Eating At Disneyland On A Budget
Hi friends! I previously did a post on my favorite Disneyland treats, but realized that it isn’t practical for families of large numbers. This post will include all of my tips for saving money on food at the park! And what’s great is that you are allowed to bring outside food into the parks (excluding glass). I have to give my family credit because they are the ones who taught me these tips hehe. Enjoy my tips on how to save at the parks!
BRING A COOLER: This is a must when I go to Disneyland! I drive to SoCal, so if you are flying then you are shit out of luck on this one. But, this is super convenient to store cool drinks in the car while at the park all day! In addition, I always pack sandwiches and use the cooler to keep them cold throughout the day. What’s great is that you can go back to the parking structure whenever you want to get some cold food! Going back to the parking structure doesn’t sound all that great but if it means you’ll be saving a good $60 for lunch (assuming you are in a family of 5), I think you can suck it up!
TRY AND STAY AT A HOTEL THAT PROVIDES BREAKFAST: My family always stays at the Embassy Suites! This is a lovely hotel that serves great breakfast. It’s a buffet with bacon, eggs, sausage, fruit, bagels, donuts, and an omelette bar! This is super convenient because we will eat a big breakfast to keep us full longer, and don’t have to worry about additional breakfasts in the park. You can also take some bananas to go which is nice! But you will have to drive to the parks from this hotel, but hey you will have that cooler handy haha. The Embassy Suites is more on the pricey side, so if that isn’t in your price range, I have another option! I have also stayed at the Desert Inn & Suites, which is right across the street from the Disneyland. The breakfast isn’t as extravagant, but it is still something less to pay for. They serve bananas, apples, hard boiled eggs and bagels. Me and my boyfriend have stayed here because of the convenience of location and for the free breakfast yay!
BRING A REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE: This tip is probably my most valuable. Nothing is worse than dying of thirst in Disneyland on a summer day! The food places will give you cups of water upon request, but they are super small and you can’t bring them on rides which blows. I bring my Hydro Flask, but any reusable water bottle will work out fine. You can refill these at any food place and is perfect when you don’t want to waste time stopping for a cup of water!
BUY YOUR OWN ENERGY DRINKS: I may be alone on this one, but I need a nice pick-me-up after my tenth hour in the park. I really enjoy energy drinks, but they are so expensive!!! I believe a Rockstar at Pizza Port is around $6. That is absurd! Safeway usually has a 2 for $5 deal! I highly recommend bringing your own energy drinks if you know that you’ll be wanting them!!
ICONIC SNACKS FOR MY DISNEY TRIPS: Before a trip to Disney, we go on a big Costco run. Bringing lots of snacks gets you further through the day without needing to buy a meal! I usually eat a big breakfast, snack throughout the day, and then eat an early dinner! When we go to Costco, we usually get trail mix, beef jerky, and granola bars. Sometimes my grandma will be super prepared and provide us with cherry tomatoes, and cucumber slices! Those are our essentials. But don’t forget the candy hehe. I usually bring a variation of different candies and share with my sisters! When you think about it, you can bring loads of candy, or buy all the children an $11 caramel apple haha. Take your pick.
If you know you’ll be dining in the parks, here is a list of my favorite restaurants that give you the most for what you are paying for!
PIZZA PORT: Pizza Port is a quick service restaurant in Tomorrowland. You walk in with a tray and grab all the food you want and then get rung up. They have different types of salads (caesar with chicken is my fav), pastas and pizzas. This is my go-to for nearly every meal. Everyone just grabs what they want and don’t have to waste time by being served. Most items are under $10 and are filling. They do take AP discounts.
RANCHO DEL ZOCALO RESTAURANTE: Rancho Del Zocalo Restaurante is located in Frontierland and has the same setup as a Chipotle. You get in line and tell the cast members what you’d like to order. They prepare it for you within minutes! This is more expensive than Pizza Port, but you get way more. I usually have a tough time finishing my plate. I love the “Burrito Sonora with Chicken”, which has a cost of $12.49. That specific dish comes with a giant burrito with a Guajillo sauce, with a side of rice and beans. It is super flavorful and is great when you are feeling some Mexican food.
BOARDWALK PIZZA AND PASTA: Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta is located in California Adventure and is the same type of restaurant as Pizza Port. They serve the same exact items with the same prices! This is a great option when you are in California Adventure and want pizza, pasta or salad.
TAQUERIA AT TORTILLA JO’S: This taqueria is actually located in Downtown Disney, and is your cheapest option out of the others. The taqueria is located on the side of Tortilla Jo’s, fairly close to the monorail! If you decide to dine here and do not want to walk that far, it’s about 50 steps from the monorail. My family specifically comes here for the nachos. They are $8.50, and you get so much for the cost. You could easily split the nachos with someone. There is a whole assembly line where you pick your proteins, fillings, and toppings. They also have burritos and tacos, but I am only educated in the nacho department. They also take AP discounts which is a plus.
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