Welcome to planDisney, Helena!
I am so thrilled to hear that you are making your way to the Most Magical Place on Earth for such a memorable time.
My family loves to eat, but we are often on a budget, so I am happy to share some of my tips and tricks with you!
First things first, you should know that you are able to bring your own food and beverages into the parks. My family always brings a cooler full of water and sports drinks, along with some snacks. Just know that you will not be allowed to bring
loose ice in your cooler, so grab an ice pack instead.
We also make the most of meals in our rooms. Unless we have a character breakfast booked, we typically bring some granola bars or bagels to have as a quick breakfast on the go. I have even brought little cups of oatmeal for a more hearty start to the day!
Helena, portion sizes at Walt Disney World are pretty generous, so you and your little one may be able to share some meals, especially if neither of you has a large appetite. I find that I prefer to snack throughout the day, so I rarely eat a lot at actual mealtimes.
Now, to save money on your dining, you will want to stick with mostly counter service meals. You can see all prices online right now by clicking on the restaurant and then selecting "menu." Planning your meals out in advance will help you figure out where to save versus where to splurge. Once you arrive, you can place your mobile orders on your
My Disney Experience Mobile App.
Oh, Helena, another thing that I like to do is to stock up on Disney Gift Cards. By having my gift card paid for before we leave, it is almost like I have my own pre-paid meal plan!
The
Disney Dining Plans are coming back, so keep an eye on the
Disney Parks Blog for details on when they will be released.
See you real soon!
Sarah B.