Just back: food at all parks really marginal and EXPENSIVE!

[Pa@okw95]

Resort--The name of the place is Walt Disney World Resort--expect to pay resort prices but you should also expect resort quality food-to tell you the truth WDW is slowly becoming an amusement park but I just thought I would throw my 2 cents in.

 

[travelitis]

Disney food has always been expensive compared to restaurants out of the park. To save a little on SBP and CRT we got Connections vouchers for the adults at $17.50 including tax and tip. That saves enough to pay for one of the kids. It takes some of the pain out of paying that much for breakfast.

 

[grinningghost]

Our answer to the high cost of Disney food, is to eat off-site. If you have kids that are picky, or you yourself are picky (I am, I hate anything that doesn't look like plain American food), go over to Rt. 192. There you will find every restaurant you can possibly imagine. There are steakhouses like Ponderosa that offer huge buffets. Everyone can find something they like and it doesn't cost nearly what you'll pay at the parks. We choose our PS very carefully and usually do two per trip. Last time we chose 50's Prime Time Cafe and loved it. The atmosphere was worth the extra bucks, and we actually enjoyed the food there too. We struck out on Garden Grille. We hated the food, the waiter was a yutz and it cost a ton. I thought the research I did was excellent, and I thought I made the right choice, but hey, all the research in the world can't turn a bad experience into a good one. I'll just try a different place the next time.

 

[HawaiianGirl]

Just back from WDW. We like to pack our lunch and make huge Dagwood deli submarine sandwiches and fruit for everyone -- which in our case were for 10 people. We also bring in our own water. Everytime we went through the security checks the guards either ignored our goods or said something nice like "Wow -- do you have one for me....or "That sure looks good!" We just packed everything in a couple of soft side coolers.

There were always lots of nice places to have lunch at and the extra bonus was you didn't have to wait in line -- important when you have small children who want to eat the instant they feel a hunger pain.

So despite the printed notices that outside food/drink are not allowed in both Disney and Universal parks, guards at all gates were very nice and made us feel welcome in bringing in our loot.

So, I think the themeparks know their food may be a little expensive and in their own way are giving people other options. In our case, it's a combination of cost, but also a way of getting the kids to eat a little healthier (e.g. cheese and veggie sandwiches instead of 10 straight days of hotdogs).

And I agee with those of you who mentioned you should expect high food prices at resort areas -- Food prices at some of our Hawaii resorts make Disney menu item costs look like a bargain!

Aloha!

 

[wdisneyaholic]

quote:

The food (counter service) at walt disney world is far superior compared to six flags. I don't think that it is a valid comparison to a ball game though, you don't have to eat at the ball game it is over in 3 hours, your at Disney for multiple days. Same thing for six flags, they are only going to get you for one meal so they sock you.

The comparison to the ball game and Disney is that if you are taking a family of 5 to a ball game, especially with kids, you will be spending money on food. It doesn't matter if you are there for 1 hour or 7 hours. They are both expensive but there are ways to save money on both.

As I pointed out in my earlier post the food at Six Flags is awful. Disney World definately has better food and better selection.

 

[GlennandAnn]

What we do to avoid spending a ton of money on food is my DH and I order kids meals. You get the same hamburger, hot dog or chicken that you would in a regular order, but a smaller drink and smaller amount of fries. Unless you are a really big eater, this should be enough food to fill you for lunch- dinner is probably a different story!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Most people who go to Cinderella's Breakfast comment about the characters. A few note about the bad food. Most of us LOVE the food there and can't wait to get back for another fine breakfast there. I love the croissants and butter with OJ and fruit. Then the eggs, potatoes and cheese danish - YUM. Then you get a visit from the princesses and others to boot! What a way to start out a day! I liked this food better than the breakfast in Norway, which was good, but not as good as the Castle breakfast.

I agree, Disney breakfasts are wonderful. And if I can get Eggs Benedict (they have great ones at DVC-Vero Beach, but lousy ones at Kona Cafe), I have an excellent start to my day.

My husband and I ate breakfast once at Brennans in the French Quarter in New Orleans. Our bill was $150. for the two of us.

 

[Kallison]

I agree with your observations, food is way overpriced for the quality received. However we know that going into our trip. We make ressies based more on atmosphere and convenience, try not to let the "$100 scrambled eggs" ruin our trip. Thanks for the insight.