Saving Money on Food???

[Amanda8619]

We plan to go to Disney for a day. How do you spend the day without actually eating meals inside the park? Being a family of 5 if we ate even 1 meal there it would cost us close to $100. I would rather not have to eat inside the park. Can we take sandwiches inside a backpack for lunch? what could we do later in the day when it gets close to dinner. Has anyone taken food in for the day?

 

[felice]

Food should be able to be taken into the parks. Just don't try to carry it in a picnic box as I don't think those are allowed.

 

[lindyv321]

Here are the guidelines
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/faq/dining/outside-food-in-park/

There are lockers you can put things in if you don’t want to carry your food stuffs around all day.

A lot of meals are really large and shareable too if you end up needing to do a meal in the park. Are you staying within walking distance?

There are also a lot of less expensive options within walking distance outside and across Harbor like IHOP, Denny’s, McDonald’s, Panera etc.

 

[BrianL]

It is easy enough to bring in food and it is generally allowed.

One option that is a bit cheaper than most on-property is Earl of Sandwich which is thankfully back open. It is at the end of Downtown Disney and they are a pretty good value compared to in-park fare, plus the sandwiches are pretty tasty too. The prices range form about 6 to 9 bucks, add a bit more for chips and a drink (I think there is a combo option - they also have other sides a-la-cart). Kids sandwiches are about $4. This is the menu: https://earlofsandwichusa.com/anaheim/downtown-disney/menu/

It may also be an option to walk across Harbor Blvd. to find some less expensive options. Notice I said "less expensive" as places can still be kinda pricey in the area (and LA in general). They would still be cheaper than at Disney though.

 

[figment_jii]

As others have said, you can generally take food, drinks (non-alcoholic) and snacks into the park with you. My friends have packed sandwiches before, just note that they have to already be put together. You also can't take in anything in a glass jar (baby food in glass jars are allowed) or knives (so be sure to cut up everything in advance or plan to use the plastic knives available at the CS locations). You can store stuff in a locker if you don't want to carry it around, but I wouldn't take anything that is prone to spoiling (the lockers are air conditioned, but that might not be enough on hot weather days to keep sensitive things from going bad).

 

[jbh275]

We always take in a loaf of bread and peanut butter and jelly. However, we accidentally brought a small glass container of jelly and had to throw it out at the gate a few years back. But don't worry, if that happens to you, there is plenty of jelly at the Plaza Inn on main street!

 

[Dismama2boys]

I believe there’s a picnic area somewhere....

 

[pblack]

One of the last times I was down there, hubby and I watched a couple of people bring in about 30 or so little ceasars pizzas. I'm pretty sure they were with some kind of a group trip and I think the group ate in the esplanade.

 

[ashley0139]

I actually think the meals in the parks are a good value. It's the snacks that kill you. You can get a large meal that is big enough to share at somewhere like Rancho del Zocalo for like $13. That's a normal meal in LA anyway. Kid's meals are even cheaper. You won't get much cheaper than that outside the parks and it will save you lots of time. Avoid buying snacks at $5 a pop and you're in pretty good shape.

 

[Becca1007]

Two thoughts,
One, the turkey leg is a HUGE amount of food for the price. So you might pack some side/snack options to make it a meal and share. For instance I would think part of a turkey leg, an apple and a bag of chips would make a decent park meal.
Two, the large family size pizzas at Naples in downtown disney are decently priced and easy to share. Send one person out of the park to order a to go pizza while part of the group does one more ride, by the time the group finishes up the pizza should be ready and you can picnic on a bench/planter in DTD.

Do not go to the IHOP expecting it to be a cheap meal... they know that they are the closest thing to the crosswalk and they charge a premium for it. Also the McDonald's does not usually offer any promotional pricing and is usually $1-2 more per item than your normal neighborhood McD's.

 

[ParkHopper1]

Yes you can take food in, rule of thumb is no hard coolers and no glass. Small soft sided cooler are allowed.

You and take a PB&J sandwiches in for example...you cannot however take bread, peanut butter, jelly, bread and all the fixins inside to make PB&J sandwiches. Pack a meal, you are fine. Build a meal, plan on using the picnic area outside.

