach the water in Orlando. Smells awful and tastes worse.

We're spoiled here in Maine with great water, none of us can drink the Orlando tap water. Last trip we went through 2 cases of bottles plus 3 gallons that we used to make coffee with in our room.

We do have high levels of sulfur in our water here which causes the smell, but it's amazing how fast you can get used to it. I refused to drink the water here for the longest time until I finally realized how silly buying bottled water was. After a day or two of drinking the water, I didn't notice the sulfur anymore. Just think of it as Florida's finest mineral water...

Also, temperature plays a big factor in taste. Keep your water cold and you won't notice the taste as much. Letting the water sit overnight without a lid also helps since much of the sulfur and chlorine used for treatment evaporates out of the water rather quickly.

 

[NorweJenNY]

As long as there's plenty of ice in the tap water, I have no problem with it. (I don't like it straight from the fountains though.)

You could also consider bringing Crystal Light To Go packs... one pack for 16 oz. of water and you'll have a refreshing flavored drink.

We have also brought our own juice boxes and/or sodas in a soft-sided cooler. Though that's easier to tote around in the bottom of a stroller.

As far as saving money on food... I don't know if you're talking TS or CS, but I agree with the thought of sharing that was previously mentioned. We've shared meals at both TS and CS restaurants, with and without the DDP.

Purchasing a TiW is helpful if your intention is to eat at a lot of TS restaurants. As far as CS restaurants are concerned, TiW is not good at any theme park CS restaurants accept for some of the ones in AK. And it's only good at value resort CS restaurants and the POFQ food court (resorts that don't have TS restaurants). It would take a lot to get your money' worth at solely CS restaurants though.

Another thought is that sure, TiW will save you 20% at a lot of TS restaurants, but even without paying $75 for it (as an AP-holder), the AP alone will still give you 10% off at a rather long list of TS restaurants.

I don't know how much of this will help the OP, but I hope it helps some readers, as I'm sure many people are interested in saving money in Disney!

 

[disneyfan55]

We always brought cereal,bagels and granola bars for breakfasts/snack items. We drive so it's easy. Also, we bring water and drinks. In years gone by when the kids were young I brough peanut butter and jelly as well and when we went back to the room we had a quick sandwich. We also have brought the cup of soup and oatmeal and got hot water in the food courts. The other suggestions work as well. The combo 1/2 chicken and ribs at Cosmic rays can easily be shared and is quite a bit of food. Maybe a good way to save is book a Value and go during Free dining. The value is 82/night plus tax and you'll get a TS, CS and snack a day-can't beat that! Now we also use the TIW since we have an AP and saved quite a bit just on our trip in Feb (had 6 adults so already more than paid for itself)

 

[steelebug]

You can take a soft sided cooler into all the parks. Sanwiches work great if you have a fridge in your room. We take in snacks and water.