Need some DVC food/money saving advice!

[rutgers1]

Hello Everyone............Our family of 4 became a family of 5 with the addition of a 10 year old foster child. He will be with us for our upcoming trip in August. While we normally watch our expenses when visiting Disney, this will be even more important this year with 3 growing/hungry boys.

Here are our details:
1) GROUP: Mom, Dad, 3 boys ages 15, 14, and 10 (all considered "adults" by Disney Dining)
2) DURATION: It is a 2 week trip.
3) LODGING: For week 1, we are staying in a 2BR villa at AKV. For week 2, we are staying in a 1BR at OKW.
4) MONEY SITUATION: This could be the trip that breaks the bank. We need to be creative. We don't have to pinch every last penny, but we need to limit the expensive dinners.

Questions:
*** Will we definitely have access to large pots (for cooking pasta) and baking pans in the 1BR and 2BR villas?
*** Do you have any in-village food suggestions?
*** Any suggestions for places we can go to within the parks and Downtown Disney where we can get the "eating out" experience while still keeping costs down?

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

 

[Sandisw]

I don't cook when there so I can't help with that but I do think that the food at Wolfgang Puck Express in DTD offers a good deal in terms of portion vs. price.

 

[disneynutz]

Rent a car for a day to do your own shopping. Focus on easy meals like family size lasagna, hot dogs, fried chicken from Publix.

WPE market place is a great value especially if you buy discounted gift cards from Costco.

Bill

 

[DisneyRegulars]

You will have several size pots available and enough kitchen items to get by cooking most things. Cookie sheets included. We love Earl of Sandwich for an economical yet delicious dinner out. Our favorite money savers are to bring lots of snacks into the parks with us so we can snack and not get caught with no other option but to buy a park snack or meal. Last trip we brought a crockpot with us, and made two meals with it. It fit nicely in my roller carry in bag. Disney will move your food for you when you switch places.

 

[jekjones1558]

If you won't have a car there are several grocery delivery services that will allow you to order the food you want at prices that are much cheaper than food in the resort shops. At DTD Earl of Sandwich has dynamite sandwiches and salads made-to-order at great prices. There is often a long line to order but it moves pretty fast. Breakfast is also available there. If you have a car I would recommend going off property to eat. The food will be as good or better; the prices and variety will be much better. Sweet Tomatoes is a good quality buffet in Crossroads Center that would be great for growing boys. Sign up on their website for coupons. You might even want to watch for deals on chain restaurant gift cards (at the very least Target gives 5% off if you use your Target credit card). Virtually every chain restaurant is nearby.

 

[MAO]

The pots may not be as large as you'd like, but there should be at least a couple of them. My sister makes noodles ahead of time, puts them in a Ziploc bag, and then heats that up in water when she's ready to make dinner. You might be able to 'cook ahead', perhaps after dinner while everyone is winding down, a couple of batches of noodles to make enough for the next meal.

There should be a pan or two to bake with - the one time I wanted to bake, though, it was actually larger than what I'd wanted! So be prepared to improvise.

If you're driving, by all means bring a crockpot. If you're flying, I'd certainly look into renting a car or taking a taxi somewhere to get food. Bell Services *will* transfer your food as well as your luggage when you move from AKV to OKW though, of course, the more you have for them to move the more potential problems that might arise. So if you can make some sort of tentative food plan before you get there in order to use up as much of the cooked food/leftovers as you can before your move, I'd think the better off you'd be.

Both of those places evidently have a charcoal grill available for use. Would that satisfy the boys' "dining out" expectations?

 

[chrish2]

Are you flying in? Before Magical Express or when flying in to Sanford we use to use a company called quicksilver. In the airport transfer price there was an optional (but free) 'grocery shop'. It was really handy for getting the staples in. Also consider car hire for a week. If you are planning on leaving disney property it may work out cheaper than taxis. Remember there is no 'disney tax' on restaurants off site! You can also go for proper shop

There are more than one car hire company at the 'Buena Vista Palace Hotel' which is walkable for Downtown Disney (and Saratoga Springs Resort). With AKV as your first resort you will have to be mindful that buses to Downtown Disney start a little later than other locations so check before booking car hire. You can also use the Car Service Centre and they will pick you up (but heard mixed stories about wait times).

Thinking about it if only one is going to the driver you could pool hop (if members) to Saratoga Springs and the driver go and collect the car, go for lunch or dinner off site (depending on time of day) and on the way back go food shopping.

