Meals is likely one of the greatest bills of a Walt Disney World trip, so consuming on a price range will be tough. Right here we’ll share money-saving tips about really useful eating places, what to eat & keep away from, hacks for chopping your eating bills, and concepts for “eating on a dime” at WDW. (Up to date February 12, 2024.)
With the ‘Free’ Disney Eating Card Low cost at Walt Disney World for 2024, it’s a good time to revisit this listing to consider methods to stretch these eating playing cards even additional. These eating playing cards aren’t all-inclusive–not that common Free Eating was, however most individuals bought extra meals than they might presumably eat with it! You’re more likely to have out of pocket eating bills because of this should you don’t plan accordingly. With the recommendation right here, you may scale back your Walt Disney World eating price range, spending much less out of pocket because of this.
Earlier than we start with the money-saving Walt Disney World eating suggestions, we’ve got a few “guidelines” that we’ve imposed upon ourselves. The primary isn’t any spreadsheets. Budgeting will be performed by loosely following frequent sense technique and suggestions. Consuming inexpensively doesn’t require superior analytics or being a grasp statistician. Walt Disney World planning obsessives will in all probability think about this heresy, however I hate spreadsheets…
I’d not want spreadsheets upon my worst enemy–not to mention folks I’m attempting to encourage to have “enjoyable” on “trip.” From my perspective, spreadsheets are antithetical to the core idea of vacationing. Not solely that, however visiting Walt Disney World is already sophisticated and tense sufficient with out introducing much more ‘guidelines’ and planning parameters to the combination. I perceive others vehemently disagree, so to every their very own. In case you take pleasure in making spreadsheets, be happy to go nuts at it.
You need to use the rules right here to create the identical form of complete lists that Disney Eating Plan diehards used to make when planning the place–and what–to eat to maximise their worth on that. Fortunately, the brand new Disney Eating Card promo is rather more laid again and simple than that.
Second, we seldom dine off-site. A part of that is wanting to stay immersed within the Walt Disney World bubble. One other half is the sensible actuality that spending money and time to get off-site rapidly eats away at any monetary financial savings. Trip time is effective, and the way a lot of it are you keen to “spend” to avoid wasting ~$5 per individual on a quick meals entree?
Admittedly, ‘no off-site eating’ is one which’s getting harder to justify as a tough and quick rule for ourselves, particularly with the Orlando space’s burgeoning eating scene. With that in thoughts, we’d refer you to our Record of Nice Eating places Close to Walt Disney World should you’re considering venturing off-property.
The upside is that the eating places on that listing that we’ve tried are superlative–most are higher than the very best of Walt Disney World. The draw back is that the majority are fairly far off-property. (If you’re keen to enterprise off-site, the closest distinctive possibility is the Kissimmee location of 4 Rivers Smokehouse; a special twist on 4 Rivers can also be accessible at Disney Springs.)
With that in thoughts, listed here are our money-saving suggestions for eating at Walt Disney World…
EAT: Hype-less Hidden Gems – When a restaurant at Walt Disney World turns into well-liked, its costs rise and high quality usually falls. It’s a story as outdated as time that may be witnessed in a number of eating places, with Le Cellier being probably the most foremost instance of this traditional ‘eating downfall’ arc.
Nevertheless, the converse can also be true. When a restaurant is much less well-liked, there’s much less of a motive to lift costs. Not solely that, however eating places which can be much less well-liked usually must attempt more durable to draw and keep an viewers, and the culinary groups are given extra freedom to experiment and take a look at new issues.
Actually, the much less you hear a few restaurant…the higher it in all probability is. That applies to each the delicacies high quality and worth for cash. No offense to Be Our Visitor Restaurant, ‘Ohana, Chef Mickey’s, or California Grill, however I’d take the eating places on our Record of Underrated Eating places at Walt Disney World or Prime 10 Greatest Worth Desk Service Eating places at Walt Disney World over all the highly-hyped
EAT: Groceries for Breakfast – With a handful of exceptions, breakfast at Walt Disney World leaves quite a bit to be desired. Most counter service eating places supply a restricted number of phoned in entrees with staples like powdered eggs and rubbery paper-bacon. Desk service eating places are inclined to do issues higher, however breakfast continues to be overpriced for what you get, time-consuming, and most gadgets aren’t memorable.
