Some think that leaving the park to eat will save some money. Think again. Can you grab a few sandwiches from the Dollar Menu and spend less than in the park? Sure. If you can teleport. If you factor in everything that goes into leaving the park to get to your desired Fast Food Chain, then getting back.. you’re not saving. You are breaking even money wise, while wasting a lot of time.
So you are on your family vacation, and figure that you are going to save a few bucks by leaving the property to find a place to grab some cheap food.
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe – 1/3lb Bacon Cheeseburger is 10.69. It includes the Bacon Cheeseburger w/ choice of Apple slices, green beans or Fries (Which you can go to salad bar and add cheese for free.) Plus $2.99 for a drink.
McD’s – Big Mac Meal – Large – $6.99 It comes with your Big Mac, fries and a Drink. So you would be saving $13.38 on 2 meals.
So there is a Savings! But Wait! If your teleport machine is broken, we have some other things to factor in. First, we will have to leave the Park. We have to walk out of the exit then decide: Monorail or Ferry Boat. Then once we wait and get back to the parking lot we have another decision! Walk or take the tram? Line’s not long, it’s in the middle of the day, Pack up and ride to Scar. Now we hit the Alarm button and find our car. Great. Get in and leave the parking lot.
*Note: Just to get to your car takes at least 20 minutes on a good day.*
The closest McD’s is 6 miles away. GPS says it’ll take 10 minutes. So we will be generous and say that’s right, and there is no traffic. Decisions..we could go in and sit down, or we can hit the Drive-Thru. We’ll go Drive-Thru. So we took another 5 minutes ordering our food, paying and getting it. Assuming they didn’t mess up and got the whole order correct, you are heading back to the parks. Wait! Can’t eat and drive that’s not safe. Even if you scarf it down, another 5 minutes. Ok, Now we are heading back to the park! Again, 10 mins on a good day. Park, take the tram, hurry over and catch the monorail, and yup, have to go back through bag check and wait all over again to get through those gates. Finally, you’re back at the park 20 minutes later.
You spent over an hour, at least! And you were Rushing, walking, and driving (spent money in gas). Not enjoying yourself. Not watching a show or parade while munching on your food. You might save a couple of dollars, but you are wasting time, effort and lost out on Magic you wont get back. You are paying for DISNEY. Yes, we all know how much it can be, but that is a lot of work for a few bucks. You spent time away from the park, on the vacation you paid so much more. That’s losing out on your money spent already! Running around wasting energy. Technically, I’d say you’d be losing out on money and more.
There are other ways to save on a Disney trip! Find another place to eat that isn’t so expensive. Disney has so many options! Look online at Menus, ask your Travel Agent for opinions. Or invest in the Dining Plan. There are 3 options, and it can be added right into your reservation so you can pay it off gradually like the rest of your trip! That way you know what you have and can make reservations accordingly. One of the biggest “complaints” I have heard is “It’s too much food, we won’t eat it all.” If that’s not an option, maybe going to a grocery store, or having some delivered and bringing in food. Yes you can bring in snack, food and drinks. (With limits) So there are other options, so please make leaving the park your last one. Enjoy your time at Disney, not in traffic!
If you have questions about the Dining Plan or want other tips or tricks, my name Is Jamie I’m an Independent Travel Agent with World of Magic Travel, and a Disney Addict myself! I’m also a writer for Chip & Co. Feel free to contact me at Jamieporter@worldofmagictravel.com or follow me here on Facebook!
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Nice article, but you didn’t mention that the car would be about 130 degrees inside, a tad uncomfortable, while rushing off for your lunch. Surely someone will have to use the restroom once you get to your ” off property” restaurant, so add another chunk of valuable time you are losing. For sure, if this is your first or second time driving in and around the WDW area, you might get lost and I can guarantee you will stop and wait at more than 1red light. I think I can comfortably add another 30 minutes to your time and so the best deal yet is STAY IN THE PARK and pay the extra few dollars for lunch.