Welcome to planDisney, fellow Andrea!
You have asked a great question about a budget range for your particular group's
dining options in Walt Disney World. Let's take a look.
As a high school teacher who has chaperoned over a dozen multi-day WDW school trips, I know what many teens crave while park hopping. Typically, teens want to spend as much time as they can enjoying as many rides and shows as possible, not relaxing at the table.
To budget, I recommend that parents and teens take a look at menus first. You'll be able to accurately use current costs of items everyone will likely order. In your group, you might have a picky eater, a light eater, and one who is constantly hungry. Or maybe all three can eat all day. Best to calculate specifics for each of them. With so many options, it's good to know the location (and cost) that will give everyone exactly what they want.
If you are booking a
Walt Disney Travel Company room-and-ticket package, compare the food cost you calculated to the price of adding a
Disney Dining Plan instead. By prepaying for meals, you'll have peace of mind that you've kept costs exactly where you want them. While the
Quick-Service Dining Plan will allow you to keep everyone on the go, the
Table-Service Dining Plan replaces some of those quicker meals with more relaxing reservation locations. When my own children were kids, we loved using a Dining Plan for both Quick-Service and Table-Service options. This allowed them to try new--often more expensive--foods without us worrying over the added cost.
When considering teen-friendly
Quick-Service restaurants in Magic Kingdom, check the menu from a family favorite: Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe. There's something for everyone with lots of indoor air-conditioned seating, too. For more variety, check out Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe. For a quick bite right as you enter--or exit--Magic Kingdom, don't miss Casey's Corner. Their mini corn dogs and fries with cheese sauce are so good!
Some teen favorite
Quick-Service restaurants in EPCOT include Sunshine Seasons--so many options!--Connections Eatery, and Regal Eagle Smokehouse. However, there are lots of wonderful quick service kiosks throughout World Showcase; you might find some new favorites there.
For
Quick-Service at Disney's Hollywood Studios, head up Sunset Boulevard--the first street you can take to the right--where you'll find several options that share seating. Star Wars fans? Don't miss a meal at Ronto Roasters or Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo. For a fun Table-Service meal, book a reservation at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant. It's an experience you'll talk about for years to come!
To find teen-friendly
Quick-Service at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, my personal fav is Flame Tree Barbecue. Harambe Market and Satu'li Canteen are also great spots for delicious quick meals.
As you continue to plan your upcoming adventure to The Most Magical Place on Earth, be sure to send additional questions our way. We love to help!
Andrea H