With hundreds of places to get food at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, it can definitely get both overwhelming and costly to eat inside the park. However, thanks to these Disney dining pros, you too can save some money and time while enjoying all the Dole Whips, churros, and corn dogs that you ever could possibly dream of!
Skip the lines
Lines, lines, and more lines…this is definitely one of the downsides of going to Disney during the peak seasons. However, one frequent Disney-goer suggested ordering on the Disney Parks mobile application in order to skip out on the lines at food stations and restaurants all together.
All you have to do is order what you want and where you want it on the app, and then minutes later head straight to the pick-up window and get your meal.
Don’t pay for water
Anyone who has ever been to Disney knows that food and drinks can be a bit pricey in the park. However, one person came up with the brilliant idea of simply avoiding the high costs of water bottles by asking at any walk-up food stand for a cup of water instead.
Apparently, they will always give it to you, it’s always free, and you don’t have to splurge on an overpriced bottle or expensive souvenir cup.
Two for the price of one
There is nothing better than a nice, classic hamburger after a busy day of park-hopping. Of course, these tasty Disney burgers will cost you, but one recent parkgoer gave us a useful trick for getting a bit more for your buck.
Basically, if the restaurant you are eating at offers an option for a double burger, get it and then ask for an extra bun on the side. Then, you have two burgers for almost the price of one!
Spice up Dole Whips
One of the most beloved and refreshing sweets at Disneyland is of course the famous Dole Whip. Especially on a hot summer day, these icy soft-serve desserts can be just the treat you’re looking for. The only problem is that the lines to get them are usually extremely long.
However, one person suggested waiting in the line inside instead of the outside line as it is typically much shorter. Also, if you head to the snack shop across from the Jungle Cruise, you can get some free Tajin to spice up your ice cream.
Save your meal credits
For Disney World guests who are planning on eating three meals at the park a day, there is an option to purchase a prepaid Disney Deluxe Dining Plan which allows visitors to get three meals and two snacks per day.
However, one user brought up a great suggestion, which is to use one of the ‘snack’ credits for a breakfast item such as some cereal or yogurt. Then, you can save one of your ‘meal’ credits in order to get a ‘double meal’ for an epic dinner at one the park’s Signature Dining restaurants.
Book dinner and a show
Another perk of using the dining plan, is that you can also use your credits to get both dinner and a show. One Disney World regular shared a tip of making a reservation at a restaurant that also offers nighttime show deals.
This includes seating for the live show, which is usually an extra fee but if you are on the dining plan – is totally free. This way, you get good entertainment and lots of delicious food for no additional cost.
Stock up before you go
One mom says that when they are about to head home from their Disney World vacation, they use their last remaining snack tokens from their dining plan to buy candy. You can actually use the tokens at nearly every resort hotel in order to buy gummies, chocolates, treats, etc.
You can end up leaving the park with a bag of goodies for you and your family that just might make the long trip back home slightly more enjoyable.
Order off the kid’s menu
This Disney fanatic saves money during her and her family’s trip by simply ordering off the kid’s menu! According to her, there are no age restrictions on the menu, although it is much cheaper than the adult’s.
If you are just craving a hamburger, some chicken nuggets, or a small breakfast, you can save a whole lot of money by ordering it off the children’s menu instead. Then, you can use those extra funds on a few of Disney’s famous Instagramable snacks later on for dessert.
Keep the leftovers
If you are eating at one of the park’s sit-down restaurant’s, you might find yourself with more food than you can possibly finish. However, instead of just leaving it there for the waiter to pick up and throw out, one woman brought up the brilliant suggestion of bringing Ziploc bags with you.
When you are done, you can simply store the leftover pastries in the small baggies and then throw them into your backpack for an easy snack later on.
Make your own cookie sandwich
This Disney guest recently shared one tasty hack that is sure to get the approval of even the most dedicated ice-cream lovers out there. All you have to do is head to the Main Street Confectionary and pick up two large Mickey chocolate chip cookies then visit the ice cream parlor down the street and order two scoops of your favorite ice cream in a bowl.
