quick service VS packing a lunch (double posted)

[rideswithchrist]

I posted this is restaurants first, hope that thread is removed!

We are going to Disney in Feb-
honestly, what is more cost effective for a family of 5- packing our own lunch and eating Dinner OOP, or getting a quick service and supplementing snacks and one meal (possibly even eating off site for dinner 2 nights)

We are driving in so we will have a cooler in the room with the mini-fridge and have to pack snacks and water anyway (kids like to eat).

The price point difference seems to be around $300.

ALSO- does quick service mean we have to tip-? I can imagine that would add up.

 

[aaarcher86]

I imagine packing most of the time will always be more cost effective. Particularly for your family size. I personally put more weight on what will be enjoyable for the family if it's only a few hundred dollars. Driving off property will take time that in not willing to give.

You do not tip at QS. Only at TS.

 

[jcjen519]

I agree with pp. It will be cheaper to pack your own food but not worth it to me. I think eating at Disney is more enjoyable and more convenient. I wouldn't want to lug my lunch and/or dinner around in a cooler or bag all day. I wouldn't want to spend the time grocery shopping and then storing food in a hotel room. Especially since it looks like its your kids first trip I wouldn't add making my own food into the mix.

I've never done the qs dining plan but read on these boards its not often a good deal. that you really have to eat the most expensive qs meals to make it worth it. you can probably find some information on this if you read on here a little bit. I'd just go out of pocket and buy what I needed. you won't be able to get the dining plan for your 2 year old anyway and you may possibly end up buying out of pocket for him anyways.

 

[rideswithchrist]

Thanks for the tips

So it sounds like to make it worth it, we would need to big plan and not the QS.
We will be packing food anyway as we are driving in from Texas...so we will hit up a store ahead of time regardless for water and snacks.

Looks like the cheapest for us will be OOP combined with pre-packed lunches/breakfasts. I figure since we already have to pack food anyway since kids eat like every 2 hours, might as well pack a formidable lunch to save costs.
Since we will have 2 littles, we will have a double stroller so that solves the cooler issue really.


By off-site, I meant somewhere in Downtown Disney/Disney Springs or even ordering pizza or chinese food delivery in the room one night.

 

[aaarcher86]

DTD restaurants aren't any cheaper than on property non character meals.

I'd definitely avoid then QSDP. At best, people break even. If your kids will share a meal or aren't hungry you could avoid feeling like you need to use up credits. I'd go out of pocket.

 

[rideswithchrist]

OOP it is
Thanks for letting me know about DTD. It has been 10 years since my only DW trip and we were honeymooning and spent $500 just for 2 of us on food.

 

[worm761]

Have you looked at the menus to get a feel for prices? There are some at All Ears but I don't like them since the change. I prefer the menus at The Mouse For Less. That would give you a better idea of what you will be paying for food at Disney.

 

[rideswithchrist]

I Googled cheapest fare in Disney World and got a list that seemed to be across the board and then went to the Disney site to see their menu and prices.

It looks like $10-$14 per person per meal is about right. I think I can get the kids to share sometimes, depending on the size of the meal.

I tried All ears and also undercover tourist.
I'll try The Mouse for LEss too!

My only back and forth is carrying the cooler in the stroller VS lockers. I don't want to go all the way to a locker to eat if we can just drop and eat where we are.

 

[aaarcher86]

If you do go the cooler route, it needs to be soft sided. No hard coolers allowed, just FYI!

For QS - I always just round up to $15 for adult meals to kind of overestimate (with a soda).

Kids meals are around $6. It's a tough choice. Convenience and ease usually win out over most things for me. It's really easy to eat breakfast in your room before you head out and pack snacks in your backpack (or whatever bag you bring) to supplement with. I don't know what your kids eat, but even tossing in some of those uncrustable sandwiches or a lunchable would keep pretty easily in a bag.

 

[rideswithchrist]

Good to know I planned price wise well.
I have $600 set aside for food, including buying in park and taking in a cooler.
We eat a very clean, whole foods diet so that is the other reason- I don't want upset tummies because we ate something off!
(That said, we will be indulging in some dole whip and a Mickey bar or two!)

We will likely do breakfast in the room (yogurt, shakes, breakfast bars COFFEE)
pack some homemade gummy snacks and cheese for mid-day snack
then a nice sandwich/wrap, lemonaid and some fruit and veggies for lunch
and pack some nuts, jerky and fruit snacks for afternoon, then eat Dinner in the park/DTD

Does that sound do-able? I think we will also pick a breakfast and lunch in the park day too.

 

[maxiesmom]

Keep in mind that Disney doesn't really have any place for you to sit down at a table and eat your brought in meal. The only places that have tables are the quick service restaurants, and if they are busy it is not a good idea to plop down at one of those tables and eat a packed in meal. You may have to be a little creative with where you eat.

 

[rideswithchrist]

I read that on a board somewhere!
I think we will hit up the people mover or the train for lunch and ride it 'round and 'round !
We need to figure where to eat in the other parks. My kids eat in like 10 minutes anyway.

 

[maxiesmom]

I read that on a board somewhere!
I think we will hit up the people mover or the train for lunch and ride it 'round and 'round !
We need to figure where to eat in the other parks. My kids eat in like 10 minutes anyway.

Unfortunately there is no eating on any of the rides. The train included.

 

[taximom00]

Good to know I planned price wise well.
I have $600 set aside for food, including buying in park and taking in a cooler.
We eat a very clean, whole foods diet so that is the other reason- I don't want upset tummies because we ate something off!
(That said, we will be indulging in some dole whip and a Mickey bar or two!)

We will likely do breakfast in the room (yogurt, shakes, breakfast bars COFFEE)
pack some homemade gummy snacks and cheese for mid-day snack
then a nice sandwich/wrap, lemonaid and some fruit and veggies for lunch
and pack some nuts, jerky and fruit snacks for afternoon, then eat Dinner in the park/DTD

Does that sound do-able? I think we will also pick a breakfast and lunch in the park day too.

The refrigerators in the rooms aren't that big. You mention sandwich/wraps/veggies. Not sure what you're planning but consider how much you can fit in the fridge. Also, the grocery stores by WDW are not cheap! You will pay more than at your local home store. Just something to consider.

 

[worm761]

I read that on a board somewhere!
I think we will hit up the people mover or the train for lunch and ride it 'round and 'round !
We need to figure where to eat in the other parks. My kids eat in like 10 minutes anyway.

Definitely not allowed to eat on rides of any kind!

That said, MK has picnic tables on Tom Sawyer Island. You might want to check out this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3184308 and this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3364595

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Packing your own lunch will always be cheaper.

Above poster is correct, you will not be allowed to eat lunch while riding the people mover or train. Chewing on snacks won't get you any guff, but if you pull out a full picnic that won't be permitted.

 

[maxiesmom]

Packing your own lunch will always be cheaper.

Above poster is correct, you will not be allowed to eat lunch while riding the people mover or train. Chewing on snacks won't get you any guff, but if you pull out a full picnic that won't be permitted.

The snack thing may not work on the peoplemover either. They seem to be very strict about not allowing any food or drink on. I've seen them make people finish what goodies they had before allowing them up.