Ideas for Counter Service - on a very tight budget!

[Mazzy]

For our Girly Trip in 6 weeks time, DD (20) and I are on a really, really tight budget, so it's going to be counter service all the way! We are OK with this, as we're just happy we're still able to go on our trip from the UK, after not a very good start to the year financially!

So, would love ideas/advice on the best places in the parks and DTD for counter service, which gives most bang for your buck, oh and also I'm veggie so need some options for me too, though I don't mind the usual pizza or veggie burger but anything extra would be a bonus!

We are staying at the HOJO, no car, so will be mainly eating in the parks/DTD or anywhere near the HOJO that's affordable.

Thanks for any help with this, getting excited now, just booked our DL tickets online, on the 5 for 3 offer, can't wait!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Pizza Port in Tomorrowland has good sized portions and offers a tomato basil pasta with no meat and several types of really nice looking salads. You can see the portion sizes in advance, so you will be able to judge what you and your daughter can share. My family really enjoys the pasta at Pizza Port, but we have never liked the pizza. If the pizza looks appetizing to you, they offer veggie and cheese-only.

It's not one of my personal favorites, but many people really enjoy Rancho del Zocolo. They offer some vegetarian options, portions are very large, and prices are reasonable for what you get.

If you're staying at HOJO, you will be right across the street from Mimi's. I know it's not counter service, but don't count it out. Their portion sizes are huge and easily shareable. You may also enjoy just using their take-out option for things like muffins, soup, salad, etc. We have done this many times. Even if you get your soup as take-out, you still get the nice side-serving of bread which is very filling. Mimi's also offers a special e-mail coupon on their website for a free breakfast when you sign up for their e-mail list.

 

[Eeee-va]

Wow; I realized all my usual suggestions pretty much involve meat!

There are some better prices in Downtown Disney. They have nachos at Tortilla Jo's Taqueria and the menu mentions that the black beans are vegetarian.
http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/men_taq.htm

In Disneyland, that basil pasta dish looks like a great price if you split it. Or you could get a broccoli-cheese potato at http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/men_tav.htm - maybe not the cheapest but I've seen photos and reviews and they do look huge; perhaps you could split one for a hearty snack?

A couple places I looked at have Caesar Salads but I'm not certain they're strictly vegetarian. (The prices at Jazz Kitchen Express in Downtown Disney impress me but if the caesar dressing isn't vegetarian then I'm not sure any of their entrees are! http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/men_rbcafe.htm )

Have a great trip!

 

[PinkBudgie]

No matter where you go, be sure to ask for a free cup of water instead of buying a drink. That saves a good amount of money when added up.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

There are some better prices in Downtown Disney. They have nachos at Tortilla Jo's Taqueria and the menu mentions that the black beans are vegetarian.
http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/men_taq.htm

These nachos are super yummy!!! And I could've definitely split them!!

 

[Kayla's Mom]

As the PP said, Pizza Port and Rancho del Zocalo have good size portions. We love the chicken fusilli at Pizza Port! DH and I split that and get a side salad or bread w/dipping sauce to go along with it.

 

[Nala83]

Also, don't discount kids meals. I get counter service kids meals all the time. There probably aren't many veggie options, but I got mac and cheese with grapes, carrot sticks, and milk for $6.50. Plenty of food for me. Splitting works well too.

I also pack a bunch of granola bars and trail mix, which cuts down on the number of meal that I purchase. You can fit a lot of granola bars in a carry-on bag!

 

[tommya60]

I had a huge bowl of soup at the Carnation Cafe, sit down service for $6. It was accompanied by 2 rolls. One of the choices was a vegtable soup, so you might check it out. I agree with an previous poster, the beverages can really add up fast! Water is a great option.

 

[Peri]

Dont forget huge stuffed broccoli and cheese stuffed potatoes at troubadour over by the princess area (near toontown) - with water - this could be a major meal, depending on your appetite.

 

[amamax2]

I also do not eat meat or fowl. I second Mimi's (I always have the broccoli-cheddar quiche, which comes with salad or fruit if I remember plus a monstrous muffin) - huge portions - and La Brea Bakery just outside the Esplanade - their portions are also big enough to share. We just ate there this week and I had a mozzarella, sun dried tomato, sandwich that came with a large portion of salad - it could have fed two nicely. I've also had the Greek Salad there before - very large - and several times a bowl of Mushroom Bisque soup (yummy) with some bread that was very reasonable.

In the past my DH and I have shared the Enchilada plate at Rancho del Zocolo - not the best Mexican food, but decent, and enough for two.

