Lunch outside DLR?

[theluckyrabbit]

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...

$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.

I'm afraid I have to agree that a food budget of $20-$25/day for 3 adults and 2 teenagers is so tight that it makes me uncomfortable. Just for comparison, when DH and I eat at Napolini (which counts as a budget meal), sharing 1 pizza and a salad, no sodas/beverages, no dessert -- our total is just over $20 (including tax) -- and that's one smaller meal shared by 2 adults. I would have trouble feeding only myself (and I'm not a big eater) on $20/day in the parks.
OP, where are you staying? Does your hotel provide free breakfast? That can be a big food budget savings if you eat a large, free breakfast at the hotel every day. Will you have grocieries stocked at your hotel room? As DLgal said, packing your own lunches to bring to the parks can be one way to save some food money. DLR does allow guests to bring in a reasonable amount of food, e.g. a bag lunch (sandwich already made, some snacks, bottle of water, etc.) -- but no glass containers and no knives.

 

[Kender]

I could be wrong, but I took it to mean "$20-$25 per person per day". Mostly because it seemed so ludicrous to be total for all of those people per day.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I could be wrong, but I took it to mean "$20-$25 per person per day". Mostly because it seemed so ludicrous to be total for all of those people per day.

I tried to think of it both ways, just in case, and even at per person (with 2 teenagers?!), it's a big stretch. I have a small appetite (often the kids meal is too much), and I don't think $20/day would be a safe amount for me for a 4 day trip. With all the activity, all day in the parks, that budget sounds just too tight for comfort.
Unless the OP meant $20-$25 per meal x 3/day per person = $60 - $75 per person/day. That is a more generous CS food budget per day, especially if it includes beverages and snacks.

 

[indoshakespeare]

if you have a car, go to In n Out Burger ^^

 

[1911]

in addition to earl of sandwhich and mcdonalds there is a denny's across the street next to capt crap buffet

 

[flapo]

I tried to think of it both ways, just in case, and even at per person (with 2 teenagers?!), it's a big stretch. I have a small appetite (often the kids meal is too much), and I don't think $20/day would be a safe amount for me for a 4 day trip. With all the activity, all day in the parks, that budget sounds just too tight for comfort.
Unless the OP meant $20-$25 per meal x 3/day per person = $60 - $75 per person/day. That is a more generous CS food budget per day, especially if it includes beverages and snacks.

Apologies to all for the confusion! Really sorry! And really thankful for your opinions.

Yes, the idea is to have the $20-25 USD budget per person, probably stretched to $30 at much... My teenagers are both girls and they have a very small appetite (at least one of them) as well as my DW and my Mother in Law.

We will also have breakfast in the AirBnB we will be staying at (bought by us, basically fruit, coffee, cereal, waffles/bread, etc... so that will be basically around $2-3 per person. That leaves most of the budget for lunch and light dinner (as I said, in Mexico dinner is not the bigger meal - lunch is.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Apologies to all for the confusion! Really sorry! And really thankful for your opinions.

Yes, the idea is to have the $20-25 USD budget per person, probably stretched to $30 at much... My teenagers are both girls and they have a very small appetite (at least one of them) as well as my DW and my Mother in Law.

We will also have breakfast in the AirBnB we will be staying at (bought by us, basically fruit, coffee, cereal, waffles/bread, etc... so that will be basically around $2-3 per person. That leaves most of the budget for lunch and light dinner (as I said, in Mexico dinner is not the bigger meal - lunch is.

Thank you for clearing this up! $30/day per person -- does this include snacks and beverages? There are ways to save on meals in the parks -- some CS places are really good for sharing meals with larger portions, e.g. Plaza Inn's fried chicken meal. But the snacks and beverages can really eat into the budget. And with all the activity for 4 days, appetites can increase, or at least a need for calories and protein -- just something to keep in mind.

 

[DLgal]

Apologies to all for the confusion! Really sorry! And really thankful for your opinions.

Yes, the idea is to have the $20-25 USD budget per person, probably stretched to $30 at much... My teenagers are both girls and they have a very small appetite (at least one of them) as well as my DW and my Mother in Law.

We will also have breakfast in the AirBnB we will be staying at (bought by us, basically fruit, coffee, cereal, waffles/bread, etc... so that will be basically around $2-3 per person. That leaves most of the budget for lunch and light dinner (as I said, in Mexico dinner is not the bigger meal - lunch is.

Ok, so with $30/person per day, and breakfast in the room, it can be done. Thank you for clarifying.

However, that budget really doesn't leave any room for fun snacks, which are ALL expensive. If your girls and MIL are small eaters, get them kids meals at the counter service places. Those run about $8 each. Napolini pizza could be shared between 2 light eaters, easily. Drink water. It's free everywhere. Plan to split some larger counter service meals. Good places to do this are: Plaza Inn, French Market, Flos V8 Cafe. Also, be aware that you can order many counter service meals "a la carte" and save some money. For example, you can go to Corn Dog Castle in DCA or the Red Wagon and get JUST a corndog (without the side of chips) and save $2-3. You can order JUST a burger (no fries) and save a few dollars, etc. Anytime a meal includes a side, you can take away the side for some savings.

Also, here is a hot tip. Tangaroa Terrace at the Disneyland hotel just reopened after a long refurbishment. For whatever reason, their meals are priced lower than most others. AND, they have Dole Whip there now and it is only $2.99! Dole Whips in Disneyland cost $5.69. So, if you want a classic Disneyland treat, head over to the Disneyland hotel and get your Dole Whips "on sale."

I think if you bring in snacks, drinks, and are just buying 2 meals in the parks per person, you can do that on $30/day pretty easily.

