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How to Dine in Walt Disney World When on a Budget

November 8, 2018 by Shellie Wilson

So, your travelling on a budget and want to save money on food at Disney World. Follow these
tips to get the most out of your food dollar.

When you are in Disney World on a budget the one flexible thing you can spend on is food.
Park tickets are non negotiable and with hotels, you know more or less what you are getting into when you book. Now you have a budget for food and you need to stick to it. Here is how to save on food while vacationing on a budget.

Do Not Purchase the Dining Plan
The Disney Dining Plan is not a good for a budget. At best you will break even and that Is only after trying really hard to get your value. Even if the Dining Plan is available for free, it will most likely come at the expense of another discount that will be better. Many people don’t realize this, but the dining plan doesn’t even cover all meals, so you will still be having to pay some out of pocket anyway.

Eat at Quick Service and Lounges
The best way to stick to your budget is to eliminate extra costs like tipping your server. Im not arguing that they don’t deserve their tips, mind you. Just that at a counter service restaurant you pay the price on the menu without concerning yourself with gratuity. Lounges are different of course, but you can often get the food in the lounge for less than what it costs in the neighbouring restaurant.

Back to Quick Service– It’s a lot easier to order an entree to share at Quick Service than it is at a Table Service restaurant. An adult can even order off the Kid’s Menu and nobody bats an eye.

Bring Your Own Snacks
Snacks here and there are a budget killer. While some snacks, just can’t be duplicated, you can save yourself a few dollars here and there by packing your own go-to treats. That goes for bottled water, too. If you plan ahead you can pack a lot of water for your trip and save a lot of money in the long run.

Have your Table Service Meals at Lunch
You might have room in your budget for a splurge or two. You can get the most out of the little extra room by making your reservations for lunch instead of dinner. Lunch is customarily cheaper than Dinner. Plus, if you time it right, you will be inside enjoying a meal for an hour or two while the park is at its busiest.

Take Advantage of Freebies
Places everywhere offer samples. Ghirardelli at Disney Springs, the confectionaries often have a sample to try, Club Cool at Epcot is a great place to suck down carbonated beverage while educating yourself on popular flavors of the world. There are a lot of freebies to take advantage of, like free ice water, or campfire s’mores at your resort.

 

Read These Next

  • 15 DIY Dining Room Tables
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Have you read?

Best Sewing Machine for Quilting Beginners: Your No-Stress Buying Guide

beginner's-quilting-sewing-machine-guide

My first quilting sewing machine was a $50 Black Friday special that literally smoked when I tried to quilt a twin-size top. (RIP, little guy.) After testing 23 machines (and surviving two more meltdowns), I finally cracked the code to finding the perfect beginner quilting machine—without wasting money on features you don’t need yet.

Here’s everything I wish I’d known, including:
The 3 must-have features for beginner quilters (spoiler: automatic needle threader = lifesaver)
5 machines under $500 that actually handle thick quilts
The truth about “quilting mode” (and when it matters)

What Makes a Sewing Machine “Good for Quilting”?

Non-Negotiables for Beginners

  • Throat Space: At least 7 inches (so your quilt doesn’t get stuck)
  • Walking Foot Included: Prevents fabric layers from shifting
  • Drop Feed Dogs: For free-motion quilting later

Nice-to-Have Perks

  • Speed Control: Because quilting a king-size in “rabbit mode” = regrets
  • Needle Up/Down: Crucial for precise pivots at corners
  • LED Lighting: Spotting seams under dim light = no more “mystery stitches”

2. The Best Machines Under $500 (Tested on Real Quilts)

1. Brother PQ1500SL ($479)

  • Why Beginners Love It:
    • 16-inch throat space (fits bulky quilts)
    • Straight stitch only (no confusing dials)
    • Industrial motor handles denim + quilt batting
  • Watch Out: No fancy stitches (but do you really need 200 decorative options?)

2. Janome 3160QDC ($449)

  • Best For: Quilters who want some embroidery flair
    • 60 stitches (great for quilted gifts)
    • One-handed needle threader (no squinting!)
    • Automatic thread cutter = fewer thread nests

3. Juki TL-2010Q ($499)

  • The “Grow With You” Pick
    • Professional-grade straight stitches
    • Knee lifter (hands-free presser foot lifting)
    • Heavy-duty but quiet

Pro Tip: Watch for Joann’s 50% off coupons—they work on these!

3. The “Don’t Waste Your Money” List

Overkill for Beginners

  • $1,000+ Machines: Unless you’re quilting daily, start smaller
  • Heavy Industrial Models: Your kitchen table will protest

Too Basic

  • Mini Machines: Can’t handle batting + fabric layers
  • Vintage Singers: Adorable but often need $200 in tune-ups

4. Your First Quilting Project: Start Here!

Pair your new machine with:

  • This free “Disappearing 9-Patch” pattern (uses only squares!)
  • Pre-cut fabric bundles (no scary rotary cutter yet)

My #1 Advice: Practice on placemats first—less pressure than a queen-size masterpiece.

 

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