 

[Whistlebee]

I agree with the above ideas. We usually eat breakfast before heading into parks and bring trail mix to help us make it to lunch time. I’ve never had lunch or dinner at The Plaza Inn but I’ve seen it recommended many times as a meal that’s large enough to share (The fried chicken). Ranch del Zocalo has great food and their larger meals you could share. Kids meals at Disney are pretty small so if your kids are big eaters another option is to have them split an adult meal.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I believe there’s a picnic area somewhere....

The picnic area is located outside the esplanade (on the west side), by the drop off for the M&F tram. It is surrounded by hedge walls, so it has a nice private feel. There are lockers there for coolers, including larger ones. There are tables so you can eat there.

Bringing your own water bottles into the parks (refillable ones can be filled with filtered water at several locations in both parks.) This alone will save a lot of money! Small cups of ice water are free at most CS locations -- just ask.

For the OP: it is possible to bring all your food for the day into the parks, but be prepared for your kids to see all the treats and snacks being paraded before their eyes. (Disney knows how to market their merchandise!) And for them to see all the other kids in lines and all around them eating these wonderful treats and snacks. It will be only natural for your kids to be tempted. If you have to say "no" to buying any food in the parks, at least be prepared by bringing some really fun treats with you so your kids don't feel disappointed all day.

 

[WonkaKid]

I'm actually headed there tomorrow (parts of today kinda sucked so I feel I deserve it). I just finished packing my lunch for the park. I always bring my own lunch. For a family of five, lunch will likely run you at least $50.

 

[cruisehopeful]

We bring our own food sometimes because of food allergies/sensitivities. It's no big deal. We either carry it in a backpack or rent a locker and keep it there. We've even brought a cooler bag to keep hard boiled eggs cold for several hours.

 

[crystal1313]

We usually tell our kids they can have one special treat a day (depending on how long we are there). Once they have their treat, they will not get another one. They have learned not to ask again.

We also bring a backpack full of snacks into the parks. That way no one gets hangry! I try to buy new to them snacks or something that is special, so they are more inclined to eat. They just want to go, go, go all the time in the parks.

We also usually bring muffins with us for breakfast. Saves $$ and time when we are there at rope drop. We eat on our walk into the parks.

OP, I don't know where you are staying, but if it has a microwave, we have saved money on dinners by bringing soup, individual cups of of mac n cheese, and once I made a huge batch of spaghetti at home and froze it. We ate about 3 meals from that. LOL. We live in NorCal and drove to the parks. So we had a cooler and then kept it in the fridge in our room. I realize if you are flying that would not work. Just throwing out more ideas.

We also bring in glow sticks from the dollar store because my kids always want all the light up stuff they sell. Much cheaper alternative!

If you do eat in the parks, a lot of places have portions large enough to share as well.

Have a great time!

 

[Purrkins]

My son and I usually eat something in the car driving up like a scone or a muffin. We each have a corn dog for lunch. For dinner we split a Turkey Leg and then hit the bakery up for some sugar on the drive back home. I carry almonds, beef jerky, and a piece of fruit each in my backpack. I might be a snack here or there but our food costs are pretty low. Have fun!

 

[ShannyDoesDisney]

We usually go to the 7-11 at the corner of Katella & South Harbor Blvd for drinks and snacks in our hotel room. My sister and I have gone to DL and lived on continental breakfast and the McDonalds Dollar Menu.

 

[smartlabelprint]

I agree that a meal will cost around $50 if you get water or bring in your own soda. Depending on appetites things can be shared; rendering the cost even less.

I would eat one meal in the parks, stay at a close hotel that has breakfast included and bring in sandwiches and snacks for your other foods.

I agree to completely avoid the cotton candy, popcorn, ice cream and junky snacks. They’re pretty standard everywhere. The restaurants on the other hand are some of my favorite things to do in the parks!

I recommend plaza inn & French Market in Disneyland as there are some shareable meals.

In dca I like boardwalk pizza & pasta.

See the menus with prices at allears website.

We made the mistake of ihop and McDonald on an early trip. It’s cheaper to eat in the parks!

ETA we usually stay at homewood suites convention center. Monday through Thursday nights they have a free full dinner also.

 

[Mama Bear Me2]

Hi ... re: bringing in food ... if you have access to a freezer, freeze some water bottles & juice boxes/pouches. These will act like ice packs and you can drink the contents once the drinks are melted. Also, if possible, chill your food so it can stay cold longer.

Have fun!