Can you eat at Disney for $40 a day?

[Crazy Kanga]

Due to the fact that my dh is a major tight wad, my family of 4 can and does sometimes eat on $40 a day, but that's with us eating cereal and samiches in the room, but I digress...here it goes...with a charachter meal no less:

Character Breakfast at Crystal Palace all you can eat buffet-$22.03
Lunch at Lunching Pad Turkey Leg and Bottled water-$6.86
Dinner at El Pirata Y el Perico 2 Tacos and coke-$7.43
Snack Dole Whip-$2.97
Total=$39.29

I DID IT!

 

[GoldiBabi]

I'll play!

Here's two ways:

1) $40/day @ MK with Character Breakfast

Breakfast: Cinderella's Royal Table
Fresh Fruit, Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, Cheese Danish, French Toast,
Potato Casserole, Juices, Coffee: 21.99
$21.99 food/drink + 1.43 tax + 3.30 tip = 26.27

Lunch: El Pirata y el Perico
Tacos: two corn tortilla shells filled with taco meat, topped with lettuce, cheese and tomatoes: 4.99
Bottled Water: 1.25
$6.24 food/drink + 0.41 tax = 6.65

Dinner: Pinocchio's Village Haus
Stromboli's Garden Salad (no chicken): mixed greens, peaches, blue cheese, walnuts: 4.69
Bottled Water: 1.25
$5.94 food/drink + 0.38 tax = 6.32

Daily Total: $39.24

OR:

2) $40/day @ MK

Breakfast: Main Street Bake Shop
Mixed Fruit: 2.99
Croissant: 2.29
Coffee: 1.69
$6.97 food/drink + 0.45 tax = 7.42

Lunch: Liberty Tree Tavern
Amber Waves of Grain: seasonal market fresh vegetables cooked with New Colony grains and an herb-infused coulis: 10.99
Sparkling Water: 2.79
$13.87 food/drink + 0.90 tax + 2.09 tip = 16.86

Snack: Westward Ho Refreshments
Soft Frozen Lemonade: 3.29
$3.29 food/drink = 3.29

Dinnerinocchio's Village Haus
Stromboli's Chicken Garden Salad mixed greens, seasoned chicken, peaches, blue cheese, walnuts: 6.39
Coke: 1.99
$8.38 food/drink + 0.54 tax = 8.92

Snack: Sunshine Tree Terace
Coke Float: 2.99
$2.99 food/drink + 0.19 tax = 3.18

Daily Total: 39.67

Yay!

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

Ready, get set, EAT!

Breakfast: Whispering Canyon Cafe at Wilderness Lodge
All-You-Care-To-Eat Canyon Skillet: Scrambled Eggs, Hash Brown Rounds, Bacon and Sausage, Buttermilk Biscuits, Sausage Gravy, and Waffles - $9.69 + 1.99/drink= 11.68 + 0.76/tax + 1.87/tip= $14.31

$25.69 left

Lunch: PECOS BILL's TALL TALE INN AND CAFE in the Magic Kingdom
1/4-Pound Cheeseburger -w/ fries $5.79 + 1.99/drink= 7.78 + 0.51/tax= 8.29

$17.40 left

Snack: Mrs. Potts' Cupboard, Fantasyland - Magic Kingdom
Soft serve vanilla cone w/ rainbow sprinkles:$2.79 + Bottled Water:$2.00 = 4.79 + 0.31/tax = $5.10

$12.30 left

Dinner: Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe in Tomorrowland
1/2 Rotisserie Chicken w/ Mashed Potatoes and a seasonal vegetable $7.29 + French Fries $1.89 + Drink $2.29= 11.47 + 0.75/tax= $12.22

Daily Total: $39.92
with $0.08 Left

 

[LisaRay]

ok, I was bored so I did more then one! Bare with me!

This one is for my day not in the parks. Maybe resort hopping and DTD.
Brkfst. POP food court Cin. roll and coffee with mug 2.59 + tax= 2.75

Lunch Earl of sandwich at DTD 4.95+ drink 2.50 + tax = 7.93

dinner whispering canyon all you can eat skillet $21.99 + tax and tip= 26.93

totals:
2.75 + 7.93 + 26.93= $37.61
Leaving $2.39. Maybe enough for one piece of candy at the candy store while in DTD!


