How much do you budget for food for 2 Adults and 2 teenage boys for a week at WDW

[Trinity524]

I will have two teenage boys, my husband, and myself in a studio at Poly in the next few weeks. We arrive 10 AM Saturday and leave 10 AM Saturday. How much would you budget for food? No kitchen for this DVC stay, so I am struggling to think of what to order besides water to be delivered. If we were to eat 100% of our meals on property, how much would you budget?

Also, what would you order for the room?

TIA.

 

[mamapenguin]

I always budget $100 per person per day.

 

[jo-jo]

But you do have the little fridge/ microwave/ toaster, right? Do the boys eat cereal, toast, pb sandwiches? I'd buy at least some milk, juice, cereal, bread, PB, fruit, string cheese. Not so much meals, but snacks.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Hmmn thats kinda tough..picky eaters or big eaters, smackers or need full meals? Think bkfst snack lunch dinner snack. Imho it’s all the drinks that add up quick on a bill. If I can do bkfst bars or pbj/ bagels yogurt cereal/milk granola bars etc and try for bkfst in room before ur day in the parks you ll save quite a bit leaving more money for a quick serve type lunch and a sit down for dinner the QS gets pretty awful for all meals. To be Most accurate.. take a look at a menu in a park/QS you think you’d like. That’s be ur best best. The snacks … figure $6 each p/person. Try for one per day n get ur own snacks for back in ur room.
new used to say $ 350-400 per day WithOUT special dining stuff
Enjoy ur visit.

 

[HeatherC]

I would guess if you were eating every meal out with some snacks and no specialty dining probably 300 - 400 a day safely.

If you have a microwave, you could always order eggs (scrambled eggs) and some protein wraps and cheese to make breakfast wraps. That would keep everyone full for the morning and would save a ton on breakfasts out. Also saves a ton of time in the morning as opposed to waiting in lines for food.

 

[Marionnette]

I will have two teenage boys, my husband, and myself in a studio at Poly in the next few weeks. We arrive 10 AM Saturday and leave 10 AM Saturday. How much would you budget for food? No kitchen for this DVC stay, so I am struggling to think of what to order besides water to be delivered. If we were to eat 100% of our meals on property, how much would you budget?

Also, what would you order for the room?

TIA.

Normally, I would order milk, cereal, juice, English muffins, jam, soft margarine, chips, sodas, cookies, and crackers when staying in a studio. Word has it that the refrigerators in the Poly studios are being replaced with "beverage coolers", so I would avoid getting any meat or dairy products and expect them to last a week.

Stupid cost-cutting move by DVC, IMO.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Normally, I would order milk, cereal, juice, English muffins, jam, soft margarine, chips, sodas, cookies, and crackers when staying in a studio.

Haha I get anxiety just thinking about this. Without daily housekeeping on points stays, I have a very strict "no crumbs allowed" policy.

Stupid cost-cutting move by DVC, IMO.

I certainly know that this wasn't their intent, but I much prefer the beverage cooler for a reason nobody talks about... noise. I sleep so much better without a compressor rattling around all night long.

 

[Trinity524]

Hmmn thats kinda tough..picky eaters or big eaters, smackers or need full meals? Think bkfst snack lunch dinner snack. Imho it’s all the drinks that add up quick on a bill. If I can do bkfst bars or pbj/ bagels yogurt cereal/milk granola bars etc and try for bkfst in room before ur day in the parks you ll save quite a bit leaving more money for a quick serve type lunch and a sit down for dinner the QS gets pretty awful for all meals. To be Most accurate.. take a look at a menu in a park/QS you think you’d like. That’s be ur best best. The snacks … figure $6 each p/person. Try for one per day n get ur own snacks for back in ur room.
new used to say $ 350-400 per day WithOUT special dining stuff
Enjoy ur visit.

Teenagers are big eaters. Like steak and potatoes more than sweets. Husband and I are not big eaters.

Thank you for the room suggestions.

 

[Trinity524]

Normally, I would order milk, cereal, juice, English muffins, jam, soft margarine, chips, sodas, cookies, and crackers when staying in a studio. Word has it that the refrigerators in the Poly studios are being replaced with "beverage coolers", so I would avoid getting any meat or dairy products and expect them to last a week.

Stupid cost-cutting move by DVC, IMO.

Exactly! Thank you!

 

[Trinity524]

Haha I get anxiety just thinking about this. Without daily housekeeping on points stays, I have a very strict "no crumbs allowed" policy.


I certainly know that this wasn't their intent, but I much prefer the beverage cooler for a reason nobody talks about... noise. I sleep so much better without a compressor rattling around all night long.

