How Much Money Do I Need For Food?

I am a super crazy planning kind of girl! Before any vacation I want to know how much I expect to spend on food and beverages. This helps me set a savings goal, and budget. That avoids impulse buys like buying all the butter beer I want. Which would be lovely if only my budget was unlimited. Butter-beer is around $8.00 a cup currently. That adds up real quick! Just like with any other vacation destination. You can stick to more budget friendly options or splurge and go all in. There is no right or wrong way, either way you can still enjoy unique foods and experiences.

I am going to break down the cost per adult for all 3 budgets. Super Saver is for those of us that want to spend as little as possible on food and drinks. Budget conscious is for those of use that want to splurge a little without overspending. What budget is for those of us that spare no expense on vacations. No matter what you budget is.

Notes
*You might want to get the quick service dining plan. It is an excellent value. You can learn more about it here.
*Portions are very large. If you know that you or your child doesn’t eat much. Try splitting meals with someone.
*My estimates are high. You can spend less per day and most will. It is better to over budget than have to say no because you didn’t budget enough money. If I have extra money left from my food budget after a vacation, it gets added into my next savings goal.

You can read about my Top 8 Quick Service Dining locations here.

Super Saver
I suggest you either order groceries from Amazon Fresh there is a $4.99 fee plus whatever tip. Or you can bring things with you from home. Order things for breakfast or quick dinner options such as granola bars, muffins, lunch meat, bread, or other shelf stable options. Breakfast is the easiest to do in the room. Most people don’t feel deprived by not eating breakfast out. Plus its easy since you are already in the room. If you eat produce order that as well as snacks. By doing this you will save yourself about $20.00 per person per day.

Eat 2 meals out a day in the parks from any quick service location. Only buy one snack per person per day. They do have a refillable popcorn bucket available. This will save you lots of money if you buy it and refill it throughout your trip. Water is free at any food kiosk or restaurant. Your goal is going to be to eat at least one meal a day in your hotel room. Bring some snacks with you into the parks inside a backpack. I suggest $50.00 per day if you fall in this range.

Example for an adult
Breakfast – Yogurt, granola bars, and fruit in your hotel room – $1.50
Lunch – Fish and Chips with water from Three Broomsticks – $16.99
Snack – Butter beer with candy from Honey dukes – $14.00
Dinner – Perilous Pair Platter & water from Monster’s Cafe – $16.99
Total: $49.48

Budget Conscious
Order foods from Amazon fresh as well. Just a few snack things to have in the room. Limit yourself one table service meal a day. The other 2 meals eat quick service. I suggest $75.00 a day for this range.

Example for an adult
Breakfast – Ham, Egg & Cheese from the Today Cafe with coffee – $12.98
Lunch – Fish and Chips with water from Three Broomsticks – $16.99
Snack – Butter beer with candy from Honey dukes – $14.00
Dinner – Dublin Chicken Sandwich with a drink from Finnegan’s – $19.98
Snack – Ice Cream  – $8.00
Total: $71.95

What Budget
A table service meal runs around $25.00 with a drink. To be safe I would budget $75.00 a day for your 3 meals. Then another $25.00 for snacks or drinks. That would put you at $100.00 a day for food and drinks per adult per day.