Don’t make the rookie move of spending $50 a meal plus snacks and drinks for a family of four. Curb dining costs by taking a few pro-active steps.
Disney Breakfast on a Budget
One easy way to save money is on breakfast. Keep boxes of cereal in the hotel room. If there is a refrigerator, keep milk as well, or just buy the milk at the resort restaurant in the morning. Failure to do this will no doubt translate into expensive pancake, egg and omelette breakfasts at the resort.
Drink at Disney Without Going Under
Bring refillable water jugs. Dasani water in the parks can cost upwards of $2 a bottle, but the water fountains are free, as is a cup of ice water at any of the restaurants. The water tastes pretty good, but those with an especially discerning palate can buy a 24-pack of waters and bring a few bottles in a backpack. It’s a lot to lug, but as the space empties out it can be filled up with souvenirs or simply be a lighter load in the evening.
Don’t Be a Disney Dumbo When it Comes to Snacks
Nothing is more tantalizing on a 90 plus degree day in Central Florida than the bowls of cut-up watermelon sold at the fruit stands in Disney parks, not to mention the ice cream bars, popsicles, popcorn, cotton candy and other treats for sale. Curb costs by packing some snacks for the family that they’ll like just as much, especially cut up fruit in containers (include a soft cooler bag and ice packs for all but the January through April time frame). The kids will probably end up buying a few popsicles anyway, but it can still add up to $30 in savings over the course of a day.
Eat Cheaper Outside Disney Parks
To further stretch a dollar, eat meals outside of Disney. If time permits and the "Wally Wagon" is in the parking lot, drive to a cheaper restaurant outside of Disney for lunch or dinner. Another option is to keep a cooler of sandwiches, drinks and snacks in the car and have a parking-lot picnic. Even if this was done for only one meal during the day (lunch or dinner), a family could save $50 a day or more.
A Walt Disney World vacation is costly enough without the added, unexpected expense of three meals and snacks in the resorts and parks. By using just a few of the dining tips above or some additional money saving recommendations, families can significantly cut their costs when vacationing at Disney. After all, it hardly feels like the “Happiest Place on Earth” when Mom and Dad are calculating receipts.
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