Solos-Meal Estimate

[Jalva22]

Hi! I'm thinking of a 4 day solo trip in May. Have been a couple of times to WDW with my DW and 2 kids, but this is my first solo trip. I'm budgetting $35-40/day for meals/snacks. I'm only doing counterservice and my snacks will mostly consist of bottled water (not really a snacker!). Just wondering if this is realistic for 3 counterservice meals and 3-4 bottles of water per day.

Any other parents ever do this? We vacationed as a family at WDW in 2005 and 2007, will be having a family vacation in Branson MO this year and plan to return as a family to WDW in 2009 or 2010. I'm feeling a bit selfish even thinking about this trip, but want to do some photography and other things the kids aren't interested in.

 

[dahirsh]

I'm budgetting $35-40/day for meals/snacks. I'm only doing counterservice and my snacks will mostly consist of bottled water (not really a snacker!). Just wondering if this is realistic for 3 counterservice meals and 3-4 bottles of water per day.

QUOTE]

well the water alone will run you $7.50 to $10 a day. I'm pretty sure it's $2.50 a bottle. Take a look at a few menus and get an estimate of a typical day's food for yourself. I generally skip breakfast, so I have no idea how much they run, but lunch/dinner at around $10 each is do able.

 

[dmwang9]

I'm budgetting $35-40/day for meals/snacks. I'm only doing counterservice and my snacks will mostly consist of bottled water (not really a snacker!). Just wondering if this is realistic for 3 counterservice meals and 3-4 bottles of water per day.

I agree with the PP -- the bottles of water are what is going to make it tough for you to stay in budget. When I was solo last August, I brought a bunch of those single-bottle-sized drink mix packets and dumped them into bottles filled with tap water. Turned out to be a lot cheaper than buying new bottles.

I can certainly see spending no more than $10-$13 per meal, especially if you're not into dessert or snacks.

 

[iluveeyore]

To help with your budget, you can ask for a cup of free ice water at any of the counter services that have a soda fountain - not tap water, tastes fine and it's free!!!!! I get one everytime I have lunch at a CS instead of buying a drink. If you don't want to carry a cup around, just pour it into an empty water bottle.

 

[tubachick]

To help with your budget, you can ask for a cup of free ice water at any of the counter services that have a soda fountain - not tap water, tastes fine and it's free!!!!! I get one everytime I have lunch at a CS instead of buying a drink. If you don't want to carry a cup around, just pour it into an empty water bottle.

That is what I was going to suggest!!!

Free cups of Ice are available at all places with soda machines-- counter service and snack shops

that will help with the daily cost, but I was planning on about $40 a day beacuse I took a look at some of the menues on line and was able to see how much items I would order cost and estimated about $4 for any snacks or additional soft drinks during the day.

 

[spiceycat]

bring a water filter with a glass or bottle (of course)

then just drink the tap water.

I guess I am lucky can't taste the different - but both my mother and my cat could. so necessary for them to take a lot of bottled water (when I drove) - when I flew - the water filter.

 

[jordancej]

Why dont you do the basic dining plan? You will be spending approx the same amount, and you would be able to have some nice table service meals. I used the meal plan my last trip, and i will also be using it for my next trip, although it was a better deal in 2006.

 

[silverarrowknits]

Why dont you do the basic dining plan? You will be spending approx the same amount, and you would be able to have some nice table service meals. I used the meal plan my last trip, and i will also be using it for my next trip, although it was a better deal in 2006.

Ooooh, that is a good point. If you are buying tickets and your room through Disney, you might as well do the DDP.

If there is a reason you are not doing this, here is what I do when I am travelling solo...

Breakfast: granola bar and water from home
Lunch & Dinner: CS or I just snack for a meal.

Your CS meals are going to cost about $13 if you get a drink and a combo meal. If you ask for tap water, it will be about $10. Also, just because a meal is listed as a combo, doesn't mean you have to take the combo. You can ask for no fries, etc.

As others have said the water is expensive. The regular snacks are expensive too. Don't be surprised to spend ~$4 on a snack.

 

[wdwchamp]

Why dont you do the basic dining plan? You will be spending approx the same amount, and you would be able to have some nice table service meals. I used the meal plan my last trip, and i will also be using it for my next trip, although it was a better deal in 2006.

Your daily OOP food budget won't work if you purchase water at the parks. You should to COSTCO and ship a case of water bottles to the resort approx. $7.00/case including shipping fees. Then you can keep within your budget. The other option is what jordance is suggesting. Get the Basic dining Plan, that way you get 2 meals a day plus 1 snack. If you plan to use your TS meal expect to add an 18% tip on top of the price. i.e. $38.00/day basic package plus $4 to 8/day for tips at TS. However you can use TS meal as CS meal.

 

[Jalva22]

Thanks all for the replies! I appreciate the info and opinions!

On the DDP, basically not a consideration because I don't want to commit the time required for TS meals. I intend to be on the go as much as possible. 3 counter service meals/day and water will do it for me. I may breakfast in the room some, but really prefer something hot to start my day. I'll have snacks that I am bringing along for an evening snack or quick chargeup in the parks. I'll definitely remember the ice water from food carts recommendation and will also check into the water filter option.

Any more input is appreciated!

 

[jordancej]

On the DDP, basically not a consideration because I don't want to commit the time required for TS meals.

I hear ya! But for me also, for the TS meals, it makes me take a break, plus when i go to the TS meals, i already know what i want. So I usually get my food pretty fast, plus you get some really great meals!

 

[Stacy's a freak]

Remember that with DDP, you are committing to a TS meal per day and this does NOT include gratuity. So you will have to plunk down a tip on top of your TS ($5-$10 each TS depending on the meal?). But if you choose against the DDP, you may find it less expensive to do CS meals which do not require a tip.

And I am all for the granola bar breakfast idea ... and if you have a fridge in your room, you can even bring a couple of bottles of water from home (or have them shipped) and save a bit of $ on water in the parks.

Have fun!

 

[spiceycat]

deb has copies of all the menus on her site.

watch for the dates - some are definitely old - so you might need to add some costs to these menus

http://www.allearsnet.com/din/dining.htm

 

[Taja]

It should be pretty warm in May, so you're likely to drink a lot of water.

Most CS meals with a beverage and tax average about $10 to $12. Breakfast might be less, but I'm not a breakfast food person other than an ocasional waffle or french toast. No serious experience!

Water in 12/2007 was $2 per 24 oz. bottle. As a previous poster suggested, I saved my water bottle and refilled it from counter service water. I bought a new water bottle each day, though. Water is my primary beverage, and the WDW prices can add up very quickly!