How Low Can You Go?

[TinkFan74]

I will be in Disneyland on a solo trip for Jan 27-30, I also have another trip to Disneyland scheduled for June, and a two week trip to WDW in July, so I want this trip to be as inexpensive as possible, does anybody have any idea of how inexpensive each day will be? There is a free breakfast at the hotel, I am not doing any table service meals, and I am not a big eater; Do you think I could do it on $50 per day? I almost want to challenge myself to see if I could do it for under $30, but I think that might be a bit extreme. Does any one else have experience with this?
Thanks for the advice in advance.

 

[TrySomethingNew]

Sure! Bring fave snacks from home or stop at local grocery that you can put into your bag and peruse some menus in advance so you have an idea of what looks good for both price and taste. I've known plenty of people to cut costs by getting a large sandwich one Day and wrapping up half and using hotel fridge, so they can half the next day. EOS maybe? Traveling solo, I would think this is doable. Good luck.

 

[jpessa]

Definitely doable under $30. Meals are huge at DLR. When going on the cheap with free breakfast, I eat a large bfast, then a QS lunch in the park around 11:30am ($15 on average). Then I treat myself to a snack around 3pm (let's say $8 - often less). I find I'm never hungry enough for a whole meal so dinner might be a chili cone /corn dog, etc. (another $8). I usually get a cup of water to drink (free) for all my beverages except lunch (already factored into the price I mentioned). Total for the day around $30.

Or, you could skip the snack and do 2 QS meals per day. Same total. But for me the snacks make the trip.

 

[TinkFan74]

Thanks for your help, I a, definitely going to aim for under 30.

 

[paintingoncelluloid]

I often play this game myself! Eating a protein-rich breakfast is key, for me, as is picking "snacks" that are very filling. The best bang-for-my-buck on this front is definitely ice cream: a giant ice cream cone or sundae is as big as a meal, and costs about $6. On the same logic, I've also been meaning to try the stuffed baked potato and the sausage over at Troubadour Tavern, but I never seem to catch them when they're open. My favorite, most filling QS meal is the pulled pork hot dog they have been serving at Hungry Bear and Corner Cafe. I think Earl of Sandwich is also generally a good deal, but ESPECIALLY so for the prices on the breakfast sandwiches. If I ever got myself to the park early enough that it made sense, I think I'd swing by there for a very early lunch.

Also, to go ultra-cheap, bringing your own food is another way to go. On my cheapest days at Disneyland, I eat breakfast at home, throw a PB&J and apple in my purse to eat for lunch (no one ever bats an eye), and then eat a giant ice cream cone or a chili hot dog for dinner. Not the healthiest, exactly, but it's a whole day at Disney for less than $10!

 

[Disneyluvr2]

Holy cow! I could eat for several days on $50! I ditto the Earl of Sandwich advice. Also, if your not a big eater, order the kids meals. This works at any of the counter service restaurants. Plaza Inn has a great chicken dinner kids meal! I don't know where you're staying, but Pizza Press is right across the street on Harbor Blvd, next to Carousel Inn. You can get a medium size pizza for only $10, with any toppings you want. Eat 1/2 and take the other half back to your room.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

When eating outside the parks, make sure to check for any discount offered. I think EOS has a AAA discount and Pizza Press offers D23 and military discounts. Every little bit of savings helps!

 

[Disneyluvr2]

When eating outside the parks, make sure to check for any discount offered. I think EOS has a AAA discount and Pizza Press offers D23 and military discounts. Every little bit of savings helps!

Yes, Earl of Sandwich does offer a AAA discount, and Pizza Press also offers a 10% AP discount. I think Plaza Inn used to offer a AAA discount at one time, but I'm not sure if the still do. Drinking water instead of soda will also cut your costs quite a bit too.

 

[nikkislaght]

we go as a group of 5 , 2 kids and 3 adults.. and we always have breakfast at the hotel.. then take our own lunch.. my son and I get Child meals.. well under $10. at QS . it includes a fruit and a drink.. . we take our own snacks and find that by the end of the day , I'm sick of looking at food

https://touringplans.com/disneyland-resort/dining/menus

 

[gottalovepluto]

You can do it under $30 since you're by yourself. (Remember you can get free ice water at the counter service restaurants even if you didn't by anything- save money instead of buying water bottles.) Check out the menus ahead of time and you can plan a pretty accurate budget.

