Table service meals around $100 for 4?

[Lisa F]

My wife and I tend to split an appetizer and an entree, which can be done for under $60 at Artist Point. Kids meals at signature restaurants average $12.

At HBD, we adore the Cobb salad, which is $11 for the small or $18 for the entree size. In July, we had two adults and kids aged 18/14/13, so five "adults" and our lunch at HBD was $131.05, per my resort folio.

That same party of five at at Kona Cafe for $82.81 and at Beaches and Cream for $99.05 - including the kitchen sink!

We fed 9 people (4 adults and kids 18/14/13/9/4) at BOG dinner for $253.82 and Via Napoli for $196.73.

I don't recall our beverage orders, but I'm certain there are a couple glasses of wine in there somewhere, and I tend to order a soda when we sit down to eat.

yes but not two entrees at artist point. The op indicated they would each be ordering an entree. There is no doubt that if you split meals effectively enough you can probably eat anywhere you want at that budget! maybe not V&A. But for 2 entrees, 2 beverages, 2 kid meals a signature TS is not going to be on your list.

 

[TwoMisfits]

There 3rd adult is actually 11 and eats kids meals. Even posted about a lot of dishes as long as it isn't the steak are 25 or less. 2 adult can get to 50 then 20 more for the kids and then drinks would even put it at 80.

2 kid meals for 3 kids is pushing the ability to feed all 3 kids, when 2 of them are 11 and 9...also, the 11 year old may want to eat grown up food (b/c it has more taste), just not in any kind of quantity and not want actual kid meal food.

The Op wanted to know if it was realistic. It's pretty much not unless you order as cheaply as you possibly can (aka making teens get kids meals and only getting 2 kid meals for 3 kids)...or you want to eat the burger/sandwich sit downs...

 

[wilkeliza]

2 kid meals for 3 kids is pushing the ability to feed all 3 kids, when 2 of them are 11 and 9...also, the 11 year old may want to eat grown up food (b/c it has more taste), just not in any kind of quantity and not want actual kid meal food.

The Op wanted to know if it was realistic. It's pretty much not unless you order as cheaply as you possibly can (aka making teens get kids meals and only getting 2 kid meals for 3 kids)...or you want to eat the burger/sandwich sit downs...

I was just going off of what the OP provided as an update. A lot of table service offer kid's size portions of tasty dishes and since the Op says the 11 year old eats like the kid they are I'm not sure it is the same as forcing a 17 year old to eat a kid's meal. Also she said the 9 year old can't eat much due to a medical condition so having the 9 year old and 3 year old split is their go to dinning. Nobody really said it would work for every family but with the extra information about this specific family I think they could make it work.

 

[supersnoop]

yes but not two entrees at artist point. The op indicated they would each be ordering an entree. There is no doubt that if you split meals effectively enough you can probably eat anywhere you want at that budget! maybe not V&A. But for 2 entrees, 2 beverages, 2 kid meals a signature TS is not going to be on your list.

You seem to be getting very hostile over my answer. To be clear, I answered the OP's question that I quoted in my initial reply. Her example of how they might order came later. Regardless, I demonstrated that I was able to feed that many people for around $100. You can add all the qualifications you want to it, but that doesn't make my answer wrong.

Hollywood Brown Derby, a signature restaurant, is absolutely on that my list. Their signature entree is just $18.

 

[Nancyg56]

I think it can be done, you just need to be a little choosy. Check out the menus, make sure you book the ADR so you are not planning to dine and then are not able to, and then just make sure you order only what you will eat.

I tell you, Homecoming was a restaurant I was not looking forward to....until we got there. The prices are reasonable, the portions are generous, and the food is delicious. The children's portions, if the child's plate I saw wa an indication, woudl have been plenty for me, with some left over. My friend and I split an appetizer, entree and dessert, and had to "force" dessert down, with some left over.

 

[Lisa F]

You seem to be getting very hostile over my answer. To be clear, I answered the OP's question that I quoted in my initial reply. Her example of how they might order came later. Regardless, I demonstrated that I was able to feed that many people for around $100. You can add all the qualifications you want to it, but that doesn't make my answer wrong.

Hollywood Brown Derby, a signature restaurant, is absolutely on that my list. Their signature entree is just $18.

I'm just saying, if you are willing to split and order the least expensive things off the menu, yes I think pretty much any restaurant is accessible for under $100... not just HBD and AP, but ANY restaurant on property. But the OP stated that they would each be ordering an entree and I don't know... it's vacation... I would think that they would want to go into a restaurant and order what sounds good to them, not what is cheapest and not be committed to sharing to stay in budget. I personally hate sharing because as the more easy going person I'm the one who always ends up compromising to please others and then I end up a little annoyed about not being able to get what I wanted to save a few $$. They could go to CA Grill and just each order a flatbread and get the kids mac and cheese or pizza and you will come in under $100... but it's not a place where you can sit down and order as you please and stay under budget... two average entrees and two average kid meals would come out north of $100. I'm just saying by your logic, you can go to ANY place for under $100 if you order little enough. But as far as going in and ordering what you please, there is still quite a list of restaurants where you can do that as well without sharing or eating appetizers for your meal.

