quick BUDGET help PLEASE...CSR Pepper Mkt & more? (long)

[CdnMom2]

I'm going on a last-minute trip to WDW with DD16 (diabetic), DD7 & my mother who has some mobility & other health issues. Not using a wheelchair/ECV, but standing & heat will have to be minimized. OH, this trip is first week of July. We're there for a convention. We will be staying at CSR. Everyone is aware how very lucky they are to have this opportunity & how some scrimping will have to happen for a couple of the days we have added on to our stay in order to go into WDW & so Grandma can have a Mickey Bar too -- Grandma's first time.

So, I really need your best budget ideas for feeding us all. I'm apprehensive about what CSR's Pepper Mkt will cost us. There is not much room in the budget after the flights, convention $, convention tix for the Food part!

None of us are big eaters, but obviously I'll have to keep everyone healthy & energetic.

We need to worry about Friday eve meals; Saturday when touring MK & Epcot; and Sunday while touring AK & MGM. Yes, kids & I have been to WDW before so we do know that this touring will be just hitting some highlights for Grandma.

I'm thinking that room breakfasts can be handled with items we pack from home. Does CSR have a small grocery store for overpriced milk? any fruit/veggies/deli meat? Can't take any of those over the border.

What are the servings like at CSR for a lunch or dinner? Could we reasonably split 2 Adult meals among the 4 of us? And the 10% tip thing. Can we get it to go & avoid the tip situation? Creative ideas needed here please. I'm just not sure how it works there. I'd like to be prepared & in control ahead of time so my kids aren't wandering off asking for things & I'm having to question the prices & mentally add up amounts on the fly at different stations to avoid blowing whole budget.

We've never been to any Disney Food Courts. Is there a MW for guest use at CSR food court? I thought some MW popcorn in the room would be a good eve snack. Perhaps some MW-able other food is possible too then. Maybe I need to pack a kettle so we can do cup-a-soups, instant oatmeal, Grandma's tea...

From other posts I see that Tommorowland Noodle Stn in MK looks like a good stop for some sharing on Saturday. Or Pecos Bill?

And the AK meal voucher looks good for Sunday. Again, is this something we could reasonably just buy 2 Adult versions of & share? Or add 1 kiddie 1 too? Which place?

I think we will avoid any TS as 1) no PS's made & it's coming up quick & I need to be flexible to everyone's health & the weather then AND 2) We don't have the time! AND 3) Can save on tipping then. Yes, that sounds cheap because it has to be, but at least I say I won't be going rather than as I've seen some people do -- not tip for service.

So please any great affordable dining tips for this situation would be great!

 

[kareneast]

If you haven't done so already, check out the menu's on allearsnet.com. That will give you a good idea of meal costs. Depending on how big of eaters you are, you can probably split 2 adult meals, or maybe get 1 childs meal for your 7 yr old and 2 adult meals and then share among everyone.

 

[Lesia]

you will also have a fridge in the room. You can stock sandwich makings.

 

[webray]

While a lot of people rave about pepper market, the food is really less than good, not even mediocre. Try to eat your fun meals at other resorts, in the parks, downtown disney. Earl of Sandwich is great for reasonable meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner. The sandwiches around $5 each are delicious and huge, easily can be shared.

 

[SB in KY]

As far as I know there are not any microwaves available at CSR. But each room has a small fridge and a coffee maker.

I think 2 meals at pepper market would probably do for your group....the heat always keeps my crowd from being too hungry. I would just take as much as you can from home in the way of snacks, breakfast items, quick lunch things, etc....we can get a lot of mileage out of a small jar of peanut butter and a box of crackers. You can buy whole fruit, fruit cups and milk at the little market next to Pepper Market (not exactly bargains, but they will do fine to fillout the cereal and granols bars for breakfast).

I think the food at Pepper Market is fine. My teenagers (that are NOT dainty eaters) can share an order of fajitas or the roasted chicken dinner and feel quite full.

Everyone will want to drink a LOT so you can save a small fortune by packing water bottles and/or sodas from home. You can share meals and then supplement with a Mickey Bar...or order kids meals....they are usually plenty for me and available almost anyplace.

The kids meal deal at AK is a great deal....for $6 you get a kids meal with drink (my teens LOVE the mac and cheese at Tuskers) then they have a coupon good for a bottled water or soda and an ice cream treat or popcorn..they can go all day on the $6 meal deal!! The figaro fries at Pinnochios are also a great cheap lunch (less than $4)

Given the time of year you are going and the heat and crowds....I would REALLY reccommend using a wheel chair for your mom....the heat will be so draining for her...by using a WC she will be able to last a lot longer. If you call the hotel and request in advance they will try to have one there for you (that way you don't have to rent one at the parks and it will be quite handy to have at the resort....it can be quite a hike to central areas at CSR). She can board buses normally and you can just fold the chair and whell it onto the bus....a bit of a hassle, but not much and it will be such a help to her...especially at AK and EPCOT. The hotel provides them for the complimentary use of guests if available.

You will have a wonderful time....and if the kids know what the budget is they will probably amaze you at how thrifty they can be and still have fun!!

There was a terrific thread on this board a few weeks ago about a family that ate on $75/day (and they even did several sit down meals....)so you should be fine to get by on less than that.

