How to Save Money on Food at Disney World

You may not be able to save on your park tickets, but you can definitely save money on food at Disney World. With all the walking, you definitely don’t want to be hungry or dehydrated during your fun day. Having a plan for your food at Disney World will help you have a more enjoyable vacation. Here are 12 ways you can save both time and money at any theme park, including Universal, or Seaworld.

OUTSIDE THE THEME PARKS

1. Shop at the grocery store. This is the number one thing that will save money on food at Disney World. While travelling, especially when visiting a theme park like Disney World, you want to stick to a budget for food. If your room has a kitchen, it will be super easy to prepare simple dishes in your room. Usually, plates, silverware, and some simple cooking pans are available in the kitchen for you to use. If you don’t have a car to make a grocery run, you can utilize an Uber, or simply order the groceries to be delivered to your room. No kitchen? You might still have a microwave and refrigerator available to heat food and keep food cold. Sandwiches, microwaveable meals, snack bars, etc. will keep you from getting hangry. Here are some great ideas on where to stay in Orlando that include places with full kitchens.

2. Utilize the free breakfast at your hotel. Many hotels offer breakfast for free. If yours does, make sure to use that option. Even if you just have a yogurt and a banana, this will eliminate one meal that you need to purchase. It is super convenient also, since it will be right in your hotel lobby. If you aren’t staying somewhere with free breakfast, buy some bagels, cereal, eggs, or whatever your favorites are and still have breakfast before heading out for the day.

3. Eat breakfast and dinner outside the park. Eating out outside of the them park will be much ore inexpensive than inside. While it is difficult to do so for lunch in the middle of the day, eating outside the parks is pretty easy for breakfast in the morning, or dinner in the evening.

4. Services such as Uber Eats or pizza delivery can bring food right to your room. This is helpful if you don’t have a car, or are just to tired to drive around. Alternatively, if you are driving anyway, you can use a drive through on your way back to your hotel. Just take the bags of food right to your room and relax while you have dinner.

5. Eat fast food when outside the park. Even if you want to go inside and sit at a table, eating at fast food places can be inexpensive and also save a bundle of your time. This isn’t always the healthiest option, but many places do offer salads and healthier items. Plus, you are on vacation! Dine in options are much more expensive. They are also time consuming. If your family really wants to have a meal at a nearby restaurant, go for it. Just have one meal there instead of eating there every single day.

6. Keep your favorite snacks on hand. Back at the room, or if they are small enough to bring along to the park, keep some favorites on hand. Especially things you rarely eat, or only have on special occasions. It will make the time feel special for kids and adults alike if they get to look forward to and eat items they love. Unwinding at the end of a long day with your favorite snack will help keep everyone happy. Cheez Its, beef jerky, popcorn, or a gallon of ice cream from the grocery store can really be something to look forward to after a long day.

7. Make a grocery list and have a food budget before you leave home. I know we discussed getting groceries in number 1, but making a list before leaving home can make things so much easier. Nothing is worse than wandering around a store you have never been inside and not even knowing what you are looking for. I have done this many times. I do not recommend it, especially if you have tired, hungry, or impatient family members waiting. Make a plan before you leave. Have a list of what you will buy. If you see something at the store that looks amazing, you can always go ahead and change things a bit last minute, no problems there. Even if you plan to order your groceries delivered, making the list at home can save so much time and stress. Don’t spend hours buying groceries. Instead, spend minutes to save money on food at Disney World. At the bottom of the page are a few examples of easy and budget friendly meals to buy at the grocery store.

INSIDE THE THEME PARKS

8. Bring a water bottle with you. Bringing water will not only help keep you hydrated, but it will help you not to spend a bundle of your food budget on overpriced drinks inside the Disney World parks. If you decide you don’t want to carry a water bottle around all day, bring a disposable water bottle that you can either refill or throw away. Still don’t want to carry the water? Just order a free cup of water at any of the restaurants. If you are not purchasing a drink at Disney World, you will save a lot of money. Drinking water will also keep you from getting too hungry between meals.

9. Plan to eat out only one time per day. Eating at a theme park is expensive. In addition to costing an arm and a leg, it usually takes up a lot of time. Expect to encounter long lines when buying food at Disney World, not only to order the food, but to receive the food. Limiting the number of visits you make to the restaurants can improve your park experience. Planning your meal at an off peak time may also allow you to encounter a shorter line and a shorter wait time.

10. Bring small snacks with you. Having a protein bar, granola bar, or even a sandwich along with you can be a lifesaver, especially with kids. When you are hungry, you are hungry. This will come quickly, especially if you ate a light breakfast and are doing a lot of walking, which is likely. A small nonperishable snack will make your day much more pleasant, and not only keep your stomach full, but it will keep your brain less frazzled as you don’t need to frantically search for a place to buy food.

11. Utilize food carts. Purchase some popcorn or a Mickey Mouse pretzel or ice cream bar at a food cart. These are fun to eat. Your family can share them and will enjoy the novelty. Usually, there is no line to purchase.

12. Eat fast food in the park. The “fast food” type of restaurants may also have long lines. They will be more budget and time friendly than a sit down restaurant inside Disney World. Tomorrowland Terrace is a great option in the Magic Kingdom.

11. Keep your favorite snacks on hand. Back at the room, or if they are small enough to bring along to the park, keep some favorites on hand. Especially things you rarely eat, or only have on special occasions. It will make the time feel special for kids and adults alike if they get to look forward to and eat items they love. Unwinding at the end of a long day with your favorite snack will help keep everyone happy.

12. Make a grocery list and have a food budget before you leave home. I know we discussed getting groceries in number 1, but making a list before leaving home can make things so much easier. Nothing is worse than wandering around a store you have never been inside and not even knowing what you are looking for. I have done this many times. I do not recommend it, especially if you have tired, hungry, or impatient family members waiting. Make a plan before you leave. Have a list of what you will buy. If you see something at the store that looks amazing, you can always go ahead and change things a bit last minute, no problems there. Even if you plan to order your groceries delivered, making the list at home can save so much time and stress. Don’t spend hours buying groceries. Instead, spend minutes to save money on food at Disney World.