I wish I had a no crumb policy. I have more of a "please do not kill each other" policy. The teens are best friends and at home are constantly tackling each other and wrestling outside. LOL

 

[TwoMisfits]

I will have two teenage boys, my husband, and myself in a studio at Poly in the next few weeks. We arrive 10 AM Saturday and leave 10 AM Saturday. How much would you budget for food? No kitchen for this DVC stay, so I am struggling to think of what to order besides water to be delivered. If we were to eat 100% of our meals on property, how much would you budget?

Also, what would you order for the room?

TIA.

If it were me, I'd order $150 worth of groceries, and try to eat only 2 meals (or 1 meal and snacks) in the park per day...I've got teens, and wow, can they eat, so I'd put the money into making them happy and full in the room vs buying enough in park food to keep them satiated.

What that is would be up to you and them. I have a list of shelf-stable things I'd buy, but you know what you like eating. I would have "morning" and "dessert foods" and then a few possible midday "savory" options, but those would be less b/c I'd plan most of my eating in parks for prime time.

And I never skip fresh fruit, fridge or no fridge. Whatever you like in the shelf-stable fruits of bananas, apples, pears, oranges, and clementines, I'd get. And I'd always have a jar of peanut butter, b/c a dollop on a plate with bananas, apples, or pears can be a meal for a parent who just doesn't want much in the morning or late evening after the heat and heavier park foods...

 

[MICKIMINI]

$100 per person per day minimum and that would take advance planning, eating breakfast in your villa and knowing where you want to eat and what in order to stick with that budget. Allears.net has menus. Find a couple QS's at each park that work for your family. I would budget for groceries as you would at home.

Have breakfast in your villa. Cereal, bagels, english muffins, butter, cream cheese, jam, peanut butter, milk, 1/2 & 1/2 (coffee drinkers) apples, oranges, bananas, yogurt, walnuts, raisins, PB crackers, granola bars etc. I cut up apples and mix vanilla yogurt, walnuts and raisins for a filling breakfast side.

Bring coffee, filters, paper plates, $ store disposable plastic containers (double as bowls) with covers, zip bags and foil wrap sections from home (just enough for the week). You'll have room for trinkets on the way home.

I'd give each teen a gift card for snacks so they don't have to ask every time they see something. Enjoy your trip!

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

1 million dollars… give or take

 

[Selket]

We were there in December and I have two young adults (around 19-21 years old) so they eat a lot. One is employed full time and old enough to drink alcohol so he did buy his own adult beverages and some food (he paid for a TS meal he ate without us). We actually came close to $50 a day per person. I ordered breakfast foods to the room (value resort) and a few snacks. I took advantage of the small plates at the Epcot food festival (holidays) which were perfect. We found some good values there for food and drinks. We didn't do any TS meals this trip.

I also find best not to go crazy ordering food to the room. I was the only one that would eat the "room food" lmao. Will your family eat the "room food"? I had the groceries delivered from Amazon and it worked well. I got paper goods from them too (bowls/spoons). We got Starbucks drinks every day and usually some snack. The kids probably came closer to $60 a day and my husband and I are lighter eaters so $30 to $40. I agree tho that $100 per person per day would be conservative if you're throwing in some TS meals. $100 with QS only would be plenty I think...more than enough.

 

[Trinity524]

If it were me, I'd order $150 worth of groceries, and try to eat only 2 meals (or 1 meal and snacks) in the park per day...I've got teens, and wow, can they eat, so I'd put the money into making them happy and full in the room vs buying enough in park food to keep them satiated.

What that is would be up to you and them. I have a list of shelf-stable things I'd buy, but you know what you like eating. I would have "morning" and "dessert foods" and then a few possible midday "savory" options, but those would be less b/c I'd plan most of my eating in parks for prime time.

And I never skip fresh fruit, fridge or no fridge. Whatever you like in the shelf-stable fruits of bananas, apples, pears, oranges, and clementines, I'd get. And I'd always have a jar of peanut butter, b/c a dollop on a plate with bananas, apples, or pears can be a meal for a parent who just doesn't want much in the morning or late evening after the heat and heavier park foods...

Thank you. Do you mind sharing your list?

 

[TwoMisfits]

Thank you. Do you mind sharing your list?

So, if I'm trying to make it work with a fridge only for coffee supplies and leftovers and a microwave as the only heating element, and I wanted to have breakfast/dessert and some savory snacks or a one-off light lunch type foods around, I'd give my family this list and ask what they'd eat (and what's on sale) and buy it...

