tips on saving on food

[kymom99]

Hi Southernmiss

Yep, we are locked in to the HRH. The kids insisted on it, we have stopped there a number of times, they love being so close to the park and the FP that comes along with it. Volcano Bay is must see attraction for us this year.

Cabana Beach sounds good, bit like a Marriott Residence Inn then with the kitchen.

With a username like Southernmiss, it sounds like you guys might be used to the heat, hailing from the UK in a little village I find that when I travel to the southern states (I often do for work) TX, LA, AL and MS, I drink more water that Dumbo's mum.

I've checked Google maps and can see that there is a Golden Corral buffet style diner near the HRH. I am looking for a quintessential American Diner for the kids, is this brand a good one?

Try Sweet Tomatoes. It's a buffet with salads, soups, baked potato bar, etc. you can sign up for their club online and get a buy one get one deal.

Golden Corral is ok, not great.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

Hi Southernmiss

Yep, we are locked in to the HRH. The kids insisted on it, we have stopped there a number of times, they love being so close to the park and the FP that comes along with it. Volcano Bay is must see attraction for us this year.

Cabana Beach sounds good, bit like a Marriott Residence Inn then with the kitchen.

With a username like Southernmiss, it sounds like you guys might be used to the heat, hailing from the UK in a little village I find that when I travel to the southern states (I often do for work) TX, LA, AL and MS, I drink more water that Dumbo's mum.

I've checked Google maps and can see that there is a Golden Corral buffet style diner near the HRH. I am looking for a quintessential American Diner for the kids, is this brand a good one?

Do you mean a place with short order cooks and waitresses? Burgers, fries and milk shakes? Best bet for that in Florida is the Steak n' Shake chain or go onto Yelp and look for "American Diner" in Orlando. There are several that would work for you. Sweet Tomatoes and Golden Corral aren't the classic short order diners, although they are both classic American family buffets.

 

[newestkg06]

I would also suggest Steak n Shake. Super yummy. Golden Corrall has some pretty mediocre food. Sweet tomatoes is delicious, but might not appeal to boys as much as good old burgers and fries.
We're going to be staying at Royal Pacific next year. From what I've researched, the restaurants at the deluxe hotels tend to be more expensive (think Disney prices), but the ones within the park or at City walk are a little more reasonable. Breadbox, Hot Dog Hall of Fame, Moe's, all look like great values and delicious options (at Citywalk). You might also look into the Family Feast option for lunch or dinner at WWoHP, it looks like it could feed an army!
With teenagers, I think you are making some great choices. We had little ones, and the snacks just didn't get eaten. You will certainly not have that problem! If you are getting a rental car, I would look into stopping at a Walmart/Target/Publix and stock up on water, pop, snacks instead of getting an amazon prime box. You'll have more choice. Coming from the UK, you might be impressed by the giant superstores! Not the quality of M&S (think more like Sainsbury's, but on a huge scale!). Also, Walmart/Target carry lots of souvenirs at reasonable prices, which could save you some money at the parks too.

 

[MomofDisneyLoversx3]

We do water, beer, wine, snacks, and fruit for the room. We aren't big breakfast eaters at home, so fruit/yogurt works for us. I do NOT feel that the CS meals are that huge to be able feed 3 people, maybe just because we love to eat? I wouldn't waste money on burgers and fries though. That being said, we often graze throughout the day. Get things that are fun and unique. If we share it is so we can taste the different things.

 

[BelleEileen1113]

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.

Uncrustables and bringing bottled water save us an amazing amount of money! I have a picky eater (she's a vegetarian) that would rather eat an uncrustable than most QS meals. So, even on the dining plan, if we eat a QS, she chooses to eat an uncrustable and an apple about half the time. We then break her QS meals into snacks at a later time and it will save us another $15 (snacks are part of the fun, for us). I'd much rather use her unused credits on snacks for three people than let them go to waste by her just eating french fries for $12! lol

Staying in a room with a kitchen will likely save you the most money. Crockpot meals make it easy to come back to the condo and have dinner ready to go. I have lots of 4 ingredient or less crockpot dishes we utilize when we stay off-site. Saves us a TON of money.

 

[BarbMike821]

If you are a prime member I believe you can also use Amazon Pantry to have basic groceries delivered to your resort for pickup (even refrigerated items). There are other grocery delivery services there, too (Garden Grocer comes to mind).

When we drive down for our next trip, we're going to bring some basics and a couple cases of water, but order the refrigerated items to our resort so we're covered off on breakfasts, fresh fruit and snacks in the parks.

 

[jsmla]

.........Staying in a room with a kitchen will likely save you the most money. Crockpot meals make it easy to come back to the condo and have dinner ready to go. I have lots of 4 ingredient or less crockpot dishes we utilize when we stay off-site. Saves us a TON of money.

We did this a lot back in our camping days. I would make and freeze crockpot meals at home, dump one the into the slow cooker day of and we came back from the parks to a hot homemade supper. I used crockpot liners and disposable plates to make it easy.

 

[Monima]

newestkg06, thanks for the advice.

We opted to for the Carribean Beach with the counter service meal plan this year but with 2 teenagers who are always snacking and appear to have hollow legs, (thats my conclusion as a don't understand were else they put it) Amazon Prime might be they key to keeping it real. $3 for a water is expensive we will be there for 7 days without a car. Family of 4 x 3 bottles a day x 7 days, 84 bottles x $3...... $252 just in water. Thats not including all the free iced water we 'glug' around the park. We made the mistake last time booking the Swan and Dolphin without a dining plan, my bank account winces when I think about that stay.

We booked the CBR before they anounced that the food hall is closed for upgrades, WDR kindly gave us $300 Disney credit, result. I doubt we would have used the CBR food hall anyway with so many other great places to eat.

Our second week is at the Hard Rock at Universal, so if you have any tips on dining out on a budget in Universal area or can recommend a quintessential American Diner to take the hollow legged teanagers, it would be appreciated.

We also have reservation at the Caribbean for early Sept. How did you receive the 300 dollar credit for the refurbishment ?

 

[DisKaren]

We also have reservation at the Caribbean for early Sept. How did you receive the 300 dollar credit for the refurbishment ?

Everyone who booked a reservation at CBR by March 19th (or 20th?) of this year received either a room credit or is getting $75 per room/per night in Disney gift cards upon check-in.

 

[Auntrosie]

Hi Southernmiss,
These are all great suggestions but can I add that the food is really great in the parks. Be strategic and plan some lunches at a few great TS restraunts. Lunch is less expensive and the menu doesn't change much. The show dinning packages are nice and reduce the time the group might wait in line for Rivers of Light or Phantasmic.
The parks can get crowded and hot. The TS restraunts offer a limited selection of some very delicious wines and its nice to relax in the late after noon over delicious food and a good wine while you're on vacation. Puts things back in perspective.
I do bring breakfast items, things we can eat while we wait for the bus. Kills two birds since it saves time and kills time. We do share meals in the park sometimes and it does save room for our favorite snacks later.
Have a wonderful magical vacation.