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Dining on a budget

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Wed, 03/09/2011 - 18:10
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Dining on a budget

So, me and my boyfriend, plus the couple we will be with for the first week, or going to be attempting to do Disney on a budget. For the first week were aren't making any ADRs, and just sticking to counter service places. Where are your favourite counter services places? (bearing in mind, 2 of us are veggie)

For the 2nd week we have made 4 ADRs at the "cheaper" places: Sci-Fi Diner, T-Rex and Planet Hollywood. We also made one for Boma, which will be our expensive restaurant Smile

2 of the 4 of us have never even been to a Disney Park before; it's 4 years since I went, and well over 10 since my partner went, so food won't be top of our lists! It's still good to find out which cheaper places people enjoy though Smile

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Wed, 03/09/2011 - 18:43
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The quick service in The Land at Epcot (is it called Seasons?) has some great sandwiches. Also when at Epcot, you can save a fortune on soft drinks by going to Club Cool (Innovations West) and sample different Coke products everytime you're passing.

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Wed, 03/09/2011 - 18:57
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Oh yes, I heard of that place but I've never actually been!

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Wed, 03/09/2011 - 19:34
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bring a water bottle and individual drink packets, fill up at the water fountain...never pay for a drink. Last time we were there the pop century gift shop even sold clips to put on a plastic soda bottle to wear on your belt clip.

Counter service meal deals tend to be better than buying individually, though sometimes sit down meals can be cheaper than counter service, I've found anyway.

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Wed, 03/09/2011 - 20:57
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Earl of Sandwich in Downtown Disney has great counter-service meals! Not too expensive, either. People also like Flame Tree Barbecue in Animal Kingdom (not much for veggies though) and Tangierine Cafe in Morocco. Yakitori House in Japan is a good idea as well. Also try Cantina de San Angel in Mexico. Look around for places that sell the grilled veggie sandwiches; I've heard they're quite good. Cooke's of Dublin in Downtown Disney might have some good counter service stuff for you guys as well.

Consider Beaches and Cream and The Plaza for table service; they're often less expensive than counter service. Also, T-Rex is quite pricey for what you get.

Wed, 03/09/2011 - 22:22
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In the Animal Kingdom... I dont remember what its called but you can basically do a picnic. Your order your food at Guest Services I believe, and pick it up at a time you specify. We did this 2 years ago, and loved it. We got a rotissery chicken, mash potatoes, all sorts of good stuff. And if I remember right... it wasnt that expensive either. Maybe someone knows a little more about it, but thought id bring it up.

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Wed, 03/09/2011 - 22:41
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I was going to suggest Yakatori House in Epcot - LOVE their iced green tea, v. refreshing - and Columbia Harbor House. How vegetarian are you - no meat? Or some fish? Their fish and chips are terrific. Another terrible thing that I do sometimes - get the children's meal, especially if you aren't a big eater. It usually comes with a drink (I like to get the water and refill the bottle) and you can get grapes instead of fries. Cheaper and (handy for me) fewer calories. I know it's technically against the rules, but I figure, it's my money...I should be able to spend it at your store how I choose to.

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Thu, 03/10/2011 - 00:15
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Yay!!! More vegetarians!!

So, definitely listen to Tony about Sunshine Seasons in the Land Pavilion. There are so many options there from sandwiches to noodle bowls to veggie sushi! Morocco also has great quick service in Epcot.

In Magic kingdom, there are lots of veggie burgers or cheese pizzas available. I suggest Golden Oak Outpost in Frontier Land for an amazing mexican-inspired pita wrap. The newly named Tortuga Tavern also has quick service bean tacos.

I haven't eaten much quick service at Hollywood Studios or Animal kingdom so I'm no help there.

Thu, 03/10/2011 - 01:37
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Oh gosh..so many good counter service places!

