What is cheapest most fun meal option?

[nuttymomma]

For each of the main parks, Dwntwn and BW? Can't afford to eat out each day, and with 5 kids and 2 adults, we can't afford even one high priced meal a day.

Looking for cheap, fun options that will still have a special feeling to them. Something we can enjoy and not have the kids (14, 14, 11, 6 & 6) feel like they are missing out on anything by not going to the higher priced places.

We will be staying at FW...next week arriving late Sunday and leaving first thing Saturday.

Thanks!

 

[virginiamama]

We loved Casey's on Main Street in MK - just sit at a table and watch the action on Main Street with a castle view, and Tusker House in AK has a more expensive atmosphere (darker lighting, lots of heavy wood chairs, upscale counter service food), we like to head there around 11am to beat the crowd, and that makes it quieter there too. Mickey Bars always make the day feel magical!

 

[mjmcca]

Trails end has good food. Its isnt that expensive but with that many people i guess it can add up.

 

[jkmmah]

In DTD you'll find Earl of Sandwich has great offerings at under $5 a piece. Yummy bargain!

 

[barbeml]

Columbia Harbor House in MK is very reasonable and good. There is usually more seating available upstairs.

Tusker House is our favorite in AK. There is a nice outdoor seating area, and we usually sit around back where it is quiet.

We found some great sandwiches (huge-big enough for two) at Starring Rolls in Studios. Very nice location for outdoor seating.

Epcot's World Showcase has wonderful counter service places. One way to stretch the $$ is to order a couple of items at several countries and share.

WDW portions tend to be large, so your younger ones may be able to share.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[CamColt]

For the BW how about, ESPN? We have always gotten great food (bar type food) and great service there too. Its fun especially if you have sports fans in the family.

 

[henrylovespooh]

At Columbia Harbour House in MK, if you order the Captain's Platter, you get two chicken strips and two pieces of fried fish and lots of fries. You can share that meal. I liked it, and if you wait till parade time, if you go upstairs you might be able to see the parade out of the window and stay cool.

We really liked Flame Tree Barbecue in AK - if your family likes ribs you could order three orders or four of them and share them.

Sci-Fi Dine In is cool at MGM and there are meals you can share there - very fun and different.

 

[oogieboogie]

Beaches and Cream. Order a kitchen sink for your dinner. With 5 kids and 2 adults you should be able to finish that off.

Get a double hamburger/cheeseburger and extra bun. Then split the hamburger and get 2 hamburgers. (This applies to any counter service in WDW, even resort food courts)

Casey's is a great place in MK. $3.89 for a 1/4lb footlong hotdog is excellent price.

Get the meal deal at AK. It really is a great deal.

I second Trail's End. It's buffet but a bargain buffet and the food is really good.

 

[wdwrich]

Check out Mouseavers.com. They have lots of tips for saving $$ on meals and snacks.

 

[msteddom]

I am a huge fan of the Yacht Club Galley at the Yacht Club. The food is excellent and the staff is outstanding!


Melissa

 

[scarboroughmom]

We usually spend about 6 days at WDW when we go. We nag the kids about eating something healthy at each meal. But about the 4th day, we stop at an ice cream place, (usually Anti Gravity's) and have hot fudge sundaes for dinner. Since it's a once a year event, it's alot of fun, and it's a cheap, if decadent, dinner.

 

[Ocean Springs Mom]

We have always been very budget-minded in Disney. Mainly because when we did spend a ton of $$ and the meal wasn't that hot, it just made us want to kick ourselves. Here are our favs. (BTW, unless they upgraded the Trail's End Buffeteria, we voted that our #1 bust of all. The food was like hospital food, there were tons of people, it was dry, and it cost way more than we were used to spending. But , that was about 3 years ago.)

Breakfast in room We never like wasting time in a restaurant when we could be riding rides without waiting in lines.

The Parrot and the Pirate in MK across from the Pirates of the Car. The actual name is in Spanish, I'm not going to try to spell it. We get the Taco salads here and split them. We like that part of the MK, it reminds us of Mexico and going on cruises. The food is pretty good and filling.

