How often do you eat CS for dinner? What other ways to save $$?

[DLBDS]

We are a family of 3 (me, DH and DD age 9). Is it safe to say that we would spend approximately $50-60 for our dinner at Le Cellier? That's based on 1 app., 2 adult entrees, 1 child entree and 1 dessert. Is this the typical cost for most restaurants? I am not using the DDP so I need to know what to expect to spend on meals in the "upper scale" (or "$$$ scale") restaurants. I think I may have to start looking at CS for meals every-other-night. I thought maybe when we have 2 days off during our stay that we could do a relaxing breakfast. The other days it would be quick and light. Probably whatever we pick up at the grocery store on the way to WDW. I was planning CS for lunches only but now I'm thinking I should just do a few of those for dinners also. How do you save $ on your meals at the World? We're staying at the WL for 8 days/7 nights. What do you usually do for meals when you stay this long? Planning this aspect of the trip is giving me fits! First, I have to come up with a variety of places that each will enjoy, then I have to figure out what day we'll be in that area, then I have to figure out what time we'll want to eat there. Can ya tell I'm a 1st timer?!

 

[JadenLayne]

Here ya go!!!!

http://allearsnet.com/menu/menus.htm

Follow this link to get every menu at Disney World and prices too. It has sit down meals and counter service. You should be able to do a really good plan!! Have fun!!!!!

 

[DLBDS]

That's what I'm basing my $50-60 estimate on, JadynLane. Thanks for replying though. I've read where some folks spend $180 on a family dinner and that's just crazy . We can do $50-60 but maybe only 2-3 times or find a way to split meals with my daughter or something. I don't know. I was trying to plan our ressies for Brown Derby, Le Cellier, Ohana, Concourse Steakhouse etc. But I've put a halt to that until I can figure out what exactly these "fine" meals are gonna set me back. It's really looking more like Beaches and Cream, Columbia Harbour House and Pecos Bill etc. with Whispering Canyon Cafe thrown in for convenience. It'll be a shame if, on top of all the other things I have to figure out, I have to narrow down exactly what I have to order at each place to keep costs down. I have to be a to figure all this out!!!

 

[DisneyDotty]

$50-$60 is on the low end, I think. As you are a first timer to WDW, I have to warn you--prepare to be shocked by cost of dining there.
I, too, am looking to economize on meals this trip--wish I could do Dining Plan, but we're staying at the Dolphin--and am planning to do a lot of sit-down lunches and CS dinners. Unfortunately, several of the restaurants I wanted to try are only open for dinner.
Honestly, I'd reconsider the Dining Plan--takes the pressure off of budgeting meals--prepaid, know what you've spent, end of discussion. Otherwise, check out the Budget Board for ideas on saving money on food at WDW.
Good luck, and have a great trip!

 

[lillygator]

We almost always go over $100 at all our table services meals...that is 2 adults and a 3 year old. The baby snacks off our plate although this coming trip she may need her own side order of something. We don't usually have an appetizer or dessert, sometimes we do. We also like an adult drink with our meals. We don't do many counter service meals for dinner at all.

 

[lillygator]

and I don't see how you could get out of Le Cellier under $60 with an app, 2 adult entrees, 1 child entree and a dessert. Well I guess I would have to see what's cheapest on the menu....

 

[JadenLayne]

Oh, I'm sorry! I remember on our first trip I had things written down...LOL! Exactly what we were to order and exactly how much we would spend.

Have you priced adding on the dining plan? Its really the way to go and not have to worry about anything.

 

[pbharris4]

IMO, a typical CS meal for 3 people would be around $40.00 and that would include drinks and tax. If you do breakfast in the room (stuff you bought elsewhere) and did a CS for both breakfast AND dinner it would be roughly $80.00/day.

If you can add the dining plan you would pay around $88/day AND you would get a snack plus, you would get 1 TS credit a day. So you could go to a TS meal every day and it wouldn't be that much more. It includes all the taxes and tips. Your child is 9 (which still qualifies them for the child price).

A typical TS meal for us is anywhere from $75.00-$150.00 depending where we eat and that includes tip and tax. (That's for 2 adults and 1 9 yr old DD-our 2 yo DD ate of our plates and that was last year-our costs will be going up this year since DD will be 10 and other DD will be 3). We do not get alcohoilic beverages. We do sometimes get an appetizer OR a dessert, but not both at the same meal.

We eat CS once a day or less. The majority of food at CS is burgers, hot dogs, chicken, sandwiches, and salads. It's great, but I don't want to eat that 2x a day for 6-10 days. But that's us. Food is very expensive at WDW.

Somethings you can do to save is to put all your loose change in a jar throughout the year, if you have a few extra dollars in your wallet, put that in the jar too, do online surveys, have your child do online surveys (only kid friendly ones! kidzeyes is a good one), use your visa reward points for gas and save that $$ for your trip, cut down on souveniers-our first trip we went wild thinking it would be years til we got back..now we do 2 things per person per trip anything else they have to buy with allowance money. Stay at a Value resort instead. Another way to save (if you aren't already) you can rent a room at a DVC resort from a DVC member and it may be cheaper than what you are paying and you can still add the dining plan.


The budget Board does have some ideas as well. I would recommend the dining plan though. HTH

 

[DLBDS]

I have totally dismissed the DP because I have the AP and you can't combine the 2. I have stumbled onto something else, however, that I think will help me out....DDE (Disney Dining Experience... for those new like me). It's only available to AP holders or FL residents. It costs $60 but saves you 20% off your entire bill at participating restaurants (up to 10 people!). And, get this, it INCLUDES alcoholic beverages!!! If I do this, I can narrow my choices down considerably and only research the restaurants on the DDE list. It can be found here:
http://www.allearsnet.com/din/dde.htm

Wow, I think I've discovered something I'm going to be able to use!!!

 

[lillygator]

We have the DDE card and love it! It's great, not good for any counter service places other than the AS food courts and the AK cs. So if you plan to do lots of TS then it'll pay for itself rather quickly.

 

[DLBDS]

Thanks for the replies, all. I think I have it figured out....

As an AP holder, I can get 10% off the regular price of food and NON-alcoholic beverages Monday through Friday during LUNCH hours at select TS locations (there's a list of 9 resort TS locations). This includes select Epcot TS locations also (including Le Cellier, Rose & Crown, San Angel Inn and 9 others).

As a DDE member I can get 20% off the total bill including alcoholic beverages at over 70 resort and theme park restaurants. (I think I counted 88 on the list.) Lunch OR dinner.

According to the 2006 PassPorter, there are over 300 places to eat at WDW . I will stick to these lists and only eat at these places, making my dining decisions MUCH easier.

 

[keishashadow]

When we pay OOP vs the dining plan, lots of times we'll make a late lunch the main meal (most of same entrees - smaller portions & cost). Usually don't order appetizers or desserts either...tend to grab something sweet later in the day.

I really don't think WDW's TS prices are out of line. Do think CS's & snacks (including 6 packs of soda @ the resort hotels) are over priced.

Good luck.