Carefully transfer the scoops onto the cookies, drizzle some chocolate or caramel sauce if you want, and voila – you have yourself one delicious ice cream sandwich.
Ask for an extra cup
Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge is famous for their blue and green milk drinks. These two Disney guests shared their expert advice for those who can never make up their mind on which flavor to get, by simply asking the waiter for a third cup.
By doing this, you and your friend can then share both drinks by mixing them together. Not only do you each get to try both flavors, but you also get to enjoy a unique flavor combo.
Eat off-schedule
According to one frequent Disney visitor, avoiding long lines at rides can be easily done by planning your dining schedule appropriately.
Instead of eating at the usual times, this person suggests getting on a meal schedule that is a bit earlier or later than everyone else’s. When everyone else is sitting down for lunch, you can walk straight up to the most popular rides without having to wait in a crazy long line.
Share a meal
One of the most famous, and expensive, restaurants at Disneyland is Blue Bayou. Unfortunately, if you want to eat at this dining establishment you will have to shell out at least $30 per plate.
However, according to one recent park guest, an easy way around this is to just share a plate with a friend – which the restaurant totally allows. The portions are so large, that one meal could still leave two adults leaving full and satisfied.
Use the secret menu
One Disney food expert recently shared that the All Stars Movies Resort actually has a secret menu apart from their usual menu. If you ask your waiter to see it, they will bring you over an awesome suitcase with a viewfinder in order to see all of the fun items included.
Interesting entrees such as a bacon mac and cheese dog, a cinnamon bun burger, and even a plate of Canadian poutine aka french fries with gravy and cheese curds, are just some of the fun items you will see on this special menu.
Allergy-friendly restaurants
If you or someone in your family has a food allergy, eating out can certainly be a challenge. Luckily, those with allergies can still enjoy a tasty Disney meal thanks to certain allergy-friendly restaurants.
This woman was thrilled when she found out that Satu’il Canteen at Disney World’s Pandora actually offers a 100% allergy-friendly menu, this way she could eat whatever she wanted worry-free! She also revealed that you can order the kid’s cheeseburger pod meals in an adult portion on request.
Vegetarian snack
Disney parks have something for pretty much everyone, no matter what dietary restrictions they may have. One vegetarian park guest recently shared that you can get a pretty good vegetarian chili at the Cozy Cone 3 food stop in Cars Land at California Adventure.
And if you want to make it vegan, then you can just ask for it without any cheese. Not only do you get to enjoy a tasty, meat-free, meal, but you can also feel like Lighting McQueen while you eat it.
Mess-free turkey leg
This woman was sick of the mess that is included when eating one of Disney’s famous ginormous turkey legs. While delicious, walking around eating a greasy meat leg can be a slight nuisance.
So, she came up with the clever idea of first buying some popcorn that comes in the tall plastic box, then, when you are done, buying a turkey leg. The container acts as the perfect carrying case for the turkey leg, and offers a clean, mess-free way of enjoying the Disney staple snack.
Take home the recipes
Have you ever wished you could take the scrumptious food of Disney home with you? Although you may not be able to stack away much food in your suitcase, you can – according to this frequent parkgoer – bring Disney to your own kitchen!
All you have to do is head over to the City Hall on Main Street. There, you can pick up printed pages of tons of recipes that are used to make some of your favorite Disney treats.
Free food for toddlers
If you are sick of shelling out endless amounts of cash during your Disney family vacation, one thing you don’t have to worry about is food for the little ones.
When this mom takes her kids to eat lunch at Disneyland, she makes sure to take them to one of the park’s buffets such as at Big Thunder Ranch or Storytellers Cafe, where toddlers three and under can eat all they want for no cost at all.
Bring a CamelBak
One thing that any Disney World guest is well aware of is the Florida heat, which can get pretty intense especially in the summer months.
This clever park attendee avoids dehydration by bringing a CamelBak with her and filling it up with ice and water before heading out to the park. By doing this, not only do you not have to wait in long lines, but you can also enjoy some cold water whenever and wherever you want.
