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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.

 

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How to Make Your Own Taco Seasoning (Better Than the Packet!)

If you’ve ever found yourself halfway through cooking taco mince only to realize you’re out of those little seasoning packets—welcome to the club. That’s exactly how I started making my own taco seasoning years ago, and honestly? I’ve never looked back.

I remember rummaging through the pantry one Tuesday night (always taco night at our place), holding up an empty sachet like it might magically refill itself. The kids were already setting the table, the mince was sizzling in the pan, and I had no plan B. So I grabbed my spices, crossed my fingers, and threw something together. And guess what? It was better than the packet.

These days, I keep a jar of this homemade taco mix ready to go. It’s full of real flavour, no weird fillers, and you can tweak it however you like. My daughter likes hers mild, my son wants “spicy but not too spicy,” and I just like knowing exactly what’s going in our dinner. Plus, it smells amazing while it cooks—kind of like you’ve got your life together, even if the laundry’s still sitting unfolded on the couch.

This recipe has become one of those little kitchen wins that makes life feel easier and just a bit more delicious. It’s quick to make, easy to store, and once you try it, I’m pretty sure you’ll never go back to the store-bought stuff either.

 Ingredients (makes about 1/3 cup):

  • 2 tbsp chili powder (mild or hot, your call)

  • 1 tbsp ground cumin

  • 1 tsp paprika (smoked or sweet)

  • 1 tsp garlic powder

  • 1 tsp onion powder

  • ½ tsp dried oregano

  • ½ tsp salt

  • ¼ tsp black pepper

  • Optional: ¼ tsp cayenne pepper for extra heat

 To Use:

Use 2 tablespoons per 500g (1 lb) of ground beef, chicken, lentils, or veggie mince. Add a splash of water while cooking to help it coat evenly.

 Shellie’s Tips:

  • Store in a small jar or repurposed spice tin. Add a label and it makes a cute DIY gift!

  • You can double or triple the batch—perfect for meal prepping or busy weeknights.

  • Want it low-sodium? Just skip the salt and season to taste while cooking.

 Why Make It Yourself?

  • No fillers, no anticaking agents—just spice cupboard staples.

  • You control the flavour and spice level.

  • Kids love it, and it’s easy enough for them to mix (great rainy-day pantry activity!).

Here are some more Taco recipes on our blog. 

A Taco Bar Is the Perfect Stress-Free Party Food Solution [Party Ideas]

Breakfast Scramble Soft Tacos

Crock Pot Chicken Taco Bowl

 

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