Even for individuals who aren’t on a decent price range, we suggest grocery supply for breakfast. (See our Suggestions for Grocery Supply at Walt Disney World.) We are inclined to deal with issues like vegetables and fruit, since these are overpriced at Walt Disney World and there’s not likely something to do by way of preparation.
It’s an incredible alternative to get wholesome, nutrient-dense meals with a purpose to provide you with power and begin your day on the correct foot, save time and money…and make you’re feeling rather less responsible about consuming 4 cupcakes and three orders of ice cream later within the day. In any case, you had carrots and oatmeal at breakfast!
EAT: Disney Springs Eating places – On the subject of eating at Walt Disney World, your greenback goes a lot additional at most Disney Springs eating places than in-park ones. That is largely true as a result of Disney Springs is (virtually) on a stage enjoying discipline with actual world eating places. It’s practically as simple for on-site friends to dine off-site as it’s to eat at Disney Springs, and it’s completely as handy for locals (for the latter, Disney Springs might be much less handy).
The primary results of that is eating places at Disney Springs charging premium pricing…however with considerably much less mark-up than in-park eating choices. The secondary result’s that Disney Springs eating places should compete on high quality. Delicacies-wise, Disney Springs is the epicenter of Walt Disney World’s culinary scene. (Sorry, World Showcase, but it surely’s not even shut.)
A few of our favourite worth choices on the counter service entrance embody Blaze Pizza, Hen Man, and 4 Rivers Cantina Barbacoa Meals Truck (the final is by far the very best). For desk service, attempt Boathouse, Morimoto Asia, Homecomin’, STK (lunch or comfortable hour), and Raglan Highway. Word that each single certainly one of these eating places has a prolonged menu, with costs which can be all over. To economize, you’ll (clearly) need to order from the decrease finish of the worth spectrum.
EAT: Lodge Meals Courts – Related concept right here as with Disney Springs; resort friends are much less of a captive viewers. You’ll discover costs that are usually just a few {dollars} cheaper per entree, and high quality that tends to be higher.
The problem right here is making meals at a resort meals courtroom work throughout the context of your schedule. This both means leaving the park (which wastes time) or doing a late dinner, which is probably not possible. Regardless, it’s one thing to contemplate.
Our favourite ‘use case’ of consuming at resort eating places is taking a noon break from Magic Kingdom and heading to one of many monorail loop resorts (we’re additionally massive followers of the boat to Fort Wilderness/Wilderness Lodge for a similar motive). These aren’t technically meals courts, however the Grand Floridian and Polynesian (and Up to date, albeit to a lesser extent) have nice meals at honest costs. The meals is quite a bit higher than anyplace within the park, and it’s a pleasant respite from the crowds!
AVOID: Signature Eating places – Fairly easy. Walt Disney World’s costliest eating places are its ‘Signature’ choices, that are altogether incompatible with eating on a dime. This isn’t to say you may’t scour the menu for good values, however you are able to do the identical at cheaper eating places with higher outcomes.
To that finish, think about Sanaa, Sebastian’s Bistro, one of many aforementioned Disney Springs eating places, or one thing in Swan & Dolphin if you wish to splurge a bit. It’s additionally value contemplating Three Bridges Bar & Grill or Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood, two new eating places at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.
In case you actually need to take pleasure in superb eating with out breaking the financial institution, there arguably isn’t any higher possibility than Toledo. It’s not low-cost, however the worth for cash is unparalleled. It’s additionally one of many few eating places at Walt Disney World that’s Michelin Information-recognized. We love and extremely suggest Toledo for friends wanting a elaborate date evening splurge with out breaking the financial institution utterly.
AVOID: Soda & Sides – We’ve been harping on these two issues for some time, so common readers will in all probability have their eyes glaze over at this level. I can’t keep in mind the final time I purchased soda at Walt Disney World. Ice water is free, and you may get your caffeine repair by packing espresso packets and making your personal. (See our Final Packing Information for Walt Disney World, which provides suggestions for water bottles, caffeine fixes, snacks, and extra.)
The opposite massive one is just not spending additional on sides, or particularly ordering entrees that don’t include them (pizza and salads, for instance). Sides at counter service eating places are usually overpriced, that means that you simply may pay an additional $5 for a small facet of coleslaw or pickles. (Taking a look at you, Regal Eagle!)
