need expert opinion...

[dolphincrazy]

Our family of four will be leaving for Disney world on April 9th,03
the kids are ages 5 and 7. the flight and accomodations are paid for already, I was wondering how much would be from your
experiences the total cost we should expect for food for 8 days?
we will be getting the tickets online so that will be out of the way also.
Thanks, Dolphincrazy

 

[Dopey Sharon]

I budget $100 a day for food, and that has always been enough...we come home with money! But, we only eat at either the food court at All Stars or counter type restaurants in the parks.

 

[mad4themouse]

In the past, we have always budgeted $100 per day for food for our family of 4. With children under the age of 10, they will be able to order off the childrens' menu and pay the childrens' prices at buffets.

Character meals can be expensive but I always try to do at least one. We also enjoy one very good sit-down meal per trip to WDW. Those can also run the tab up but we tend to have breakfast in the room and eat a large, late lunch instead dinner.

Check the menus here http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/search.cfm to get an idea on possible restaurants and the prices that you will pay for meals there. It will give you a better idea on what to budget for your family.

 

[disneysteve]

There are 3 of us - myself, wife and DD (7). On our last trip in November, we averaged $18/person/day. That included eating breakfast in our room (cereal w/milk, juice, pop-tarts, etc) that we bought at the supermarket. Add a few dollars per person if eating out. We also included a couple of nice meals, namely dinner at Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge (great place - I highly recommend it). We brought some store bought snacks into the parks with us (granola bars, poptarts, candy, etc) which cut down on buying the overpriced things in the park. We still got some treats like ice cream, popcorn, etc, but not as much as if we hadn't brought our own stuff in. We also drink only tap water. It tastes fine to all of us and we see no point in buying bottled water but that is a very personal decision as numerous threads will confirm.

That all said, I'd agree with the prior posts recommending a food budget of $100/day for 4. Depending on your breakfasts, your appetite and your willingness to bring some stuff in with you, that should be plenty.

Steve

 

[bobcat]

Also check out the menus on www.wdwig.com It should help you get a better idea of what you will spend.

Many meals are large so you may want to split them for the younger kids. Pecos Bills and Cosmic Rays both in the Magic Kingdom have a great toppings bar.

For one adult and two kids we plan on $50/day for food. We eat breakfast in the room most mornings and mostly counter service meals. We do at least one character meal and a couple of sit down meals and have always stayed within that budget.

 

[dolphincrazy]

Thank You All for your help! I really appreciate it. I was thinking
roughly $100 a day too, I'll most likely split meals between the kids as they are not huge eaters.We will probably do at least one
character meal (we didn't do any last time) Last time we went
my husband went to school for work during the week so, we only had the weekends, this time it's all pure vacation! so, I kinda wanna go all out ya know? lol. the park tickets are gonna kill us but, we're getting those before we leave so all we really have to worry about is the food and souvenirs.
Thanks again!
Dolphincrazy

 

[Pembo]

DH & I split entrees in most restaurants as well. Disney food may be expensive but you get ALOT of food!

Have fun planning!

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says...............................You'll be fine with $100 a day. We are three and budget $75 and always go under. On an eight day trip we would probably have two nice meals, three nice lunches and the rest counter service, food court or in the room. So at $100 a day you will not be scrimping.
I don't eat alot and I'm not above getting a kids meal if I'm not hungry. Portions are huge. Often DD would get a sandwich,meaning hamburger, hot dog , chicken strips etc. and a milk. DW would get a sandwich. I would order a combo so we had a drink and fries. That one order of fries is enough for all three of us, and the drink was enough for DW and I. By spending only $15-17 for lunch left more money for mickey bars!!!