Columbia Harbour House is cozy upstairs and has great clam chowder in a bread bowl.

My mom and dad love Pecos Bill's for burgers.

At EPCOT we like the counter service in China. Try the frozen drinks. Good egg rolls, etc.

We also like the Morroco fast food. EXCELLENT. We have a great restaurant here at home, and the food at this place is comparable. Good because there are actually vegetables involved.

Pizza Planet at MGM is fun and has great pizza. We always enjoy this place.

Pack some snacks in your backpack and have a good time!

 

[Keith]

We really enjoyed the ice cream social at Garden Grill in Epcot, but I think it is currently closed? It's in the afternoon for a few hours, and several characters are there --- Mickey, Minnie, Chip & Dale. I don't know when it will reopen.

 

[loriandmatt]

We love staying at FW and here is way we cut down on the cost of eating.....

get take out from the trails end and take it back to your campsite/cabin - ( if you get take out there, they give you a very large contatiner to fill. We fill it with fried chicken and take it back to the campsite for all three of us to share. We enjoy it with some deli salad or chips that we stocked up on upon arrival. you may need to pay for two or three take out meals depending on the size of your group and how much they eat.)

we bring our crock pot and i throw stuff into in the AM when leaving for parks - buy the time you get back it is ready. cheap meal. our fav is a chicken mexican dip. it eats like a meal.

we also bring a small portable grill and do some burgers or chicken that i purchased on that stock up trip to the off site food store when we arrive.

make sammies or wraps (from supplies purchased on that same food run at beginning of trip) and put them in small cooler. stash it in locker at parks for a quick, cheap lunch.

buy a case of bottled water or other drinks in plastic bottles. freeze them or at least keep them very cold in the fridge or cooler. take them to parks - cuts down considerably on the $ you spend on drinks.

uncrustable pb&j's are great for us for a light breakfast at the parks. thow a few in your back pack and off you go.

ok - i may get called tacky as heck for this one, but my son also loves it when i bring a can of spray cheese and a sleeve or two of crackers to the parks for a light lunch or snack stop. He loves that stuff and i don't allow it at home. (too much salt and fat) We probably look like total idiots stopping for a break and busting out our cracker sleeves and spray cheese, but son loves it and it's way cost effective.

- lori

 

[rgribik]

We also have 5 kids and 2 adults. I agree with the choices from the other posts. I bring donuts and a box of cheerios, and some pop-tarts for breakfast in the room. We also like the fish and chips from England, but we get them from the cart which is outside of the restraunt across from the English garden(about $6.95). We try to eat early and use the lunch menu, it has alot of the same food for a better price. Love the Earl of Sand. at DTD. And I hate to admit it but Mcdonalds is there for my picky little ones. It can be done reasonably.

 

[kirkharrod]

Portions in the World are WAY larger than my family eats so we split lots of meals. We love to get 2 meals from the Cantina San Angel and share, like it was a big appetizer plate.

Also:
Casey's at opening time
Tusker House
Sunshine Food Fair in Epcot

There is a Krispy Kreme donut factory on Hwy 192 (Irlo Bronson Highway) next to CVS pharmacy approx. 2 miles from the WDW main gate. Good for breakfast or snacks.

 

[beccasmom]

Another vote for the Earl of Sandwich. Hot sandwiches for $4.95 and the food is terrific. Highly recommended!

 

[Keith]

What is cheapest most fun meal option? Looking for cheap, fun options that will still have a special feeling to them. Something we can enjoy and not have the kids (14, 14, 11, 6 & 6) feel like they are missing out on anything by not going to the higher priced places.


Thanks!

Have you tried posting this on the Budget Board?

 

[nuttymomma]

Wow, I am getting hungry just reading all the replies! LOL

Thanks for all the great ideas.

I have just now posted the same question on the budget board. If your interested in what people are saying you may want to check there as well.