Disney visit "on the cheap"?

[gibbage]

Ya. I know its Disneyland and Cheap are two things that dont go togeather, but I am SURE some of you's know of good ways to cut cost's on Disney trips.

I am going this Sunday with a friend and I will be getting my AP. Since I am shelling out $200+, it will put a little hurt on my pocket. Any tips on making the trip cheaper? No need for parking tips. My friend has the parking AP pass.

Its been a long time since I last went, and my cheap food was always that Mexican food place by Big Thunder. Last time I went, it was closed. Is it open? Do they still serv reasonable priced Taco Salads?

Two other questions if you please.

#1, do you think Buzz will be open Sunday? I dont know how long this "soft" opening will last.

#2, how crouded do you think this Sunday will be?

Thanks for all your help, and thanks for the great info in the AP thread! You guys Rock! (and girls)

[wolfy]

El Rancho is open, no more Ribs etc. but plenty of Mexican food. Better to eat outside of the park, if you are looking for cheap food.

Never know about Buzz, but seems it's open most of the time now.

Sunday will be crowded, Spring Break has begun.

Have fun though!

[dshimel]

For cheap, have a big breakfast before you enter, then eat snack at 11:00, lunch about 2:00-3:00 and snack at 7:00 (just to tide you over until you leave the park). Dinner on the way home.

[gibbage]

Sunday will be crowded, Spring Break has begun.

Have fun though!

Ugh....

[gibbage]

Is that Denny's still open accross the way from the Hotel? In Highschool we would ride the Monorail out and walk that way and eat there.

[cellarhound]

Food is what is going to kill you... But because it is in part of the what the DL experiance is about... I would like to hear what people have to say bout food really...

The cheapest offering I found is the biscottis at bakeries/coffee houses... They are usually about a buck and are a good sized portion...

[Ortizmo2000]

Is that Denny's still open accross the way from the Hotel? In Highschool we would ride the Monorail out and walk that way and eat there.

There is a Denny's on Harbor, well away from the Hotel. Are you thinking of Coco's on West and Katella? That place used to be a Sambo's waaaaaaay back in the day.

[mamabot]

Bengal Barbeque is fairly cheap, as are the corn dogs. Adults can purchase children's meals, which run $5.99- $6.99, depending on the restaurant.

Buzz should be open, but be subject to periodic downtimes. The good news is that The Enchanted Tiki Room should be open.

[The Mad Hatter]

Another vote for eating outside the park if you can. I'm a big fan of packing little snacks that don't take up too much room (ie: granola bars, fruit snacks, etc) to help tide you over. Bring a bottle of water or something you can refill to drink too because drinks are overpriced as well.
Or you could always share a meal with your friend.

[Malibu Minion]

Eat outside the park, There's a IHOP, Mimi's, Dennys and McDonalds right across the street from the Main gate. To save money I always eat kid meals inside the park.

[The Mad Hatter]

Eat outside the park, There's a IHOP,

**looks for the barfing smiley**

[Goin2DL]

One way that we save is to bring in our own drinks. Bring a backpack with a couple of plastic bottles of water or soda. They are $2.75 each in the parks and that can add up. Even though they always say no outside food or beverages we always bring snacks and drinks. As long as you don't have any glass containers. Have fun.

[Malibu Minion]

**looks for the barfing smiley**

IHOP is good :lol:

[gibbage]

Bengal Barbeque is fairly cheap, as are the corn dogs. Adults can purchase children's meals, which run $5.99- $6.99, depending on the restaurant.

Buzz should be open, but be subject to periodic downtimes. The good news is that The Enchanted Tiki Room should be open.

What!!! Ow SWEET! That is such good news!

Last time I went (I say that alot....) the end seuqance I could not hear any singing, just a lot of clanking of mecanical parts... I heard that was fixed. If so, that will be one of my stops for sure!

[The Mad Hatter]

IHOP is good :lol:

If you like to be hearded like cattle and eat slop. I like IHOP....just not that one. Way too crowded and gross.

[Malibu Minion]

If you like to be hearded like cattle and eat slop. I like IHOP....just not that one. Way too crowded and gross.

Have you been inside Dennys?

[cellarhound]

Oh, and another thing...

You can think of eating in the park as an "event"... An extra attraction that you would like to do... If you do that, figgure out where you want to go and then eat someplace that you want to and have never gone before...

Save your money to eat at someplace like the Blue Bayou... Because it is something you want to do... But gnosh the rest of the time...

It doesn't do you any good spending 15-17 bucks eating at a cafeteria style place and being satisfied than spending the extra ten bucks per person and sitting down for table service and that "special disney" ambiance...

It isn't going to be cheap... but doing so gives you more "value..." know what I am saying?

[The Mad Hatter]

Have you been inside Dennys?

No...and I'm thinking that I shouldn't

Save your money to eat at someplace like the Blue Bayou... Because it is something you want to do... But gnosh the rest of the time...

But the BB is pretty much the only restraunt of that caliber in the park. And IMO if you don't get seated close to the water than it's not as good of an experience.
If you're getting an AP i say hold off on the more elite dining establishments, since you'll more than likely be going again soon.

[Cuzco-topia]

I think it depends on how much food you want to eat during the day. I do highly recomend snacking through out the day. You'd be surprized how much popcorn will fill you up, for only a few bucks.

If you want a lot for your money, go to Red Rockets pizza port in TL. Big servings of pasta and salad. Yum!

[E-ticket]

I think it depends on how much food you want to eat during the day. I do highly recomend snacking through out the day. You'd be surprized how much popcorn will fill you up, for only a few bucks.

Nothin' like a meal of popcorn and churros.

I think they call that the "Disney Diet".