 

[Anal Annie]

We also need to vacation on a budget and try to limit our TS meals and typically use the TIW card - since you will have a large group that could be a real saver for you since it's a percentage based discount. If you want to plan a handful of budget based meals out over the 2 weeks in addition to cooking in your villa the one place we love to go to each trip is The Plaza in MK. It is TS dining but it is the cheapest TS in the whole of WDW. It is only a tad bit more than CS but is real sit-down service and fairly quick. If you have never been you should look at the menu. They have burgers, reubens, meatloaf, tuna salad, cheese steaks etc. and the prices (currently) range from $11.99 to $17.99. http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?restaurant.id=150#menu

I agree with another poster that Wolfgang Puck Express and the Wolfgang Cafe in DTD is decent as well and among some of the more moderately priced "good" places. http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?restaurant.id=559

We also like Via Napoli in Epcot - you could get an extra large size (mezzo metro they call it) pizza for $41 or so and since they are HUGE you could probably get by with one of those + a couple of appetizers. (The 15 yo may need more if they're like my teen?!) http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?restaurant.id=579#menu Earl of Sandwich in DTD is your basic sandwich & sub shop - but decent and cheap.

Starring Roles Cafe in HS has reasonably priced sandwiches and sushi. http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?restaurant.id=221

You might also consider that some places are cheaper for lunch menus than dinner and plan to eat your "big meal out" for lunch rather than dinner. A lot of places have the exact same menu (and same prices) but some vary. I think the Biergarten Restaurant in Epcot and Liberty Tree Tavern in MK are a couple of places that are cheaper for lunch than for dinner. And Be Our Guest in MK is DEFINITELY cheaper for lunch than for dinner. They have announced that they will begin taking reservations for lunch beginning Feb. 25th. I would think going there for lunch would be a special treat maybe, if only for the atmosphere? http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?restaurant.id=615

Good luck planning!!

 

[Song of the South]

We packed picnic lunches several days on our past trip. It was great--cost effective, novel, and better, more nutritious food then counter service could provide. We did a variety of sandwiches, chips, apples etc. We also did a more European picnic of cheeses, crackers, yogurt, oranges. We took a soft sided cooler with us for carrying lunch. We toted in lemonade and water to drink.

Not to be a parade rainer but have you checked with your case manager to verify your foster son can leave the state with you? I have known families who had disappointing answers to that question. Thank you for loving on that boy!

SotS

 

[perditax]

I noticed that one of the guides I read recently, probably Unofficial Guide to WDW, showed a cost comparison for grocery shopping between local Publix, Winn Dixie and Wal-Mart. It only had about ten common items and there were no clear winners, but it might be worth taking a look at the table. I think it was in a piece about grocery delivery.

 

[DisneyHeather]

When we went with my whole family (moms and siblings) there were 10 of us. We flew from California and used one suitcase for stuff like boxes of cereal and macaroni and cheese and noodles and stuff to make spaghetti. PB&J, snack stuff like granola bars and things. We then used Garden Grocer to deliver the perishables that we were needing and we had breakfast in the room all but 2 days of our trip We also had dinner in the room most of the nights (frozen lasagna, tacos, spaghetti, frozen pizza). We still ate out like once a day but it saved us a lot of money and is something we will be doing each time we visit with all of us for sure.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

We travel with a group of 10, and we do a lot if cooking in the room. We do a big grocery trip when we first get there. We always plan on breakfast in the room - English muffins, eggs, etc. We bring a lot of snacks into the parks, and try to avoid stopping for a lunch - we bring crackers, granola bars, trail mix, apples, cheese, pepperoni, grapes.

We usually bring a crockpot, and try to do dinner in the room as often as possible. We order pizza in one night, and plan out meals like spaghetti and meatballs, shepard's pie, chicken nuggets and tater tots, etc. the kids get dinners we don't often do at home , plus if we're back in the room for dinner, they can go swimming after dinner

We do plan a few meals out - our kids are younger, so we do one character breakfast. We also try to do dinner at 'Ohana once, as well as a night getting dinner around World Showcase. My kids don't think a trip is complete without dinner at Tangeirine Cafe

 

[heynowirv]

We generally rent a car and stop at target on our way from the airport. Breakfast and lunch items mostly.This time no car but we are using We Go Shopping,they will buy whatever you want wherever you tell them to shop.They will buy adult beverages if you would like.If you have a late flight they'll leave things with Bell Services who will keep your refrigerator items cold and frozen items frozen until you get there and deliver to your room.

 

[bianca]

You've gotten some great ideas already. To add to the recommendations of Wolfgang Puck for dining out, I always order WP gift cards from Costco, as they sell 2/$50 gift cards for 79.99 on their website. If you don't have a membership, perhaps you know someone that does. Also, at WPE, you aren't expected to leave a 18% gratuity, as all they do is bring your food to the table. We love the place and always make it a part of our trip.

In addition, if you look at Restaurant.com, they are always having great sales on their certificates. Last month we used a $50 off a total bill of $100+ At House of Blues DTD that I purchased for $10 before I left home. Just get used to their pricing, as you don't want to overpay for certificates. I have gotten them for as low as $2 in the past, although I haven't seen prices that low in quite some time.