Look for last-minute cancellations
There are plenty of amazing sit-down restaurants at all of the Disney parks. Unfortunately, many of them will require a bit of planning and reservation beforehand if you want to snag a table.
One dad shared a tip that could definitely be useful for those unable to get a reservation at the restaurant they wanted. If this happens, just go to the restaurant early in the morning and ask a cast member to find a table later in the day because there are almost always last-minute cancellations.
Get an early start
When at Disney, it is common to feel like there are just so many attractions you want to visit with not enough time. One woman suggested a simple way to save time for you and your family, which is to book breakfast reservations as early in the morning as possible.
Yes, you will have to wake up pretty early to do this, but it will also mean having more time to tour the park and go on rides before the rest of the crowd comes.
DIY chicken and waffles
One of the most savory park food hacks, according to this Disney World pro, takes place at the Grand Floridian Cafe. While the iconic restaurant is known for its impressive menu, you can apparently take it one step further by having some creativity with the items.
For example, if you order the buttermilk fried chicken, ask for a ‘side’ of Belgian waffles instead of the typical crispy potatoes, bacon, and kale that come with it. When it arrives to your table, you’ve got a plate of chicken and waffles!
Go to character dining
You can’t go to Disney without taking your kids to meet one of park’s beloved characters. Of course, in order to get close to Mickey, Minnie, Snow White, or Cinderella, you might have to have some patience, as lines for the most popular characters walking around the park can get intense.
One way to avoid this altogether, according to one Disney expert, is to go to a character dining experience. Your kids can then meet their favorite characters without the long lines, all while enjoying a tasty meal!
Make reservations ahead
According to this Disney fanatic, one of the most common mistakes that park newbies make during their first trip is not making dinner reservations in advance. According to them, many guests expect that they can sit down at any restaurant and expect to be seated right away, only to find out that it is almost impossible to find a place that is not fully booked.
However, if you make reservations ahead of time – which Disney lets you do up to 180 days prior – this will avoid having to search near and far for an available table.
But don’t make too many reservations
Sometimes, first-timers make the opposite mistake, and go ahead and make way too many dining reservations. One pro claims that it is easier, quicker, and more affordable to just make reservations for dinner time, and leave breakfast and lunch open so that you can visit one of Disney’s quick service food stations instead.
No need to waste precious park time sitting down at restaurants all day, sometimes a quick bite to eat is all you need before heading off to all your favorite attractions.
Bring your own breakfast
One dad and frequent Disney World goer shared his family’s trick to getting the most out of their trip. Instead of spending time and money on a heavy restaurant breakfast, they prefer to get up as early as five or six in the morning to start their day.
Opting out of breakfast, they fill up on some protein bars and shakes in their hotel room instead. Not only does it cut the cost of meals dramatically, you also get to enjoy the park right as it opens before it gets too busy.
Eat for free in the fall
One recent guest let fans in on something that not all Disney World lovers may know. Apparently, if you go in the fall, you can actually eat some meals for free!
While it may not be the most desired time to visit the park due to it being Florida’s hurricane season, there are special dining promotions for its fall visitors – which includes adding certain meal plans to your ticket for no cost at all! And really…who can say no to free food?
Take advantage of free soda
Buying soda at Disney World can get expensive after a while. Luckily, one recent guest shared some helpful advice for future parkgoers, and that is to take advantage of the free soft drinks!
Many people may not know about it, but if you are in Epcot, you can head to the Coca-Cola shop and score some free samples of different Coke drinks from all around the world. The best part is that there is no limit so you can go ahead and fill right up without breaking your wallet.
Pizza delivery
For nights that you would rather stay at your hotel, most Disney resorts offer pizza delivery right up to your room. One Disney World regular said that you can actually order pizza as late as one in the morning.
This could be a great option for a quick and inexpensive meal (without having to wait in a long line or making a reservation) or even as a second, late-night snack after a long day of roaming the park.
