Please help with hints to save $ on food

[mad hatter fan]

Hi. We are a family of 5, me, DH, DS10, DD6, and DS3. We are planning our 4th trip to Disneyland for next Janurary. We will have a much tighter budget for this trip than the previous ones. We will be off site and driving and parking each day. (No Disneyland Hotel for me )

We are already planning on eating breakfast in our room (cereal or instant oatmeal) or on the way (breakfast bars). We will do one character meal, and I've wanted to eat at the Blue Buyou for awhile so we will probably do that as well, maybe sharing a meal to make it more affordable. What could we do to save on the other meals. What meals are good for sharing? What about packing a lunch? What have you brought along for lunch that was easy to prepare and pack? Would you leave the cooler in the van and send someone back to get it toward luchtime or would you rent a locker?

I want to save some money on food but all the time and effort to pack and get the lunch and treck outside the park to eat it seems a bit impractical and so time consuming. I'd love some hints as to how you made it work for you. And any other hints on money savings as well. Thanks so much.

Jackie

 

[disneychrista]

If the hotel you are staying at does not have a free breakfast, deffiently have it in your room, instead of at the park. This not only saves time in the park but $$.

They will not allow a "cooler" in the park. If you want to bring a lunch your best bet is a backpack in a locker. Please note that they do search all bags brought into the parks. For me even on a "tight" budget, it is too much effort to bring lunch.

Stick to counter/scamble serverice places. Purchase kids meals instead of adult meals. Or buy 2 adult meals and share between the group. Buy "double" cheese burgers and split them into two "open face" sandwhiches or ask for a second bun.

Visit dlrestortinfo.com for menus to get an idea of what is available and a general price.

 

[kuusimo]

I have brought PB & J sandwiches into the park when my children were younger and their eating was less predictable. We have the two boys split a children's meal and DH and I will split a meal. If we are still hungry, we will pull out a snack that we have brought. I can only think of a few times when this has not worked. I am lucky though that my boys are still young and can split meals. Our favorite place is at whitewater snacks in the Grand California hotel. It is a nice break from the parks. Go to mousesavers for more ideas on saving on food.

 

[Leofoenget]

The best western park place inn across the street offers breakfast. I have heard of some walking across the street to Mc Donalds at lunch. One time we packed a whole lunch and stuck it in the locker. Saved some $ but kind of a pain. One time we went into DCA and bought a whole pizza. Friend brought in PB&J's, or a box or two of Uncrustables.

 

[woody73]

Granola bars as a snack between meals.

Woody

 

[EnnEss]

They do search your bags, but they don't stop you from bringing in food or drink. I've never had any of the CMs say anything to me, I've not brought lunch before but have had food and drinks in my bags.

We saved money last time by sharing counter service meals and we did not have to go without at all to do this. I'm not sure why but they just seem quite large, we'd buy a couple drinks and one meal from whichever counter service place and it'd be more than enough for the two of us for lunch or dinner. I've never eaten breakfast so thats never a concern for me . My girlfriend does and we went to Denny's one day, much cheaper than the park, and she ate fruit and such things the other times.

I did notice some of the counter service meals were a better value than others. This may of just been my opinion and it could be wrong, but it seemed the one (exscuse me I do not know the names) located right by the Dumbo ride in the same building that Toad's Ride is in gave the most bang for your buck, I also noticed they had cups and a tap available right by the counter for water, if you can stomach the Cali water, I can't . The one by Space Mountain seemed to be a lot more expensive than any other one in the park. I also have always found the food there sub par, it looks delicious but it seems I'm always unlucky and get something that tastes hours old.

We went to the blue Bayou, for two of us it was 85ish dollars, I doubt if I had dessert but my girlfriend may of. This was before the price increase so I am sure it has gone up a notch since my last visit in December. I absolutely adore the food there and the atmosphere. I'll still go with the new menu, but I'll miss the Monte Cristo . The lunch menu used to be quite a bit cheaper than the dinner with similar food on it, and ample portions. I actually preferred the food offered on the lunch menu. I'm not sure if it still is cheaper now that they've redone the menu however.

Good luck on your vacation!!!

 

[shellncesar]

There are a lot of restraunts outside of disneyland about 5 minutes away. If you want to take your break around lunch time, this would be a good idea. There is an in n out a few minutes away... this food is about $5 a pop or less and is very filling. Joe's crab shack is another one that serves fish sticks and stuff. google them to find out how to get there. If you are parking at disneyland this might not be an option for you... but it might be worth it one day.

 

[spazzyjazzy]

We mainly eat outside of the park. A big hearty breakfast keeps us going for a while. When we go back to the hotel and rest we catch dinner on the way back to the park. Another thing we do is order pizza to the hotel room. We eat one time in the park and usually it is for dinner. We snack on stuff throughout the day also.

