Whether you visit Disneyland or Disney World, there are over 110 restaurant options available. Let’s face it; that translates into a lot of delicious food! The problem is that some of the best Disney dining options are rather expensive. Keep reading, to learn more about a few Disney dining deals not everyone knows about.

Check out Disney’s Lounges and Bars for Tapas Style Eating

This is a great way to save money and try lots of excellent food at Disney. It’s also a sneaky way to get into some of the best restaurants without a reservation. Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani House is one of my favorites. Their Indian-Style bread service is a delicious way to try a variety of breads and sauces. It’s sure to fill you up at a reasonable price. Another favorite is tapas and drinks at the Nomad Lounge at Tiffins in Animal Kingdom park. Other options include Trader Sam’s at Disney’s Polynesian Resort and Brown Derby at Disney’s Hollywood studios.

Save on Entrees at Quick Service Locations

Many restaurants in the Disney parks offer quick-service locations nearby. The menus typically package a side and dessert. Y0u can ask for only the Entree and pay less. While you won’t have the sit-down experience, the entrees offerings are a fraction of the cost inside the main restaurants.

Snack Your Way Around the World

On a recent trip to Disney, I was given the challenge to see how many snacks we could find for $25 at Epcot. I was pleasantly surprised by the tasty options that were $5 or less.

photo credit: TouringPlans.com

Options include:

• Bavarian pretzel in Germany
• Shaved ice and sushi in Japan
• Crepes in France
• Home made chips in England
• Pork and veggie egg rolls in China

Comeback Momma tip: Try a variety of sodas for FREE at Club Cool in Future World at Epcot. But beware the veggie cola. Yuck!

Go for a late breakfast or Brunch Buffet

I often find the having a late breakfast or brunch buffet will hold me over until dinner, perhaps with a snack in between. The brunch options are always more affordable than other meals at Disney. The Wave in the Contemporary Hotel has some great choices. Trattoria Al Forno at the Polynesian also has a very affordable breakfast.

Photo Credit: Flickr user rosenhotelandresorts

Order Appetizers as your Entree or Split a Meal

A great way to save money at one of Disney’s sit-down restaurants is to order an appetizer as a meal or split a meal. Many entrees are large enough to share. We’ve fed our family of 4 with only 2 entrees. Another option to save money on Disney food is to have an appetizer as your main course. Some are quite filling. A great example is the extra large Pizza at Via Napoli in Epcot. While $40 may not seem cheap, you can feed 4-5 people for that price. Check out this post for a list of restaurants where sharing meals helps save money.

Don’t pay for drinks when water is FREE

Don’t pay for expensive drinks or bottled water when you can get ice water at any Quick Service restaurant for FREE. Bring drink mix packets if you want to add some flavor. I also recommend bringing insulated bottles to fill up and keep your drinks cooler longer.

The Best Disney Character Meal Deal

If you’re traveling with little ones, your trip to Disney World isn’t complete without participating in at least one character meal. Am I right? One of the most affordable meal options is “Sunshine Breakfast Time” hosted by Lakeview Restaurant at the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista.

Photo credit: Wydham Lake Buena Vista

Both Pluto and Goofy attend this breakfast on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 7:30 until 10:30 AM. They love to greet guests as well as pose for photos and give autographs.

Another great thing about this deal is the fact that it’s much easier to get a table. Although, reservations are still recommended.

Consider a Tables in Wonderland Membership

When you take advantage of a Tables in Wonderland membership, you automatically receive a 20 percent discount on food and drinks. This even includes alcohol! Better yet, there are scads of restaurants and some counter-service locations that honor it.

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Disney Free Dining Promotion

Disney doesn’t offer a free dining promotion as much as it used to. However, it’s still possible to get a deal, with due diligence on your part. Signing up for a Disney Newsletter is probably your best bet. Often if you stay 5-6 nights at one of the Disney resort hotels, dining is free. It’s important to note, these promotions sell out FAST so book early.

Bring your own snacks

Of course you can avoid the cost of Disney snacks all together by bringing your own snacks. If you don’t want to pack them in your luggage, you can order snacks from services like Garden Grocer or Amazon Prime Now and have them shipped to your hotel.

Take time to explore some of these suggestions, before heading off the park. Your wallet and your family will be glad you did! Have another Disney Dining deal to share? Let us know in a comment.

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