Only eating CS meal?

[a_sailor's_wife]

I'm trying to think of ways to save money on our next trip. We usually eat a CS for lunch in the parks and then a TS for dinner. I'm thinking that by eating only CS meals we'll save some. My problem is most of the CS restaurants have the same thing such as hambrugers, tacos, hot dogs, etc. What is your take on this? Have you done this and enjoyed it? Any other suggestions?

 

[septbaby]

Are you staying on site? If so check the menu at your home site. We stayed at CBR and were delighted with the range of options available.

I'd also check the CS options in Epcot. Sunshine Seasons has a nice range and the ethnic places also have unique items on the menu.

 

[mandypandy818]

When we went in May, with the exception of two TS meals, we did all CS. I think it can definitely be done. I honestly could've done without the TS meals. I would do research of all the CS options in each park and the resort you're staying at. For example, all the options at WS in Epcot, Columbia Harbor House in MK, and Cosmic Rays in MK. Those offer different options than just the regular burgers and fries. That way, you can avoid constantly having the same food for each meal. For us, doing CS for our meals was no problem at all.

It's really just every person's preference. We like to do CS and snack a lot. Some people like to do a lot of TS. (Which I completely understand as well) I think as long as you know your options, you won't have the problem of lots of repeat meals.

Maybe if you're missing the idea of TS, plan to do one every other day or just a few throughout your trip. I know all of the planning can be so confoozling! Hope this helped.

 

[KatMark]

Before the Dining Plan, we never with the exception of maybe one meal a trip, did table service meals (and we always go at least seven days). It is definitely possible to do.

 

[a_sailor's_wife]

Thanks for everyone's input! It seems that it's very doable. Since we are staying at Shades of Green they don't offer the option the DDP I wish they did. However, I believe we're going to try to do a TS meal every other night and enjoy those A LOT

 

[hildarumpole]

Another way to save a bit of money is to eat at a TS for lunch when the prices are cheaper. We did that several times and were full enough for the rest of the day, we didn't need to eat another complete meal, just a snack. The pizza at Evergreen's restaurant at SOG is a great bargain. You can get a carry-out or room service if you don't feel like eating in the restaurant.

 

[a_sailor's_wife]

I've also thought of going in for lunch which I'm sure we'll do for a few here and there, but for some dinners we like to just be able to sit and not feel rushed as we do in a CS at times. We know we have to get up for another family to sit down and be able to eat at a CS, but a TS we're not only paying for the food but tipping the server and we don't tip lightly either. That said we enjoy our dinner time more than just about any other meal.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I actually think there are quite a few non burger etc., cs places around WDW. The food courts at the moderate and value resorts are great. However, you may not want to figure that into your schedule! Some places where I have enjoyed some good cs are:

Epcot, Yakitori House, Tangerine Cafe, the places in China, Mexico, Norway, France and England all have many things, and burgers aren't on any of the menus! The Sunshine Seasons food court in the Land is also good, they have many options. Epcot in particular probably has the best selection of cs places that don't serve your usual theme park type food.

In MK, we like Columbia Harbor House, they have soup, sandwiches and of course the fish and chicken baskets. We also have enjoyed the wrap at Pecos Bills and Sosmic Rays has a rotissiere meal that can easily be shared.

In AK we enjoy Flame Tree BBQ and the sandwiches at Pizzafari.

In MGM, the ABC Commissary has some non standard items.

You can find fruit carts in all the parks which help balance out the diet. And many of the cs places do have salads which is nice.

And in DTD Wolfgang Pucks Express has a wide variety. There is also the Earl of Sandwich which is wonderful.

So I do think it can be done. And I can relate to your budget minded ways since I just cancelled all but one ADR for upcoming 10 day trip. Sometimes I just don't want to pay so much to eat, esp. since my kids are both now "adults". Just gets too expensive! I am kinda looking forward to it, we will definitely spend a lot less time eating in addition to a lot less money. Enjoy your trip!

Oh and another great way to save money is to share entrees at non buffet ts places. Most portions around WDW are large enough to share.

 

[La2kw]

There's a wide range of choices in CS. We do a lot of CS places and I rarely eat a hamburger or hot dog. Some of our faves are Fish and Chips at Yorkshire County Fish Shop, Shawarma at Tangierine Cafe, Bratwurst at Sommerfest, Japanese Curry at Yakitori House, clam chowder and tuna sandwiches at Columbia Harbor House, Rotisserie Chicken at Cosmic Ray's, tacos at El Pirate y El Perico, quiche at Boulangerie Patisserie, Jarlsberg and leek soup at Kringla Bakerei, smoked chicken and ribs at Flame Tree BBQ, and the whole wheat veggie wrap at Electric Umbrella.

