Newbie here-is it possible to eat without costing a fortune?

[minniemouseears]

Hello,
well the title says it all really. We booked our 1st drip to DLp last week

Me and DH have previously been to USA both Orlando and California parks, but that was before children.

We are going in the summer hols with my sister and between us have 3 boys aged 4.5, 2.5 and 2. All I ever hear is how expensive it is to eat at DLP, and am just wondering if it's possible to do it a bit cheaper. The kids eat very little, so a sit down meal may not be the best option.

Any tips please? We're thinking of snacks during the day and maybe a meal on an evening. Just wondering how much it costs for snacks, meals, especially with the euro rate at the mo. Also we thought about a meal with the characters; any recommendations? Cafe Mickey or the Lucky Nugget?

All tips gratefully received

 

[joolz1910]

Hi there, you might want to look into buying halfboard vouchers if you are staying onsite, and eating at buffet restaurants. I think children under 3 eat free - but I could be wrong.

There is a shop just inside the train station where bits and pieces can be bought far more cheaply than in the parks.

We took stuff with us too - filter coffees, cereal bars, t.bags, dried fruit, crisps.

Some object to this, but we took a few pieces of fruit/yogurts from breakfast.

HTH.

 

[minniemouseears]

Thanks for the tips. Will def be taking snacks with us for the kids as they prefer to 'graze' throughout the day.

I didn't know about kids under 3 eating free? Anyone know if this is right? Or just limited to certain places. Also, how do the vouchers work?

Sorry to ask so many questions, we're all excited to be going and just trying to plan ahead

 

[DLPdaft]

Hi minniemouseears,
Elaine, Jackie, Elaine and Reid welcome you to the DLP DIS board

We are a friendly bunch here so please join in on any other thread or if you have a number of questions then just start a new thread for each

If you have not had a look yet, DLP posting rules are here
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1477038,
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http://www.wdwinfo.com/guidelines.htm

With the little ones along, I don't think theres anything wrong at all in taking snacks with you that they will enjoy . There are fast food options in the parks and the Village, if a table-service meal wouldn't suit your group.

 

[DLPdaft]

Joolz is right - at buffet restaurants, children aged under 3 do eat free . There are lots of buffet restaurants dotted all over the parks, Village, and resort hotels (and you can eat at any onsite hotel, even if you're not a guest there).

 

[minniemouseears]

Wow-thanks Joolz and Elaine, I didn't know that. That's fab!!

OK-any recommendations for where to go with the little ones for a character dinner-cafe mickey or the lucky nugget?

Any other tips gratefully received

 

[DLPdaft]

I'd say lunch at Cafe Mickey (previously I would have said the Lucky Nugget, but there have been a few recent not-so-good reports from folk who have eaten there). Lunchtime is quieter than evening, but its still a character meal, so your little ones should get their share of character interaction .
This is not a buffet though, so you'd have to pay childrens meal prices for them at Cafe Mickey.