Earl of Sandwich (if you do eat fish the Tuna Melt is yummy)
Tangerine Cafe in Morocco (they have excellent hummus)
Sunshine Seasons
I'm not sure if the Tomorrowland Noodle Place is still open..and they aren't very good anyway..so maybe disregard this suggestion
Yak and Yeti in AK
Cantina de San Angel..yum..they had a good vegetarian dish there that I have gotten before but they changed recently so it may be different.

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Thu, 03/10/2011 - 08:48
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Thanks for all the info! I do remember going to the Moroccan place actually and I really liked it. My boyfriend and I both love Mexican food so we'll try Cantina de San Angel. Magic Kingdom I remember never having a problem really; there were some pretty good choices. No Lizzy I don't eat fish, but I do remember Columbia Harbour house doing a nice veggie soup and sandwich. That was a few years ago now though so I don't know if it will have changed.

T-Rex - to be honest, we're just going there for the novelty of it rather than the food. So I guess "expensive for what you get" doesn't matter so much food-wise Smile Seriously looking forward to Boma though! Planet Hollywood we are mainly going to because Disney resort guests get $15 off Smile

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Thu, 03/10/2011 - 18:04
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I highly recommend Tangierine cafe for both veggies and not.

Thu, 03/10/2011 - 19:31
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Pegosaurus wrote:
T-Rex - to be honest, we're just going there for the novelty of it rather than the food. So I guess "expensive for what you get" doesn't matter so much food-wise Smile

T-Rex is awesome! They have a VERY good steak and ribs there.

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Thu, 03/10/2011 - 20:12
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Is Columbia Harbor house..the one right there by the Haunted Mansion....If so we always eat there and they have great food....if not you should try the restaurant that's quick serve that is by the haunted mansion...LOL

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Thu, 03/10/2011 - 21:28
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Jess wrote:
Is Columbia Harbor house..the one right there by the Haunted Mansion....If so we always eat there and they have great food....if not you should try the restaurant that's quick serve that is by the haunted mansion...LOL

Yes it is the one right there by the Haunted Mansion. A very good place to eat.

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Fri, 03/11/2011 - 00:41
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Brad wrote:
I highly recommend Tangierine cafe for both veggies and not.

I concur. If I could figure out away to perch myself above their batch of hummus and eat it all with a spoon I would.

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Fri, 03/11/2011 - 18:09
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I've eaten at Tangierine and Colombia Harbour House before, and they are both nice! I'll happily go back to either of them Smile

Mase wrote:
Pegosaurus wrote:
T-Rex - to be honest, we're just going there for the novelty of it rather than the food. So I guess "expensive for what you get" doesn't matter so much food-wise Smile

T-Rex is awesome! They have a VERY good steak and ribs there.

I don't eat meat Smile In fact, on close inspection, it doesn't look like t-rex has ANY veggie mains! But that's fine; I'll get them to make me something special, haha Laughing out loud Or even just see if they can alter that massive starter platter slightly to only have veg stuff in it - that would make an interesting main meal!

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Fri, 03/11/2011 - 19:08
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T-Rex does have some very good salads & flat bread pizza'a. Scrappy and I split a salad and a flat bread and it was way more then we could eat for lunch. They are huge!

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Fri, 03/11/2011 - 21:26
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Pegosaurus wrote:
I've eaten at Tangierine and Colombia Harbour House before, and they are both nice! I'll happily go back to either of them Smile

Mase wrote:
Pegosaurus wrote:
T-Rex - to be honest, we're just going there for the novelty of it rather than the food. So I guess "expensive for what you get" doesn't matter so much food-wise Smile

T-Rex is awesome! They have a VERY good steak and ribs there.

I don't eat meat Smile In fact, on close inspection, it doesn't look like t-rex has ANY veggie mains! But that's fine; I'll get them to make me something special, haha Laughing out loud Or even just see if they can alter that massive starter platter slightly to only have veg stuff in it - that would make an interesting main meal!

mrhub wrote:
T-Rex does have some very good salads & flat bread pizza'a. Scrappy and I split a salad and a flat bread and it was way more then we could eat for lunch. They are huge!

