Ways to save $ by creative food ordering?

[redheadx3]

I would like some ideas on how to as to save on counter service by sharing meals.
For example, I read someone who orders the double hamburger and another bun, then he can make two hamburgers(one for him and one for his child).
Please tell me some tips on ordering

 

[mrsltg]

You can ask to have fries removed from the sandwhich. I am not sure how much cheaper it is (maybe $1-2) but I find one order of fries split between my family is plenty.

I also usually share my meal with my girls. I get a burger and fries and the three of us can eat quite comfortably (they are 6 and 2). However, I don't like to be FULL at WDW because I partake in a lot of snacks so the above plan may not work for you!

 

[crisi]

You can also split a large pop for your family (or just drink water). By getting rid of fries and soda, your bill should be much more reasonable.

Several of the burger places have fixin' bars. With the double cheeseburger/extra bun trick, and ample fixin's, you can do ok. (Please do not use the fixin' bar as a salad bar - its been done but is not its purpose).

Remember Disney doesn't care if you bring in food either. We often bring in Cliff Bars and snacks and water. A box of granola bars brought from home can go a long way to saving some money.

 

[lyzziesmom]

We never ever pay for drinks at Disney. At any place that serves fountain drinks, whether it is a CS restaurant, a food court or a snack cart, you can ask for a cup of ice water or two and they will happily give it to you for free. This saves us SO much money over ordering sodas or bottled waters. If you absolutely MUST have sodas, consider buying the refillable mug at the resort. For $12 you can have unlimited refills of any fountain drink or coffee at the resort, and it is quite handy to have in the parks to keep your free ice water cold. We would fill up right before getting on the bus in the morning, then rinse out the cup in a bathroom sink once it was gone. It's light enough to stick in your bag or stroller and then you can fill up again once you get back to your resort.

I also found with my kids that they don't eat as much at Disney as they do at home, so we often shared meals. Many kid's meals actually come with more food than an adult meal (at a lower cost) due to the sides that they come with, and for lunches we would often split a kid's meal. I have a picky eater and I am one myself, so this would work out great for us. I would eat the meat, and my DD would eat the fries/applesauce/whatever it came with.

One thing that helps me is to remember that we are on vacation, and it's only a few days out of the year. If they don't want to eat as healthy as they normally would at home, I don't stress about it as long as they are happy.

 

[eagles]

also check out the menus. some meals in and of themselves can be shared.

cosmic rays, 1/2 chicken and ribs, with mashed potatoes (and veggie?), my hubby and i shared this meal.

that was the first thing that came to mind.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Pizza and salad combo meals (such as at Toy Story pizza planet or Catalina Eddies) are a good deal. Last year (and we are adults) we split one meal between the two of us.

If you're looking for a good snack - think about sharing a kid's meal between 2 people. They're $4 and it gets you an entree (like an uncrustable; chicken nuggets, etc) and then grapes and carrots (or fries or applesause - 2 get to pick two) and you get a small drink. Split between 2 people, that makes it only $2 each for a snack with a drink.

If you are eating at the food courts, some of them (POFQ I know for sure) have large dinners available. For instance, we got the 1/2 chicken with 2 sides (get two sides of mashed potatoes) with a biscuit for just under $10. It was good "real" food (not processed or deep fried - more like home cooking with a kick) that was filling and satisfying.

 

[slk537]

Sharing CS meals is definitely a way to do it - remember it's hot and humid and you probably won't be as hungry as usual. We've split lots of meals between the three of us and have been satisfied.

One trick I do with drinks is to buy the first bottle and from there on out I use Crystal Light to flavor water from the bubblers (drinking fountains?) in the empty bottle for a quick drink that doesn't taste like swamp water.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I agree with others, counter service meals are very big at WDW and with all the running around you do and the heat, sharing is good on all counts. Anytime we have thought we were too hungry to share and didn't we ended up throwing away half our food. I also agree with bringing in some of your own food. I have brought in granola bars, dried fruit, cheese its, oranges, apples, water bottles and juice boxes with no problem. We still order food but it helps to supplement. Also, by sharing you have room left for snacks like Mickey Bars during the parades.

I haven't done the extra bun thing but find that getting the double burger then putting on the stuff from the fixings bar (this would be at Pecos Bills primarily) a half burger is more than enough for me and my dh.

