How a family of four can eat for under $65 per meal!
When I think of a Disney vacation and the different parts of the vacation budget, there are three items that stand out to me.
- Lodging
- Tickets
- Food
In order of most to least expensive. So I wanted to provide you with some real information on where you can eat cheaply at Disney World. Because the food part of your Disney vacation budget can quickly get out of hand.
Personal Story: I took a last-minute trip to Disney World, didn’t plan at all, and spent $1,000 on food for two people in 3.5 days. THAT’S INSANE. On most trips, I spend $40/day/person plus about $150 for groceries. So that should have been more like $400. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have $600 to throw around.
Random Thought: I am just about ready to go into some detail on the Disney Dining plan and why it’s not the best choice when doing a Disney vacation on a budget.
But we will have to save that for another post.
I mention it because this post is going to give you a few options for eating at Disney for under $50/meal for a family of four. (I guess it wasn’t that random of a thought)
Cheap Eats at Disney World
I decided the best mock family would be two adults and two children. One over the age of 8 and a child a bit younger.
What I’d like to accomplish here are two distinct objectives.
- Give you actional tips. AKA places you really can have these meals starting right now. Perfect if you’re currently on your Disney trip.
- Show you a way of thinking. There’s a commonality here. A certain way of thinking, if you must. Which we will definitely discuss after. I will go over this at the end.
With these example meals, remember, you don’t know the size of the entrees or sides. You have to trust me. You can get more if you purchase everything and still are hungry but I doubt it.
Cheap Meals at Disney World
- Bring your own snacks and drinks: If you’re on a tight budget, bringing your own snacks and drinks is a great way to save money. You can bring your own water bottles and refill them at the water fountains to avoid the high prices of bottled water.
- Look for quick-service restaurants: Quick-service restaurants are a great option for those on a budget. You can find a variety of options such as burgers, sandwiches, and salads, and they are usually reasonably priced.
- Share meals: Many Disney World restaurants offer large portions, making it easy to share meals with others. This can help you save money by splitting the cost of the meal.
- Use mobile ordering: Mobile ordering allows you to order and pay for your meal in advance, reducing the time spent waiting in line and giving you more time to enjoy the park. Some restaurants also offer exclusive deals and discounts for mobile orders.
- Look for food carts and kiosks: Disney World has a variety of food carts and kiosks throughout the park that offer quick and inexpensive snacks such as pretzels, popcorn, and churros.
Remember that you can still enjoy delicious meals at Disney World without breaking the bank. With a little bit of planning, you can have a great time and stay within your budget
Cheap Meals at Magic Kingdom
Casey’s Corner
Foot long, toppings covered foot longs with sides!
(1) Chili-Cheese All-Beef Foot Long Hot Dog – topped with Chili and Cheddar. Served with Apple Slices or French Fries – $14.79
(1) All-Beef Foot Long Hot Dog – Served with Apple Slices or French Fries – $12.49
(1) Featured All-Beef Hot Dog – topped with Barbecue Pulled Pork, Coleslaw and Barbecue Sauce Drizzle and served with Apple Slices or French Fries – $15.79
(2) French Fries – $4.49
Drinks – Water you brought with you.
Total: ~$63
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
Cosmic Ray’s is famous for having large portion sizes. This is enough food for three adults and a child to share.
(1) Bacon Cheese Burger with Fries – $18.29
(1) Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich with Fries– $17.79
(2) Grilled Chicken Sandwich Kids Meal – Includes drink and side $7.79
Drinks – Water you brought with you.
Total: ~$53
Cheap Meals at Epcot
Les Halles – France
(2) Jambon Beurre – ham and cheese, dijon mustard butter on a demi baguette $10.95
(2) Croissant Jambon Fromage – ham, cheese and bechamel in a croissant $8.95
(4) Sides or desserts $6
Drinks – Water you brought with you.
Total: $63.80
Sunshine Seasons
(2) Oak-grilled Rotisserie Chicken – Rotisserie Cooked 1/2 Chicken with Yellow Rice and Black Beans $12.99
(1) Birria Tacos $9.99
(1) Stir-fried Chicken $12.29
Drinks – Water you brought with you.
Total: ~$49
Cheap Meals at Hollywood Studios
ABC Commissary
(1) Pork Carnitas Tacos $11.49
(1) Chicken Club Sandwich $12.99
(2) French Fries – $4.99
(2) Kids Meals – $7.79
Drinks – Water you brought with you.
Total: ~$51
Cheap Meals at Animal Kingdom
Yak and Yeti Local Food Cafe
(1) Honey Chicken – Tempura Chicken, Carrots, Snap Peas, Honey Sauce, and White Rice $14.99
(1) Teriyaki Chicken Salad- Marinated Beef, Carrots, Snap Peas, Onions Mushrooms in Sweet Teriyaki Sauce – $13.99
(2) Chicken Fried Rice $7.99
Drinks – Water you brought with you.
Total: ~$45
Cheap Eats at Disney Springs
Earl of Sandwich
(4) Sandwiches of your choice $9
(4) Make It A Combo! (adds a side and a drink) $5
Total: ~$56
Savoring the Satisfaction of a Delicious Meal that Didn’t Break the Bank.
I recently had an amazing experience at Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie at Disney World. As someone who loves good food but also tries to stick to a budget while on vacation, I was thrilled to find that this place offered not only affordable prices but unique and memorable atmospheres and dishes.
From the moment I walked in, I was enchanted by the charming French bakery atmosphere. The aroma of freshly baked bread and pastries filled the air, and the display cases were filled with all kinds of delicious treats.
I decided to try the quiche Lorraine, and it was absolutely delicious. The crust was flaky and buttery, and the filling was savory and rich. It was the perfect size for a light lunch, and it only cost a few dollars.
Overall, I would highly recommend Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie to anyone visiting Disney World’s Epcot. Whether you’re on a tight budget or just looking for a unique and memorable dining experience, this place is sure to impress.
Enjoying affordable and tasty meals at Disney World is possible with a little bit of planning and research.
By bringing your own snacks and drinks, looking for quick-service restaurants, sharing meals, using mobile ordering, and exploring food carts and kiosks, you can have a great dining experience without breaking the bank.
So, don’t let the high prices discourage you from visiting the happiest place on earth! Plan accordingly, and you’ll be able to savor delicious meals while staying within your budget.
A good place to start is with the Disney World App. It can be downloaded from the app store (iPhone) or Play Store (android). It allows you to look at places to eat either on a map or as a list. Quick Service locations have one $.
If you aren’t on your Disney vacation yet, that means you have some time to do some serious planning. If you ate 50% of your meals from your groceries, another 30% with this method, and splurged for the last 20%. Your Disney budget is going to be close to perfect.
