TS Dining on a Budget

[mom2AidanAndEli]

We've always gone on a Free Dining Plan, so have never worried about prices for our meals. It's been great! This August we got in on a special deal that's allowing us to stay at the Poly for a SUPER price that I can't pass up, but no dining plan. In a way, I'm actually looking forward to the change of pace. I know there are times where I'll just be able to have an appetizer instead of a full meal and be perfectly happy. My youngest DS and I can easily share meals at times. We certainly don't each need a dessert with every meal. But all that being said, we are going to be much more conscious of what we're ordering!

We do like one TS meal each day. Just our preference--nice break from the August heat and a time to recharge. Doesn't really matter if it's lunch or dinner.

In the past, with the meal plan, we did have an eye to "optimizing" what we ordered. This time, we'll be thinking just the opposite! So here are some of the things I've come up with so far...

* Breakfast for lunch/brunch. I've wanted to try The Wave's breakfast buffet for a while but it never seemed to be a good value on the dining plan. (And also didn't want to lose park touring time!) Now that we're at a more relaxed pace, I'm thinking of heading over there for one of their latest breakfast times and considering that our big meal of the day.

* Via Napoli. Had lunch there last year and loved it. Order a large pizza to share, maybe a salad. Probably skip dessert and grab a snack somewhere else in WS.

* Yak & Yeti. Those portions are HUGE! We can easily share some dinners there. Have been very happy with meals we've gotten there so far.

* The Plaza. Have never done this because it never seemed like a good deal on the plan, but thinking it might be nice to try now that we're paying OOP. Have heard many good things about it.

* Possibly House of Blues. I see that they have certificates available on Restaurant.com. I know my Blues-loving husband would love to visit. Might be something different to try.

* 'Ohana room service. We loved our meal there last year--but definitely pricey! Thinking by doing room service, we could order for three and split four ways! Since youngest DS hardly eats anything, I'm sure there would be plenty to go around and I think the kids would get a kick out of a picnic in the room.

* Possibly ESPN Grill. Went last year when they were under renovations. Since I have three boys (including DH) who live and breathe all things sports, it was a hit. And the food was really good. We could just order apps to share and everyone would be happy.

What other ideas do you all have for budget TS meals?

 

[jsmla]

We really like House of Blues with the restaurant.com certificates.

Trails End at Ft Wilderness has one of the least expensive dinner buffets on property and you can enjoy the free singalong and campfire with Chip and Dale while you're there.

 

[Dis703]

Liberty Tree Tavern lunch is a very good and a more affordable option.

Rose and Crown is also good and prices are decent.

 

[StirlingSilver83]

Since you are staying at Poly I would highly recommend you look into Kona Cafe...(we always get the dining plan, so prices aren't a problem but when planning a trip I like to factor my tips into our trip budget). Anyways Kona Cafe will certainly not break the bank and they have great food there as well. The service is wonderful and my kids love it. We had lunch there in 2014 and last year we ate breakfast there and their breakfast was amazing! It has become 1 of my favorite TS places to eat and now a must do on our list, lol.

 

[Mom2Kids2003]

We love Wolfgang Express in Downtown Disney. It is a quick service but super nice! The portions are huge (even what they call kids' meals), so you could easily share and there is a good variety on the menu. If you are looking for another brunch type option, Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge is so good. It is a buffet but very nice variety in my opinion and would definitely fill you up until dinner time easily.

 

[JaimeK]

Same here, first trip without the dining plan. Your choices look good!
I'm planning on Kona - we liked it on the dining plan but now I'll be able to order sushi for my dinner.
The Wave looks like a nice breakfast option - you can order a la carte or do the buffet so if you arrive not quite as hungry you're not locked in.
I loved Boma for dinner last trip but it would be over $200 for the 5 of us so we're doing Sanaa this time.
Sci fi is fun and not too expensive.

 

[ChasingLeslie]

50s PT is also a great place for sharing meals as the portions are large.

 

[Disneylover99]

SciFi Diner is a good choice if you're not trying to maximize on the dining plan.

 

[BSwest]

I ate at The Plaza many years ago and thought it was really good and the prices are good for OOP. We ate at the house of Blues a few months ago and I thought that was delicious also. We did Tusker House in Animal Kingdom for breakfast and that was my favorite breakfast.

 

[mommyrosa2]

We've always gone on a Free Dining Plan, so have never worried about prices for our meals. It's been great! This August we got in on a special deal that's allowing us to stay at the Poly for a SUPER price that I can't pass up, but no dining plan. In a way, I'm actually looking forward to the change of pace. I know there are times where I'll just be able to have an appetizer instead of a full meal and be perfectly happy. My youngest DS and I can easily share meals at times. We certainly don't each need a dessert with every meal. But all that being said, we are going to be much more conscious of what we're ordering!