Loaves of bread and/or bagels
Peanut Butter and Honey (jam needs refrigeration, honey doesn't - and you can use it with tea, too - it's also great drizzled on apples)
Apples, Bananas, Pears, Clementines, and/or Oranges
Applesauce packets and/or Fruit Jerky
Mixed Nuts of any type, Raisins, and M&Ms for trail mix (great park snack) - or just buy the trail mix
Microwave shelf-stable Bacon
Shelf-stable pepperoni and Shelf stable cheese (pepperoni is easy to find - cheese sometimes less so) and Crackers
Oatmeal Packets (raisins and honey will also work here)
Whatever cereal they like dry (and/or in trail mix)
Chips of their favorite type - a jar of salsa too if you don't mind making sure you have fridge space if they don't eat it all in one shot
Microwave Popcorn
Donuts and/or Muffins and/or Granola Bars and/or Snack Cakes/Pastries (aka, the breakfast/dessert - what their go-to "I want a sweet" is)
Oreos (or their favorite non-melting cookie, in case you want to throw these in a ziploc, too)
Campbell's Drinkable Soup Cups (or other brands)
Microwave Barilla Pasta Bags (and a "tiny" jar of sauce - I like pesto (I have a vegan nut free one for my allergies) b/c you only need a TB per bag, and it's a lot of flavor vs tomato which needs way more)
Coffee, Tea, and Hot Cocoa Packets
Coffee needs - if you need milk/sugar - buy it
Bottled Water
Soda (if they drink it) - Juice boxes too (same)
Alcohol for you - my spouse always wants a beer at the end of a day - I let him order a nice pack
Ziploc bags (to bring park snacks)
Paper plates and plastic cutlery if you don't think you want to do dishes or if the room doesn't have it

PS - DON'T BUY ALL THIS! I think through amounts my tweens/teens eat and look at prices and what they actually want on a particular trip (b/c their desires change), and then go from there when I have this type of room set up (which doesn't happen on my Disney trips, but will happen on my non-Disney ones like this summer)...since I have allergies, the only thing that ever goes in the tiny fridge is the allergy products I need (and 1-2 beers at a time), so I'm used to living with the counter cabinets and a microwave and making breakfast, snacks, and dessert "work"...

 

[MrsPete]

If it were me, I'd order $150 worth of groceries, and try to eat only 2 meals (or 1 meal and snacks) in the park per day...I've got teens, and wow, can they eat, so I'd put the money into making them happy and full in the room vs buying enough in park food to keep them satiated.

What that is would be up to you and them. I have a list of shelf-stable things I'd buy, but you know what you like eating. I would have "morning" and "dessert foods" and then a few possible midday "savory" options, but those would be less b/c I'd plan most of my eating in parks for prime time.

And I never skip fresh fruit, fridge or no fridge. Whatever you like in the shelf-stable fruits of bananas, apples, pears, oranges, and clementines, I'd get. And I'd always have a jar of peanut butter, b/c a dollop on a plate with bananas, apples, or pears can be a meal for a parent who just doesn't want much in the morning or late evening after the heat and heavier park foods...

This is really good advice ... emphasis on "up to you and them". Since they're teens, I'd make a list and ask them to edit it; that is, tell them, "This is what I think we'll eat in the room. Please give feedback." Some buy-in for teens is a good idea, and you'll be more likely to get what they really want.

Loaves of bread and/or bagels
Peanut Butter and Honey (jam needs refrigeration, honey doesn't - and you can use it with tea, too - it's also great drizzled on apples)
Apples, Bananas, Pears, Clementines, and/or Oranges
Applesauce packets and/or Fruit Jerky
Mixed Nuts of any type, Raisins, and M&Ms for trail mix (great park snack) - or just buy the trail mix
Microwave shelf-stable Bacon
Shelf-stable pepperoni and Shelf stable cheese (pepperoni is easy to find - cheese sometimes less so) and Crackers
Oatmeal Packets (raisins and honey will also work here)
Whatever cereal they like dry (and/or in trail mix)
Chips of their favorite type - a jar of salsa too if you don't mind making sure you have fridge space if they don't eat it all in one shot
Microwave Popcorn
Donuts and/or Muffins and/or Granola Bars and/or Snack Cakes/Pastries (aka, the breakfast/dessert - what their go-to "I want a sweet" is)
Oreos (or their favorite non-melting cookie, in case you want to throw these in a ziploc, too)
Campbell's Drinkable Soup Cups (or other brands)
Microwave Barilla Pasta Bags (and a "tiny" jar of sauce - I like pesto (I have a vegan nut free one for my allergies) b/c you only need a TB per bag, and it's a lot of flavor vs tomato which needs way more)
Coffee, Tea, and Hot Cocoa Packets
Coffee needs - if you need milk/sugar - buy it
Bottled Water
Soda (if they drink it) - Juice boxes too (same)
Alcohol for you - my spouse always wants a beer at the end of a day - I let him order a nice pack
Ziploc bags (to bring park snacks)
Paper plates and plastic cutlery if you don't think you want to do dishes or if the room doesn't have it

