how to keep dinning costs down and not feel cheated!!

[KristinU]

As for packable meal ideas, we travel with these containers to make bento-style lunches:

and an older version of this Igloo backpack to carry them in:

Using the compartments keeps things with some creative variety and allows you to pack something like hummus or peanut butter or other stuff for dipping.

Some random ideas:

pasta salad
wrap sandwiches (veggie or tuna or pb&j with banana slices and granola)
cheese and crackers
broccoli, carrots, cucumber, celery and hummus
cherry tomatoes
strawberries
peeled clementines
salad (dressing in a separate little container - toppings on the side in one of the small spots)

Oh, and I also have some of these silicone cupcake liners:

so I can do stuff like this in the big compartment:

 

[JanL]

We each pack a container of water and refill at the water fountains in the park. You can get Gatorade powder or peach tea powder and flavor the water yourself.

Walmart has small packs of individual veggies and dip or cheese and crackers for about $2.

We also have a backpack cooler...in camo so they won't know we are packing, LOL.

 

[North of Mouse]

Oh, and I also have some of these silicone cupcake liners:

so I can do stuff like this in the big compartment:

I love the silicone cupcake liners - did not realize they made them - will definitely have to find some.

We don't take meals into the parks, but they are great for other times I'd use them.

We do take advantage of the free CS ice water though. We would never refill from the water fountains - have seen way too much 'nastiness' at those over the years.

There are all kinds of ways to cut back on food spending though if someone is so inclined. We are not big eaters, so one large meal and a couple 'snacking' ones is all we need. I 'do not' cook on vacation! LOL Not my 'cup of tea', but understand that others might enjoy the crockpot route, etc. We don't always come back to the MH during the day - just play it by ear!

 

[Ds4angels]

Since you're feeding teenagers (I cringe at 4, 2 at a time is enough for me ) Think quick and easy, on the go, filling
Sandwiches on rolls instead of bread will hold up longer once they're made and be more filling. Put the tomato close to the meat and the lettuce at the top. Cut up oranges and put them in a Ziplock bag to eat on the go. A medium size bag of chips instead of a bunch of small ones (they're cheaper)
Cook your taco meat up before you leave, then just reheat and make walk away tacos. They can eat those on the way to the bus/boat for a quick meal break.
We took a backpack and put a cloth cooler to hold frozen water bottles and they kept the soda cold for the day (dh is addicted to Pepsi)
Meal plan before you leave for your trip so you know what you're eating and when

 

[loislane]

Ok - our previous trip with the 3 kids, we stayed at POP and had the free dining and the trip cost the same as our Fort trip, which was twice as long!

Planning is really your key to keeping costs down and making sure you aren't eating the same thing all the time. If you can, plan to make ahead and freeze some things for an easy reheat dinner.

For snack items, which we usually had instead of lunch, single-serve pouches of trail mix and peanuts were the most popular choices for my group. We also had crunchy granola bars and other things that would hold up well in a backpack or pocket. I have one of those little string backpacks, and in the morning, I'd just grab an assortment of things to throw in there - Pringles cups, trail mix, an apple or two, etc. There was enough for everyone to pick from, but not so much stuff that I has hefting around a heavy bag!

Eat out for breakfast or lunch - our dinner out at Boma for 5 cost $200 after the tip!

And think about budgeting in fun snacks instead of meals. My kids were fine with eating a PBJ sandwich when it was followed by a Mickey Bar - and that Mickey Bar was a lot cheaper than a CS meal.

 

[JanL]

I enjoy resort hopping using Disney buses while camping at The Fort. Animal Kingdom Lodge has a cafeteria called The Mara which serves an African stew for about $8. The bonus is you can walk out back afterward and watch the animals there.