Do some research
This recent Disney World vacationer claims that doing some dining research before your trip can save you a lot of time and money once you are there. It is especially worth it to check which restaurants offer deals and when.
For example, the Biergarten Restaurant at Disney World – known for their incredible all-you-can-eat buffet – will offer much more food for your buck in the afternoon versus dinner time. Doing even just a small bit of searching may just help you find a good, cost-saving, deal.
Make a churro sundae
One of the most popular treats at Disneyland is without a doubt churros. These sweet, fried pastries are served hot and fresh…but could definitely be better with a little bit of ice cream!
Although the Churro Sundae has since been made into a menu item at some locations, this parkgoer insists on making their own even when it is not on the menu by simply heading to the nearest ice cream station immediately after buying some churros!
Take snacks from home
Although the food at Disney is pretty amazing, it doesn’t mean you have to buy everything at the park. In order to save a bit of money, and time, head to a grocery store beforehand and buy some cheaper snacks like Goldfish, candy, cereal bars, fruit, etc.
Disney Parks are actually okay with bringing your own food and drinks, so having some small goodies on hand could be just the trick for a quick pick-me-up.
Corn dog minus the wait
There is just something about those Disneyland corn dogs that parkgoers can’t get enough of. Unfortunately, if you want to get your hand on one of these yummy guys, then you will likely have to wait in yet another insanely long line.
However, one person shared a secret spot where you can get the same exact meal minus the line. Instead of going to the famous cart, head over to the Stage Door Cafe where you can get the same corn dog with a much shorter wait time!
Pretzels and chocolate
When this parkgoer is craving pretzels, they decide to take things a step further to make the park’s famous homemade pretzels even more mouthwatering. Just make sure to purchase your pretzel at a stand that also sells churros because that is where they have chocolate dipping sauce…
Then, when you get the pretzel, request a small tub of chocolate sauce instead of or in addition to the typical cheese sauce that comes with it. It may cost you a little extra – but you will have yourself a delicious sweet and salty dessert.
Save with gift cards
According to a Disney parks regular, one of the best ways to get more food for your dollar is by using your Target REDCard. With this, you can actually save a solid 10 percent on buying Disney gift cards.
Then, you can stock up and use them throughout the park to get whatever you need – including at most of the Disney food stops! This means a whole lot more Dole Whip and churros for you!
Buy a refillable mug
For the Disney guests who are obsessed with soda, it might make a whole lot more sense to buy one of those refillable mugs. Yes, it might cost you a little (around 20 dollars), but if you are planning on drinking a lot of Coca-Cola drinks, then it makes the most sense.
One Disney lover suggests buying these mugs at your resort so that you can enjoy free refills for the rest of your stay at any location that has a self-service beverage station.
Know where to get free samples
Who doesn’t love a good sample? Well, according to this regular, there are plenty of them all over Disney World – you just need to know where to go.
For example, Magic Kingdom’s The Confectionary, Prairie Outpost, Supply, and Big Top Treats all offer free tasty snacks for its visitors. And at Epcot, you can fill up on some free caramel corn at Karamell-Kuche. There are also some spots outside the parks, such as at Disney Springs where you can taste any flavor of Goofy’s Glaciers slushies for free.
Use a dining meal calculator
For those who like to plan their Disney budget ahead of time, Distripplanner offers a Disney Dining Plan calculator. One frequent park visitor swears by it for every Disney trip her and her family go on.
It is quite easy to use, you just have to fill out some details about your upcoming vacation including when you will be visiting, the age of the guests you will be going with, and where you plan on eating. Then, the calculator will show you which dining plan is right for you based on your needs and just how much cash you would be saving out of pocket.
Go side-less
Most menu items at Disney parks quick service stations say something like, ‘Cheeseburger, served with fries.’ However, just because it may say that the side is included in the price, doesn’t mean that you have to get the combo.
When one guest just wants a burger or sandwich without a side, he asks for just the entree. Even if it isn’t on the menu, he claims you can almost always ask for the entree only so you don’t waste money on food that you might not even eat.