 

[reynmagsmom]

Hungry bear is easily affordable with burger options as well as a veggie burger here is the menu this is one of our staples when we go it is tucked away in a corner and seating downstairs tends to be quieter right on rivers of america
Fixin's

Bacon Cheeseburger - served with sliced apples or French fries $8.99
Country Fried Chicken Sandwich - served with sliced apples or French fries $8.19
Classic Cheeseburger - served with sliced apples or French fries $7.99
Turkey Club Sandwich- served with sliced apples or Chips $8.19
Veggie Burger - served with sliced apples or French fries $7.99


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Salad

Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad - $8.49


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Sides

Onion Rings - $3.29
French Fries - $2.79
Garden Salad - $3.49


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Treats

Fantasy Funnel Cake - with strawberry, chocolate brownie or powdered sugar topping. $5.49
Dreyer's Strawberry Whole Fruit Bar - $3.79
Nestle Toll House Ice Cream Sandwich - $3.99


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Beverages

Coke, diet Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite, Root Beer, Fanta Orange, Light Lemonade, Iced Tea, PowerAde Regular $2.79, Large $3.29
Souvenir Sipper $8.99
Mocha (Served hot or iced) $3.89
Latte (Served hot or iced) $3.89
French Vanilla Latte (Served hot or iced) $3.89
Hot Cocoa $2.79
Chocolate Milk $2.79
Hot Tea $2.79
Coffee - Regular or Decaf $2.79
Apple Juice $1.59
Low-fat Milk $1.59


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Child's Menu
Kid's meals served with choice of Low-fat milk, Low-fat chocolate milk, juice or small bottled water.
French fries and sodas available upon request

Chicken Breast Nuggets - with sliced apples. $5.99

Kid's POWER Pack - with string cheese, Nonfat yogurt, sliced apples and Whole-Grain "fish" crackers. $5.99

Toddler Meal

Arroz con Pollo - Chicken & rice with smooth applesauce and small Low-fat milk. Juice or small bottled water available upon request. $3.99

 

[bumbershoot]

DH and I generally start by sharing, then if someone is hungry, they can get something else.

Love the penne with marinara at Plaza Inn. Comes with one breadstick, and we will get a side salad. Sharing that, well, we had a hard time finishing all the pasta. Realized that we could have gotten two kids meals of that same dish, plus the side salad, and would have gotten more (small sized bottled water, carrots, and apple slices I think) for less (the two kids meals were less than the adult plate of penne.

Most breakfasts are easily done without meat, and we'll order two for the 3 of us. We also eat a lot of fruit; the disneyland fruit tends to be (sometimes the tendency fades, LOL) absolutely delicious, and we'll pay the premium for it. But you could simply go to the grocery store and pick up some less expensive fruit; keeps you full in between, isn't awful for you, is refreshing, etc.

Rancho and Cocina have big portions, as has been mentioned!

At Pacific Wharf Cafe, and probably at the other places that serve soups in breadbowls, I had them give me the vegetarian chili (yum, by the way, but not as yum as Royal Street Veranda's rather salty vegetarian gumbo!) in a paper bowl/cup thing, and then they put the entire breadbowl into a plastic bag for later. That allowed me to enjoy my chili and a *small* portion of bread, and I could put butter on m bread, and it was FAR more satisfying than gorging myself with bread or throwing away bread that was too mushy from soup to keep for later.

But basically our theory is to start with less food and see how we do. It really keeps the costs down! So far our trip daily expenditures haven't hit $100/day and that's food AND souvenirs for two adults and one ravenous kid who is almost always in a growth spurt.

 

[disneywondergirl22]

does your hotel room have a fridge? why not just buy your food at the grocery store or subway or something the night before or the morning of, put it in one of those lunch cooler bags, get a locker by the main gate, and not spend any money in the park whatsoever on food? the locker prevents the need for carrying it around all day. put an icepack or two in the bag because i don't know how in the shade the lockers are. but it should be fine for a few hours to a full day.

even cheaper? bring last nights leftovers. ok, neve rmind, not from the UK, but maybe if you had dinner at a restaurant and purposely saved leftovers. i do this ALL the time. portions are too big anyway. we should only be eating 1/3-1/2 of what restaurants serve us anyway. so as soon as it comes, ask for a box and put half away. now, that $12 dinner has become two $6 meals! better deal, eh?

