On
Nov 20, 2009
Tara from SK
Asked
Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.
Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.
“
What is best and cheapest way to feed 2,4,6,7,9 year old kids when inside the park over Christmas..Dec. 20-26th.”
Hi, Tara! There are many tricks to stretching those Mickey Dollars when at WDW!
Start by having breakfast in your room. Have muffins, granola bars, pop tarts, fruit, or other quick and easy breakfast items. If you have a refrigerator in your room, pick-up some milk or OJ. By eating in your room, you not only save money, you save a lot of time waiting in lines for food.
Before you leave for the park, pack a tote bag with refillable water bottles, juice boxes, crackers, chips, or anything else for snacks that won't melt or spoil in the Florida sun! If you are up for it, you can even pack a small, soft sided cooler with a bunch of PB & J sandwiches. You are welcome to bring this into the park, but large rolling coolers are not permitted. Free cups of water are available at any counter service location to refill your water bottles. Lockers are available for rent in each park if you don't want to carry all this around. Or, try to pack everything so it can be stored in the basket of your stroller.
You can then plan on one counter service meal. Kids meals are a good value. At around $5 each, the meals include an entree, healthy sides (grapes, apple sauce, carrot sticks) and a drink. At one of kids' favorite locations, Cosmic Rays at the Magic Kingdom, my kids substitute one of their sides for a cookie, so they even have a dessert!
By having breakfast in your room and packing some of your own food, you can get by on a budget in the parks! It takes a bit of planning, but will be well worth it with all the money and time you will save!