But someplace like the plaza - take 2 of the most expensive entrees meatloaf x $21 = $42. 2 of the most expensive kid menus x 2 = $22. take 2 beverages (since kid meals come with them) = $7. $71 before tax, another $6 for tax, another $15 for tip if you tip on post tax, and you're at under $100 all in. To me places like that should be on the list. So basically anything with entrees around the $20 mark for adults should be doable under $100 for 4. And there are plenty of options as others have noted!

 

[Nancyg56]

I don't see why everyone is excluding tax and tip - that's about 25% added on to the bill and 25% of $100 is $25/meal, a real sum that adds up quickly.

To buy 3 adults meals, 3 adult non-alcoholic beverages, and 1 kids meal with included beverage (which may or may not always be big enough to share - the 2 year old may need to sometimes share with an adult) will be very hard to find, especially if you want to actually eat from the menu. You have to have a total before tax and tip of around $80...the beverages alone will be $10 (for 3), the kid's meal will be $10-$12, so you have roughly $58-$60 to cover 3 adult entrees...

You are probably better served eating CS or heading offsite if you want a casual chain dinner price for your family...coupons and deals abound off-site...

But if you must make this work for DH, best bets are the cheapo sitdowns that do burgers and sandwiches...but then why not just CS burgers and sandwiches? They aren't that much better sitdown, except for the guaranteed AC and chair, which you pay extra for (aka - it's a tipped meal)...

I cannot agree with you. We liek coffee after dinner, but I think we are in teh minority. If you read a lot of the posts that cost teh DDP vs paying OOP, most of the money lost is on the beverages. Water is not a bad thing at meals. I know I never order a soft drink, so if a family member wants one, I just have one sip and back to my water with dinner.

WIth regards to entrees, most Disney TS meals are huge, and since we cannot take the leftovers home we share. The chef will many times just split the entree in the kitchen. Others have already pointed out meals that are less expensive and none focus on burgers and fries, and most have allowed for tax and tip. If you wanted to order for 4 adults you might need to be very careful in your choices, but with kids along at the cost of childrens meals? No. The plan is viable.

 

[Nancyg56]

2 kid meals for 3 kids is pushing the ability to feed all 3 kids, when 2 of them are 11 and 9...also, the 11 year old may want to eat grown up food (b/c it has more taste), just not in any kind of quantity and not want actual kid meal food.

The Op wanted to know if it was realistic. It's pretty much not unless you order as cheaply as you possibly can (aka making teens get kids meals and only getting 2 kid meals for 3 kids)...or you want to eat the burger/sandwich sit downs...

If one of those kids is just picking, as the OP indicated happens, it can be done. I tell you, at Homecoming teh childrens plate woudl have fed both em and my friend, and I am a "healthy" eater.

I am not going to pretend all restaurants will have servings that could feed the family, but I think with a little research it can be done and done well. I would lean more towards stretching the adult meals then the childrens in some restaurants though. We tend to book lunch if the parks are going to be busy or if it is hot. I like a place to cool off and regroup, so one thing we learned the hard way is that we cannot order as much food as we would normally do. It was wasted. WE are DDP fans, but hate to throw food away. I book extra meals, and some of us share our meals. I count credits as money, so to me it is the same thing. How do we use our "money" wisely and still dine well? WE do not stay under the OP limit, but that is not due to food, but because I like wine and DSIL likes a beer with meals. WE think that is why we all travel well together....wine and beer. LOL!

 

[Chrelaine]

I think it can be done if you do your research beforehand. You will also need to realize that it will be more burgers, sandwiches and salads that fit the budget. As soon as you choose a meal that is protein centered, one meal is 1/4 of the budget in many restaurants. Drinks are also a consideration. You're looking at $3 and up per person, which can break the budget, unless you drink water,. And definitely don't forget to factor in tax & tip. I would check the menus and do the math. Only you know how your family dines. My DH, myself and DD4 always have a total close to $100 if not over for TS so I know I have to budget for it. We each have 1 adult beverage and DD almost always wants some sort of punch concoction so I have to allot for that.

