• On Jun 30, 2021
    Helena from OH Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    My Kiddo and I are first time visitors to WDW. And affordable meal options now the meal plans are gone?

    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. 
thumbnail image for Sarah

Meet the Panelist: Sarah, Georgia

Hi There! I’m Sarah from Atlanta, GA. Together, my Disney-loving husband and I have two amazing kids and love nothing more than running away to the Walt Disney World Resort every chance that we get. When we are not wandering around the resorts, we love to indulge our sweet tooth with all the snacks we can find. I am passionate about making sure the magic reaches kids of all ages, from the smallest to the biggest, because we are all kids at Walt Disney World! Learn More About Sarah

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