Questions about food in CP cafeterias.

[thatcrazydisneygirl]

The titles pretty much sums it up.

What's the food quality in the cast cafeterias?

How expensive is it?

How much variety do they have?

And, would I be able to eat at the cafeteria while off work but in the park?

 

[bopnopper9]

As far as I know you are not allowed to go to cast cafeterias unless you're actually working because the cafeteria is backstage. The food is pretty decent. Mostly it's just like any other fast food restaurant (price wise and quality wise). Probably $5-$10 for a meal.

They also have vending machines everywhere. Keep in mind that some locations of work are too far away from the cafeteria to be able to make it there during your break. My location was too far away so I had to either pack or buy something from the vending machine.

 

[thatcrazydisneygirl]

That makes sense to me that you can't eat the the cafe when not working.. but I guess I'm concerned how much money I'll end up spending on food when I'm in the parks for pleasure then.


Furthermore, how much is the discount for both quick service food and full service food for CPers?

 

[~Zephyr~]

20% off both for all Cast Members. If you're down there during the Holiday Season you'll be able to get 30%, 40%, and 50% off as well.

 

[kmg148]

I remember there not really being a discount. Some restaurants had it but it was during the holidays. You could check though?

If you work in a resort, you most likely will only have Aramark's sandwiches, that's what I had. They had a food line where someone from the kitchen would prepare stuff, but we didn't have a subway.

You'll find that a lot of people bring lunch (at least at the hotel I worked at they did) and few buy, it's just too expensive working full time.

 

[ZeroToHero]

Why wouldn't you be able to go backstage while you're not working? As long as you have your ID, you should be okay, shouldn't you?

I mean, they have a hair salon and everything, if you go to MK - you mean you can't get a hair cut if you're not on duty?

And what if you wanted to pick up a check or something?

I find that odd.... or is it just the cafes?

 

[Princess Ash]

Delicious and Expensive.

 

[glendalais]

That makes sense to me that you can't eat the the cafe when not working.. but I guess I'm concerned how much money I'll end up spending on food when I'm in the parks for pleasure then.


Furthermore, how much is the discount for both quick service food and full service food for CPers?

Why wouldn't you be able to go backstage while you're not working? As long as you have your ID, you should be okay, shouldn't you?

I mean, they have a hair salon and everything, if you go to MK - you mean you can't get a hair cut if you're not on duty?

And what if you wanted to pick up a check or something?

I find that odd.... or is it just the cafes?

You can go Backstage when you're not working. As mentioned, there are Cast Services back there that are mainly meant to be utilized on your own time.

It's very much a judgement call. You probably shouldn't be wondering around if you have no reason to. And, of course, you should always use appropriate entrances (no going in through Cast Entrances and then going On Stage as a a Guest, and vice versa).

As to the food, I've had some very good (bordering on gourmet) experiences with Aramark.

At the same time, I've had some experiences that have required me to ER/ROS shortly thereafter so I could go worship the porcelin throne.

Really all depends on what location you visit, when you visit, and who's working.

Florida-Site Cast Dining Discounts are currently 20% at select restaurants throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. Generally, it's only at Table Service Restaurants, with only select Quick Service Restaurants (primarily those at Resorts or Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park) participating. A full list of Restaurants is available through internal sources upon arrival.

As mentioned before, during the Holiday Season, Disney's Family Holiday Celebration does offer additional dining discounts for Florida-Site Cast Members, Crew Members, Imagineers and Employees. These discounts are also generally more widely available than the standard Cast Dining Discount.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

I find Aramark to be about the same quality level as most school cafeterias ... i.e. not much. Most of it is edible, although there is a reason they're nicknamed "Scareamark". Of the 4 parks, AK has the best cast cafeteria (Pride Rock), and I also liked the one at Studios (Take Five). MK's Mouseketeria is overcrowded and understaffed, but the Backstage Bistro was pretty good. I've eaten at Discovery Diner (Epcot) once or twice, but not enough to realy have an opinion.

DU's cafeteria is pretty good, albeit with somewhat limited hours. As far as the resort cafeterias, I've only really eaten at the Polynesian (Cast Cove), and don't have a very high opinion of it. Also noteworthy, Coronado Springs cafeteria is run by Springs Foods, which is their in-house catering company. I only ate there once, but I found the quality and prices to be better than Aramark.

Lastly, "Support areas" ... both the Maingate Office Bldg and the Celebration Office Bldg have cafeterias run by Nature's Table. I liked the quality, but I thought the prices were a little high.

 

[cuethemusic]

I mean, they have a hair salon and everything, if you go to MK - you mean you can't get a hair cut if you're not on duty?

they have a hair salon backstage?!

 

[glendalais]

they have a hair salon backstage?!

There are indeed multiple Cast Salons throughout the Walt Disney World Resort, which are available to use as a Cast-Exclusive Offering.

Kingdom Kutters is located in the Tunnel System at Magic Kingdom Park, and Hairport is located in the Cast Services Building at Epcot. Cast Members may visit either of these locations in costume.

In addition, Cast Members receive discounts at the Guest salons located on Main Street USA at Magic Kingdom Park and Disney's Contemporary Resort. Cast may not visit either of these locations in costume.

 

[Scully12]

That makes sense to me that you can't eat the the cafe when not working.. but I guess I'm concerned how much money I'll end up spending on food when I'm in the parks for pleasure then.

When I visited the parks most of the time I would bring snacks/food with me so I wouldn't be spending $15 on a meal. Making a PBandJ and an apple or something and I'd be fine!

 

[grownoats]

is it vegan friendly at all?

 

[PennyLou]

the mousecatrial in all 4 parks is pretty much the same Sabaros Pizza, Subway and then bugars, fris ect then they have a spiceal for the day like thursday is asain day and they have differnt disehs in that theme one days is pasta one day is mexican ect its diffent all the time. Then they have like premade stuff Uncrustables, ice craeam creal and Soda, chips and hotdogs. They have pie and cake and jello and pudding and they have a salad bar and fruite. I like the food I tend to eat the Uncrastables a lot (which are about $1.50) becasue PB&J is my fav food, but the other food isn't bad and priced really well and you can eat there whenever you want to working or not.

I know there are some vegatarian options I don't know about Vegan becasue I don't know all the rules but I'm guessing salad is ok and pasta maybe and they have that, in the AM they have oat meal and grits and pancakes french toast and eggs (and I'm guess none of that is vegan but good choices) you'll prob find some things you can have but not a huge selection which I'm guess as a vegan you come across a lot.

 

[RyanS]

Take 5 cafeteria at Hollywood Studios is the exact same set up that my school had for one of its dining locations, although the food at Take 5 is a little better. I try to avoid the cafeterias if possible, I spent a lot of money there when I did my CP in 08 and I wish I hadn't. This time around I'll definitely be bringing more lunches and snacks.

 

[GAguy_DCP]

is it vegan friendly at all?

The Cafeterias are usually Vegetarian friendly, like PennyLou said they have salads and pastas. I am Vegetarian, and I talked to someone in the Mouse and they make me pasta sometimes without the meat. (They have a station set up where they make different hot or cold items a.e. Pasta, Tacos, Salads things like that.) They are usually pretty understanding. There is also a Subway, they gladly make me a vegi sandwich every once in a while.

Hope this helps

 

[grownoats]

it does help! thank you.