We do like one TS meal each day. Just our preference--nice break from the August heat and a time to recharge. Doesn't really matter if it's lunch or dinner.

In the past, with the meal plan, we did have an eye to "optimizing" what we ordered. This time, we'll be thinking just the opposite! So here are some of the things I've come up with so far...

* Breakfast for lunch/brunch. I've wanted to try The Wave's breakfast buffet for a while but it never seemed to be a good value on the dining plan. (And also didn't want to lose park touring time!) Now that we're at a more relaxed pace, I'm thinking of heading over there for one of their latest breakfast times and considering that our big meal of the day.

* Via Napoli. Had lunch there last year and loved it. Order a large pizza to share, maybe a salad. Probably skip dessert and grab a snack somewhere else in WS.

* Yak & Yeti. Those portions are HUGE! We can easily share some dinners there. Have been very happy with meals we've gotten there so far.

* The Plaza. Have never done this because it never seemed like a good deal on the plan, but thinking it might be nice to try now that we're paying OOP. Have heard many good things about it.

* Possibly House of Blues. I see that they have certificates available on Restaurant.com. I know my Blues-loving husband would love to visit. Might be something different to try.

* 'Ohana room service. We loved our meal there last year--but definitely pricey! Thinking by doing room service, we could order for three and split four ways! Since youngest DS hardly eats anything, I'm sure there would be plenty to go around and I think the kids would get a kick out of a picnic in the room.

* Possibly ESPN Grill. Went last year when they were under renovations. Since I have three boys (including DH) who live and breathe all things sports, it was a hit. And the food was really good. We could just order apps to share and everyone would be happy.

What other ideas do you all have for budget TS meals?

While not really an idea for a budget TS meal, here's what we've done the last few Augusts since taking advantage of the "agency" special and not using the dining plan:

I take the price of what the dining plan would have cost us and get discounted disney gift cards with that money to use exclusively for food and our drinks. What I found is that by doing this, we don't seem to really worry about what we're ordering and I can honestly say that in the last few years of doing this, we have either broke out even or even came back with a little money left on the cards. Just a thought...

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We've had the O'hana room service and you actually may be able to get away with 2 orders for 4 people! The portions are HUGE!

Are you a AAA member? If so, you can get 20% off at Garden Grove at the Swan (just present your AAA card). They have a character buffet breakfast on weekends and a character dinner at night (usually Chip, Dale, Goofy and/or Pluto). The food is good and it's priced much more reasonably than the other WDW character meals. We are a family of three (2 adults, 1 child) and with the AAA discount, my DS8 basically eats breakfast for free with the purchase of our 2 adult meals.

The Landry Select Club card is also great. Landry's runs Rainforest Cafe, TRex and Yak and Yeti. The card costs $25, but you then get $25 credit on the card to use at a restaurant (so the card is basically free). It also gets you priority seating at those restaurants (you don't need an ADR). Also, if it's your "birthday month" (you can pick any month you want so might as well pick your month of travel!), you get another $25 off your meal!

 

[Babsy]

Biergarten has a good value for its lunch buffet. The food is great too.

 

[hsmamato2]

We really like House of Blues with the restaurant.com certificates.

can you use the certificates for Sunday brunch?

 

[hsmamato2]

Are you a AAA member? If so, you can get 20% off at Garden Grove at the Swan (just present your AAA card). They have a character buffet breakfast on weekends and a character dinner at night (usually Chip, Dale, Goofy and/or Pluto). The food is good and it's priced much more reasonably than the other WDW character meals. We are a family of three (2 adults, 1 child) and with the AAA discount, my DS8 basically eats breakfast for free with the purchase of our 2 adult meals.

I didn't even realize you could use a AAA card at Garden Grove.....

 

[hsmamato2]

whoops...no availability on the Sunday I want GG! wow.... I guess it's a popular place....

 

[jsmla]

can you use the certificates for Sunday brunch?

Sorry but I don't know. We always go at dinner.

 

[smiths02]

Become a Landry's member. Have August be your birthday since you are going in August. You pay $25, but get $25 in credits plus $25 for your birthday month. Also, many of our credit cards offer Landry's giftcards (It doesn't matter if it says Rainforest Cafe or T-Rex or whatever)...so I can use $45 Discover cashback to get a $50 giftcard. So when we went last June, we only spent $25 (or $70 if you count my cashback) and got $100 worth of food.

 

[smiths02]

Biergarten has a good value for its lunch buffet. The food is great too.

Because our twins were 2 when we went and we had TiW, this was cheaper than some counter service meals for us!

 

[VillainFavs]

Doesn't the Disney Visa get you a discount in some places too?

 

[Babsy]

Tables in Wondereland, Annual passes and DVC membership all get discounts at many TS restaurants.

At the Swan/Dolphin you can also get discounts with AAA.