 

[scanmom]

One cheap "meal" that fills me up(I'm not a big eater) is the skewers of beef/chicken/veggies that you can get at the permanent little food stand in Adventureland. I can't remember the name of it, but my favorite is the chicken skewer. It's delicious,filling and under $5.00.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

If it's just you, $30/day is very reasonable. I went for the 24 hour party this past year alone. Aside from the cost of the motel I stayed in, I found it very easy to find food in the parks for cheap. There are hot dog carts, you can bring a tupperware or sandwich bag and save half of a sandwich from Jolly Holiday and have it for lunch and dinner. I also really like Harbour Galley. They have some great baked potatoes for extremely reasonable prices. Enjoy!

Edited to add that some of the CS restaurants have filtered water in their condiment area. Tomorrowland Terrace (or whatever they're calling it with Star Wars now) has one. I know there are a few others, too. Hungry Bear, maybe? Bring a water bottle with a clip so you can attach it to your belt loop and refill it as you go.

 

[sheetz]

If I wanted to be super cheap I'd bring a soft sided cooler (assuming the hotel doesn't have a fridge) and fill it up with Von's delivery once I arrived. Then each day I would eat a large breakfast, snacks (bought from Vons) during the day, and then have a picnic out of the cooler back at the hotel for dinner.

 

[Huff]

Try Jazz Kitchen Express in DTD. Easy walk from GC exit. Burgers are about $8 and far better than anything I've found inside the parks and cheaper too.

 

[valiamo]

We were just there in November. While we were not going on a budget, we had the following average expenses for 7 days in the resort.

Per day (per person)
Coffee/Snack - 5.35
Lunches $11.75
Dinner $19.75 (I took out our one expensive dinner at $140.00)

So overall we were $36.85 per person, per day. We ate at a number of great places, and never felt like we were skimping at all. Our favourite is the sandwiches at the Jolly Holiday, and breakfast at the Coronation Cafe.

 

[MrDisneyFan]

if you get free breakfast how about grabbing a few snack to go? Depending on what they have available even a few pieces of fruit and a bagel (if they have some individual peanut butters even better) to go can replace a meal. Or buy some kind bars (or some other quality protein bar) before hand and bring those along. Bring a bottle of water or refillable container you can use to fill up at water fountains in the park.

 

[disneychrista]

I am not doing any table service meals, and I am not a big eater; Do you think I could do it on $50 per day? I almost want to challenge myself to see if I could do it for under $30, but I think that might be a bit extreme. Does any one else have experience with this?

For food, for one person $30/day is very doable. I am usually at $25. Breakfast at hotel.

My favorite meals include Taco's at Rancho or Cocina - $12
Late Breakfast (for lunch) at River Belle (soon to be at Rancho) - $10
Late Breakfast (for lunch) at Flo's - $10
Fried Pickles & Baked Potato Soup at Carnation - $13
Corn Dog or Hot link - $10
Broadwalk Field Green from Boardwalk Pizza - $10

I never (rarely) spend more than $15 for a single meal.

 

[Diszona]

It is certainly doable, particularly if you are not a big eater. Do you have a Target Red Card or are a member of Sam's Club? If so you can get Disney gift cards that will work in the parks for 5% off so that is savings right from the start (note these won't work at non-Disney places like Earl of Sandwich and Jazz Kitchen). Others have mentioned Earl of Sandwich, if you sign up for their club you get a coupon for a free sandwich and if you happen to have a birthday before your trip you can get another free sandwich coupon as well. One other thing, if you are not a big eater there are places like Filmore's Taste-In that has things like hummus or chips and salsa for less than $5 that might hold you over after having a big breakfast at the hotel. I would recommend going to the Disneyland website and checking the prices ahead of time, you can then plan a couple of different options for each day that will still keep you under your goal. Good luck!

 

[Gisele]

Currently at Earl of Sandwhich, a complimentary sa sandwhich isn't being offered. It is a "free" soft drink and potato chips with the purchase of a sandwhich, wrap or salad. Also I believe the birthday sandwhich offer is also a thing of the past.

 

[Diszona]

Currently at Earl of Sandwhich, a complimentary sa sandwhich isn't being offered. It is a "free" soft drink and potato chips with the purchase of a sandwhich, wrap or salad. Also I believe the birthday sandwhich offer is also a thing of the past.

Well that stinks, sorry if I got anyone's hopes up.