How Much For Meals?

[HLAuburn]

We are looking at a room only deal that won't allow us to add the dining package, but the room savings are good enough that we think we might give it a try. For 6 park days, I estimated about $150 a day for 2 adults and 1 child. That's assuming we do one table service, one counter, maybe a snack and probably breakfast in the room.

Generally speaking, how much do you allot for food while you're at Disney World, assuming you don't do the DDP? I know I can find each restaurant and estimate the bill, but I'm just curious how much most people set aside for their meals per day.

Thanks!!

 

[maddiesmom0116]

I would say you are in the right range, I have gone w/o the DDP in the past and if you are not drinking you can do it on a 150 a day for 2 adults and a child as long as you are not eating at Fultons or Narcosses etc...

 

[HLAuburn]

Thanks! So did you feel like you were "limited" without the plan? I guess my concern is that if we have to actually "pay" the bill at the end, eating won't be as fun . Obviously price will be a factor on what we order, unlike when you're on the DDP.

 

[etoiles]

We went to Disney last month and did not get the dining plan. We spent much less than you estimated (2 adults, ate breakfast in our room)

We ate CS at lunch and mostly TS for dinners. The counter service lunches averaged $20 for two adults. We never bought drinks since we brought crystal light type envelopes and just got ice water and added it to that. The main dishes were plenty of food and were about 8-10 bucks each. Sometimes we split a side dish of something.

The TS varied but we ate at mostly reasonable places. I think it was nice because if we wanted to order an appetizer we could without worrying about if it was covered on a plan or not. Also sometimes we ate at CS for dinner as well and sometimes not so we didn't have a reservation every night to worry about without worrying about getting our money's worth.

We did not buy snacks everyday either since the CS meals were so filling.

 

[HLAuburn]

Thank you all for the help!

Anyone else have any input, especially on how much we'll need for meals?

 

[Ava]

I would think $20-$25 is a good budget for CS for 2 adults, so maybe make it $25-$30 since you have 1 child. It also depends on how much you eat - a lot of people find they can split a CS meal and still be full.

For TS it really depends on where you plan to eat, as some are a lot more $$$ than others. You also have to factor in alchohol, if you like a drink with dinner, and tips. Do you usually like appetizers and/or desserts with your dinner? All of those things factor in.

Sorry, this probably isn't very helpful, but I think making a food budget really depends on individual eating habits. For example, on our last trip I think we spent about $50 for 2 adults at an average TS, but we didn't have alchohol and would usually split 1 appetizer or dessert between the 2 of us, if we had them at all.

I can say we did not have very many snacks, maybe 1 ice cream/popsicle a day. The CS and TS meals were pretty filling for us, and it's too hot to walk around feeling stuffed.

 

[HLAuburn]

I would think $20-$25 is a good budget for CS for 2 adults, so maybe make it $25-$30 since you have 1 child. It also depends on how much you eat - a lot of people find they can split a CS meal and still be full.

For TS it really depends on where you plan to eat, as some are a lot more $$$ than others. You also have to factor in alchohol, if you like a drink with dinner, and tips. Do you usually like appetizers and/or desserts with your dinner? All of those things factor in.

Sorry, this probably isn't very helpful, but I think making a food budget really depends on individual eating habits. For example, on our last trip I think we spent about $50 for 2 adults at an average TS, but we didn't have alchohol and would usually split 1 appetizer or dessert between the 2 of us, if we had them at all.

I can say we did not have very many snacks, maybe 1 ice cream/popsicle a day. The CS and TS meals were pretty filling for us, and it's too hot to walk around feeling stuffed.

Thanks...that does help. I guess I must be looking at expensive TS restaurants, because they all seem to be close to $100 for the 3 of us, including tax and tip. The meal plan is just $91, so I guess I have to decide if the room savings is really worth it or not. Honestly, I think an appetizer, entree, and dessert per person is way too much food, so splitting an app or dessert sounds like a good option.

Which TS restaurants did you like? Of course, the TS places I've priced out are mostly buffets or set prices like 'Ohana and Crystal Palace, so that might be a factor, too. You're pretty much paying for everything (app's, desserts), even if you wouldn't normally order them. Hmmmm...

Thanks again for the help!

 

[etoiles]

Two meals that put us far under budget than the DDP were at Rose and Crown and the Plaza. With those for dinner and counter service for lunch we definitely saved money from the DDP and even got dessert and apps at both places.

Boma put us right at the same cost as the DDP and same for the Morrocan restaurant (which I really do NOT recommend!!!!).

I liked that we did not have to have a TS every night and we are appetizer people more than dessert people so we could get one of those without worrying about the out of pocket cost.

It really depends on what type of restaurant you are going to eat at to figure out your cost, no one can say what the average is since each place is different.

 

[captainjen]

I think $150 for 2 adults and 1 child is very do able. Just watch the drinks, they can really double your bill

 

[IluvKingLouis]

Do you like buffets? About every other day we'd do a late breakfast buffet (which became breakfast and lunch) or we'd do late lunch buffet (2:30) which took care of our dinner.

I felt I never stuffed myself, but we definitely found we weren't hungry for most of the day. Sometimes DH would get a pretzel or some other kind of snack.

I usually can get by with a light breakfast (oatmeal for 2.50), a nice sitdown lunch (20'ish) and a counter service or snack for dinner (4-8). We usually have a car so I go off property for additional snacks and wine.

 

[HLAuburn]

I think $150 for 2 adults and 1 child is very do able. Just watch the drinks, they can really double your bill

Yeah, I can imagine alcohol really runs up the bill. Fortunately (or maybe unfortanately!) I won't be drinking since I'm nursing and DH maybe has a few beers around the countries in EPCOT, but that's about it.

Do you like buffets? About every other day we'd do a late breakfast buffet (which became breakfast and lunch) or we'd do late lunch buffet (2:30) which took care of our dinner.

I felt I never stuffed myself, but we definitely found we weren't hungry for most of the day. Sometimes DH would get a pretzel or some other kind of snack.

I usually can get by with a light breakfast (oatmeal for 2.50), a nice sitdown lunch (20'ish) and a counter service or snack for dinner (4-8). We usually have a car so I go off property for additional snacks and wine.

That's a good idea. I think we might try to eat breakfast in the room, maybe a late am snack for the kids, and then have a late (big) lunch.

Thank you all for the input!

 

[prncess674]

Honestly, I think an appetizer, entree, and dessert per person is way too much food, so splitting an app or dessert sounds like a good option.

Remember that the basic dining plan only includes entree / dessert / non alcoholic beverage per person. I don't understand the dining plan. Many times I just prefer to order an appetizer and a glass of wine for dinner. I think you need to look at what your family typically orders.

Sure you "save" money if you were to order everything that the DP comes with, but do you even want and need that much food. I would rather just order what i want which generally is never the standard DP order.