 

[flapo]

if you have a car, go to In n Out Burger ^^

YES WE WILL, and most probably more than once!!!! We just have to be careful not to over do it hahaha

 

[flapo]

Ok, so with $30/person per day, and breakfast in the room, it can be done. Thank you for clarifying.

Also, here is a hot tip. Tangaroa Terrace at the Disneyland hotel just reopened after a long refurbishment. For whatever reason, their meals are priced lower than most others. AND, they have Dole Whip there now and it is only $2.99! Dole Whips in Disneyland cost $5.69. So, if you want a classic Disneyland treat, head over to the Disneyland hotel and get your Dole Whips "on sale."

I think if you bring in snacks, drinks, and are just buying 2 meals in the parks per person, you can do that on $30/day pretty easily.

Thanks a lot! So... do you agree with others above that it would be better to stick to the parks, or having meals outside would be a good option?

 

[flapo]

Thank you for clearing this up! $30/day per person -- does this include snacks and beverages? There are ways to save on meals in the parks -- some CS places are really good for sharing meals with larger portions, e.g. Plaza Inn's fried chicken meal. But the snacks and beverages can really eat into the budget. And with all the activity for 4 days, appetites can increase, or at least a need for calories and protein -- just something to keep in mind.

Yes, snacks and beverages included... We have a really tight budget but I'm sure we will have a great time.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

For In'N'Out -- we share a large fries to cut some costs (and calories!). Your family could probably share 2 large fries instead of everyone getting their own fries. Little things like that can help save a lot over the course of a trip. And, if you go to the In'N'Out on Ball and State College, there is a Walmart Supermarket right behind it where you could do a little grocery shopping for your rental house.

 

[DLgal]

For In'N'Out -- we share a large fries to cut some costs (and calories!). Your family could probably share 2 large fries instead of everyone getting their own fries. Little things like that can help save a lot over the course of a trip. And, if you go to the In'N'Out on Ball and State College, there is a Walmart Supermarket right behind it where you could do a little grocery shopping for your rental house.

In N Out doesn't have "large fries." They have "fries." One size. Although, I agree they are shareable, but we share 2 orders among 3 people. Half an order of fries is very little.

 

[DLgal]

Thanks a lot! So... do you agree with others above that it would be better to stick to the parks, or having meals outside would be a good option?

I think In N Out is the ONLY offsite place I recommend as far as savings. It truly is super cheap, but high quality food. Our family of 4 eats there for under $20.

I don't think anywhere else off property is worthwhile. Stick to the parks or Downtown Disney. Time is money too, especially at Disneyland, and you want to maximize your time in the parks. Leaving just wastes time.

 

[flapo]

So, taking everything into account, I have some key takeaways I think we will use as guidelines in April

- Budget around $25 USD per person per day (total of $125 per day for the party of 5)
- Breakfast at the room is a must (we will probably save for a character breakfast one day, but that comes from another $$ bucket and not the regular budget...)
- Take some sandwiches, chips and similar snacks with us
- Take some re-usable water bottles with us and use water fountains from the park
- Lunch outside the parks two or three days - Earl of Sandwich, Napolinis (sp?) pizza, In-n-Out and the Taco place are highly recommended
- Lunch inside the parks one or two days
- Some kind of snack at mid-evening (thinking 5-6 PM)
- Dinner once leaving the parks late at night (that is what we usually do in Mexico, dinner @ 8 or 9 PM)

Let me know if I am missing something...

Thanks all for chiming in!

 

[flapo]

I think In N Out is the ONLY offsite place I recommend as far as savings. It truly is super cheap, but high quality food. Our family of 4 eats there for under $20.

I don't think anywhere else off property is worthwhile. Stick to the parks or Downtown Disney. Time is money too, especially at Disneyland, and you want to maximize your time in the parks. Leaving just wastes time.

Nice advice! Thanks!

 

[flapo]

In N Out doesn't have "large fries." They have "fries." One size. Although, I agree they are shareable, but we share 2 orders among 3 people. Half an order of fries is very little.

In N Out doesn't have "large fries." They have "fries." One size. Although, I agree they are shareable, but we share 2 orders among 3 people. Half an order of fries is very little.

I do think , based on my experience with my family eating in In-n-Out before, that we will be able to fill ourselves up with 3 fries for 5 of us... we are light eaters

 

[GenGen22]

Inside the park you can get an affordable hot dog or corndog and fries outside the golden horseshoe which is resonable priced. Also, I would look here foe discounts: https://www.mousesavers.com/disneyl...isneyland-meal-snack-drink-discounts-coupons/

 

[Kender]

I tried to think of it both ways, just in case, and even at per person (with 2 teenagers?!), it's a big stretch. I have a small appetite (often the kids meal is too much), and I don't think $20/day would be a safe amount for me for a 4 day trip. With all the activity, all day in the parks, that budget sounds just too tight for comfort.
Unless the OP meant $20-$25 per meal x 3/day per person = $60 - $75 per person/day. That is a more generous CS food budget per day, especially if it includes beverages and snacks.

To be honest that's what my average daily spend for food myself at DLR is ($20-$25). Occasionally more if special meals or treats. And that's not on purpose, I just don't eat much because I don't handle food well . Never have even as a teen. I also don't eat 3 meals a day, though. Maybe 2 plus some small shared treats. That helps for sure. So that's why it didn't seem that off to me.

But I can see why it would seem tight for 3 meals for many people.

 

[cmwade77]

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!

So, you can eat in the parks for between $10-$15 per meal and eat quite well. Some of the more expensive meals may actually be a better choice if you are willing to share, as some of the portions are huge.

Outside the parks will run you $8-$14 unless you want to go way down the street. So in my opinion, it really isn't worth the time, unless you are going for something like Earl in Downtown Disney, which is a good choice as well.