This is a good list.
Other thoughts:
- Will you have a car? If so, that opens you up to the world of ordering-ahead from the grocery store and picking up. We often order hoagie sandwiches from Publix ... each person can customize his or her sandwich from a computer or phone ... you can even set up a "favorite" ahead of time and re-order it very quickly. Order from your phone, pay ahead, and you wouldn't even have to park ... just let one of the boys run in and pick up.
- Another super-cheap meal we've picked up from Publix while traveling: chicken from the deli. It's something like $10-12, and it's a bunch of chicken, 2 sides and some rolls.
- Ordering pizza to your room is one of the cheapest way to fill stomachs. Maybe take some ziplock bags from home so you can store leftovers in a small fridge. Oh, teen boys and leftovers ... what was I thinking?
- Remember that you can have loads of other foods delivered to your room ... it's more expensive than picking them up on your own, but it's way cheaper than spending at Disney restaurants. Name a fast food or chain restaurant ... it's almost certainly located within 10 miles of Disney.
- Actually, I'm not sure whether you have a small fridge or not. That's pretty much standard in all the hotels we've stayed in lately ... so I find it hard to believe a fancy place like the Polynesian wouldn't have them, but if you don't, would you find a cooler acceptable? Years ago we went on a national parks road trip out west ... flew to Vegas, then rented a car. Our first stop was Walmart, where we bought a cooler and filled it up. We knew we'd be abandoning that cooler at the end of our trip, but it was the best $20 we spent on that trip. Always having drinks and fruit at the ready and eating one sandwich meal per day from that cooler saved us so much.
- If you're driving, could you take a cooler with you? Could you pick up packs of sodas while they're on sale? Could you take a small microwave with you (buying one probably wouldn't be a waste ... those teen boys could take it to college pretty soon).

 

[TJsMomSarahJane]

I always budget $100 per person per day.

We're the same, sorta. We are a two adult, one 11yo family. We budget $300/day for food, drinks & souvenirs. But, that's taking into account that what the kiddo buys more souvenirs and the adults buy alcohol.

 

[jo-jo]

Our first stop was Walmart, where we bought a cooler and filled it up. We knew we'd be abandoning that cooler at the end of our trip, but it was the best $20 we spent on that trip. Always having drinks and fruit at the ready and eating one sandwich meal per day from that cooler saved us so much.).

One year we did a big order for a week and I knew the fresh food would take up the space in the fridge. We packed a collapsible cooler that would hold about a dozen cans of soda or a few two liter bottles. We only used it for stuff that if it got warm, it wouldn't kill us. Added bags of ice that were double bagged. Sat it on a counter on top of a few towels. Did need to get fresh ice every evening, so there is a bit of an hassle, but still better than warm soda or $5 cups of soda.

 

[Trinity524]

This is really good advice ... emphasis on "up to you and them". Since they're teens, I'd make a list and ask them to edit it; that is, tell them, "This is what I think we'll eat in the room. Please give feedback." Some buy-in for teens is a good idea, and you'll be more likely to get what they really want.
This is a good list.
Other thoughts:
- Will you have a car? If so, that opens you up to the world of ordering-ahead from the grocery store and picking up. We often order hoagie sandwiches from Publix ... each person can customize his or her sandwich from a computer or phone ... you can even set up a "favorite" ahead of time and re-order it very quickly. Order from your phone, pay ahead, and you wouldn't even have to park ... just let one of the boys run in and pick up.
- Another super-cheap meal we've picked up from Publix while traveling: chicken from the deli. It's something like $10-12, and it's a bunch of chicken, 2 sides and some rolls.
- Ordering pizza to your room is one of the cheapest way to fill stomachs. Maybe take some ziplock bags from home so you can store leftovers in a small fridge. Oh, teen boys and leftovers ... what was I thinking?
- Remember that you can have loads of other foods delivered to your room ... it's more expensive than picking them up on your own, but it's way cheaper than spending at Disney restaurants. Name a fast food or chain restaurant ... it's almost certainly located within 10 miles of Disney.
- Actually, I'm not sure whether you have a small fridge or not. That's pretty much standard in all the hotels we've stayed in lately ... so I find it hard to believe a fancy place like the Polynesian wouldn't have them, but if you don't, would you find a cooler acceptable? Years ago we went on a national parks road trip out west ... flew to Vegas, then rented a car. Our first stop was Walmart, where we bought a cooler and filled it up. We knew we'd be abandoning that cooler at the end of our trip, but it was the best $20 we spent on that trip. Always having drinks and fruit at the ready and eating one sandwich meal per day from that cooler saved us so much.
- If you're driving, could you take a cooler with you? Could you pick up packs of sodas while they're on sale? Could you take a small microwave with you (buying one probably wouldn't be a waste ... those teen boys could take it to college pretty soon).

I will not have a car, and the room has a beverage cooler only. We are flying. Thank you!