I use this site for planning my meals at WDW and DL:
http://allears.net/dlr/din/dining.htm
I do find DL a tad bit higher on their meals than WDW. However, just like at DL, the portions are generally large enough to share. For example, we enjoy the Plaza Inn, I'll get the chicken dinner (this is cs at lunch and dinner btw) for $13.49 and split that between my husband and I quite easily. In fact, usually, we split it three ways and I'll get a side salad or two and we are full. I like this one and some of the other DL cs places. They are called buffeterias, you go down the line, can see the choices, they serve it up to you on real plates and then you get your own drink, pay and seat yourself. I find the DL cs to be better set up and quality than a lot of what you see at WDW, MK and DHS in particular.
I generally budget around $100 a day for food for the four of us (two adults, two kids, 12 and 14). That is if we aren't doing a full service meal. And that would include snacks. And generally if we do only cs, it would be less than that but that's what I budget. Character meals are more at DL, I think Goofy's for dinner is around $30 per person plus tax and gratuity. But I don't believe DLR is doing this holiday pricing thing WDW is right now. There isn't really a true meal plan at DL either. And if you have
AAA, you can get a 10% discount on most character meals so be sure to ask if they take that. You also pay before you eat (including gratuity) at most character meals at DL which I sort of like.
So I'd have to say, DL food is a tad higher, but not so much I think you'll be aghast or even notice much difference over what you'd pay at WDW. And I think
Disneyland cs beats WDW's hands down (with the exception of all the places in Epcot) but WDW has more themed meals at their ts places. But I do enjoy the ts in DL too and love the way DTD is so close and easy to do with the parks vs. having to make a whole separate bus or boat ride over.
Waterbottles are more expensive ($3 last I was there). But the great thing about driving is that you can stock up on your snacks and water and save money. And DL just like WDW will give you free ice water at all cs locations. And the tap water at DL doesn't taste like it came out of Bay Lake like it does at WDW!
Souveneirs as far as I can guage are about the same at DL vs. WDW. As far as what Disney sells. I think DTD in DL has some more upscale stores than the ones in WDW's DTD. The resort gift shops all have some nice things as well just like the WDW resorts do. So if you like to shop, for sure check those out! In fact, a lot of the merchandise is identical to what they sell at WDW (some of the snowdomes and that sort of thing) and the boxes will even have both park logos on them. I am almost positve that those things the prices are identical to WDW giftshops.
When I have eaten out of DL in So. Cal, I find the prices to be about even with what I'd pay for a McDonald's type meal here in my home state of Colorado. Maybe a little more.
Gas is more than I what I pay at home for sure. Here is a website that helps me estimate gas when I travel:
http://gasbuddy.com/
I hope that gave you a few ideas of what to expect. Have a super trip!
