Best Value Dining Options

disneyguy07

Mouseketeer
Joined
Feb 9, 2017
For my upcoming trip, I'm trying to do things on a budget while fully enjoying my trip. To that end, I'm looking for the best values I can find in Disney Dining (seems like that's become a lot harder since my last trip). Right now I have all of my TS meals as breakfasts and lunch to save there.

I've seen a couple suggestions in other threads:
  • 1/2 chicken at FT BBQ in AK
  • Earl of Sandwich in DS
So in your opinion, what are the best values at Disney?
 
Kids meals work out very reasonable as you get two sides and a drink so it's a full meal. For instance you can get chicken nuggets with fries, a cookie and a drink for around $6 or other meal variations for the same price or thereabouts. Granted not as filling as a adult meal but you get the cookie, plus the free drink, which doesn't come with any adult meal.
 
Right now I have all of my TS meals as breakfasts and lunch to save there.

Sorry, I am a little confused. Are you saying you have table service meals scheduled for breakfasts in an effort to be increase value and save money? Breakfast is by far the least value for table service meals.

As far as snacks that can "work" as meals....yak & yeti has fried rice which is not also good but big and very filling. Cinnamon roll at gaston's tavern. The Croissant Jambon Fromage at Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie is a GREAT deal. Fruit and Nutella waffle from Sleepy Hollow. The pizzas from Via Napoli.
 
Sharing QS and TS meals is a good way to save money and still visit multiple restaurants, so why not try this instead of looking for inexpensive options. You're just not able to share buffet meals.
 


Sorry, I am a little confused. Are you saying you have table service meals scheduled for breakfasts in an effort to be increase value and save money? Breakfast is by far the least value for table service meals.

As far as snacks that can "work" as meals....yak & yeti has fried rice which is not also good but big and very filling. Cinnamon roll at gaston's tavern. The Croissant Jambon Fromage at Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie is a GREAT deal. Fruit and Nutella waffle from Sleepy Hollow. The pizzas from Via Napoli.

I don't think they are on the dining plan; they're looking for high quantity meals for less money.

  • 1/2 chicken at FT BBQ in AK
  • Earl of Sandwich in DS

The full combo meal of ribs, chicken and pork at FT would be a better value. One or two of those with a couple baskets of fries would easily feed a family of four.
Assuming your TS meals are mostly buffets, get your soda/tea/coffee fix there and drink water at your other meal.
Sunshine Seasons and Tangeriene Cafe in EP both have larger meals you can share
Cosmic Rays at MK is another larger meal place.

You may also want to scope out the places that still have a fixings bar. You can load up your entrees with extra stuff to fill you up. Pecos Bill and Cosmic Rays in MK have one. Restaurantasaurus in AK has one.

Two TS places that may save you some money are Via Napoli in EP and 50s Prime Time at HS. One of the mezzo pizzas with an app and/or dessert to share at Via Napoli would be less than $70 total. Two of the samplings at 50s would be less than $50. Of course, you'll need to tip at both of these as well.

One word of advice. Check the prices of your TS lunch choices. The majority of WDW restaurants have gone to an all day menu, so you may not be saving any money by choosing lunch. If that is so, you could move some of those to a later time to spread out your food during the day.
 
they're looking for high quantity meals for less money

Then definitely skip table service breakfasts.

Another tip to save money go to the closest DVC resort and buy things from their market to keep in your room for breakfast. (Boxes of cereal for example). There is also gas station just outside the front of the Boardwalk resort which will also have soft drinks, snacks, etc that you can keep in your room and/or bring into the park. Depending on your resort the best way to get there is to take a bus to Hollywood Studios (or to the boardwalk from a theme park), walk over to the gas station then bus back via Hollywood Studios.
 
Sorry, I am a little confused. Are you saying you have table service meals scheduled for breakfasts in an effort to be increase value and save money? Breakfast is by far the least value for table service meals.

To clarify, two of my three TS meals are lunches. I'd like to book one more. Right now I have The Brown Derby and Sanaa because they both have semi-reasonably priced lunch options, seem well liked, and offer a solid experience. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, so I'm planning on Whispering Canyon for the AYCTE breakfast platter. I figure I can eat a large breakfast, eat a snack for lunch, and then have an early dinner.


I don't think they are on the dining plan; they're looking for high quantity meals for less money.

I was thinking of value a little more broadly than this actually. I'd rather pay a few dollars more for a higher quality meal or a better experience versus a standard QS meal.


Another tip to save money go to the closest DVC resort and buy things from their market to keep in your room for breakfast. (Boxes of cereal for example). There is also gas station just outside the front of the Boardwalk resort which will also have soft drinks, snacks, etc that you can keep in your room and/or bring into the park. Depending on your resort the best way to get there is to take a bus to Hollywood Studios (or to the boardwalk from a theme park), walk over to the gas station then bus back via Hollywood Studios.

Thanks for this! I am staying off-site at a DS Resort on Hotel Blvd. I'm planning to either take an Uber to the grocery store or order Instacart to get some breakfast foods, snacks, and drinks.
 


