Hey everyone, today we are going to go over 15 meal saving ideas that will help keep the cost of your Disney World vacation down! Eating can be expensive in the parks, you have already spent enough money on flight, hotel, and tickets. So, let’s try and keep the cost of your food down to help save money at Disney World!
Save money by going during Disney’s Free Dining promotion:
Disney does offer a promotion, usually during the fall time that includes their Dining Plan for free. The Resort you stay at will determine the type of plan you’ll receive during your stay. I’ve done the math on this several times to see if it’s actually free or if they just hike up the price of tickets or resorts and YES, it is completely FREE!!!
If you stay in a Deluxe Villa or Deluxe Resort, you’ll get the Disney Dining Plan for free.
If you choose to save money and stay at a Moderate or Value Resort, you’ll get the Quick Service Dining Plan for free.
Avoid The Dining Plan:
If you are not planning a vacation during the free dining promotion, a good way to save money at Disney World is to skip the Dining Plan all together. The Dining Plans can be quite expensive. If you are not a big eater, I would not recommend this plan.
- Quick Service Dining Plan $47.50 per day, per person (includes 2 Quick Service meals and 1 snack).
- Disney Dining plan $78.49 per day, per person (includes 1 Quick Service meal, 1 Table Service meal and 1 snack).
Instead, save some money by taking in your own meals, see my full list of the easiest snacks to pack in the park for some awesome ideas!
Grocery Delivery Service through Amazon:
Amazon Fresh will deliver directly to your Resort and its completely free if you spend over $35.00. They have several different delivery options including 2-hour delivery. Because its Amazon they have everything from dairy products to deluxe snack packs! So, by the time you get out of the shower and get ready for the day, your groceries will already be delivered to the Bell Hop at your Resort! Try Amazon free for 30 days right before you leave, you can cancel your subscription at any time!
Take in your own meals and snacks:
Eat breakfast in your room:
We’ve never eaten at a Disney breakfast and thought this is the best meal I’ve had. If there is one thing that Disney is lacking, I think it’s the quality of their breakfasts. Character dining is super fun, but don’t expect the best food you’ve ever had! You can easily have a doughnut or mini muffins at the hotel and just skip in-park breakfast all together.
Skip breakfast and grab a Granola Bar:
Why not eat on the go?! I know a lot of families that take their breakfast with them and eat while waiting in line at rope drop!
Take in your own drinks:
Water is free at Quick-Service Restaurants, bring Mio or Kool-Aid to add to your free water!
Avoid character meals:
Character meals tend to be some of the most expensive restaurants at Disney. If you can skip them, do! If you are adamant about having a character dining experience, make sure to do your research to pick the ones that have your favorite characters and limit yourself to one or two.
Avoid Signature Dining and Table Service Meals:
Signature restaurants are the top-notch most expensive restaurants to eat at on Disney property. I have personally had the chance to taste quite a few of them, and I will tell you they are the best meals I’ve ever had. But if you don’t have the extra money to spend, then skip the Signature restaurants! Table Service restaurants where you are sitting down at a table are also more expensive than Quick Service restaurants where you can just grab a burger and go.
Avoid full meals and just get a burger or sandwich with free Water.
Choose Table Service meals for Lunch:
Some Table Service meals can be cheaper for breakfast and lunch rather than dinner. If you can do a sit-down meal at a Table Service restaurant, lunch is the perfect time. Then, head back to your Resort for dinner in your room or you could even do a cheap Quick Service meal in the parks. Amazon has plenty of frozen items to purchase and heat in the microwave, such as burritos! Just make sure your room has a microwave if you want to go this route. You can chat into Disney’s Customer Service line to make sure or add a request to your room.
Share meals:
Disney does a fantastic job of offering huge meals with a ton of options to choose from. Don’t be afraid to share a meal with one of your little ones. I have a teen that eats like a baby bird, so he and I share meals quite a bit!
Eat at Quick Service Restaurants:
Quick Service restaurants are much cheaper than Table Service and Signature restaurants. And with Disney, you won’t feel like you are missing out on something special because all of the meals are pretty dang good! Our personal favorite is just a Hot Dog and Chips, they are easy to eat and so good!
For a light lunch try ordering a kid’s meal from a Quick Service, I promise Disney doesn’t care!
To Sum It All Up:
There are several ways to save money at Disney World, don’t let the cost of food keep you from going and having a magical time. If you are looking for other ways to save on your trip, here are a couple of additional articles you will benefit from.
The easiest snacks and meals to bring into the park.
Items to buy before your Disney trip to save you money.
14 Perks For Disney World Resort Guests!
How To Save Money On Disney World Meals!
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