Not on Dining Plan - Where to Eat

[ittybittybabynurse]

We opted not to go with the plan. We would be happy doing CS most of the time, but I would like to have a few TS meals (mostly lunch or dinner). Any suggestions on some TS restaurants in each park that is not totally outrageous in price? Our 5 yr old son will be with us, too. Thanks!

 

[danielle782001]

Sci-Fi in DHS for lunch is not bad at all... Your son should like the atmosphere.... Really cool... The food is simple and the choices on the menu are not fancy... Price is right

Trails End at the camp grounds has one of the cheapest meals on property... It is a large buffet... I know you said in the parks but this place is easy to get to when at the MK... Just hop on the boat to Fort Wilderness... You can be back to the park before the fireworks

Garden Grill in Epcot for lunch is well-priced... It is a character meal with Mickey, Chip/Dale, Pluto... Food is served family-style and your son will get a make-own-cupcake for dessert... My boys liked this one a lot... We enjoyed it as well

Rainforest Cafe is located right outside the AK... You can always do a lunch or dinner there... Lunch menu is cheaper...They don't take the dining plan so that is not an issue... And they will take reservations but you must call them directly... My boys LOVE this place... The dino nuggets and fries were a big hit

 

[PixyDusted]

I'm never on the DP since I live in the area! LOL. So some things to keep in mind if you are flexible with lunch or dinner - lunch is sometimes cheaper at some restaurants. Le Cellier at Epcot is delicious and much cheaper for lunch! I remember getting a steak sandwich there last year that was about $12. (Could've changed from a year ago but I can only speak from what I know!)

You can look up a lot of the menus at restaurants around the "world" with prices on the internet. Just make sure there's a date posted with when the menu is from so the prices are somewhat current.

 

[DisneyFan83]

The Plaza Restaurant in MK is always great! They have sandwiches, burgers, shakes, good food & atmosphere, and not too expensive.

 

[kwelch10377]

I would say the Plaza, Beaches & Cream (you can walk there from Epcot), and Sci-Fi

I would agree with the PP and that you should take a look at the menus that are posted on this website and All-ears.

 

[karajeboo]

One thing that DH and I did on our honeymoon 11 years ago (before the dining plan existed!) was to eat our BIG dinners around 3:30 each day so we got the lunch prices! Made a HUGE difference in our budget!

 

[danielle782001]

Beaches & Cream (you can walk there from Epcot)

I agree that Beaches & Creme is a great meal for a cheap price

 

[baileybelle]

We never do the DDP. Too much food, too much temptation. We always do our TS meals for lunch. The prices are a little bit lower and it's a great mid-day break. This trip we're doing:

Lunches:

Ltt at MK http://allearsnet.com/menu/men_lttl.htm
http://allearsnet.com/menu/men_lttk.htm

Tony's at MK:http://allearsnet.com/menu/menu_ttl.htm
http://allearsnet.com/menu/men_ttsk.htm

Tusker House at AK:http://allearsnet.com/menu/menu_tus.htm

Primetime Cafe at DHS:http://allearsnet.com/menu/menu_ptc.htm http://allearsnet.com/menu/men_ptck.htm

At EPCOT, we like to eat around the world. No room left in the tummy for a TS there.

 

[scrapnmom]

We didn't do the DDP on our last trip. I would definitely stick with TS for lunch since it's cheaper than dinner. We did Crystal Palace and Garden Grill, both character meals, and we very happy with both. We also did the Play n Dine at Hollywood & Vine, which we enjoyed, but it was a little more expensive than the others.

allears.net has menus with prices for all the restaurants.

 

[KatMark]

Be sure to make reservations and if you don't use them you can cancel them. Table service establishments are harder and harder to get into.

Breakfast -- Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom
Lunch/Dinner -- Plaza Restaurant at Magic Kingdom, LeCellier for lunch at Epcot, Biergarten at Epcot (your son will love the live band), Prime Time or Sci-Fi at Hollywood Studios; we've not tried any sit downs at Animal Kingdom--we are trying Yak & Yeti this trip

 

[karajeboo]

Two more that are often overlooked are Marakesh at Epcot - Moroccan cuisine, but really nothing crazy there if you're not familiar with the food. I think my meal consisted of a chicken dish (normal!) and couscous (rice - also normal!). Plus there is a belly dancer that roams the room that is a lot of fun. And the place is usually empty so no ADR needed there.

Also, San Angel Inn in Mexico. Also forgotten a lot - the ambiance is great here, right along the "banks" of the Rio del Tiempo boat ride. It's dark and romantic, and the food is not bad either - just don't expect Taco Bell. It's much more authentic, fish, etc, than most people are used to. I made the mistake of ordering a burrito and it wasn't what I was expecting.....

Also, for CS (even though this isn't what you asked), I think that the CS place in Mexico has about the most bang for the buck in Epcot!!! We got a great meal there very reasonably priced and TONS of food!

I can't think of any TS in MK that has food worth writing home about, and at DHS, I think the TS places are just more "fun." Think Primetime and SciFi Dine In. But they are not known for the quality of the cuisine either.

Enjoy!!!!