Visiting Disney World on a budget is actually easier than it may seem at first. It just takes a little planning and some money saving tips! Make sure you check out some of our other money (and time) saving hacks!
One of the easiest ways to save money is on your food choices. Yes, dining at Walt Disney World can be expensive (Cinderella’s Royal Table is a wonderful experience but you do pay for it!) but it doesn’t have to be. There are so many great meals for under $13 at the quick services restaurants throughout the resort. And another tip, a glass of ice water is always free – and will keep you more hydrated than a soda as well!
Here are some of my favorite quick service meals for under $13.
11. Mediterranean Salad with Chicken Breast, ABC Commissary, Commissary Lane, Hollywood Studios – Sometimes I need something light, especially for lunch! This salad combines mixed greens, tomatoes, onions, peppers, kalamata olives, and feta cheese, tosses it in a Greek vinaigrette and tops it with chicken. It is served with hummus and pita chips.
10. Vegetable Quiche, Be Our Guest, Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom – Vegetarian meals do tend to have a lower price point, but this one is still pretty darn tasty. My mom tried this on her first trip to Be Our Guest and is already asking me if we have plans to eat there again when we go back in a few months. Filled mushroom, zucchini, bell pepper, onion, and chive and served with baby lettuce and champagne vinaigrette this is a delicious dish that won’t break the bank.
9. Bacon Cheeseburger, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe, Tomorrowland, Magic Kingdom.
Yes, I know burgers are kind of a dime a dozen through the parks and resorts, but this one is a little extra special thanks to the free topping bar. The burger comes with french fries or green beans and the toppings bar includes items like fried onions, sauteed mushrooms, sauteed onions and sriracha aioli. They certainly add some flavor to this meal!
8. Oak-grilled Rotisserie Chicken, Sunshine Seasons, The Land Pavilion, Epcot – Sunshine Seasons tops my list for best food courts at Walt Disney World! There really is something for everyone and it’s all so good. This chicken is so good (it’s part of my all-time favorite Sunshine Seasons meal listed below!) and it’s served with black beans and yellow rice. It’s really filling and a little different than some of the rotisserie chicken meals you find on property.
7. Empanadas Platter, Fairfax Fare, Sunset Blvd, Hollywood Studios – At first I wasn’t sure I was a fan of the revamp of this menu, but this is one item I’m loving. Beef empanadas served with cilantro rice, black beans, tomato corn salsa, and sour cream, can we say yum! I also like the variety it adds to the food options at Hollywood Studios.
6. Nachos, la Cantina de San Angel, Mexico, Epcot – The nachos at la Cantina de San Angel are very filling. They are topped with ground beef, nacho cheese, black beans, tomatoes, jalapenos, and sour cream – add in a Margarita and it’s the perfect lunch, or even dinner!
5. Tonga Toast, Capt Cook’s, Polynesian Resort – Yes, I know this is a sneaky move, adding in a breakfast item since they are traditionally less expensive than those found at lunch or dinner – but seriously, Tonga Toast is a must have and it’s super affordable!
4. Beef Burrito, Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn and Cafe, Frontierland, Magic Kingdom – Served with barbacoa beef, cilantro rice and beans, at first this seems like a pretty bland offering. But then you make your way over to the Fixin’ Bar and things start looking up! Cheese, salsa, sour cream and guacamole are some of the items you’ll find on this (free) toppings bar. So while I may have cheated a bit (this meal is actually $13.49) the free guacamole is totally to blame!
3. Power Salad, Sunshine Seasons, The Land Pavilion, Epcot – This is probably my favorite meal in all of the Disney parks! I’m obsessed with this salad. It’s got oak-fired chicken, quinoa, almonds and honey vinaigrette over a bed of kale. It’s seriously so delicious, and healthy!
2. African Stew “Potjie”, The Mara, Animal Kingdom Lodge – This is definitely a unique meal and very, very hearty! The stew includes beef, turkey, ham, carrots, potatoes, peas, chickpeas, and raisins served over basmati rice – and it’s a nice amount of rice! A must try for something other than a tried and true burger!
1. The Original 1762, Earl of Sandwich, Downtown Disney – Since I had to pick just one offereing from the menu for this list I went with a classic but there are so many awesome sandwiches and salads at Earl of Sandwich – and all of them are under $13 – heck, they’re all under $8! If you’re at Downtown Disney this should be a must visit on your next Disney World trip!
Hungry yet? I know I am! Do you have a favorite quick service meal that won’t break the bank? Share you picks with your fellow readers in the comments below!
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I totally agree, the fixins bar at Cosmic Rays is a GEM!