Those planning their Disney vacation with an eye on the budget shouldn't forget to think about meals. If you're staying and eating in "the World", expect to spend a lot to feed your family. The Moderate and Value resorts have food fairs, but prices still add up quickly where there are three, or four, or more of you.
A better option when staying at a Disney World resort may be to buy the "Dining Option" with your "Magic Your Way" base tickets: this can be a bargain (though it depends on your family's eating patterns.) Read more about the Dining Option, Magic Your Way.
Guests who have their own cars can save money by eating at restaurants outside their resort. There's even a McDonald's within the Disney road system, near the Blizzard Beach waterpark.
Guests with cars can also save money on food by staying off-property at inexpensive suites with kitchen facilities, or by renting a vacation home (a great option for multi-family vacations.) Also, some non-Disney hotels and resorts offer free meals for kids when kids dine with a paying adult.
Certain Disney lodgings have kitchens, i.e. the Vacation Club Resorts -- but these are not a low-budget choice.
Wherever you stay, and even if you cook your own meals every night, try to splurge once or twice at the restaurants in the Disney World theme parks. Character Meals with all-you-can-eat buffets, for instance, are both filling and fun.
- continue to Bottom Line