 

[jakoky]

hi there, we were at DL for 10 nights in may...we are also a family of 5, although my kids are older, with my oldest daughter being 15, my son 12(almost 13) and my youngest daughter 10 1/2...we spent about 1000 dolllars on food...way UNDER my budget...first, our first night there, we went to tony romas...good food, about average pricing, we all ordered our own meals and at the end we had enough food on all our plates to have at least on full meal left, if not 1 1/2...we then started meal sharing....we stayed at candy cane inn so for the first half, we had free breakfast at our motel...we found doing this we were starving late morning....we then started going to dennys for breakfast...ok, portions are insane here...even my husband shared his breakfast...we needed only 3 meals between us and sometimes we still had a little food left...my son and husband are big eaters, us girls are pretty average...we always brought snacks into the park...trail mix, granola bars, fruit snacks,etc and water....we also bought snacks in the park, at least one treat a day...we ate at least one meal in the parks also....all i know, is that there was only 2 meals in the 10 nights, 11 days that 1 or 2 of us were still a little hungry, so we would then get a small snack or some extra fries..quite often if my son and i shared, we would order a salad between also...1000 for 10 nights for 5 people was pretty good...have fun, we cant wait to go back
sharon

 

[munchkinsmom]

I sometimes stock up on those prepackaged "Lunchables" meals you can get at the Grocery store when I need a quick, inexpensive and convenient light lunch for us. Some have crackers and cheese, others have mini pizzas or chicken nuggets. The meals include a drink and a dessert and comes in a tray so the food doesn't get crushed and there's no need for plates or utensils. I've also brought in Starkist Tuna lunch packs for us to eat too.

HTH!

 

[CindyH]

But when we stayed at the BWPPI, the kids and I ate at the free breakfast (cereal was usually enough for them) while DH microwaved a frozen breakfast (Aunt Jemima and Jimmy Dean make them, as well as other brands). I used to actually bring eggs, bowls and such (you can microwave scrambled eggs) but the frozen stuff is much easier. So we only had to worry about lunch and dinner. I also just pack snacks for the kids, especially while waiting for rides, parades or shows, so they're not super hungry when it came to actual mealtimes. Hope this helps!

 

[hlbtimes2]

The bbq combo plate at Riverbell is great for sharing.

The chicken meals at French Market or Plaza are both huge. If you ask for all legs, it makes a great meal to share. Could easily feed 3 kids!

The kids ravioli with the cream sauce is one of MY favorite meals. Its rav., bread and a drink for $6. The pasta dishes and salads there could easily be shared if you dont want the kids meal.


The corn dogs at the red wagon on main street or at corn dog castle in DCA are HUGE. They are very good, sell for about $6, and come with chips.

 

[Tiinkerbelle]

We always have this problem, eating at the fast food places are the cheapest. For example inside the Disneyland Resort there is Croc's bits and bites, kids meals are around $3.99, and a chicken strip or cheeseburger meal (Chicken Strip or Cheeseburger, Fries, and a drink) is around $7.99. If you stop at the target just down the street from the park, you could probibly get a little something to eat for not a lot.

 

[Dis Ohana]

I've never tried this but I read a post about it and thought it was a good idea: buy one of those huge turkey legs and make turkey sandwiches. They brought a loaf of bread and some mayonnaise and were good to go. It's a nice alternative to PBJ's.
We always bring our own water and avoid buying soft drinks and snacks in the park.
If you're going to Blue Bayou mostly for atmosphere and don't really care about the food part, I hear that you can go for dessert only. That's the best part of the meal to me! .

 

[Sadie Girl]

I've been thinking about our food budget today, came here and found this thread!!! Thanks, very helpful...

 

[bclydia]

In the every bit helps department, the anaheim tourist website used to have a couple of coupons for dining that we love. There is a 10% off McDonald's coupon and also a coupon for a free kids meal at Red Lobster. These were great!!
Also, just before you go, sign up for Red Lobster's overboard club on the website and they'll send you a link to a coupon for a free appetizer. The coupon is only good for 2 weeks though so don't do it too soon.
Also, sign up for the Rainforest Cafe's club too. It gives you a free appetizer then order a couple of meals and you've got a tonne of food!

 

[mjantz]

We ate breakfast at the hotel (included in cost), lunched at the park & did dinner at the hotel. We had a fridge & microwave so we did sandwiches & mac & cheese or microwave soup. One day we left the park & ate lunch at the hotel & then returned to the park for dinner.
I packed a *ton* of snacks. You also might, if this is an option at at sit-down place, go ala-carte. DD doesn't like most 'normal' breakfast food (pancakes, sausage, biscuits, etc) so I usually get her a bowl of fruit & some cheerios. The fruit is usually enough for us to split as a side & its better for us than all that fat & calories at breakfast. Also, if given an option, I'll get a kids meal with 1 order of fries & 1 order of a healthier side. That way even if they don't eat all the fruit, at least they haven't eaten as many fries!

 

[DisneylandPrincess]

Thanks for the tip with the McDonalds and restaurant coupons. Great Tip, Thanks!!!

 

[blackjackdelta]

We stay where they have a kitchen and micro and then give the hotel staff a list of the food we want and they shop for us.(A service provided.) Saves us money and time away from the park.

Jack

 

[OCSurfCity]

If you are staying at a hotel outside Disneyland, look at thei registration counter for meal coupons from local Sizzlers, Co-Cos and Spires restaurants. Usually they give out 2 for the price of 1 coupons there.

You can bring snacks into the pack but if you bring a small cooler, place it in the lockers near the front ticket booths. When you eat, go to the locker and then enjoy your meals.

The Blue Bayou restaurant is nice BUT expensive. Make sure you make your reservations early as soon as you enter the park because this restaurant books up really fast (Disneyland hotel guests can make reservations through their hotel room phone). The Blue Bayou also closes early.

Helpful Tip: Try to eat lunch and dinner during off peak hours or you will face delays and long lines. Here is a trick we use. We eat a small breakfast before going to Disneyland. Take small snacks for the kids to munch on in the park. If the kids can hold out for lunch at about 11:30am, do so. For dinner eat at about 4:30pm. This way you and your spouse will not be in such a rush to feed the kids and they will be less cranky.

Character meals are expensive. At Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel, I was shocked to see dinner at $34.00 per person!