(btw, i know it's the internet, so it's hard to tell, but i'm not joking. really, bring your own food. pasta salads and noodles tend to stay the day well, fruit and veggies also seem to do ok if they aren't chopped beforehand. stuff that doesn't need heating, or good refrigeration either like heavy dairy items)

maybe only do dinner as a counter service meal.

my bf said the dennys and ihop by the entrance are way expensive compared to normal. they are walking distance from the hojo, i think. so they are there but maybe hojo has bkfast with better prices. starbucks is down the street but prob too far to walk; bagel and cream cheese, or a wrap, or the oatmeal with all of those yummy (and included!) toppings.

then skip buying lunch and bring that. carry snacks around with you, like non-dairy bars, nuts, whole fruit and veggies.

and buy a counter service dinner.

much cheaper to buy at the grocery store than at the park! and you can bring it all in. just not in glass containers. i'm trying to think if there's one you can take a quick cabride to. yeesh, only 2 weeks since i stopped working there and i can't remember! i'll ask some people. see whats there. i remember a gross looking store, very big, but i didn't like the look or smell of it. but it's close. and i'm sure safe b/c california is strict about that.

have fun!

 

[disneywondergirl22]

It's not one of my personal favorites, but many people really enjoy Rancho del Zocolo. They offer some vegetarian options, portions are very large, and prices are reasonable for what you get.
.

ooh, they have a yummy 3-cheese enchilada dish. its vegetarian (if you are not vegan, of course) and VERY yummy. huge plate.

 

[brenda1966]

All good ideas above! What we do is get some food from the grocery and eat breakfast in the room, take granola bars and pretzels in to snack on. Sometimes I eat a kids meal or we share an adult meal. Also, walking to Hojo's you walk by McDonalds -- Not the best food but they do have some budget options.

And don't forget your free tortilla and bread samples over at Calif Adventure.

 

[stitchy626]

If you're staying at HOJO, you will be right across the street from Mimi's. I know it's not counter service, but don't count it out. Their portion sizes are huge and easily shareable. You may also enjoy just using their take-out option for things like muffins, soup, salad, etc. We have done this many times. Even if you get your soup as take-out, you still get the nice side-serving of bread which is very filling. Mimi's also offers a special e-mail coupon on their website for a free breakfast when you sign up for their e-mail list.[/QUOTE]

I second Mimi's. Sign up for their Eclub and you will receive a coupon for a free meal. Only sign up a week or two before your trip since the offer has a short expiration date. Use this link and select Anaheim Harbor as your favorite location http://www.mimiscafe.com/EClub.aspx

 

[disneychrista]

Love the penne with marinara at Plaza Inn.

Rancho and Cocina have big portions, as has been mentioned!

At Pacific Wharf Cafe, ... vegetarian chili

Just have to echo everything above. We almost always go to Racho our first day for Lunch. They have a large vegetable taco salad (or chicken or steak). You can also get a kids meal with bean & cheese burritto.

Love the Penne at Plaza Inn w/ a side salad. Always do this for Dinner one night.

And can not miss the vegetarian chili at Pacific Wharf. I will have to remember to get the bread seperate. I always forget and hate throwing away half the bowl/bread.

And most of all do not be afraid to ask if something can be made to fit your needs. It is not always possible but if it is they will gladly do it for you.

 

[nannyz]

If their menu has not changed, Rancho del Zocalo has a lovely fruit plate, and sometimes they do grilled veggies. Bengal Barbecue has veggie skewers that are pretty good. If I were on a really tight budget, I would stay at a hotel that offers a free breakfast, take snacks to munch on in the park during the day, and have one nice meal in the park in late afternoon.

 

[Mazzy]

Wow, thanks to all of you for taking the time to reply!

So many great ideas there, I'm going to print them off then put them into our daily plans for the parks, as and when we are in each area.

The HOJO does have a fridge, but not sure with the cab ride cost if that would work out better for us, will have to check the cab prices, but I don't know if the fridge would have a freezer compartment anyway, for ice packs?

I'm sure we will be able to keep to budget with all the great ideas, we are not huge eaters, so might even be able to split some of the meals, and both love pasta dishes so that should work out well. We will be bringing some breakfast bars with us from the UK, so breakfast will be sorted and at no cost to us from our holiday budget, we are not big breakfast eaters anyway, so will be fine with that, so are budgeting about $15 per day each for food for lunch and evening meal, do you think we would be able to manage on that? If we can't, oh well, we will come home a bit slimmer, it's all win-win!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

$15 sounds pretty tight to me for 2 meals a day. You may have to see if you can stretch your budget to $20. If you are able to fit some non-breakfast snacks in your luggage too and never order drinks, you might manage.