Large family $$ saving tips at WDW?

[TIMLEO007]

We are planning a surprise family trip in Jan 2014 for gf and I and our 6 kids. I am a DIS vet, and we are getting a 2brdm DVC at either one of the epcot resorts (BWV/BC or Wilderness lodge...have stayed at both previously. Disney YES program will help us save on tickets.
We are planning on small breakfasts in room, and more than likely dinners in room as well. Staying for 5-7nights.....any tips to save on food mostly are appreciated. We would like to eat out several times without spending too much. Maybe on table service that would be best for the kids.....15-9yrs old. Trails end comes to mind, any good onsite/offsite places?

 

[madelyn]

If you plan for any of the character or other fixed price buffet/family style meals on-site, breakfast will be the cheaper option, followed by lunch, then dinner. If you want table service for your dinner meal, be sure to check out the on-line menus on this site and there are some table service places, like 50's Prime Time and Sci Fi at Hollywood Studios, Via Napoli in Epcot and many, many others, that offer the same menu for lunch and dinner. Or eat a bigger breakfast, later lunch and come back to the villa for a late dinner. If you are staying at the Boardwalk, the pizza window there was a quick, easy way to feed a large family. Our last trip we grabbed pizzas and had a late dinner by the BW pool while the kids swam. We ended up at the Hess gas station on-site by accident and found out the pizzas and other offerings there are very inexpensive. Since you plan for a villa, if you have a car, be sure to stop off at Costco or Sam's and get fixings for quick and easy meals. If you have a reservation the latest breakfast buffet onsite, often you end up still being there when they are serving the lunch buffet so you can eat off of both.

 

[HayGan]

We typically shop at the Publix for our groceries. I check the ad the week before and plan out what I am going to purchase. I also pull out any coupons for sale items and take those along.

We tend to stay away from Disney restaurants anymore except for one or two of our favorites. My boys are both considered to be adults now and don't eat anywhere the amount of food to justify it (plus I really don't think they are worth what they charge for adults either!) We like to get restaurant.com certificates for a number of places offsite. My favorites are BB Kings, House of Blues and Giordano's. If we don't order enough to cover the voucher I'll order extra stuff to take back to the villa. The ribs at BB Kings are perfect for this as is an extra pizza or two at Giordano's

Honestly, when you are staying at a DVC resort or any facility with a kitchen, food is one of the easiest ways to trim your vacation budget. making/cooking it yourself is far less expensive and healthier than eating out.

 

[chell2013]

Disney also will let you bring food in, so you could easily pack lunches and then eat dinner off property later.