tips on saving on food

[ibelieveinmagic]

Hi everyone, we will be traveling with a large group (11) people at Christmas with 7 adults, 2 children under 10, and 2 tweens, who are very fussy eaters, I am looking for your best tips on saving on food for a group this big! Any advice, tips is greatly appreciated!!

 

[TwoMisfits]

Get groceries, even if you have no room kitchen. You can always have drinks, snacks, and shelf-stable produce even if you have no fridge/oven.
Avoid all Disney buffets - with 9 adults and 2 kids, you'll be paying $500+ for pretty much any buffet meals (except breakfast, where you might swing $400+).
If you have no ability to cook, get takeout from offsite restaurant areas, like Crossroads. Even without a car, a quick Uber trip will likely cost $10-$15 and you can grab food for under $65 (if fast food) and under $125 (if fast casual) for dinners.
If you eat onsite, limit yourself to one in park meal per day. Preferably CS. Avoid sodas and ask for free water with meals.

 

[ibelieveinmagic]

thanks so much! Great tips, I was thinking about getting some shelf groceries, but I love the idea water instead of sodas, and the take out tip thanks!!

 

[lorac4disney]

Last year, we traveled with a group of nine. We had a kitchen so we cooked a big breakfast every morning. People were welcome to eat if they wanted to, We went to the store and loaded up on cases of sodas, bottled water, and other drinks to keep in our room. We also loaded up on sandwich fixings and chips. Some people in our group were on a tight budget and some were not so we kept quick grab and go type of food available. Crackers, peanut butter, etc.

By having a big breakfast before we went to the parks, we saved a lot of money on snacks and impulse buys. Most of the time, we would grab a late lunch while in the parks and then a late snack in the evening. Then we would eat again once we got back to our room that night and save money by doing so outside of the park. We had frozen pizzas one night and spaghetti another night.

 

[ibelieveinmagic]

Thank you! I like the idea of having a late snack in the evening!

 

[brownhaired_girl]

There are grocery delivery options, Amazon prime with next to free delivery, or Uber for a grocery run.

 

[The Hunchback]

Disney counter service potions of fries are huge. Sandwiches are large too. When you enter a CS, look at portions coming out of lines. My hubby and I are lighter eaters and can often share an entree. Generally plastic knives are available to cut sandwiches. We also get children's meals. The cast members don't ask to see the kid who is eating the meal. kM are often more varied in food groups and maybe a little lower in sodium. DL actually encourages seniors to order kids meals to cut down on wasted food. Wish WDW did this too. In a big group, someone will eat everything leftover in a kids meal. Consider two bowls of soup and share fries at Columbia Harbor House. Works for us every time.

 

[Beer Me]

We always do drinks, snacks and breakfast stuff in the room. Soda, beer, fruit, bread, deli meats, cheese etc. more for convenience than anything but it definitely saves a bit of money. Also agree with splitting QS meals. We learned a long time ago that if all four of us get our own meal we end up throwing lots of food away. I don't mind spending money but I hate wasting it!

 

[ibelieveinmagic]

thanks everyone! Great tips! We will use all of them!

 

[Marionnette]

Hi everyone, we will be traveling with a large group (11) people at Christmas with 7 adults, 2 children under 10, and 2 tweens, who are very fussy eaters, I am looking for your best tips on saving on food for a group this big! Any advice, tips is greatly appreciated!!

Keep an eye open for deals on discounted Starbucks gift cards. Someone usually posts when Groupon has a sale or if there's an offer to top off your account for a bonus. There are Starbucks locations in each of the theme parks. The GCs are great for a quick pick me up or to grab a few breakfast items for the next morning before you exit the park.

Use your Target REDCard to purchase Disney GCs for 5% off. Instant 5% discount at Disney! If you're staying onsite, you can pay with your Magic Band and then use the GCs to settle your room account. Or you can just take a GC with you into the parks and pay that way.

Join the Landry's Select Club for $25. You get that $25 as a credit to your club account plus a $25 Birthday bonus during your birthday month. Use it at Rainforest Cafe, T-Rex or Yak & Yeti. Club members also get priority seating without an ADR.

Consider getting an AP. AP holders are currently enjoying a 20% discount at most table service and merchandise locations until Sept. 30. AP holders also get free parking (worth $20 per day if you're staying offsite) and are eligible to purchase a Tables in Wonderland card for $150. The TiW card is good for 20% off of many TS restaurants (even alcoholic beverages) and can be applied to up to 10 guests. TiW does include some counter service locations in the resorts without a TS restaurant (all of the Value Resorts and POFQ).

Join the Team Shula's and get a free entree on your birthday. I joined a while back and was surprised to learn that the birthday email is valid for a couple of weeks following your birthday. Shula's is located in the Dolphin. Better steaks than Le Cellier, IMO.

 

[ibelieveinmagic]

Wow Marionette, thanks for these tips! I knew I would get some great advice from the people on these boards! BTW I love your Jiminy Cricket!

 

[mom2my3kids]

Food is so expensive at Disney, I say eat back at hotel and bring your lunches in a soft sided cooler..

 

[brymolmom]

Agreed on bringing a meal in soft-sided cooler. I bought a backpack cooler from Target - but for that many people - you'll probably need about 3 of them. I also bring some 'treats' in the backpack - I find this cuts down on the desire to buy as many mickey-head ice creams in the park. For a group that large you might want to consider bringing a couple larger soft-sided coolers and keeping them in the lockers in the parks - savings for feeding that many people would WAY cover the cost of the lockers.

 

[Marionnette]

Wow Marionette, thanks for these tips! I knew I would get some great advice from the people on these boards! BTW I love your Jiminy Cricket!

Oh, and one more advantage to having an AP: Free Memory Maker. Every PhotoPass photo taken of the AP holder and anyone else who is linked in their MDE account is made available for free download.

 

[denecarter]

With the Landry's Club birthday thing, you can pick any month to be your birthday. My actual birthday is March. When I signed up, I said my birthday was June because our summer trips are typically June. Our trip was July, your birthday bonus can be used any day in birthday month and the first 15 days of the following month. Used it just fine. They never checked my driver's license to confirm my birthdate. March or June, they don't really care as long as I am spending money.

For the years we don't go to WDW, we'll dine at one of the local Landry's restaurants.

 

[ibelieveinmagic]

I didn't think of that, about the birthday month! Great idea!

 

[BarbMike821]

My husband and I found we could split a single meal and still have leftovers! A lot of the quick serve restaurants come with an obscene amount of food!! So consider splitting an entree rather than pay for two and have to toss the leftovers.

 

[BarbMike821]

Oh!!!! And uncrustable sandwiches and string cheese for your mini fridge at true hotel! We'd pop a few in our backpack each day. Good amount of protein and a nice pick me up in case you need a snack in between meals!

If you're an Amazon prime member, you can have groceries delivered to your resort or hotel! Super convenient if you won't have access to a car.

 

[jo-jo]

If you're flying, and you have any spare luggage space, throw some groceries in. Boxes of cereal, easy mac, instant oatmeal, add a pack of paper bowls and plastic spoons. There are a few threads that people have detailed lists of what they bring to cut down on food costs. Sorry I don't know how to post them.

Where are you staying?

 

[ibelieveinmagic]

thanks so much!!