Disneyland and Disney World are full of delicious food options, but most of that food comes at a very high price. We previously posted about the different dining options at the theme parks: Quick Service, Snacks and Signature Dining. Here we are going to discuss some things that we do on our trips to get the foods we enjoy the most, but also save a bit of money as well.
First, if you didn't know already, you can get grocery delivery at your Disney Resort? There are some different options(Amazon.com, Shipt, Garden Grocer, you can google different services), just call the front desk, or let them know when you arrive, that you should be getting a box of food so they can sign for it for you. If you are getting a room with a mini kitchen(These are usually DVC rentals, or the Villas at the Deluxe resorts). You can also order some snacks, or a small amount of refrigerated stuff. The mini fridges aren't super cold, but you can keep a few items in there. So if you want to save money on breakfast and snacks, this is the way to go. We have done this, and it does save some money and time, as you don't have to wait to get into the parks to get your breakfast, or by going down to the dining room at your resort to get some food.
We usually bring our own snacks to the park that we know we and our kids will eat. Disney will have some offering for snacks, and if you have the dining plan, you can use this for 1 snack per day. If you do choose the DDP, (Disney Dining Plan) make sure to utilize the snack credit so you can get the most bang for your buck (we will probably write about this later). Bringing your own snacks and eating breakfast before you get to the parks can save you a good amount of money. Most breakfasts in the park that you sit down for are character dining, which can range from $40-70 a plate. So if you are a family of 4, you will have already spent quite a bit before you even start your day. We do recommend having some sort of experience like this, as they are usually very fun and kids remember the characters they see. Though we do recommend splurging on at least 1 snack (for us it is usually the huge Cinnamon Roll at Gaston's Tavern, yes this counts as a snack).
We recommend sitting down for a nice lunch in the mid-morning, early afternoon hours. This is when the parks get hot. If you decide you want to have a nice Signature Dining, this is the time to do it. It gives you a break from crowds, but also the heat. Orlando is hot. Or if you want to budget even more, you can bring your own lunch to the park, just make sure that your cooler is within Disney's guidelines. And you will have to carry it with you all day, unless you rent a locker, have a stroller, or brought your own car. Or you could get some cheap lunch options at the quick service locations, or food kiosks around the parks. Another cheap option is to actually eat outside of the parks, but you would need a mode of transportation to get there. We usually plan at least 2 sit down meals for our budget, and a few quick service meals but you can do what ever is best for you and your family depending on how much you want to save.
Overall, we found that you can budget pretty well if you plan. Think about where you would like to eat (we will do a series of restaurant recommendations soon). Does that include some sit down restaurants? Do you have little kids that would need to take a good break? Or do you just want a quick lunch so you can ride everything possible? Make a list of the places you want to eat, and make a game plan. TIP: Game plans can fall through. Always expect something to change on your trip. Your family could get hungry and you are no where near the place you wanted to get food, or there are no reservations available at the 1 restaurant you wanted. You may end up not getting everything you want, so be prepared just in case. There are always lots of options. If you do plan on bringing your own food into the parks, then just know there are lots of places to find a bench and take a break.
We have done this, and though it isn't as fun to not eat Disney food, it does save on your pocket.
Please make sure to check out more of our tips on our Instagram @wonderingwonderlandsisters
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