Welcome back to another edition of Money Saving Tips at Walt Disney World!
Today’s tip is one my family has used since I was a kid, and now I use this hack. Pack your lunch. My dad used to throw a few peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in his backpack and call it a day. This was a way for us to make an affordable dining plan. The rule was that if we packed lunch, we were able to eat dinner somewhere in the park.
Of course, we didn’t pack elaborate lunches; it was mainly sandwiches and fruit that would be in the bag. As I mentioned, this has transpired into my life these days. My favorite meals to bring into the parks are Publix subs, Subway sandwiches, and Uncrustables. When I bring subs or sandwiches into the park, I usually split them with my partner to save even more money.
Speaking of splitting food. Another money-saving hack regarding food is to share. When we visit table-service dining locations, we tend to share a meal because, yes, it helps save money, but at most places, the servings are enormous, which makes sharing worth it.
One of our favorite places to do this at Nine Dragons in EPCOT. The serving sizes at that restaurant are huge, and the average price of an entree is $25. At the end of the meal, each of us ends up spending about $13 unless we order an appetizer to share. Then we tend to pay $17 each, obviously, after using our Annual Passholder discount.
If you are a local and don’t feel like carrying a bag into the park filled with food, my advice is to grab a bite before getting to the parks. Quick-service dining locations outside Disney are noticeably cheaper than those on property.
List of nearby affordable food options
- MOD Pizza
- Chicken Salad Chick
- Panda Express
- Little Greek Restaurant
- White Castle
- Tijuana Flats
- Sofrito Latin Cafe
Whether it’s from a quick-service, table-service, or to-go window, buying food at Disney can add up and drain your wallet. These are just some ways to save money on food. I wish Disney would implement an Annual Pass discount for quick-service locations like Universal Orlando. It helps shave a dollar or two off the final price, which can add up. I doubt they will ever do that.
Do you have any money-saving tips regarding food at Walt Disney World? Let us know in the comments.
Hi, I'm Erica, and I write about all things Disney. Before working for The DIS, I was a theme park performer at SeaWorld, but I also performed at Disney. I have such an immense love for theme parks to the point I studied them in college.