Next is my MK day:
Breakfast at POP adult platter and drink with mug 5.59 + tax 5.95

lunch Liberty Tree Tavern Pot roast 13.79 drink 1.99 + tax and tip = 19.32

Dinner Mexican fast food place in adventureland taco salad 5.79 drink 1.99 + tax and tip 8.28

Mickey bar for snack 2.50 and soda 2.50

Totals 5.95 + 19.32 + 8.28 + 2.50 + 2.50 = 38.55


My epcot day:
Breakfast Electric umbrellas bagel sandwich 6.68 +tax 7.11

Lunch LeCellier soup 3.99 open face steak sandwich 11.99 ice water 15.98+ tax and tip = 19.57

Dinner Lotus Bloosum chicken rice bowl 6.59 drink 1.99 + tax and tip = 9.13

snack a chocolate eclair in france 3.75 + tax = 3.99

totals 7.11 + 19.57 + 9.13 + 3.99= 39.80 !! ( close one!)


Ok, my last one i promise! This one is for AK ( i skipped MGM as i hate eating in that park!)
Breakfast tusker house biscuts and gravy 3.89 drink 1.99 + tax and tip = 6.26

lunch Chakranadi chicken shop ( love this place!) stir fry chicken and rice 5.89 + 1.99 drink + tax and tip = 8.39

Afternoon snack a chocolate chip cookie at chip and dales cookie cabin 1.49 + tax 1.58

Dinner Rainforest Cafe turkey wrap 10.99 + 2.00 drink + 5.99 for a gorillas in the mist! + tax and tip = 23.24

Totals 6.26 + 8.39 + 23.24 + 1.58= 39.47

Ok, I am finally done! Once i started i just couldn't quit! I kept thinking of other places i wanted to eat! Now i have to go find something to fix for dinner!! Yuk!

 

[laurabelle]

Great idea for a thread...Yep, the boozin' always takes us over the top too! It cracks me up when Rachel Ray (who is a doll BTW!) tips like $1.79...I bet the waitress with the short straw gets her table...

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

Great idea for a thread...Yep, the boozin' always takes us over the top too! It cracks me up when Rachel Ray (who is a doll BTW!) tips like $1.79...I bet the waitress with the short straw gets her table...

This article mentions Rachel Ray's knack for shorting the waitstaff:

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/031005/enm_18162227.shtml

Is it that difficult to tip 20% on a $20 tab (I noticed most of the posts on this thread suggest a 15% tip)???? Is that extra buck really going to break your bank??

 

[DONNASANGELS]

This article mentions Rachel Ray's knack for shorting the waitstaff:

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/031005/enm_18162227.shtml

Is it that difficult to tip 20% on a $20 tab (I noticed most of the posts on this thread suggest a 15% tip)???? Is that extra buck really going to break your bank??

IF YOU CAN HELP ME FIND GOOD PLACES TO EAT THAT WONT BE SO EXSPENSIVE I WOULD REALLY BE GREATFULL. WE DO GET A FREE BREAKFAST AT THE HOTEL. BUT I NEED IDEAS AND WHAT TO EAT FOR LUNCH AND DINNER THAT WONT BREAK THE BANK.

 

[pbharris4]

I must've had a brain fart or something: when I read the 1st post I thought you couldn't do counter service...AT ALL. SO I was wondering why you were all using CS places. Sorry about that! It is nice to see that it can be done for $40 a day!




original post:

Correct me if I am wrong (and I probably am), but aren't some of those places listed Counter Service? What exactly is considered counter service? To me, counter service is anything that isn't a sit down meal. BTW, if my DH sees this thread we'll never eat a sit down meal again! Oh No!

 

[nkkilala]

Spoodles Breakfast Platter - All You Can Eat, includes scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, French toast, bacon, sausage, and breakfast breads $11.99 plus tax=14.57

DISNEY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM
1/2 Rotisserie Chicken served with garlic mashed potatoes and fresh seasonal vegetables
Coke
Popcorn
Bottled Water
MEAL PLUS CERTIFICATES! plus tax $11.99= 12.77 .


