Disney dining for large families on a budget

[Cbtexan04]

Perhaps a very well discussed subject, but I figured I would bring it up with the focus on best "bang for your buck!". Next year we will be treating my in laws to a Disney trip, which will make a total of 13 people (9 adults, 4 kids). We would love to make 2-3 ADRs, and have a couple of "in the pocket" places to take them to that won't break the bank.

I was hoping to hear about cost-effective options (this might be an oxymoron at Disney), preferably outside of the park (will only be doing a single MK day, the rest resort + Disney Springs). Not strictly looking for cheap-- for instance we will possibly due Ohana due to it's popularity here on the boards-- but we'll call it "value"

As an example, Blaze Pizza in DS is a great value; the food is great, and the kiddos can easily eat 2 to a pizza. Anyhow, thanks in advance!

 

[reluctantredhead]

Would making the trip during Free Dining dates be a possibility? You don't mention if you're staying on or off property, but that seems like it might be an option worth exploring...I believe I've read it can be a really good cost savings for larger families.

In the MK, The Plaza is one of the lower priced sit-down restaurants, and the food is simple but good, with large portions. IMHO it's not that much more expensive than MK counter service, and much more pleasant and relaxing.

In general, we find the buffets pricey unless you have the dining plan. Plus, we're vegetarians and typically share meals, so the value isn't there for us.

And generally speaking, lunch is lower priced than dinner.

Hopefully others will chime in with more. Hope your family has a wonderful trip!

 

[Cbtexan04]

Would making the trip during Free Dining dates be a possibility? You don't mention if you're staying on or off property, but that seems like it might be an option worth exploring...I believe I've read it can be a really good cost savings for larger families.

In the MK, The Plaza is one of the lower priced sit-down restaurants, and the food is simple but good, with large portions. IMHO it's not that much more expensive than MK counter service, and much more pleasant and relaxing.

In general, we find the buffets pricey unless you have the dining plan. Plus, we're vegetarians and typically share meals, so the value isn't there for us.

And generally speaking, lunch is lower priced than dinner.

Hopefully others will chime in with more. Hope your family has a wonderful trip!

Thanks for the reply! We will be staying on our DVC points, so unfortunately no dining plan for us

The buffets *can* be decently priced, but I can't keep up with all of the price hikes around the various restaurants, which also means I'm not sure which ones are the best value anymore. My wife loves Boma, so even though that's a bit pricier, we might end up putting that on the list.

++ to eating at sit downs during lunch (or breakfast, where available)!

 

[reluctantredhead]

Thanks for the reply! We will be staying on our DVC points, so unfortunately no dining plan for us

The buffets *can* be decently priced, but I can't keep up with all of the price hikes around the various restaurants, which also means I'm not sure which ones are the best value anymore. My wife loves Boma, so even though that's a bit pricier, we might end up putting that on the list.

++ to eating at sit downs during lunch (or breakfast, where available)!

I actually agree with your wife about Boma...it's my favorite buffet in all of WDW! And it's one of the few (along with Tusker House) that we vegetarians can get a decent value out of because they have so many veg options already on the buffet!

One other thing i thought of...you might check out Disney Food Blog for info on the best value buffets/restaurants. In a quick google search, I found a blog post of theirs entitled "Top 5 Budget Friendly Table-Service Restaurants", and I found a youtube video for "Best Disney Restaurants When You're On a Budget." I'd post the links, but I'm not sure if we're allowed to.

 

[SinCityMMAFan]

If you're looking for a buffet restaurant that's priced decently with some really good food I would look into Trail's End at Fort Wilderness. It's just a quick boat ride from MK to FW and the restaurant is not too far from where the boat drops you off. They only serve breakfast and dinner here but the dinner buffet is a really great value. I believe it's around the $30 per adult price range while kids are in the $20 price range. The dinner buffet serves Fried Chicken which is phenomenal as well as Peel n Eat Shrimp, Ribs, Mac and Cheese, Pizza, Pasta, Carved meats, Salmon, a good sized soup and salad bar, as well as a dessert station. This place is a hidden gem in my opinion because the food is that hearty comfort food and this restaurant is very easy to get a reservation at.

 

[Cbtexan04]

If you're looking for a buffet restaurant that's priced decently with some really good food I would look into Trail's End at Fort Wilderness. It's just a quick boat ride from MK to FW and the restaurant is not too far from where the boat drops you off. They only serve breakfast and dinner here but the dinner buffet is a really great value. I believe it's around the $30 per adult price range while kids are in the $20 price range. The dinner buffet serves Fried Chicken which is phenomenal as well as Peel n Eat Shrimp, Ribs, Mac and Cheese, Pizza, Pasta, Carved meats, Salmon, a good sized soup and salad bar, as well as a dessert station. This place is a hidden gem in my opinion because the food is that hearty comfort food and this restaurant is very easy to get a reservation at.

That's a great suggestion, thank you! We do enjoy our seafood, and the kids would be fine with mac and cheese and pizza!

 

[Axel]

I second Trail's End as a great buffet! I've eaten there many times and love it.

Also as a PP said, the Disney Food Blog is a great resource.

 

[purple figment]

Some additional ways to stretch your dining budget:

If there are some in your group with small appetites they can share at counter service restaurants and table service restaurants where you order from a menu. You cannot share and everyone 3 and older will have to pay at buffets, all you care to eat family style restaurants, fixed price venues (e.g. CRT, Akershus), dinner shows (Hoop De Doo, Spirit of Aloha Luau, Mickey's Backyard Barbecue), show packages (e.g. Fantasmic, ROL, dessert parties), and special events (e.g. Dine with an Imagineer or Animal Specialist. If you are on the Dining Plan Via Napoli will not let you use one credit to feed 2 or more people, but out of pocket this won't be a problem.

At counter service restaurants anyone can order from the children's menu. Most table service restaurants will allow the same although some will increase the portion and the price, but I think you can ask your server if you don't want a larger serving. I say "most" because occasionally a restaurant or server won't allow an adult to order from the children's menu so you'll have to ask each time.

Appetizers make excellent entrees for smaller appetites and, generally, are less expensive than regular main courses.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Via Napoli. The pizza is great and they have pretty big pizzas.

 

[Deb & Bill]

They may have raised the prices at Trails End. Here is what it says on the Disney website:
Magic Kingdom Resort Area

The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort

American Cuisine
Buffet/Family Style, Casual Dining

$$$ ($35 to $59.99 per adult) More Information Range reflects the average price of adult dinner entrées (breakfast and lunch generally cost less), except Character Dining locations, buffet locations, dinner shows, and special dining events where range reflects the average adult price of entire meal and non-alcoholic beverages. Range excludes alcoholic beverages, taxes and gratuities except at dinner shows where beer and wine, taxes and gratuities are included.

 

[cutigerlady]

The character breakfast at the Swan is really good and very affordable. I think it’s still $19.99 on weekends and cheaper during the week. The characters were Pluto and Goofy when we went.

We ate at the new Chicken Guy restaurant at DS and it was very good and affordable! We got one meal (fries and a drink), a four piece chicken tenders and a water for under $20 that was more than enough for 2 adults.

 

[cutigerlady]

Another favorite of ours is the takeout pizza from the Boardwalk. Grab a couple of pizzas and sit on the tables outside. Then we watch the different acts on the boardwalk for free before splitting the 4 scoop sundae at ice cream
shop.

 

[lovewdwdvc]

Trails End and Via Napoli are good choices. Trails End includes beverage. When we were family of 6 we always drank just water and shared at many meals.

 

[amie416]

Last trip we discovered that a loaded foot-long hotdog is more than enough food for two adults!