A few of the TS restaurants have appetizers that are plenty big enough for a meal. The french onion soup at the France restaurant (can't remember the name) is huge, the appetizer cobb salad at Brown Derby is huge. Some of the bars/lounges have lounge food that is fairly decent priced and filling. I had the kobe sliders at Nomad Lounge in AK and couldn't finish it all. I agree with kid's meals at quick service, it is all I ever eat if eating at one. Most of the TS meals can be shared as well. My son and I shared an appetizer and main dish at Skipper's and walked away stuffed (he's a grown man, not a kid). The Palace at MK has huge servings that could very easily be shard.
 
Right now I have The Brown Derby and Sanaa because they both have semi-reasonably priced lunch options, seem well liked, and offer a solid experience

If you're comfortable with no ADR, the Brown Derby LOUNGE actually has more to offer in the way of less expensive, but quality food. They don't take ADRs; it's first come, first served, but if you're not going during one of the 3 or 4 busiest weeks, you should have no problem.
 
Via Napoli for sure. The large pizza can easily feed 2-4 people depending on appetites. Plus you can split the pizza with two different types (ie half pepperoni, half specialty). Also, at most places, the appetizers are big enough to be meals and are considerably cheaper than the entrees. For reasonable prices all around and good food, check out the Wave. I had a very good steak there for ~$30 instead of the normal $50 at other Disney TS places.
 
For good QS meals I like Contempo Café, Sunshine Seasons, Tangierine Café, and the POR food court.
 
To clarify, two of my three TS meals are lunches. I'd like to book one more. Right now I have The Brown Derby and Sanaa because they both have semi-reasonably priced lunch options, seem well liked, and offer a solid experience. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, so I'm planning on Whispering Canyon for the AYCTE breakfast platter. I figure I can eat a large breakfast, eat a snack for lunch, and then have an early dinner.




I was thinking of value a little more broadly than this actually. I'd rather pay a few dollars more for a higher quality meal or a better experience versus a standard QS meal.




Thanks for this! I am staying off-site at a DS Resort on Hotel Blvd. I'm planning to either take an Uber to the grocery store or order Instacart to get some breakfast foods, snacks, and drinks.[/QUOT

if you happen to be an Amazon Prime member....go to the Prime Pantry...they have all the breakfast foods, snacks and drinks you need and it's nor over priced and they will ship it for free. We use it all the time!
 
I thought it was $5.99 for prime members to have prime pantry boxes shipped. It's only free if you buy 5 qualifying items from their special list.
 
Coming from the UK, where tipping is definitely not expected and tax is already included in the advertised price, we find TS and signature dining really adds up when you get the bill compared to what you see on the advertised menu. QS is much better value if you are on a budget. For some TS meals the tip alone would pay for another QS meal, if you're budget is that tight.
 
Don't be afraid to have an appetizer at a TS for lunch. Our cheapest meal (myself plus 8 year old DS) was at Skipper Canteen. Kid had a kid meal and I had an appetizer and a dessert. Two appetizers would have been even better than app and dessert since I am not a dessert person. Even with specialty drink total bill was $34 with tip which is not much more than a QS (we did have the AP discount). I found appetizer portions to be rather large at disney.
 
I understand what you are saying. We too prefer table service food but sometimes the dinner prices are out of the budget. These are the places that I have found that have fed my family of 4 (although its really 2 adult meals and 1 kid meals as my kids can still split a kids meal)

MK:
BOG for lunch is our favorite. We like to go to the room on the irght (the one with them dancing) and spread out at one of the booths in the back.
The Plaza. We tried this the other weekend and really liked it, we did end up spending a little more because who couldn't resist one of their milkshakes?
Crystal Palace lunch is $30 per person I think, so a little more reasonable for a character meal.

For the record I hate cosmic rays, tomorrowland terrace and the pinocchio pizza place, these are the bad theme park quick service places I try so hard to avoid.

Epcot:

As others suggested Via Napoli is great. Even though the pizza is overpriced it is filling and feeds many (we had leftovers) and was less than $50. I also think the quick services in the countries are the best quick service in the parks.

Hollywood Studios:
We had a good lunch at Sci-Fi diner.

Animal Kingdom:
Flametree barbque is ok. Not as good as I was hoping but better than others. A long time ago I had the Yak n yeti quick service that was ok too. You can do ok at Rainforrest cafe as well.

We also liked Whispering Canyon for lunch but we were staying at Wilderness Lodge that trip. And if you are staying on property I just love so,e mickey waffles (the kids meal is good for me) for $5.

Others I plan on trying:
Brown Derby Lounge, Beaches and Cream, Biergarten lunch (with AP discount)
 
If you love breakfast, I'd recommend The Wave in the Contemporary. Their buffet is $23 per person if I remember right (reasonable by Disney buffet standards) and the quality is sky high. And you'll be full for hours. Long enough to make it to a quick service dinner.
 
Crystal Palace lunch is $30 per person I think, so a little more reasonable for a character meal.

Crystal Palace is now $47.93 for both lunch and dinner. There is no lunch pricing hardly anywhere at WDW anymore. If you want to do a late breakfast and try to get some of the lunch turn around, breakfast is $34.08.
 
Kona for lunch, Whispering Canyon for lunch, and Trail's End for Breakfast seem to be better values!...If you have the Disney Visa, don't forget that you can get 10% off at certain places!
 

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