Disney World Food Prices + Ways You Can Save
Disney World food prices can definitely cause a bit of sticker shock, but doing Disney on a budget is kind of our thing! After more than 40 years of visiting the parks, we’ve picked up plenty of tips for keeping food costs under control without missing out on the fun.
Disney trip planning can feel overwhelming once you start adding up the big expenses like travel, lodging, and food. Ironically, those are also the areas where you have the most control over your budget. Lightning Lane passes, souvenirs, and special events are optional.
Saving money on food at Disney is one of my favorite topics to discuss, and not just because it’s one of the easiest ways to save, but because the food at Disney World has come such a long way. Some of the best Disney dining is also the cheapest. Let’s dive in!
My perspective on Disney World food prices is a little different from others. Is the food at Disney World expensive? Yes, it can be. But so can the food at every other theme park, concert, attraction, and big event. I expect the food to be more expensive at any of those places. People act like Disney World food prices are shocking when, in reality, no one should be surprised by that.
We know food will be one of the main expenses, so let’s explore what you can expect and some ways to save. Before we dive in, let’s get two things out of the way. I always get questions about the dining plan and bringing food into the parks. Here are my thoughts.
Is The Disney Dining Plan Worth It?
I do not recommend the dining plan. There are better ways to save money, like simply sharing meals. Some people do it for convenience, but we like the flexibility to go wherever we want without being tied down by reservations. Regarding pricing, you’ll be lucky to break even on the dining plan, and that’s only if you drink alcohol. I’ve written many articles on how to save money on food at Disney World for you to check out.
Can You Bring Food Into Disney?
Yes. You can bring food into Disney World, and Disney World has a very informative article detailing what’s allowed and what’s not. Disney World snacks are one of the things I look forward to, but they can add up. To save money without feeling like you’ve sacrificed, you can do both. Bring a few snacks and budget for your favorites (like the honey pistachio croissant at Animal Kingdom or a Mickey affogato in Epcot). If you’re traveling with kids, having some snacks ready to go is a great way to avoid meltdowns and stay occupied in long lines.
Disney Park Bag
Crossbody Sling Backpack/Daypack: Multipurpose bag with three D-rings and separate compartments to effectively carry snacks, phones, sunscreen, first aid kit, earphones – and any other park essentials!
Disney World Food Prices
While planning your Disney trip itinerary, you should have a rough idea of where you’ll be each day. Once you know that, you can plan your meals or at least have a loose idea. To make it even easier, the Walt Disney World website has virtually every menu posted online. You can review the menus and plan your meals to get a rough idea of how much you will spend. For more help with planning, check out my 4-step Disney plan.
What’s Your Dining Style?
We have a very relaxed approach to eating that allows for spontaneity. However, we do enjoy an occasional table service meal, and the location of that reservation will determine where else we go that day. This just makes sense. Time is money at Disney World, and traveling from one place to another will consume much more time than you anticipate. This is another thing to be prepared for. Having a plan, even if it’s a loose plan, will save time, stress, and money.
Disney World Snacks
Snacking your way around the parks, resorts, and Disney Springs is not only super fun, but it’s also a great way to enjoy some of the most unique food at Disney World while saving money. This is especially true for the resorts since the food there often reflects the theming. For example, we love the Indian-style bread service at Sanaa Lounge inside Animal Kingdom Lodge. The bread service includes a variety of breads and sauces for just $22.00. Split between four people, it’s a unique and delicious midday snack. So, when you think of “snacks,” think outside the box and don’t limit yourself to only the menu items listed as snacks.
I recently updated our Best Disney World Snacks and $5 Snacks At Walt Disney World posts.
Disney World snack prices range from $2.75 for a half-baguette with French butter and jam at Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie in Epcot to the Na’vi-sized Pretzel with beer cheese sauce for $11.49 at Pongu Pongu in Animal Kingdom.
Portable Charger – A Park Must
All day power for iPhone, Apple Watch, and iPad.
Disney days are long. Between photos, videos, and booking Lightning Lanes, batteries drain quickly. This gives you all-day power in a ultra compact, mini size.
Disney World Quick Service Food
I’ve seen a lot of change at Disney World in the last 40 years, and the food has been the most significant and exciting change, in my opinion. I vividly remember the days when quick-service dining meant you were choosing from burgers, chicken strips, and corndogs. That is no longer the case. Quick service dining is where you will find some truly hidden gems and some of the best food on Disney property!
The food prices at Disney World quick-service locations range from $4.99 for this Baked Macaroni and Cheese to $12.79 for a Cuban sandwich large enough to share—and higher.Â
Quick-service restaurants are a nice compromise. You can still rest and enjoy a relaxing meal without the hassle of a reservation or the expense of table service. Typically, you place your order, pick up your meal at a window, and then find seating, which is first-come, first-served.
Some Disney World quick-service dining locations, like Katsura Grill in Epcot, have absolutely beautiful atmospheres. Here are a few of our favorites.
You can make a meal out of snacks and quick-service food at Disney World without sacrificing a thing. Here are a few posts featuring our some of my favorites!
Table Service Restaurants At Disney World
If I’m being honest, we don’t do many table service meals. These meals can be very expensive, and the focus of our trips (and my site) is to save money. We’ve had some fabulous table-service meals, but we’ve also had many that left us unsatisfied. That’s a tough pill to swallow after spending $200+ on a meal. That said, a table-service meal can be a wonderful experience. Here are a few tips to maximize both the experience and your money:
- Choose a restaurant with great theming. The theming at some table-service restaurants, like Steakhouse 71, is underwhelming, while others, like Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater in Hollywood Studios, are amazing. Sci-Fi is a more reasonably priced table service restaurant, and the air-conditioning is always kickin’! You can go wrong sitting outside The Boathouse at Dockside Bar (pictured above) or Three Bridges Bar and Grill.
- Share meals. We share meals for two reasons. I’m passionate about food waste, and it saves money. We don’t want to pay for food we can’t eat, especially at a table service location where prices can be high. Sometimes they will charge you a small split-plate charge, but we have never experienced that.
Planning our meals is one of the things we look forward to the most on any Disney trip. I spend months scouring menus and adding anything we want to try to our itinerary. Check the menus for nearly every restaurant to find the most current Disney World food prices.
I hope this post helps prepare you for what to expect regarding Disney Food prices. You can also have a fantastic trip and eat delicious food without exceeding your budget!
