How much should we budget for food/drinks per day?

[MeganFyne]

Hi all! I know this is something I should know, being a HUGE Disney dork, however I am trying to plan a trip with my boyfriend for the fall and am working on our budget. We are planning on renting points so we'll have access to a kitchenette for storing snacky things, breakfast items, etc. We are planning on one sit down meal a day and to be frank will go ahead and call us boozers (not drunk in the parks, but will for sure have a drink in applicable parks) Including all drinks (glass of wine or beer in the room before bed plus park tasties), all food, etc do you think $100/ day (for both of us) is reasonable over all? Should we bump this up to $150 just in case? (I have no problem leaving with extra cash if I over budget but REALLY don't want to under budget)

Thanks in advance! (I'm sorry about all of these parentheses)

 

[skatalite]

Depends on how much you want to eat during your TS meals.

For instance: A dinner at California Grill with an appetizer ($14ish), some delicious entrees ($22 to $45ish) and a couple drinks ($6 to $10ish) each, with tax and tip, could easily range from $85 to $160.

If you budget $150 a day, and not every TS meal is like my California Grill example, then you could be OK.

I say aim for $200 a day since it sounds like a drink with every meal will be happening.

 

[MeganFyne]

Thanks! I think you're right!

 

[kwdw]

Depends. If you include a few signature meals, $150 could be low! And I'd agree with the $200 per day. But if you are sticking to cheap TS and just entrees, alcohol, and maybe just one appetizer or one dessert, $150 might be okay.

 

[spiceycat]

if you order your groceries thru wegoshop - it can include alcohol.

drinking in your place is better and for me more fun. never under estimates the thieves who will be watching you.

so don't be too drunk when you are taking the bus back to your room.

look at menus either here
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningmain.cfm


or to me these are easier to find what you want
http://allears.net/menu/menus.htm

she does include some bars/lounges - so look for them and see their prices - then check the dates - if the date is older add about 3% every 3months (just to be on the high side)

 

[10_Kyle_10]

never under estimates the thieves who will be watching you.

so don't be too drunk when you are taking the bus back to your room.

I'm curious what you mean here?

 

[spiceycat]

I'm curious what you mean here?

it is easier to remove money from purses and wallets when the person is high - not drunk - just more than a couple of drinks.

 

[DakotaRose]

Here is what I used for planning. Doesn't include tax or tips.
Counter service entree with drink $13-16
Snacks $ 3-5
TS entrée $20-30
TS apptzr or dessert $ 6-9
buffets??
signature dining??
well drinks $ 7-10
specialty drinks $11-15
glass of wine $ 8- 15

 

[godoftheWorld]

We just ate at Artist Point. 250 for 2 people with drinks. If your going to enjoy food. 200 a day. If your going to just eat enough to make it through the day, 100.
As far as thieves, I wouldn't really worry about that too much. It's sounds like some people on this board assume you will pass out on the bus. Lastly, if you want, bring alcohol to your room. Much cheaper.

 

[arianrose]

I put together some simple menus for my fiancée and I to figure out what to budget. I included QS for lunch, snacks, and on TS meal a day, with a cocktail. We're eating breakfast in our room.

Now, we're going during F&W, and your tastes might be less extravagant than ours, but worked multiple ways, our budget comes out at about $250/day for 2adults that are self-professed foodies, and like a cocktail with dinner.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you can easily drop $100 on just dinner for 2 at most TS, from what I've seen.

 

[Kae]

If you are going to hit the F & W fest I would pop over to www.allearsnet.com to check out last years prices, it is fun & can get pricey.

Kae

 

[MagicalMeg]

My DH and I have done two Disney trips on $100/day for food. July 2012 for 4 nights & December 2012 for 8 nights. We average one QS per day, one TS per day, and breakfast at the resort QS. Also probably one snack a day each. Sometimes we'll split an entree at a TS and get an app, but we've also done buffets (Crystal Palace & Whispering Canyon). We don't get a cocktail with every TS though. We also bring snacks from home but usually bring too many! It can be done . But, we do miss the days when we did DxDDP

 

[ludari]

I've travelled to WDW solo many times and my daily food allowance had varried between $20 to $100 for the day. For me it depends on what I am craving or doing. When I stay at AKL I really enjoy the breakfast buffet at Boma, but after such a large meal I am not hungry for the rest of the day. Other times when I visit WDW for the marathon I know I have to eat a lot so I do. I guess the best thing to do is try to determine what kinds of places you plan on eating. You might want to consider one of the dining plans as well but personally that is way too much food for me.