$30, 3 Meals Hollywood Studios
Food and it’s high price tags are a factor to be considered when you’re planning your Walt Disney World vacation. Honestly, the way you plan your meals and subsequently, your budget for said meals can really make or break your entire experience! I once tried to plan a trip with a friend by packing a weeks’ worth of yogurt and bagels in our suitcases so we wouldn’t have to buy breakfast or lunch.
Thankfully, that trip never came to fruition (high schoolers probably shouldn’t plan trips of this magnitude) and I spared myself what in hindsight would have been a ridiculous week of penny-pinching that would have resulted in more stress than it was worth!
Since high school, a lot about me has changed. I no longer consider flip flops dress shoes, and I certainly no longer consider stashing bagels in my suitcase when I go to Walt Disney World! Food at the Resort is costly, don’t get me wrong, but I’ve planned enough budget-minded vacations that I know for a fact that it is possible to eat 3 meals inside of the theme parks for just $30 per person!
If you think I’m crazy, you might be onto something, but before you throw me in an asylum, hear me out! Over the next few weeks, I’ll explore each of the 4 parks’ dining options and let you in on how to plan your meals according to the $30 parameter we’ve set. So, without further ado, let’s go to Hollywood!
Breakfast
You’ve made your Fastpass+ reservations, you’ve booked a hotel, and now all that’s left to do is count the days until you finally arrive at Walt Disney World Resort! While you’re waiting to check off the next day on your countdown board, now is the time to settle on a budget.
$30 per person per day is a very low prince point by Disney standards, and while you’re probably going to want to splurge on at least a few table service restaurants during your stay, you won’t go hungry on the days you’re being budget-conscious.
Credit: www.disneyfoodblog.com
If you’re trying to fit as many attractions into your trip as possible, a quick breakfast is a must…especially when you’re on a budget! Head to the Joffrey’s located right across from the brand new entrance to Toy Story Land for one of their enormous pastries. You can choose from massive muffins, gargantuan donuts, and a huge apple fritter that would feed a small army.
The pastries are all $3.99 and, in all honesty, I always share mine two ways and never feel hungry! If you can’t live without your morning java, I completely understand and have allotted for that…so go ahead and order a cup of coffee to pair with your pastry ($3.39); there’s room in our budget!
Lunch
Human beings naturally like to have options. For example, if someone gave you a green printed shirt as a gift, you’ll wear it, but it probably isn’t the exact hue or pattern you would have chosen for yourself. If you were presented with two shirt options- the green one plus a blue one- you still might choose the green one, but you’d be much happier wearing it because you picked it out yourself!
The same goes for food, and for your budget-minded lunch at Hollywood Studios! The first option on the list is from the brand-new Woody’s Lunch Box in Toy Story Land. Judging from the photos and reviews that have (already) popped up online, the sizable Monte Cristo sandwich ($11.49) is loaded with turkey breast, ham, melted Swiss, and a raspberry sauce will make for a lunch satisfying enough to fuel any aspiring Space Ranger!
If you’re not in the mood for fighting the crazy crowds at lunchtime, the much quieter Dockside Diner has just the meal for you! Order the Carolina All-Beef Footlong ($11.49) for a lunch that will absolutely fill you up, even if dinnertime is hours away. I’ve seen this one in person countless times, and the thing is huge. Not only is the hot dog massive, but the heaping helping of pulled pork completely smothering the frank certainly bulks out the already-filling dog!
Dinner
I haven’t exaggerated the size of either lunch option so it’s not surprising if you’re not ravenous come dinner time. But that’s not what this article is about…it’s about getting 3 super filling meals (and coffee!) at a very low price point, and that’s just how you’re going to round out your day- with a big dinner. Since I like options, I’ve got two for you.
The first comes from ABC Commissary and is a great choice if you’re hoping to meet your daily vegetable goals on vacation. The Mediterranean Salad ($9.99) is just the ticket as it’s completely veggie loaded Plus, you get a healthy serving of protein by way of a big scoop of hummus and a soft piece of flatbread for dipping.
The second dinner option is one of my tried and true go-to’s for an inexpensive, healthy, and flavor-packed dinner at Hollywood Studios. The Caprese Sandwich ($9.99) from Backlot Express is a great dinner option that will fill you up without breaking the bank. The big sandwich is stacked with fresh mozzarella, arugula, tomatoes, is served on fresh, pesto-slathered ciabatta bread.
I know these sandwiches are made freshly throughout the day, because not once has mine been soggy. I love to take mine outside to eat under the huge covered patio, and if you time it correctly, you can see and hear some of the action from the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular while you dine! Oh, and one more thing, this meal option comes with a side of fries, and sharing is optional.
Grand Total
With a pastry and coffee for breakfast, the Monte Cristo or Carolina Footlong for lunch, and the Mediterranean Salad and Hummus or Caprese Sandwich with fries for dinner, I would bet a lot of money that you’re feeling more than full and not at all like you’re on a budget! The grand total for ALL of that food is…drumroll please…$28.86- just under budget!
If you’re traveling with children, this is a lot of food…it’s more food than even I would eat in a day! You can count on being able to split two, if not all three meals between two children and they will certainly not be hungry.
Plus, kids aren’t coffee drinkers, so if you subtract that from their allotted budget, that leaves just enough for a Mickey’s Premium ice cream bar for dessert! So, would you go for the java or the ice cream? Will you plan a budget-friendly day into your vacation? Let us know in the comments below!
Ready to take your favorite Disney content wherever you go? Check out The Making Magic Podcast, covering all things Disney, hosted by myself and Greg Antonelle by clicking here, or over on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/making-magic/id1449862561?mt=2&i=1000427864780
Are you planning to book a Disney vacation for you and your family? I’d love to help! I am a proud MickeyTravels Authorized Vacation Planner (Platinum Level) specializing in all Disney destinations. From hotel to FastPass+ reservations, I will help with each and every aspect of your trip. And the best part about my services is that they are completely FREE! You can find me over on Facebook, or contact me directly at msalerno@mickeytravels.com, or 800-308-6257. I can’t wait to start planning your dream Disney vacation!