I also don't know if you are staying onsite or what level of resort you are in if you are, but we have found at the food courts in the values and mods that if we get two full breakfasts, plus maybe a muffin or a box of cereal and share that between the four of us (me, dh, ds12 and dd10) that leaves us satisfied until we have a late lunch. Then we have some snacks for dinner. This way we end up only buying two cs meals that are shared. So four meals total for the day for four people. Granted two of them are kids but my 12 year old eats more than my husband these days! Good for the diet and budget. Unless we are on the DDP, then its a pig out fest all day and night.

 

[disnut8]

For years, my husband didn't believe me that you could just order a cheeseburger or a hot dog and not have the fries. We would have so many fries left over is was ridiculous. I finally made him give me the money and I ordered for us. Surprise! A single hot dog with no fries, a cheeseburger and no fries. I didn't used to be a big eater so I would order a kid's meal. My husband thought we'd be banned from the parks.

I also carry Ziplocs in my bag so if we have leftovers, we can easily store them for later. Since a Disney World pretzel is more than enough for the two of us to share, I take whatever is leftover and store it for a snack later in the day.

One very interesting idea we saw a group doing at World Showcase - each person had the reponsibility of going to a different country and getting a different "course" for the group to share. Desserts from France, egg roll appetizers from China, nachos from Mexico, brats (which we cut in half) from Germany, etc. Once everyone was back together (they met at the outdoor seating area at the Liberty Inn), everything was shared between twelve people.

 

[got2lovedisney]

In addition the the double cheeseburger trick, at Columbia Harbour House in the MK, my DD and I order the Captain's Special - Fried Chicken Strips and Fish - Served with choice of French Fries or Carrots $7.09...I eat the fish, she eats the chicken strips and we share the fries.

At Sunshine Seasons at Epcot there is an Asian combo, Two Entree Items and Two Sides $9.69 which I plan on trying on an upcoming trip which I'm sure would feed 2. Same at Pepper Market at Coronado.

 

[budbeerlady]

DD and I share all the time, even on the DDp. At sunshine seasons we got the ham forrest sandwich, a side that I want and the dessert she wants. We divided the sandwich in half and both of us were full and happy for less money!

We also share all the breakfast platters, she likes eggs and bacon while I eat some eggs, the potatoes and the bisquit. Alot of food for $6 and 2 people!

 

[Chloesmom]

The one place I like to share is Pizza Planet. You get a pizza, a side salad, a huge cookie ( which is soooo good) and a huge drink in the combo. I think its about $8. The pizzaa is like an 8 inch pizza sliced into 4 slices. I let DD have 3 slices and I get all of the salad and then we share the cookie and the drink. We were on DDp last year when we discovered this so we used one credit but it would be a great money saver if you were paying OOP.
Another favorite is the Boulangerie if you are on the DDP. You can get 2 pastries and a drink there for a CS credit. I know its not the best use of credits dollar wise but I know sometimes we ( and alot of other people) have left over CS credits adn this was a great way to get a yummy snack for one.
Also.. for $4 the Figaro Fries in MK are huge enough to eat as a meal or easily split with someone for a snack. In 8 days I will be doing just that.. mmm figaro fries.

 

[LiteBrite]

The one place I like to share is Pizza Planet. You get a pizza, a side salad, a huge cookie ( which is soooo good) and a huge drink in the combo. I think its about $8. The pizzaa is like an 8 inch pizza sliced into 4 slices. I let DD have 3 slices and I get all of the salad and then we share the cookie and the drink. We were on DDp last year when we discovered this so we used one credit but it would be a great money saver if you were paying OOP.
Another favorite is the Boulangerie if you are on the DDP. You can get 2 pastries and a drink there for a CS credit. I know its not the best use of credits dollar wise but I know sometimes we ( and alot of other people) have left over CS credits adn this was a great way to get a yummy snack for one.
Also.. for $4 the Figaro Fries in MK are huge enough to eat as a meal or easily split with someone for a snack. In 8 days I will be doing just that.. mmm figaro fries.

Just to clarify, the combo meal at Pizza Planet doesn't come with a cookie if you're paying OOP - that's only if you're using DDP credits. However, you do get the salad and large drink.

I agree about the Figaro Fries. Last year when we were on the Dining Plan, Hubby and I got one sandwich meal and used a snack credit for the Figaro Fries, and had more food than we needed for the two of us. We took the chips that came with the sandwich meal and saved them for later in the day.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Just to clarify, the combo meal at Pizza Planet doesn't come with a cookie if you're paying OOP - that's only if you're using DDP credits. However, you do get the salad and large drink.

