Welcome back to planDisney, Nicky and thanks for dropping by with your question.
Nicky,
dining around the Walt Disney World Resort is one of my favorite topics of conversation and hopefully, I can help in your planning today!
As a fellow Mom who plans out our budgets, I appreciate this question. I have a 12-year-old at my house as well and I often think of him as we are considering which restaurants we choose. Nicky, giving an estimate of how much you should budget is a bit like asking which is my favorite Disney Princess, because there are so many factors, but let me share how I budget for my family.
First, did you know that almost all restaurant menus with prices are available online? This is my favorite budgeting tool because I can estimate knowing my own family's tastes and preferences.
For example,
Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue, located inside EPCOT, is one of my oldest son's favorite spots. I can look through this menu and know that he'll likely want the Memphis Dry-rub Pork Ribs and Macaroni & Cheese, which will be approximately $22 (prices subject to change). On another day, if we eat at one of my favorite quick-service spots at Magic Kingdom Park:
Columbia Harbour House, he's likely to stick to the kids' menu and order Chicken Strips for approximately $9 (prices subject to change).
As I am preparing for my family's trip to the Walt Disney World Resort, I'll often spend an evening or two pouring through dining menus with my trusty pad and pencil estimating how much each meal might cost. While I like to add in a few extra dollars for a spur-of-the-moment
DOLE Whip®, this strategy has worked well for my family and I hope it does for yours too. I also tend to steer my family away from ordering drinks with our meals and stick to complimentary ice water to keep us hydrated and stay within our budget.
Nicky, to view all of the quick-service locations, use
THIS LINK. You can filter by clicking on the drop-down menu that says, "All Walt Disney World Locations" and selecting one park at a time or a Disney Resort Hotel. Please note that some restaurants have different menus for breakfast, so you'll want to make sure you check the drop-down menu, "Meal Period" in the upper left hand corner of the screen.
If you have any additional questions I hope you'll come on back to planDisney where we love talking about food even more than Princess Tiana loves whipping up a batch of gumbo! In the meantime, I'll be wishing you a delicious vacation in every sense of the word.
Lauren