Chicken Stir Fry with Lo Mein Noodles $6.99
Iced Green Teas - Blackberry $2.39 + Tax = 9.99

Grand total is......36.55 (YES!! Room for Dessert!)
I can't believe I did it! I think I'll save this for when I go in May!

 

[princess-rn]

I LOVE the idea of this. I'm going to have to see if I could actually do it though. I LOVE Rachel's show "$40 a day" She gives GREAT tips!

 

[Belle5]

To the guy who is concerned about the 15% tips...I almost always tip 20%or more but I was just following the directions for the game. If I didn't we wouldn't have a level playing field. I am sure that is the same for most of the other posters, as well.

 

[dznymom1]

This is a FUN FUN thread! Thanks VetteChick for the great idea!

Here's mine:

Breakfast at Mara at AKL

Adult Breakfast Platter (eggs, potato, biscuit, bacon) - $5.59
Coffee - 1.89
Tax .49
TOTAL $7.97 ($32.03 left)

Animal Kingdom Meal Plus $11.99 plus tax .71

Lunch at FlameTree - 1/2 slab of ribs with corn & beans
Soda

Snack Ice Cream Bar
Bottle of Water
TOTAL $12.70 ($19.33 left)

Dinner at ESPN Club (There must be a game I have to see)

Chili (I am still stuffed from the ribs) $5.99
Killians $4.25
Killian's $4.25
Tax .94
15% Tip $2.17
TOTAL $17.61 ($1.72 left but I'll add it to the tip)

TOTAL $40.00

That was fun!

 

[DisHokieGirl]

I actually had fun doing this! I might be a tad off with the tax and tip but you get the idea

MGM Day:

Starring Rolls Bakery: Fruit Tart: 1.79, Orange Juice: 1.49, Subtotal: 3.28, w/ tax: 3.50
Sci-Fi Theater: BBQ Chicken Sandwich: 13.99, Coke: 1.99, Subtotal: 15.98, w/t&t: 19.58
Rosie's Cafe: Cheeseburger and fries: 5.69, Water: 2.50, Subtotal: 8.19, w/ tax: 8.73
31.81 so far!
Boardwalk Bakery: Cheesecake brownie: 3.99, Subtotal: 3.99, w/tax: 4.25
MGM Day Total: 36.06

Magic Kingdom Day:
Main Street Bakery: Cherry turnover: 1.89, Water: 1.25, Subtotal: 3.14, w/ tax: 3.35
Plaza Rest.: Grilled Chicken Sandwich: 10.49, Coke: 2.19, Subtotal: 12.68, w/t&t: 15.54
Casey's Corner: Hot dog: 3.29, Fries: 1.89, Water: 2.00, Subtotal: 7.18, w/ tax: 7.65
26.54 so far!
Aloha Isle: Dole Whip: 2.79, Subtotal: 2.79, w/tax: 2.98
The Lunching Pad: Turkey Leg: 5.19, Water: 2.00, Subtotal: 7.19, w/tax: 7.66
Magic Kingdom Total: 37.18

Animal Kingdom Day:
Donald's Breakfastsaurus buffet: Subtotal: 17.99, w/ t&t: 22.01
Animal Kingdom Meal Plus Certificate: Turkey Wrap w/ Corn Chowder, Coke, Bottled Soda & Ice Cream Bar: 11.99, Total: 11.99
34.00 so far
Boardwalk Pizza Window: Slice of Pizza: 3.29, Coke: 1.99, Subtotal: 5.28, w/tax: 5.63
Animal Kingdom total: 39.63

Epcot Day:
FountainView Cafe: Breakfast Pocket: 3.99, Latte: 1.99, Subtotal: 5.98, w/tax: 6.37
Rose & Crown: Guiness Stew: 12.99, Coke: 2.19, Subtotal: 15.18, w/t&t: 18.60
24.97 so far
Cantina de San Angel: Cantina Nachos: 6.79, Coke: 1.99, Subtotal: 8.78, w/ tax: 9.36
French Bakery: Mousse: 3.35, Subtotal: 3.35, w/ tax: 3.57
Epcot total: 37.90

Resort Day/DTD:
Spoodles: Frittata: 8.29, Orange Juice: 2.59, Subtotal: 10.88, w/ t&t: 13.33
Beaches and Cream: Burger w/cheese: 7.39, Milkshake: 4.99, w/t&t: 15.17
28.50
Puck Express: Pesto Chicken Sandwich: 6.95, Lemonade: 1.95, Subtotal: 8.90, w/tax: 9.50
Resort/DTD total: 38.00


Phew, sorry that it was so long!