I was just about to say that. I bet they could make a huge dino salad for ya!

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Sat, 03/12/2011 - 09:49
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Mase wrote:
Pegosaurus wrote:
I've eaten at Tangierine and Colombia Harbour House before, and they are both nice! I'll happily go back to either of them Smile

Mase wrote:
Pegosaurus wrote:
T-Rex - to be honest, we're just going there for the novelty of it rather than the food. So I guess "expensive for what you get" doesn't matter so much food-wise Smile

T-Rex is awesome! They have a VERY good steak and ribs there.

I don't eat meat Smile In fact, on close inspection, it doesn't look like t-rex has ANY veggie mains! But that's fine; I'll get them to make me something special, haha Laughing out loud Or even just see if they can alter that massive starter platter slightly to only have veg stuff in it - that would make an interesting main meal!

mrhub wrote:
T-Rex does have some very good salads & flat bread pizza'a. Scrappy and I split a salad and a flat bread and it was way more then we could eat for lunch. They are huge!

I was just about to say that. I bet they could make a huge dino salad for ya!

Yey! I'm presuming it won't be hard to alter some of the items on the menu to make them veg, so it's all good! I just want to go eat with a bunch of animatronic dinos - I don't care too much about the food, haha

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Sat, 03/12/2011 - 17:14
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Pegosaurus wrote:
Mase wrote:
Pegosaurus wrote:
I've eaten at Tangierine and Colombia Harbour House before, and they are both nice! I'll happily go back to either of them Smile

Mase wrote:
Pegosaurus wrote:
T-Rex - to be honest, we're just going there for the novelty of it rather than the food. So I guess "expensive for what you get" doesn't matter so much food-wise Smile

T-Rex is awesome! They have a VERY good steak and ribs there.

I don't eat meat Smile In fact, on close inspection, it doesn't look like t-rex has ANY veggie mains! But that's fine; I'll get them to make me something special, haha Laughing out loud Or even just see if they can alter that massive starter platter slightly to only have veg stuff in it - that would make an interesting main meal!

mrhub wrote:
T-Rex does have some very good salads & flat bread pizza'a. Scrappy and I split a salad and a flat bread and it was way more then we could eat for lunch. They are huge!

I was just about to say that. I bet they could make a huge dino salad for ya!

Yey! I'm presuming it won't be hard to alter some of the items on the menu to make them veg, so it's all good! I just want to go eat with a bunch of animatronic dinos - I don't care too much about the food, haha

Thats why we go to be honest. Its just a bonus that we enjoy the food... lol

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Sat, 03/12/2011 - 19:10
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T-Rex is fun. We weren't that impressed with the food, but we may not have tried the right things. Our biggest issue was that we're old and it's LOUD in there. laugh

Tue, 03/15/2011 - 12:03
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rolling Old? rolling Yeah right!

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Tue, 03/22/2011 - 15:22
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I found this on the Disney Food Blog..... The top 5 table service restaurants on a budget

1. Beaches and Cream at Disney's Beach Club Resort

2. Trail's End Restaurant at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort

3. The Plaza at Magic kingdom near Cinderellas Castle

4. The Fountain at The Swan and Dolphin Resort

5. 50's Primetime Cafe at hollywood studios

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Wed, 03/23/2011 - 02:30
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We did Trail's End on this trip and it was Counter Service prices at a Table Service. I was really impressed. Of course I love Fort Wilderness so I may be biased.

Wed, 03/23/2011 - 08:34
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Do you have to make reservations for trails end or is it pretty easy to walk on up to?

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Wed, 03/23/2011 - 14:08
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Pegosaurus wrote:
Do you have to make reservations for trails end or is it pretty easy to walk on up to?

It's also listed on AJ's Top 5 restaurants without an ADR. We made one when we ate there the other day, but it was very busy in the parks and most of the tables at Trail's End were still empty. If you can I'd make one just to be safe, but I wouldn't disregard it just because you don't have an ADR.

 
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