To Save Money on Meals

[mad hatter fan]

Many people have talked packing a lunch for some meals, sandwiches etc, to save on food costs. On past trips, I have found that to be easier said than done. Sandwiches, drinks and something to go with the sandwiches for 5 people takes up a bunch of space! So this trip, except for a couple of times planning on making and eating the sandwiches back at the hotel, I think I will try something different. I will pack drinks, carrot sticks, and some sort of fruit and or some other sort of side item in a small cooler to go with our counter service burgers or sandwiches. That way we can buy less and do more sharing. What do you think? Is this a good idea?

 

[spacemermaid]

Shouldn't be a problem, just be sure to pack it all in a soft-sided cooler so you can fit it in a locker when it's not in use!

Oh and...don't bring anything in a glass bottle. I'm sure you know that already, though.

 

[EmEyeSeeKayEeWhy]

We like to bring in small backpacks...that way we can keep our personal items that are needed, as well as any food we feel like having that day. I was spoiled when our kids were small and needed a stroller....PLENTY of storage

 

[avalon451]

We liked having energy bars with us. We didn't have very big appetites while at the parks, and sometimes those, plus a piece of fruit from one of the fruit stand, was plenty for a meal. Especially when we knew we had an early dinner planned for later.

 

[joseph821]

Many people have talked packing a lunch for some meals, sandwiches etc, to save on food costs. On past trips, I have found that to be easier said than done. Sandwiches, drinks and something to go with the sandwiches for 5 people takes up a bunch of space! So this trip, except for a couple of times planning on making and eating the sandwiches back at the hotel, I think I will try something different. I will pack drinks, carrot sticks, and some sort of fruit and or some other sort of side item in a small cooler to go with our counter service burgers or sandwiches. That way we can buy less and do more sharing. What do you think? Is this a good idea?

Yes that sounds good. For our last trip, I packed cookies, and the mini bags of chips and fritos (I got them at Costco). I also packed peanuts and raisins in ziploc bags. I also packed granola bars and pop tarts. It was great. I also bought a bag of Chex Mix as well.

 

[Brady's Mom]

We love bringing in snacks to round out our meals at DLR. My little kids aren't big eaters when we are there. I think they are too overstimulated. There is so much to see and do, that eating is not the top priority. We do a lot of little snacking and then get meals to share. We find with 5 or 6 of us about 3 "meals" will do. For instance, at Stage Door Cafe, we never get a meal for everyone, we get 2 or 3 different things and share them, because who can really eat all of those fries by themselves? So, it works for us to supplement our food and we spend less money.

We also have a stroller so it is easy for us to bring in plenty of snacks. I also found that my kids didn't do as well with water bottles as they did with a cup of ice water from a counter service place (which you can get for free!). They drank so much more water last time we were there, after I discovered that tip on this board!

 

[DangerMouse]

Instead of sandwiches on regular bread, try making roll-ups on tortillas. They are much more compact and you don't have to worry about them getting smooshed. We use peanut butter and honey.

 

[kkheburn]

Ah. I miss the stroller days. I swear I could pack so much stuff under my stroller. Last year was our first year without one. My DD was so tired walking back to the hotel. We pack fruit snacks, I pop popcorn at the hotel and put it in baggies for our family. Apples and my favorite peanut butter pretzels from Trader Joes.

 

[ballarinamom]

Ah. I miss the stroller days. I swear I could pack so much stuff under my stroller. Last year was our first year without one. My DD was so tired walking back to the hotel. We pack fruit snacks, I pop popcorn at the hotel and put it in baggies for our family. Apples and my favorite peanut butter pretzels from Trader Joes.

DD will be 7- a very TALL 7 when we go back in November, We will be taking our umbrella stroller to habg the backpack on like a pack mule. We joke that when DD is 18 we'll be telling her "GET IN THE STROLLER!". But seriously, she loves having a place to relax in and we like our mule.

We started doing something different this summer. Since we live in San Antonio and go to Sea World or Six Flags twice month is small sling backpacks. We each have one. I found them on Amazon for about $15 each. We each have snacks, a bottle of water, sunglasses. Looking at the age of your family, they can each carry a tortilla wrap (love that idea Dangermouse), a piece of fuits, nuts or chips and a bottle of water.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

The only thing is I don't think you can buy just a hamburger, can you? I think you have to buy the whole meal. I guess you could do that and just split the burger and fries between 2 people.

 

[kkheburn]

Good idea with the sling packs. I had carry a pack and my purse! Water bottles get heavy. Plus geeting on rides was a pain! Im getting on Amazon now. Thanks!

 

[KerTggr]

The only thing is I don't think you can buy just a hamburger, can you? I think you have to buy the whole meal. I guess you could do that and just split the burger and fries between 2 people.

You can, but you have to ask specifically for it. BTW - My husband got a corn dog over in DCA and asked for just the dog - no apples or chips. It ended up being $1 less!!

 

[ballarinamom]

Good idea with the sling packs. I had carry a pack and my purse! Water bottles get heavy. Plus geeting on rides was a pain! Im getting on Amazon now. Thanks!

What we like about the slings we have (they are by FUL) they are small and when we get on a ride, We can slide them to the front and a lap belt still goes on with no problem

 

[ballarinamom]

Good idea with the sling packs. I had carry a pack and my purse! Water bottles get heavy. Plus geeting on rides was a pain! Im getting on Amazon now. Thanks!

Noticed you stayed at the desert Inn. We'll be there in November. Did you like it?

 

[jernysgirl]

What we found to be helpful as well, was if you do take fruit or sandwiches or crackers in, find a little Ziploc container or something to put them in, in your bag, that way they are not smooshed to crumbs by the time you get hungry. I actually got one of those hard plastic pencil boxes that you see everywhere for back-to-school. It was flat enough to fit into a bag easily and did not stick into your back, and it protected a banana and crackers very well!