 

[Nancyg56]

I think it can be done if you do your research beforehand. You will also need to realize that it will be more burgers, sandwiches and salads that fit the budget. As soon as you choose a meal that is protein centered, one meal is 1/4 of the budget in many restaurants. Drinks are also a consideration. You're looking at $3 and up per person, which can break the budget, unless you drink water,. And definitely don't forget to factor in tax & tip. I would check the menus and do the math. Only you know how your family dines. My DH, myself and DD4 always have a total close to $100 if not over for TS so I know I have to budget for it. We each have 1 adult beverage and DD almost always wants some sort of punch concoction so I have to allot for that.

I think that one of the reasons people get blindsided with good and beverage charges is that they do not honestly evaluate their family preferences. I know we share, but we like beverages. That adds up. If I want to keep my budget lower I need to plan not to order. I have done that.

My family likes snacks. I know that and we budget them in. I refuse to create a low food budget to remain within our constraints that I know we won't keep.

I always send people to the menus. lol at them. See what entrees are there and price your meal. If you kniwvthe kuds will want that lighted pirate punch plan it because you are going to buy it. If you know they drink water st home and prefer it, that's great but I also look at how they order at a restaurant. Little kids don't always understand the difference between dining out occasionally and dining out on vacation.

 

[LaidBackDad]

I'm a bit perplexed by the title of the thread. There are way too many variables about the way you want to eat you didn't mention. So, short answer based on the information provided is that $100 budget is more than enough, and probably will have plenty to spare even eating at signature TS restaurants.

 

[megs1313]

I'm a bit perplexed by the title of the thread. There are way too many variables about the way you want to eat you didn't mention. So, short answer based on the information provided is that $100 budget is more than enough, and probably will have plenty to spare even eating at signature TS restaurants.

I honestly didn't know how to title it to include the way we eat. We mostly eat like 2 adults, 2 kids, so that's what I had in mind when i posted the title.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Surprisingly, it may be just as likely at TS as at QS, especially if you're eligible for any discounts (AP, DVC, etc.) We just came back from WDW and were really surprised at QS costs. There's only 2 of us, and yet one night, eating QS, cost us about $50 (granted, we got dessert, but no appetizers or sides). The next night we ate at Olivia's, and even with tip, we were about $3 less.

 

[Lisa F]

I think it can be done if you do your research beforehand. You will also need to realize that it will be more burgers, sandwiches and salads that fit the budget. As soon as you choose a meal that is protein centered, one meal is 1/4 of the budget in many restaurants. Drinks are also a consideration. You're looking at $3 and up per person, which can break the budget, unless you drink water,. And definitely don't forget to factor in tax & tip. I would check the menus and do the math. Only you know how your family dines. My DH, myself and DD4 always have a total close to $100 if not over for TS so I know I have to budget for it. We each have 1 adult beverage and DD almost always wants some sort of punch concoction so I have to allot for that.

The grownup beverages and a kid punch concoction can account for 30% of that $100 or more though. Those things add up fast! I had assumed the OP meant soft drinks but even the non alcoholic specialty drinks jack up the prices majorly

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

The grownup beverages and a kid punch concoction can account for 30% of that $100 or more though. Those things add up fast! I had assumed the OP meant soft drinks but even the non alcoholic specialty drinks jack up the prices majorly

Yeah, this absolutely isn't doable if you include alcohol. But I'd rather have a $20 burger with fries at a table service restaurant than a $14 burger at any QS place.

 

[Chrelaine]

The grownup beverages and a kid punch concoction can account for 30% of that $100 or more though. Those things add up fast! I had assumed the OP meant soft drinks but even the non alcoholic specialty drinks jack up the prices majorly

I definitely agree. I just was explaining how you have to be realistic about how your family eats when making a budget. And, only she really knows how her family will want to eat when they get there.

Yeah, this absolutely isn't doable if you include alcohol. But I'd rather have a $20 burger with fries at a table service restaurant than a $14 burger at any QS place.

Definitely. Nothing beats having someone brings your food to you vs. having to hunt for a table, in my opinion.

 

[WDWNY]

Sci-Fi and The Plaza Restaurant came out to under $100 for us. (1 kids meal the other 3 adults) I would pay more though to not have to eat at The Plaza again or just get quick service.

 

[Lisa F]

Yeah, this absolutely isn't doable if you include alcohol. But I'd rather have a $20 burger with fries at a table service restaurant than a $14 burger at any QS place.

it is if you don't feed your children PRIORITIES!

 

[Meridagal]

We ate at Be Our Guest as a family of 4 for about $100. Sci-fi we came in well under $100.

 

[kikidrewbs]

Our family of four, including 21yo son and 26yo daughter recently ate at Trails End (breakfast), Kona (breakfast) Sci-Fi-Fi Drive in, Beaches and Cream and San Angel Inn for less than $100 per meal including tip of at least 20%. We also ate lunch at Be Our Guest which I realize is a QS but feels like table service for less than $100

We were not trying to keep the bill under $100, but it did work out that way at each of those restaurants.