 

[Fast Pass]

As much as I love Pepper Market it is expensive. There is a McDonald's not far from CSR that you could go to. Yeah, its basically burger and fries but it will keep the hungries away. There is also a McD's in downtown Disney. Earl of Sandwich in Downtown Disney is also very inexpensive,it is very filling.

At Mk Columbia House seems like a good choice. In Epcot the only restaurant that is budget friendly seems to be the Electric Umbrella. There is the ABC commisary at MGM and at AK definitely do Tusker house, I believe the most expensive meal is around 8.00(based on last September).

If you bring your own bottled water and bring some snack sized treats you could nibble your way through most of the day.

You can share meals of course.
As far as avoiding the 10% at Pepper Market tell them that you are ordering to go and they won't charge you.(It is really nice to sit by the lake and eat).

 

[DisneyJen0504]

We love the pepper market but it can be pricey depending on what you order, but I think you could definitely split meals. Otherwise, counter service at the parks wont be too bad, if you split meals that include a few things so two can have a little of each (such as half a sandwhich and some frees for 2 people).
We brought from home, pretzels, chips, cookies, granola bars and breakfast bars for the room. We often grabbed a breakfast bar in the morning instead of getting breakfast at pepper market or a park-not really to save money but rather we arent usually up for a big meal that early. We also got fruit a few times from the little store next to the pepper market-they even have ready made sandwhiches and salads you could take back to the room and keep in the fridge.

 

[clhcpaca]

There is a microwave at Pepper Mkt. It's bank in the far corner; I used it two years ago when I stayed there.

Cindy

P.S. I am one of those that liked the Pepper Mkt. I liked the variety of food choices and you could share a meal, as you are given quite alot of food.

 

[CdnMom2]

Great help & support. Now I have enough options for dining that I can rest easier.

The MW at the back though -- do you feel silly like you're using something you shouldn't? Is it meant to be for food purchased there in that Mkt. I am confused about the Market as it sounds like one wouldn't need to be reheating say a packaged sandwich or melting cheese on a bagel, etc. as I would imagine a food court. The food is all hot & prepared for you I gather. So then the MW is for...guests to use...or it's in the back because the staff uses it???

Wouldn't want a scene with kids & Mom over my bag of popcorn or a Microwavable mac & cheese or something if someone still felt hungry later! How embarassing.

Thanks for the advice on the wheelchair. I did request a ground-floor room because of my mother's mobility issues, but I don't think she'd go for a wheelchair AT ALL. We'll see, of course once she's been to WDW. But, she prides herself & pushes herself on long walking -- to keep up with her abilities, I imagine & she always has enjoyed walking places. It's standing for long periods, & stairs & balance that are the problems. She is a young almost-Senior cancer-survivor. If I introduced the idea of a wheelchair right now or as soon as we arrive I don't think our trip would start off very Magically for anyone! But, I didn't know the Resort could get 1 for her. So I will have to see. I did have in the back of my mind that we may well end up using some $ to rent one once the distances & heat in the Parks have done their thing on us. So thanks for the heads up about the Resort.

One last question: Are there souvenir refillable mugs at CSR & how/what/where does one refill. Perhaps I should be asking this on Resort board now.

 

[LuvN~Travel]

We too liked the Pepper Market when we stayed last year. And, I found out that the portions were large enough to share. This past time we went one night as well, and my daughter ordered her usual chicken strips, but I had ordered the wet burrito and we wound up sharing that. (she'd FINALLY gotten tired of chicken for once ).
Kim

 

[clhcpaca]

The MW at the back though -- do you feel silly like you're using something you shouldn't? Is it meant to be for food purchased there in that Mkt. I am confused about the Market as it sounds like one wouldn't need to be reheating say a packaged sandwich or melting cheese on a bagel, etc. as I would imagine a food court. The food is all hot & prepared for you I gather. So then the MW is for...guests to use...or it's in the back because the staff uses it???

Wouldn't want a scene with kids & Mom over my bag of popcorn or a Microwavable mac & cheese or something if someone still felt hungry later! How embarassing..

I never had a problem. I used it to reheat leftovers. It is outside the "kitchen: area, just in the far back corner, for obvious use by the patrons, not the cooks.

One last question: Are there souvenir refillable mugs at CSR & how/what/where does one refill. Perhaps I should be asking this on Resort board now..

Yes, there are mugs there, and you can either go in and fill it yourself or if eating there have the waiter/waitress fill it for you.

Cindy

 

[SqueakyMouse]

The Pepper Market serves your typical WDW CS food AND food that's more like TS. Neither dh nor I like CS, so we've only ordered the other. We both enjoyed it very much and found the servings to be quite large. They also come with sides. For example, a chicken quesadilla that I got for take-out came with sides of rice and black beans. Although I was very hungry, I could only eat 1/2 of this meal.

One morning, I picked-up banana-nut muffins from the little convenience store. They were very, very good. In fact, I'm craving one right now!

 

[Buzz2001]

While a lot of people rave about pepper market, the food is really less than good, not even mediocre. Try to eat your fun meals at other resorts, in the parks, downtown disney. Earl of Sandwich is great for reasonable meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner. The sandwiches around $5 each are delicious and huge, easily can be shared.

Earls is great! I agree with you on that point. But the PM is better!! No comparison. Like anything else at WDW, you have to try it for yourself. Not ever place is for everyone.