Taking a Disney vacation is undoubtedly an investment. There are plenty of costs to consider when visiting the Walt Disney World Resort, and food is one of them. Whether your budget is large or small, we can all welcome tips that will help us to save a little while adding to our Disney experience. In particular, recommendations are beneficial in the absence of the Disney Dining Plan. Savings can help in other areas where you may benefit from more flexibility, especially merchandise if you’re anything like us!
We have six tips to share that will help you save money when it comes to quick-service Disney dining. Use these tips when planning and enjoying your Walt Disney World vacation, and you’ll be able to treat yourself to that Disney merchandise you want and maybe even go home with some change!
Share Meals
There are plenty of options for quick-service dining on Disney property. Whether you dine inside or outside a Disney Park, you can choose from many restaurants. Wherever you decide to eat, keep in mind portion size. The Disney restaurants serve up decent-sized entrees that can be shared. You can save money by ordering fewer entrees when enjoying a quick service meal. You will be grateful for doing this, especially if you want to enjoy the Disney snacks at Walt Disney World.
Enjoy Snacks or Sides as Meals
The Walt Disney Company is known to provide an all-around experience for all Guests. This extends beyond the Disney Parks and Resorts, attractions, character interactions, and other experiences. Dining experiences are no exception. There are so many treats to enjoy during a Disney vacation that it’s impossible to try them all.
Disney snacks look not only incredible but also delicious. Choose to skip snacks when visiting the Walt Disney World Resort, and you will miss out. Most Disney snacks are a good size. This makes them ideal for sharing, especially if you are enjoying a snack as a dessert. Alternatively, some Disney snacks can suffice as a meal.
Similarly, sides offered at the quick-service restaurants are ideal if you’re looking for something small. If you and your party are feeling peckish without wanting to order a big meal, order a selection of sides instead. This is a great way to try a bit of everything.
Make a list of the snacks and sides you wish to try during your Disney vacation. This will encourage you to plan them into your days in the Disney Parks. Remember to take a photo beforehand – most Disney snacks are Insta-worthy!
A few of our favorite Disney snacks and sides that we always enjoy during a Disney vacation include:
- Beignets at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort – make a great breakfast item.
- Fresh Fruit Waffle Sandwich at Sleepy Hollow, Magic Kingdom Park – perfect any time of day.
- Croque Place at L’Artisan des Glaces, France Pavilion in EPCOT World Showcase – makes a great afternoon snack after a Character Dining breakfast.
- Funnel Cake at Epic Eats, Disney’s Hollywood Studios – plenty of toppings to choose.
- Grilled Corn on the Cob at Harambe Fruit Market, Disney’s Animal Kingdom – ask for African spices to add something to your corn.
- Chicken Fried Rice at Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafes, Disney’s Animal Kingdom – an ideal size to enjoy for lunch.
Beverage Refills
Did you know that beverages in the Disney Resorts are refillable? Guests dining in the quick-service restaurants and purchasing a soft drink can enjoy three refills from the refill stations. Guests have two hours from the first use of the beverage station to redeem their refills. So, how can you make this work for your family?
Enjoying refills when purchasing a beverage from Disney Resort hotels can save you money. As long as you and another party member have the same beverage choice, choose to share it between you. In a party of four, you could purchase two beverages rather than four and refill six times during your dining experience.
Refillable Resort Mugs
Guests staying in the Walt Disney World Resort hotels will benefit from purchasing the refillable Resort mugs. For $21.99 per mug, Guests can enjoy free refills on hot and cold beverages at any quick-service dining location in a Disney Resort hotel. While refills are unavailable in the Disney Parks, you can use your mugs for water when visiting a theme park.
If you are interested in purchasing your refillable mug, we recommend doing so as soon as your Disney vacation begins. This will allow you to get the most use out of it. If there are younger Guests in your family, sharing mugs will also help to keep the cost down.
Use Complimentary Toasters and Microwaves
The quick-service restaurants in the Disney Value Resort hotels have toasters and microwaves available for Guests to use. Save money on breakfast by bringing your items to cook in restaurants. Guests can also order groceries to be delivered to their Resort hotel upon arrival. Butter and spreads are complimentary to Disney Resort Guests and can be found close to the toasters and microwaves.
Plan Plan Plan
A successful Disney vacation is the product of lots of planning. We recommend looking through the quick-service restaurant menus on the Walt Disney World website ahead of your vacation. Make a list of all the restaurants you plan to dine in and their location so you can include them in your plans. Planning your meals and snacks will help you to stick to your budget.
Which Walt Disney World dining tips will you use during your future Disney vacations?
