Lunch outside DLR?

[flapo]

Hi!

We are heading to DLR for 4 days on late April.

We are on a tight budget and wanted your opinions on this - since we are going for a longer number of days (specially against last trip that was just 2 days in the parks) and will probably have a more relaxed schedule, we thought it would be a good idea to have lunch outside the park.

What do you think?

We are a party of 5 - 3 adults and 2 teenagers (14 & 17 yo). Would it make sense savings-wise? Are there any places nearby (walking distance) that are good and also cheaper than the options inside?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Cal-Pie]

Pizza Press, Jim Boys Tacos, and Panera are our favorites outside of the park but within close walking distance. There is also a McDonald's close. We have found that we don't end up saving much outside the parks, however. If we are going back to the hotel for a break anyway, we will eat outside the park.

 

[HydroGuy]

When I had younger kids we used to get a mini-suite at BWPPI which had a small fridge and a microwave. We would always eat some kind of breakfast there and most lunches - sandwiches and hot dogs, etc., in the room.

In addition to the previously mentioned options there is a Subway down on Katella. Earl of Sandwich in DTD has always been a pretty good deal. White Water Snacks at GCH has seemed to be not that expensive.

 

[chickapin parterre]

the other beauty of lunch outside of the parks is your mental pace of walking....your body will actually slow down and rest with stride walking rather than the constant shuffle of waiting in line. with my $10.00 budget per invited guests of son, that buys a lot of teenager food at McDs.

 

[Minnie17]

We loved Mimi’s

 

[candy0730]

In the past we have done grocery delivery and head back to the hotel for lunch. We usually make sandwiches and have some chips or fruit. It is soooo nice to get a break from all of the stimulation and re-energize. And really, there is only so much theme park food a person can eat.

 

[Kender]

Earl of Sandwich is one of the best deals you can do because you don't leave the security bubble to access it, the food is quality, and the food is not expensive. I'm partial to the cheese pizza bread (with no seasoning) myself. My mom likes their ham and swiss (and usually saves half the sandwich for later because she can't always finish it all in one sitting). Personally I like it better than most anything I can get on Harbor. Wish there was a Raising Cane's in walking distance, though.

Splitting meals in the parks is also a good option to save some money. Some of the meals (like fried chicken from Plaza Inn) are generous enough portions to be a decent meal for a couple people. There's also the "share your ears" burger at Smokejumpers that's definitely a shareable thing. That thing made my stomach hurt looking at it when I saw someone order several, lol!

 

[danceanddisney2010]

The restaurants outside the park are pretty expensive as well. As some have mentioned, Earl of Sandwich is literally the best! It's good and it's not outrageously priced for Disney dining!

 

[Indiana Scott]

Just avoid Capt. Hooks buffet. Just plain nasty!
It only stays open because of the never ending supply of unsuspecting victims.

Mimi's a nice, cool place totake a break from all the noise. Food is good and they have some home style favorites.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Napolini in DTD was recently remodeled and revamped -- it's now a great bargain! The pizzas are made fresh to order and the prices are super reasonable.

 

[chickapin parterre]

And really, there is only so much theme park food a person can eat.

Really? Have you ever departed Chickapin, bought a slice of watermelon out of the cattle trough and found a brick wall seat in ROA and crunch into that slice of wholesome hydration goodness and let it drip all over you? The music, the Mark Twain , the sun glinting off the water, the healthy juice running down your arm.....not that it matters....you are already soaking wet!!!!

 

[candy0730]

No, but it's now on my list of things to do.

 

[DLgal]

Napolini in DTD was recently remodeled and revamped -- it's now a great bargain! The pizzas are made fresh to order and the prices are super reasonable.

This. You get a 10" pizza with one topping for $7.50. Additional toppings are 50 cents each. They have like six specialty pizzas for under $10. It's an AMAZING deal. For comparison, a single slice inside the park is $7.99.

This pizza is far, far, FAR better than Pizza Press. I wouldn't make the trip to Pizza Press now that this option exists right in DtD. Napolini/Naples uses much fresher ingredients and is, IMO, the best pizza in Orange County.

Earl of Sandwich is another stellar deal right on property. Great, filling sandwiches made to order.

Finally, Tortilla Joe's Taqueria has affordable prices and made to order tacos, burritos, and nachos (kinda like Chipotle).

Not much right outside the park on Harbor is worth the savings when you take into account the hassle of exiting and getting back in. If you are staying out there anyway, it's an option on your way into or out of the parks, but the prices are not significantly lower offsite in Anaheim anyway.

Also in DtD is Jamba Juice. We like grabbing breakfast smoothies there. Add a protein boost or some Greek yogurt and you'll feel full for a few hours.

 

[azdisneylover]

There are Starbucks in the parks and DTD. They carry salads, sandwiches, as well as pasties, fruit, veggies and beverages. You can use your Starbucks cards inside the parks to collect the stars, but you cannot use your rewards in the parks. You can in DTD. There are many counter service in both parks that have servings large enough to split. I have soon to be 17 year old triplets that love to eat and we have found checking out the menus and the pictures others post to see the size of the items, as well as watching magic journeys on youtube, help us decide what to split and what to order for each one. Eating in the parks and DTD is what we do. What ever you decide, have a great trip!

 

[Cholula]

Not much right outside the park on Harbor is worth the savings when you take into account the hassle of exiting and getting back in. If you are staying out there anyway, it's an option on your way into or out of the parks, but the prices are not significantly lower offsite in Anaheim anyway.

ITA. If I'm staying over there already and planning to go back to my hotel, I may decide to eat a meal nearby. But I don't think it would be worth it to leave the park, eat at McDonald's, then go right back in. I don't know that you would save THAT much money but you would certainly lose out on time.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Just avoid Capt. Hooks buffet. Just plain nasty!
It only stays open because of the never ending supply of unsuspecting victims...

Completely agree, but I think you mean Captain Kidd's?

 

[Indiana Scott]

https://www.amazon.com/Finether-Por...&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=folding+rv+steps&psc=1

That's the place - thx for clearing that up!

 

[flapo]

Thanks everyone for your replies! I am with a party of five people (Three adults and two female teenagers) and we are trying to get the meals budget between $20-25 USD per day (for the three meals) which at the price point of the park's food seems quite difficult.

I already took note of all the great choices you offered and will be checking them out! We come from Mexico, so Mexican food is not very high in our list of "to-eat while in the US" LOL but I really appreciate your Tortilla Joe's recommendation DLgal!

Also, just FYI and if it helps with your further recommendations, in Mexico our "strong" meal is lunch instead of dinner.

 

[DLgal]

Thanks everyone for your replies! I am with a party of five people (Three adults and two female teenagers) and we are trying to get the meals budget between $20-25 USD per day (for the three meals) which at the price point of the park's food seems quite difficult.

I already took note of all the great choices you offered and will be checking them out! We come from Mexico, so Mexican food is not very high in our list of "to-eat while in the US" LOL but I really appreciate your Tortilla Joe's recommendation DLgal!

Also, just FYI and if it helps with your further recommendations, in Mexico our "strong" meal is lunch instead of dinner.

$20-25 per day for 5 people for all 3 meals?

If that is what you meant, that's just not possible anywhere in Anaheim. If that is truly all you have to spend, I recommend packing lunch and bring it in with you.

 

[mfleeting]

We like to leave and go to Earl of Sandwich. McDonald’s is also across the street. However, we don’t notice much of a savings from just getting counter food at the park