 

[a_sailor's_wife]

Amy&Dan~ ::Hits self on head:: what is wrong with me? Why I didn't I think of sharing plates? It can easily be done by eating 1 starter,1 entree, and maybe a dessert and would probably be enough for DH and I. Then of course get DS a kids meal. That would really keep cost down.

 

[ZoZo]

I agree - there are lots of strategies for saving money, and still including some TS meals into your plan. Here are some thoughts:

1. Eat breakfast in your room. We always stay at SOG and they have fridges in every room. You can even get a box of cereal and milk at the AAFES store at SOG, if you don't have a car. (We always use towncar service and schedule a grocery stop - lots of breakfast items and snacks can save money!).

2. Split meals or order appetizer, soup, or salad. This can save lots of money. We went to Kona at the Poly (right next door to SOG) and I got the seafood chowder and wings. Plenty of food, and it was only about $12 total.

3. Many CS restaurants have good food that's not just burgers and hot dogs. Columbia Harbor House (great sandwiches); Earl of Sandwich (great sandwiches and soup); Wolfgang Puck Express (great items, especially the chicken quesadilla); the bar at the Poly (absolutely amazing lettuce wraps - you have to go there!); Fish and Chip shop at Epcot; Sunshine Seasons at Epcot (great choices - wonderful chicken caesar salad and rotisserie chicken with mashed potatoes and carrots); Cosmic Ray's also has rotisserie chicken. There are tons of places to eat that aren't TS, and have food other than burgers and dogs.

4. Try scheduling the latest breakfast seating at CP. You can turn it into "brunch", get a great meal, and grab a quick CS meal for dinner. This strategy also works by getting the latest lunch seating at a TS. Just eat a late breakfast and have a late lunch.

 

[estherhead]

Post this question on the budget board too. THose people know everything about saving money on food at Disney!

 

[Stacerita]

We did entirely CS the first time we went to WDW. We hadn't done any research prior to the trip, so we had no idea about the TS places to go. We did all CS and were able to eat a variety of yummy things. We did stay off site that year and had ordered pizza to the room one night.

 

[Ms.Mouse]

We found these places to be great CS's without the "standard foods"

MK: Columbia Harbor House (I think its the best CS in MK)
Main St. Bakery has offerings of very good sandwiches, snacks etc.

EPCOT: Sunshine Seasons has a great variety of foods
Some of our favorites in the countries are:
France... Boulangerie Patisseri
Norway...Kringla Bakeri og Cafe
UK...Yorkshire County Fish Shoppe

MGM... Our favorite place here is Starring Rolls

AK...Flame Tree BBQ

AND Don't forget Downtown Disney...they have great CS choices such as:
Earl of Sandwich (my new favorite)
Wolfgang Puck Express


You can get a good idea of prices and menus of what each restaurant/Counter service has to offer if you go to www.allearsnet.com and go to dining, then click on menus.

 

[rie'smom]

We used to do just counter service all the time, especially when my children were younger because they didn't want to stop too long.
Now, my boys are grown but my 13 yo daughter likes to take a more leisurely trip because we go 2x a year and she doesn't have to rush. She always brings a friend and we enjoy relaxing at a table service meal.
However, I think the CS food is very good and I wouldn't mind at all just doing counter service again in the future.

 

[alldiz]

Each resort usually has some kind of "specialty" that is different.

SSR has a great counter service....great flatbreads....If your in DTD it
is very close...
Well if you are in DTD...I would go to Wolfgang Pucks.

Poly has a great noodle dish
Beach Club....good salads.

All the mods and values have tons of choices.
Happy planning
Kerri

 

[RllngRckBrw]

I have never done it, but I would think with some planning you could avoid to many burgers. Just look to the places in each park that offer unique CS meals I eat 1 CS meal a day when we are there and I never do burgers, etc. I would guess there would have to be some of that eating 2 meals in the park each day though.

 

[newharmony]

DH and I spend 6 weeks a year at WDW. We never do TS meals. We don't like to be tied to ressies. We eat at the resorts, WPucks, and the parks. We might go to MK, go over to the Poly (Captain Cooks) for lunch, then Sunshine Seasons for dinner. We even go to the ASMo for dinner when we're at our DVC in the fall. DH loves their pasta. We like POR and FQ, CB, CR too. And lots of choices at WS.