How far for off-site dining places?

[hkp1042]

We are going to Disney in March and I don't think we will be getting the dining plan.

We are driving so will have our car anyway. Is it a pain to eat off-side with traffic and such. Which restaurants are relatively close?

Also what are your favorite cheaper restaurants in Disney. I have been printing some menus to get an idea of how much food will cost us. There are 5 of us (three kids who don't eat much and usually share kids meals).

 

[JoePa4Ever]

I can't help you with non-Disney dining. Some cheaper options for sit-down meals in WDW would be The Plaza in MK & Sci Fi in HS - we really enjoy both of these. The Plaza has good sandwiches & awesome desserts. Sci Fi has a very fun atmosphere - you sit at a car-table and watch old movie clips on a big screen. We usually go to Sci Fi for lunch and the food has been very good.

 

[dixonsontour]

Are you staying onsite or offsite?

eg if you are offsite then you can return to your resort for a nap and a meal then come back later.

All the usual chain restaurants are nearby but you have to factor in walking to the car park, at MK getting the monorail or boat to the car park first.

Are you looking for sit down meals or counter service?

 

[disnut8]

There are tons of restaurant choices all up and down Highway 192. Think of a chain restaurant and I'm sure it there somewhere. It's not that far.

However, we've stayed onsite and offsite and when offsite, it was easy for us to dine offsite and that's what we were used to. When we finally were able to go back onsite (finances improved), we found that once we got back to our room, we did not feel like getting into the car and driving offsite. We've since adjusted our eating habits so when we are onsite, we just eat most of our food during the day at the parks and then have snacks in the room in the evening.

So you can plan to eat offsite if you want but I'm not sure you are going to be doing that all the time. Disney resorts have too much to offer and it might be tough to pull your kids away from all that magic.

 

[Kay1]

Formosa Gardens on 192 West has a lot of chain restaurants including Red Lobster, Outback, Cracker Barrel, Carrabas, and Giordanos. They also have a great Chinese restaurant called Taste of China.

Celebration is close. We like Celebration Town Tavern - they're on the web if you want to see their menu.

I haven't been to the Crossroads Mall for a bit but I know they have a Chevy's and a McDonalds, and maybe a Sweet Tomatoes. There is also an Olive Garden a tiny bit down the road as well as a Joe's Crab Shack and, I think a Macaroni Grill.

We go on a off site all the time. It's no big deal at all.

 

[Taja]

Crossroads (just beyond DTD) used to have a Perkins--haven't visited WDW since 2007, so I won't guarantee it's still there!

There also were a few fast-food places in the vicinity.

We primarily stay on site at WDW--they have us hooked! *LOL*

 

[Mick West]

Chhescake Factory!! Exit 178 at the Millenia Mall!!

 

[Frothy]

US 192 has loads of the chain restaurants and this YouTube link will show you whats on Sand Lake Road. http://www.youtube.com/floridaleisure#p/u/15/KTBsM6nOvzM

 

[Pooh_Girl]

Definately try Miller's Ale House!! It's our favorite off site restaurant!!

 

[Mich123]

If you're staying onsite, it's easier to eat onsite--even with the car. The resorts have pretty good counter service options that should be less expensive. We also like counter service options at Epcot as well. Morocco in particular was really good--kabobs and hummus and flatbread. Yum! Sunshine Seasons also seems to be dependably good.

 

[honeydiane1953]

Due to so much "down grading" of food you will be GLAD to travel to eat off site.

 

[tortoni]

We like Mimi's and Sonny's. Sorry, don't recall exact location but they both have websites.

 

[GailT]

We are going to Disney in March and I don't think we will be getting the dining plan.

We are driving so will have our car anyway. Is it a pain to eat off-side with traffic and such. Which restaurants are relatively close?

Also what are your favorite cheaper restaurants in Disney. I have been printing some menus to get an idea of how much food will cost us. There are 5 of us (three kids who don't eat much and usually share kids meals).

we rent a car and we always go to Chevys on the crossroads almost near DTD. Great mexican food, one year we acullay bought some salsa home, going to do it again this year, this was before 9-11, I hope i can bring it on the plane

 

[hkp1042]

Thanks. We are planning on staying on-site (if I can get a good deal). I have been looking at menus and it does seem there there are some good places to eat on site that are cheaper.

Thanks everyone!

 

[EastonCat]

You should also look at menus for the restaurants in the hotels on Hotel Plaza Boulevard and the Orlando Ale House and other restaurants near the end of Hotel Plaza Blvd. These are close by and will give you some options. If you are budget-conscious, you may also want to look at them as a less expensive on-property resort option. I agree that you won't be interested in leaving the parks mid-day and coming back on property - but leaving your resort and coming back is fairly easy.

There are many options for you that are less expensive. I think people overestimate what they can reasonably eat in a day and underestimate the enjoyment of a good sandwich or a light meal. For example, dinner at Gasparilla's with fireworks from the Grand Floridian marina is a great dining option on any budget.

 

[twocat]

we rent a car and we always go to Chevys on the crossroads almost near DTD. Great mexican food, one year we acullay bought some salsa home, going to do it again this year, this was before 9-11, I hope i can bring it on the plane

Only if it's in your checked luggage.

 

[Meteora]

At the Crossroads there's a Pizzeria Uno. I think there's also an Olive Garden nearby. There's a cool place called Johnny's Hideaway that just opened near the Crossroads, also. And there are some buffets as well. Really, there are plenty of restaurants. I personally think it's a very easy drive offsite to get to most places.

 

[eliza61]

Due to so much "down grading" of food you will be GLAD to travel to eat off site.

Personally I find Orlando one of the easiest places to drive around it but I'm from NYC and Philly. so most places are a breeze after years of driving in those cities.

Anyway the crossroads strip is the easiest and nearest spot. tons of chain restaurants.