inexpensive food

[smidgy]

I previously posted that the asian booth at sunshine seasons in epcot has a choice including 2 entrees and 2 sides.

I have since read on another thread it now only includes 1 entree and 2 sides. sorry

 

[Minniemini]

I always pack snacks water bottles to refill and zip lock baggies of cereal for my trips. That way if i need to eat out in disney i only have one meal at a more pricey restaurant and snack throughout the day. Also the Disney Dining Plan saves you alot of money its totally worth it!

 

[Stinky_Pete]

as far as returning to the resort room to eat in order to save money, we almost always return midday anyway for pool/sun time, and cocktail hour!..

...we're not cheap, we're frugal! and we do spend money on nice TS meals, or the dining plan now and then. but why spend more money if you don't have to? more money for a segway tour! or a frozen Margarita of grand Marnier slushie!

Exactly! I enjoy my visit to WDW much more when I take an afternoon break. If I use that time to also enjoy a late lunch or early supper in my condo or off-site (looking forward to Giordanos) so much the better!

 

[cymbaldiva]

Also the Disney Dining Plan saves you alot of money its totally worth it!

Ehhh, I wouldn't say that...there are lots of threads with different cost breakdowns if you want to take a look, but as most of those threads show, it's break even at best - depending on your ordering style of course.

I would recommend breakfast in the room at your resort, packing snacks/sandwiches for lunch, and then splitting counter service or off property for dinner.

Do beware of some of the kids meals if you're still considering those as an option. Example: adult chicken nuggets are delicious; I have no idea what those things are they serve the kids...

 

[Deealee]

we're not cheap, we're frugal! and we do spend money on nice TS meals, or the dining plan now and then. but why spend more money if you don't have to? more money for a segway tour! or a frozen Margarita of grand Marnier slushie!

Well I'm just plain ol' cheap.

On our last trip, even though we had free dining when it still included appetizers & tips, I still had to find a way to save money on food. Via Amazon.com I shipped bowls of instant oatmeal & an assortment of individual cereal boxes to AKL. The froot loops, etc. that my kids only get on vacation. This allowed us to have a leisurely breakfast on our balcony or by the pool. Also trail mix and fruit gummies for snacking on at the park. The Princess ones were a big hit with 4yo dd!

We used CS credits for a few hot breakfasts, with me splitting with dd. We also got a free soy milk with each breakfast to use for our cereal. We took our reusable water bottles into the parks and had no problems getting them refilled with cold water. We used our snack credits mostly for dole whips which dd shared with 7mo ds. And those huge turkey legs which dh & I shared. After the first one we bought a pack of rolls at our resort gift shop so we could make sandwiches(used the gift card from my Disney Visa).

This allowed me to do the 2TS credit CRT with dd and Jikos with dh. We still had 1 TS cr & 11 snack credits when we left so we picked up Mickey rice crispy treats for all the cousins back home.

This year we're staying at the Poly CL & paying for meals oop. I'm still taking our water bottles & snacks, but the breakfast foods can stay home. I'll see how it all adds up.

 

[The Hendies]

Speaking of Disney gift cards, I use them to save for my trips. Keep my Disney savings in a jar. When the jar gets up to $25, I buy a Disney gift card. That way I won't spend the money on something else. I started saving to $50, but I would always find myself dipping into the pot before it reached $50, so I started buying $25 instead.

I LOVE this idea and am stealing it TODAY!

Our first several visits were really done on a shoestring. We stayed off site (and frequently still do) so breakfast was in our room/condo. We froze water bottles, yogurt, and individual servings of applesauce to take into the parks. We munched on those and granola bars, etc. Then bought one round of CS each day. We easily split 2 - 3 CS for a family of 5. We spent about $100 for the week at the grocery store and $30 for cs (Prorated to 2011 $!). We never purchased beverages in the parks, we just drank water, and we had maybe one snack bought in the park to share.

 

[jgplimdesign]

. . .I don't think I've seen this suggestion posted on this particular thread----though know it has been mentioned before. . .

The burgers etc. at the CS restaurants can be purchased as 'sandwich only'. The price posted on the menu always includes the entree as well as the side of fries/apple slices or carrots or whatever. If you let the CM know at the time of ordering that you want the 'sandwich only' (& they have a button on their register for it!), they will deduct the cost of the side. . . (last I remember, it was around a $2 deduction for 'no fries'!)

For me personally, I've done it so I'm not compelled to EAT fries all the time!

I would say buy one 'with fries' and the other 'without' and share. . . there's plenty!

 

[HeyMickeyUSoFine]

Speaking of Disney gift cards, I use them to save for my trips. Keep my Disney savings in a jar. When the jar gets up to $25, I buy a Disney gift card. That way I won't spend the money on something else. I started saving to $50, but I would always find myself dipping into the pot before it reached $50, so I started buying $25 instead.

I do the same thing, but purchase my cards at $100. IMO it makes vacationing a lot easier. It's like everything down to my souvenirs are paid for in advance.

 

[cymbaldiva]

. . .I don't think I've seen this suggestion posted on this particular thread----though know it has been mentioned before. . .

The burgers etc. at the CS restaurants can be purchased as 'sandwich only'. The price posted on the menu always includes the entree as well as the side of fries/apple slices or carrots or whatever. If you let the CM know at the time of ordering that you want the 'sandwich only' (& they have a button on their register for it!), they will deduct the cost of the side. . . (last I remember, it was around a $2 deduction for 'no fries'!)

Oooo - I forgot about that one! I learned it by accident at Sommerfest years ago - I didn't want the sauerkraut so I asked them to leave it off...didn't realize it would save me $$.

Good tip!!