Looking for the best value in each park

[undertheseas]

We're trying to really eat for less this trip and try to do some meal sharing. What do you think are the best value for the money at each park? I have Cosmic Ray's chicken and ribs on my list but I'm looking for more ideas please!

 

[sharonabe]

Your sharing meals all seem to be of the BBQ type. Fairfax Fare at HS has ribs, chicken, and brisket (you get two of the three in their combos) and of course Flame Tree at AK also has chicken/rib combo.

Columbia Harbour House has good sized portions of their fried food. You could share, but you might want to add an extra side to make it enough. We've also split the tuna sandwich and each had a cup of soup or chilli to go with it.

Tangeriene Cafe in Morocco (Epcot WS) has a couple platters. There wouldn't be enough for us to share as I think the "sides" on the platters are a bit skimpy, but some people say they have shared them.

Sunshine Seasons in FW at Epcot is another good place to try sharing.

 

[NOLA_Tink]

You can order just a sandwich (without the chips and/or fries) at most CS places & about $2 is taken off of the combo price. We did this at Min & Bill's Dockside Diner for a chicken caesar sandwich & a hot dog in a pretzle roll. DH & I have also shared a double bacon cheese burger & it was the perfect portion for both of us. (We got ours at Liberty Inn in Epcot b/c our friends really wanted to eat there, but you can find double bacon cheese burgers in most WDW parks & resorts.) For breakfast, check out Rainforest Cafe in AK. Their delicious breakfast pizza is the size of an actual pizza. DH & I share one of these almost every trip & we can never eat the entire thing.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

The scharma platter at Tangierine is pretty big and we've split it many times.

 

[Meekogsd]

at Magic Kingdom, hit Pecos. They have a HUGE chicken wrap that can easily be split.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

We're trying to really eat for less this trip and try to do some meal sharing. What do you think are the best value for the money at each park? I have Cosmic Ray's chicken and ribs on my list but I'm looking for more ideas please!

My word of caution is to not eat at Cosmic Ray's. I had that chicken and ribs combo and there was very little meat (and it wasn't that good). I'm a small person and eat tiny portions and yet, there was no 'meat' left over and I was still hungry. Ok, that's my 2 cents on Cosmic Ray's!

But here's how I cut costs when I go (usually with my sister who is also a tiny portion kind of person too):

- Get kids meals. I like the pizza or mac n cheese kids meals and you get fruit, veggies, and a drink!
- Split an entree and an extra side.
- Get free water during the day (either fill it up in your water bottle or ask any cart/counter service for a cup) and use crystal light (or other) singles to make it taste better.

Here's where I like to eat and split food:

Columbia Harbour House at MK - chicken, fish, & french fry basket and a side of clam chowder soup.

Pecos Bill at MK - Get a big burger combo and an extra side (the fries are fine) - with the toppings bar, even the french fries become a meal with grilled onions, mushrooms, pickles, lettuce, nacho cheese, etc.

Tangeriene (sp?) Cafe at Epcot - get the schwarma platter and some extra bread or side of your choice.

Sunshine Seasons at Epcot - I like the salmon with olive tapenade and mashed potatoes and then a salad as well to share. There are so many options here that can be full meals or sides that you won't run out of things!

Flame Tree BBQ at AK - Rib platter and a fruit and yogurt plate.

Toy Story Pizza Planet at HS - Split a pizza (I like the veggie) and one of their big salads like the antipasto one (NOT the combo they offer with the tiny salad).

And one other suggestion - do the numbers for the quick service dining plan (IF you are staying onsite). Usually with kids 9 and under, the dining plan is more 'worth it'. But you really have to look at the menus (check allearsnet.com) and price out what you would actually buy for the day then compare it to the dining plan price. What I've found is that the dining plan might only be a couple bucks savings BUT we would also get dessert which we would never order and you can usually substitute yogurt or fruit for a sugary dessert. Just a thought!

 

[undertheseas]

Thanks for the input!

The shawarma platter looks really interesting to me. It seems like Epcot has more variety for us to share, even if we have to walk to a couple of countries to find something for everyone to share. Fairfax is a new one for me, I'll definitely have to check that out. I forgot about Pizza Planet and that has a salad to so that's a definite plus.

We are trying to decide if we can afford to stay another 5 days to get free counter service (DH has a conference for the first few days so the room is paid for). We've had free regular dining before so it sort of spoiled us but this is not a planned trip so we're trying to cut back where we can. The days we won't have free dining or DH is one place that seems we can cut back easier.

Thank you so much