I agree about the Figaro Fries. Last year when we were on the Dining Plan, Hubby and I got one sandwich meal and used a snack credit for the Figaro Fries, and had more food than we needed for the two of us. We took the chips that came with the sandwich meal and saved them for later in the day.

I'm going to have to try Figaro Fries on our next trip. They sound really good and we ended up with alot of CS and QS credits to use up on our last days! And this year we'll have even more since my DSis is coming along.

 

[smoof]

I have ordered child's meals for myself at counter service. There is more than enough food, and a better price.

 

[minnierocks]

We always bring breakfast items with us from home and then we have breakfast in our room before heading to the parks...

Every person in the group has a small bag that we load with water (or a juice box) and a mid-morning snack. For the most part, we eat our big meal at lunch (portions are still generous and the entrees are much cheaper).

When we eat a buffet, we all order pop because it comes with our meal, but when we are ordering entrees, we all drink water-it's free!

If we get hungry later, we buy kid's meals for all or split a counter-service meal...

We save about $300 by paying OOP instead of going with the dining plan!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I'm sorry, but I think the double burger, extra bun trick is....well, I just can't bring myself to do it...Now I might order a double burger and split it with someone that's not nearly so bad....I can do without the extra white bread anyhow.

Fruit is a fairly reasonable snack, and an apple can be quite filling. There are a number of places to get apples on property.

We share snacks like pretzels and popcorn....but hands off my Mickey Bar - get your own!

Norway's bakery has a meal deal of some kind. It sounds a little ordinary foodwise, but looked to be a good deal. On the Boardwalk you can get a slice of pizza. (corndogs too, I think)

A cup of chili is enough for a small meal. It's a good value for the price. There are several places at WDW to get some. In general, checking out the soups is often worthwhile. Saltines aren't the best, but they may come in handy afterwards.

At QS we often try to order one less meal than we think we want - that way we are sure to share, and eat everything. But we often go to WDW as a family group. It's hard to do leftovers, but if you are dining at your resort's food court and are headed to the room to get swimsuits...it might be worth bringing those leftovers back to the room. With kid's meals - the applesauce is easy to save - just don't store it in a fanny pack with your valuables!

Eat a buffet meal either as a late breakfast (brunch), late lunch/early dinner (linner). That way you can eat two meals on that day - or if you do a regualr dinner time - keep that in mind earlier in the day. The morning after a dinner buffet, we usually only eat a small breakfast. In this way, buffets are actually not a bad deal, since they inlcude a drink for the price. Breakfast is like $18. So if you eat late - that's like a $9 meal allowance for breakfast and lunch. The orange juice at CP is really good too - and you can get oj and coffee refills.

Having a few breakfast/snack items in you room will save a few bucks. If you can't/won't bring items from home, and you don't have the means to hit a grocery store; you can at least scan the gift shop of your resort. They may not be the cheapest prices, but they have a few items there for less than food court prices. But a few things from home are a good idea - like a bag of goldfish crackers or granola bars.

Bring Bottled Water! Or buy one bottle and refill it.

 

[momandseandodisney]

In addition the the double cheeseburger trick, at Columbia Harbour House in the MK, my DD and I order the Captain's Special - Fried Chicken Strips and Fish - Served with choice of French Fries or Carrots $7.09...I eat the fish, she eats the chicken strips and we share the fries.

My son and I always do this

 

[PrincessTrisha]

I'm sorry, but I think the double burger, extra bun trick is....well, I just can't bring myself to do it...Now I might order a double burger and split it with someone that's not nearly so bad....I can do without the extra white bread anyhow.

We don't order an extra bun either.

We open the burger up onto two plates -

bun / cheese / patty
bun / bacon / patty

and then just put the toppings on top and eat it open face.

Why waste stomach space on white bread? Stomach space at Disney is at a premium (much like time).

 

[maryvh]

One thing I learned is that you don't HAVE to buy the CS "meal" as it is listed on the menu. Kind of like asking for no fries, you can order anything on the menu as an a-la-cart single item. Even though it is not listed that way on the menu board, they do have prices for each individual item. If you don't really need the whole "meal" or "platter" you can ask for just the one or two items you do want. It really can save a lot of $$$ by the end of your trip.

Of course, I do have to say that this works when paying OOP. DDP is different, cuz you will use a CS credit either way.

Hope this helps. Have a great trip!
Mary