 

[achang2001]

We went to Trails End one night...buffet at Fort Wilderness with down home cooking, ie fried chicken, ribs, cornbread, salad, mashed and baked potatoes, Mac and cheese. We did it on our MK day so we just took the boat over. It's the least expensive onsite buffet. Surprisingly, this was the on-site meal that our friends enjoyed the most (mom, dad & 2 boys ages 6, 13) and we took them to Tusker House, T Rex, Crystal Palace, Ohanas, and Boma on our last trip!
Also, we stopped at Costco on our way to the resort from the airport...got take and bake pizza, lasagna, salad, frozen pasta meals, bagels, fruit, yogurt, bottled water. Then stopped at Walmart and got eggs, cinnamon rolls, milk, juice, cereal, bread, ham, PB and jelly, etc. Feeding a family of 5 adults at Disney is usually $200/meal. Tried to eat breakfast in our villa most mornings and had a couple of dinners in the room on our resort days. I would make a shopping list and rent a car and go shopping at least 1 day shortly after you arrive. It will save you several hundred dollars! You could eat off site that night (since you will have a car)! We really enjoyed an early dinner at Bahama Breeze one night and ordered a bunch of their 1/2 off appetizers during happy hour...2 weeks is a long time to be at WDW and food costs will definitely add up!

 

[com_op_2000]

DW usually makes a one pot meal:
Stew
Soup
Lasagna
As we usually stay in studios, these work out great for reheating in the microwave. We sometimes will eat breakfast out and then depending on what we are doing that day either lunch or dinner in the room every day.

 

[Brian Noble]

I think most of these have been mentioned, but the best bang-for-buck buffets at WDW are Trail's End dinner ($24/adult), Biergarten lunch ($26/adult), and Crystal Palace Lunch ($30/adult). Add tax and tip to these. With three growing boys, you'll want a few meals that will allow them to fill up!

 

[Docmom]

We always have breakfast in the room. Simple and quick. Usually do a big table service meal for lunch and then something lighter for dinner, either in the room or at the parks. Via Napoli is good to be able to split a large pizza and a salad. Trails End has a take out fried chicken family meal. Perhaps you could get that and have a picnic? Not sure if they have paper plates with it. Their dinner buffet is good, not expensive and filling. Agree with all the posts about renting a car (unless you are driving) and going to one of the grocery stores. Publix has their ads online and usually run Thursday to Wednesday. They often have a lot of B1G1 deals. Get some handy snacks you can bring into the parks too.

 

[Katie10]

It hard to make large meals in the resort rooms. But, you can make it work with extra planning. I make a good part of my meals in the rooms. Here's some of my tips. In the past I have rented a car for the day (which ended up being about $80) and went to Walmart for food. I spent a ton of time there because I did not know my way around this store. I spent the whole first day of my vacation flying, checking-in, unpacking, renting a car, food shopping, and putting away groceries. By the time I was done, I thought there has to be a better way. I did my research! Now I order my groceries from garden grocer. The food might cost a little more then if you did the shopping yourself, but, if you factor in the time it took you to go food shopping and the price to rent a car, I end up breaking even. I plan out every meal that I plan on making. If I am going to bake more then 4-5 pieces of chicken, it's not going to fit in the pans that the villas provide so I either pack disposable aluminum pans or pack a stainless steel pan in my checked bag. I am also going to try something new this coming trip (as long as my checked bag doesn't get lost, it should work out great). I am going to cut up rotisserie chicken and freeze it to have for chicken salad. I will put it in a insulated bag with frozen waters. I am also gonna grab a few other things like lunch meats and throw them in the insulated bag too. That way when you get to Disney, you only have to get bread and mayo so you can already throw together something quick. I am also planning on baking a bunch of potatoes for sides (which is cheap) with dinner. Pasta salad is always cheap and refreshing too. Packing your own snacks in your checked bag is always gentler on the wallet too. I am also going to send a box of things I wouldn't want to pack in my suitcase about 10days before we head to Disney. I plan on bringing our own lunches to a couple of the parks so I always pack a cooler bag (one that you can crush down). Frozen waters are always great to bring into the parks too. That's all I can think of right now, hope this helps!

 

[dbs1228]

We just got back from a 8 night trip with 7 adults and as with all our trips we pack some of the lighter weight foods such as cereal, coffee, mac and cheese, bagels in our suit cases. We also go to our local grocery store and get cold cuts for the week that I pack in a small soft sided cooler or lunch box and put in our carry on (we only have a 2 1/2 hour flight and if our room is not ready when we arrive bell services puts the cooler in a fridge for us). We do a big grocery shop while there and usually do spaghetti and meat balls (store bought kind), using left over meatballs for subs the next day for lunch or dinner, buy burger to make burgers one night and taco's another, chicken with a dry rub or shake and bake and a big salad using left overs to make a big salad with chicken in it the next day. Everything I make is simple and can incorporate to another meal. We eat breakfast in almost everyday and one other meal depending where we are. We have saved so much money by eating in and with my girls they actually prefer it. Also I pack sandwich bags so if we decide we want to pack a sandwich for the park we can and I bring the big freezer bags to store the left overs since the containers in the room are limited