 

[arizonacolbys]

We frequently eat for $40 per day or less, but we rarely ever eat 3 full meals. With a late breakfast, early dinner & a couple yummy snacks, we never go hungry at WDW!

Here goes, a sample day at Epcot:

Breakfast:
POP Century Food Court -
POP Waffle Platter: $5.69 + $.37 tax = $6.06
Diet Coke using Refillable Mugs -

Lunch:
Beaches & Cream at Beach Club Resort -
Burger: $6.99 + $.40 cheese = $7.39
Diet Coke: $1.99
No Way Jose for dessert: $7.99
Total: $17.37 + $1.13 tax + $3 tax = $21.50

Dinner:
Cantina de San Angel -
Plato Combinacion: $7.49
Diet Coke: $1.99
Churro for dessert: $1.99
Total: $11.47 + $.75 tax = $12.22

Grand Total for Day: $39.78 - completed with a few pennies to spare!

The biggest changes we would have on our trip is we would be able to include our DDE discount for breakfast and lunch in my sample. I'd also vote for a Strawberry Margarita in Mexico, instead of another Diet Coke!

 

[eeyore45]

I love Rachel Raye, but she used to when things/places were expensive not include tax and tip!! AND often they did do unrealistic distances!! Now I will admit it may have been an early season, because I've been trying to "catch" them doing it - but I havent!!

I like the dining plan at $35!!

I'm with the earlier poster and like a beer after a hot day in the parks, so I'd either have the refillable 1/2 yard in Epcot, or at DTD buy the beer for $1.50!!

 

[mchames]

Breakfast:
Boardwalk Bakery- Cinnamon Bun - $2.59 and Juice - orange, apple, berry $1.50 +tax Total: $4.36

Lunch:
Tangierine Cafe- Shawarma Sandwiches- served with hummus, marinated red onions, lettuce & tomato, topped with Taziki sauce.
Chicken or Lamb $7.95 and a Diet Coke $1.75 +tax Total: $10.35

Snack:
Pasticceria Italiana di Alfredo di Roma- Cannoli - pastry shell filled with ricotta cheese, candied fruits, chocolate and cinnamon $3.95 +tax Total:$4.21

Dinner:
Yacht Club Galley- Braised Beef "Sandwich" - Red Wine Braised Beef, served open-faced on a Garlic Baguette with Portobello Mushrooms, Caramelized onion, Wilted Arugula, Balsamic Reduction, topped with Crumbled Bleu Cheese $15.99 and a Diet Coke $1.75 +tax & tip Total: $20.40


GRAND TOTAL: $39.32

 

[Julia M]

Here's one attempt that would work for me


Breakfast
Lefse - traditional potato bread with butter, and cinnamon sugar $1.99 + .13 = $2.12

Lunch
Chef's de France french menu $14.95 + $3.21 = $18.16
soda $2.00 + .43 = $2.43

Snack
Ice Cream Social $6.99 + 1.50 = $8.49

Dinner
Yakitori House: Teriyaki Chicken - Broiled Chicken served with Teriyaki sauce and steamed rice $4.99 + .32 = $5.31
diet coke $1.99 + .13 = $2.12

Total $38.63

These are great ideas I've been reading!

Julia

 

[Jamesbyr]

Wow. I have to admit that after five years of WDW restaurants, we switched to DVC and do breakfasts and dinners on our own. We have two kids: they really did not appreciate the Disney dinner experiences. (Buffet breakfasts at CR are another matter.) We try to pick one spot per trip for a nice meal.

 

[tifandjim]

OK, how many of you can plan a $40 day for 2 people (adults)? This should be interesting!!

 

[newholidayx2]

Its good to see this
Im planning on $35 ea for DS13 & myself
we're doing some of the PS restaurants I see listed here
We do have the DDE card so that should help - thanks