That is additionally why we extremely suggest doing grocery supply and consuming your every day servings of vegetables and fruit earlier than even leaving your resort room. Vegetables and fruit are necessary gas, however they’re absurdly priced in eating places and at snack stands all through Walt Disney World. Additionally, there’s zero distinction between oranges and carrots delivered to you by Walmart+ and people bought at Walt Disney World, save for the worth. You’re not lacking out on something ‘enjoyable’ by saving cash on these.
AVOID: Overhyped Desserts – This one pains me to put in writing. Snacking is a giant a part of the Walt Disney World expertise for us, and I wouldn’t suggest anybody swear off snacks fully for the sake of a price range.
Nevertheless, it’s value noting that almost all snacks don’t supply commensurate nutritiousness and ‘filling-ness’ for his or her value. Principally, be weary of snack prices, goal those below $5, and be even handed together with your snack expenditures–however don’t give them up utterly.
An excellent instance right here is cupcakes, which at the moment are over $6 at most places round Walt Disney World. Years in the past, Disney cupcakes developed a powerful following and have largely rested on their laurels since, rising in worth as they’ve decreased in dimension and high quality. You would completely swear off cupcakes at Walt Disney World in favor of cheaper, higher snacks.
HACK: EPCOT Festivals – This was once within the “keep away from” column, and that all the time pained me since EPCOT festivals are a lot enjoyable. Nevertheless, after having fun with the 2024 EPCOT Pageant of the Arts and several other occasions previous to that, I’m now pretty satisfied that categorically saying it is best to keep away from EPCOT pageant meals is, at greatest, incomplete recommendation. At worst, it’s suggesting you do one thing that can make your day within the park worse.
To make certain, there’s nonetheless wildly overpriced meals at these occasions (costs haven’t gone down!) and portion sizes will be problematic, inflicting you to graze all day spending exponentially greater than you’d on a hearty counter service meal and never getting full. Nevertheless, inflation in the true world and round Walt Disney World has arguably outpaced a number of the menus at these cubicles.
The underside line is that you simply can discover filling dishes and desserts on the meals cubicles that round $5 to $7 and style scrumptious. It’s fully believable that 2-3 of those will likely be as or extra filling than a counter service meal, and supply considerably superior delicacies and a extra enjoyable expertise for about the identical worth–perhaps just a few {dollars} extra. It’s additionally doable that you might drop $40 and go away hungry. Therefore the “hack” advice. Be conscious of what you’re spending and portion sizes–however benefit from the meals cubicles to some extent!
AVOID: Disney Eating Plan – Saved the “greatest” for final, as I do know it is a controversial one with which a lot of you’ll disagree. Whether or not the Disney Eating Plan is an efficient solution to price range, saves most individuals cash, or provides good worth for cash is a sequence of debates that’ll by no means be resolved. (In case you’re considering that topic, see When You Ought to Purchase & Skip the 2024 Disney Eating Plan! for eventualities the place it is sensible and others the place it doesn’t.)
Nevertheless, none of these are the pertinent query right here. We’re asking: is the Disney Eating Plan the least-expensive solution to eat at Walt Disney World? Reframing the difficulty ought to make it much less contentious. Save for Free Eating (and even then, solely in some instances), the Disney Eating Plan is undoubtedly not the most cost effective solution to dine at Walt Disney World. It could supply good worth, budgeting, and so on., however following the opposite suggestions right here to “dine on a dime” will produce cheaper outcomes.
With the guidelines right here, you are able to do two counter service meals per day for $28 (or much less). Add $7 to that per day value for breakfast groceries and snacks. That brings us to $35, which may be a conservative quantity, but it surely’s nonetheless over $20 per day cheaper than the bottom tier of the Disney Eating Plan.
In a nutshell, that ought to clarify how one can come out forward by paying out of pocket for meals and why it’s not the top of the world that the Disney Eating Plan nonetheless isn’t again. Who is aware of, after doing a trip to Walt Disney World throughout which you pay as you go for meals, chances are you’ll by no means need to return to the advanced and convoluted Disney Eating Plan!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study inns on our Walt Disney World Resorts Critiques web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques. To economize on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a novel take a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Trip Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every part it’s worthwhile to know!
Your Ideas
What’s your recommendation for saving cash on meals at Walt Disney World? Something really useful right here that you’d not do? Something you’d add to our listing? Do you agree or disagree with our recommendation? Any questions we may also help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
