Restaurant suggestions needed

[mickeyfanz]

I am helping a friend who plans to go to WDW for a week beginning 12/17. This is her family's 1st trip and she has done no planning or research whatsoever - she finally came to me for help. Of course she was hoping to do CRT for her daughter, but since it is after the 90 day mark, I am guessing they have no chance except to try maybe the week before for cancellations.

This family is also on a pretty tight budget. Can you suggest some of the cheaper restaurants that still seem to have some Disney Magic in them - especially counter service ones. My family does a lot of the neat sit-down ones and I can recommend those to her but I think they'll only be able to do a couple of those.

I have also read some about the vouchers so maybe that is an option for them. Where can I get the best info on them - I plan to check Mousesavers. I have never used them personally.

Thanks for any tips!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Not knowing what the ages of her kids are, makes it a little tougher to makes suggestions, but assuming they're young enough to enjoy this, my first suggestion would be an evening at FW. There they can either eat the very reasonable Trail's End buffet, or even cheaper order a pizza to go from TE, and take it to the outdoor picnic tables outside, or to the tables by the marina beach. While there they can watch the campfire sing-a-long w/ Chip and Dale, followed by an outdoor movie on the big screen. They could also time the pizza meal with the MK fireworks that night, if they choose. While at the marina they could also watch the Floating Water Pageant @ 9:45. They could also spend time at the petting zoo, or take a pony ride. Everything is free, except for the meal, and the small amount they pay for the marshmallows to roast, or make smores at the campfire, and a nominal fee for the pony ride.

For the best use of the Q&C vouchers, I suggest an evening on the Boardwalk with a dinner at Beaches & Cream. Definitely, not more than 1 voucher for 2 people. Another cheap, delicious meal. I'll try to think of more.

By the way where are they staying, and what are the ages? This info would help. It nice of you to help.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I just thought I'd add, that I crammed an incredible amount of FW info, in as few words as possible. If you need anything explained, pleased feel free to ask.

 

[Snow_White]

As far as "magical" counter service places go, my favorite is Tusker House in Animal Kingdom. They have some unique dining choices for a counter service place and it's always pretty yummy! Also, Yakitori House at the Japan pavilion in Epcot is another great cheap counter service place with yummy ethnic fare!

Just thinking out loud, one of the cheaper sit down places is the Plaza Restaurant at the Magic Kingdom; we always enjoy the sandwiches there.

 

[Gary M]

We enjoy the Flame Tree BBQ at the AK. You can get an outside table by the water and watch the ducks.

 

[sha_lyn]

eating outsdie as Pecos Bills during a parade is our favorite "cheap" meal at WDW.

Also to save money we like to eat something in the room such as breakfast bars, then fill up on a buffet lunch. We can thne usually get by with something cheap/quick at dinner at the counter service places at the hotel, which is usually cheaper than in the parks.

 

[danny1649]

Inexpensive and great lunch in my opinion.If they go over to DTD area Earl Of Sandwich is also a great value with some good food.Casey's at MK is great for a hot dog and fries and the veiw and ragtime piano player makes this a great place for a inexspensive meal.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Peco's Bills in the MK has very good burgers.

One of the more resonable sit down restaurants to eat at WDW is 50's Primetime cafe at MGM. It's a great place for kids & adults.

Chef Mickeys is also a good deal because it is all you can eat and it has the Disney Magic.

 

[fmed845]

Pecos Bills at the MK with the fixin's bar. Caseys at MK good dogs. Lunch vouchers at Animal Kingdom is a pretty good deal you can use at Flame Tree BBQ or the Tusker House. ESPN club has good food for reasonable prices. Hope some of this helps.

 

[loribell]

My kids love to go to Cosmic Rays at the MK. Love to watch Sonny playing his keyboard while they eat. Plenty of selection for counter service as well. Great toppings bar.

Definetly tell her to check out the vouchers at AK, they cover an entree & drink, and have a coupon for a bottled water or soda and popcorn or ice cream for later in the day.

They can be bought at Guest Services at the park or Flame Tree (my fav), Tusker House, & Pizzafari.

Crystal Palace is another great idea. It is one of the cheaper buffets. Lunch is only a dollar a person more than breakfast is and the food is pretty good.

Lori

 

[crazelion]

Trails End Buffet has excellent food for a cheap price. If they is staying offsite Ci Ci Pizza is a excellent bargin to.

 

[crazelion]

Trails End Buffet has excellent food for a cheap price. If they is staying offsite Ci Ci Pizza is a excellent bargin to.

 

[mickeyfanz]

Sorry for the lack of information from me! Her DS is 11 and DD is 6 and it is the whole family's 1st trip to WDW. They will be staying at the Marriott Grande Vista so will have kitchen to do some meals there.

Thanks for all of the great suggestions so far - keep them coming!

 

[Disneyof3]

Another Pecos Bills in MK, it is perfect when Spectro is on and you can watch it from the sidewalk outside in front. I've never been to this but have heard that the ice cream social is good in Epcot for a cheap snack and get to see some characters. Casey's is good also, the tables outside are white and beside a nice flower garden and ducks are always around and the water is close too. Also heard that the Sunshine fair fan in Epcot is good also.


Best of luck

 

[Disneyof3]

Sorry forgot what we did is had breakfas in our hotel at the resort to save money and time. Brought own snacks and big thing is bring Bottled water. It is really expensive in the parks

 

[sherry8253]

When they are doing sit downs, they should also consider late lunches. They should be able to save some money that way.

 

[dpic]

My best value for relatively cheap eats is lunch at Chefs de France at Epcot and have the French Menu. It's "only" $15 and you get French Onion Soup, a generously sized grilled ham and cheese sandwich, and a very nice creme brulee for dessert.

They had very reasonable children's menus, also.

It's a beautiful restaurant with the best service we had at WDW.

 

[Grumpy92]

I agree suggest sit down lunches as the menus are generally the same as dinner but have lower prices. You might sit down with her and go over the menu website as well.

MK- Columbia Harbor House
GF - Gasparillas
Poly - Konas
WL - Roaring Forks
FW - Trails End
YC/BC - Beaches & Cream, Yacht Club Galley
POR - Riverside Food Court