Disney World is a magical place with incredible rides, shows, and food, but it’s no secret that it can be expensive. Because eating at Disney World (Orlando, Florida) can get expensive, the last thing you want to do is pay too much for a meager meal. Fortunately, there’s a pleasing array of inexpensive eats onsite that pack on the portions!
Disney dining takes on many forms. For instance, we could easily provide an elaborate list of Character Meals at Disney World alone, which would, of course, include Character Meals at Disney Resorts specifically, along with those housed in Disney Parks directly.
Princess meals at Disney World are also undeniably top-rated endeavors. After all, who wouldn’t jump at the opportunity to share a Disney meal with Princesses?
If you’re visiting on a budget, finding affordable meals with hearty helpings that don’t skimp on quality or quantity and are even decently priced is super important. The good news is that there are plenty of tasty and budget-friendly options throughout the parks and Disney Springs. With a little planning and smart choices, you can enjoy delicious meals without spending a fortune.
Related: How to Save Money Eating at Disney World
Here’s a guide to some of the best cheap and filling meals at Disney World, perfect for making your trip stress-free and satisfying. With a range of affordable Disney food options and cheap Disney meals, you can easily indulge without overspending.
Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom offers a mix of classic and creative dining options that cater to different tastes and budgets. From hearty seafood dishes to customizable Tex-Mex favorites, you’ll find plenty of ways to fuel your adventure without breaking the bank.
Trio Platter (Columbia Harbour House)
If you’re craving seafood, Columbia Harbour House is a fantastic spot for a quick meal. They serve dishes like the Lobster Roll, Grilled Shrimp Skewer, and the Trio Platter.
Opting for quick-service meals at Disney World is a great way to maintain your overall Disney meal plan cost. Fortunately, there are many excellent quick-service establishments that offer the works for a price well below the $20 marker!
That’s certainly the case at Columbia Harbour House, based in Liberty Square at Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park. While you’ll find plenty of fulfilling options listed on the menu, none exceeding $17, our top recommendation for those looking to get the most out of their buck is the Trio Platter. For just $14.99 it comes as a combo of fried shrimp, chicken strips, and battered fish, served with hushpuppies and a choice of side.
Related: Your Go-To Guide for Dining Under $10 at Disney World Parks
Taco Trio (Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café)
Pecos Bill’s is a go-to for Tex-Mex fans. You can customize dishes like beef or chicken rice bowls, fajitas, and nachos. The best part? The toppings bar lets you load up your meal with extras like guacamole, salsa, and cheese at no extra cost. The Old West-themed setting adds some fun to your dining experience, and the hearty portions mean you’ll leave satisfied.
Pecos Bill is another great Magic Kingdom-based quick-service option located in Frontierland. Truth be told the portions for anything you order are bound to be generous. However, due to its thrice-as-nice versatility, we recommend the Taco Trio specifically.
This offering provides three flour tortillas with your choice of seasoned ground beef, seasoned chicken, or carnitas, accompanied by lettuce and tomato. All this, and it’s just $10.99. Our second recommendation is the $15.49 Fajita Platter, served with carnitas and seasoned chicken, along with yellow rice, beans, veggies, sour cream, salsa, and flour tortillas.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a haven for food lovers seeking hearty and flavorful meals. With barbecue classics and customizable bowls inspired by exotic flavors, this park offers filling meals that won’t break the bank.
Ribs and Chicken Combo (Flame Tree Barbecue)
For barbecue lovers, Flame Tree Barbecue is a must-visit in the Discovery Island section of Animal Kingdom Park. Their smoked ribs, pulled pork, and roasted chicken come with sides like baked beans and coleslaw, making for a hearty and affordable meal. The outdoor seating area has beautiful views of the water and greenery, creating a peaceful spot to enjoy your food.
While the barbecue-based menu features several notable callouts, the one that has folks raving about most is their Ribs and Chicken Combo, which comes with their own signature baked beans and coleslaw. All that is just $15.69. Of course, if you’re incredibly famished, there’s also their Ribs, Chicken, and Pulled Pork Sampler for $18.99, which includes the same pairings.
Ribs, Steak, & Shrimp Trio (Rainforest Café)
There are actually two Rainforest Café locations in Disney World—one at Animal Kingdom Park and the other at Disney Springs Marketplace in Lake Buena Vista. Both feature the same menus, decent pricing, and generously portioned entrées that two or more people can easily share.
And one such item that can easily satisfy multiple diners is their Ribs, Steak & Shrimp Trio. The combination platter consists of mojo bone ribs, sirloin steak, and Caribbean coconut shrimp, accompanied by specialty Safari fries. You get all that for just $39.99!
Combination Bowls (Satu’li Canteen)
Located in Pandora – The World of Avatar, this spot is perfect if you’re looking for healthy and filling meals. You can build your own bowl with options like grilled chicken, beef, or tofu, paired with rice, salad, or potato hash. Topped with tasty sauces, these bowls are both flavorful and satisfying. The futuristic design of the restaurant adds to the fun.
If you’re looking for an affordable, out-of-this-world novelty dining experience, add Satu’li Canteen to your list of Disney Parks meal plan must-dos.
Related: The Best Quick Service Meals at Walt Disney World
This is one quick-service stop that has a genuinely elevated vibe, given its unique theming and food fusion specialties. Most offerings here are cleverly concocted combination bowls, with many options available. What’s more, they’re all pretty abundant and satisfying. Best of all, though, is the pricing, given that nothing on the menu here exceeds $17.49!
EPCOT
EPCOT’s international pavilions are a treasure trove of delicious and affordable dining options. Whether you’re craving classic fish and chips or French pastries, this park offers a global culinary journey that’s both tasty and budget-friendly.
Pizzas at Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria
Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria is a renowned table-service restaurant based in the Italy Pavilion of the World Showcase in EPCOT. While the menu highlights several Italian specialties, pizza is an undeniable premium.
Furthermore, they offer so many different renditions of such, with prices starting at $25 for individuals all the way up to $50 or more for Mezzo Metro sizes. That may not seem like a great deal at first, but when you consider the robust quantity these pizzas pack compared to your dining party size, you’ll see that such a splurge will actually end up saving you money.
Kansas City Smoked Half-Chicken (Regal Eagle Smokehouse)
Appropriately enough, this quick-service establishment, based in EPCOT’s American Adventure Pavilion, is the ultimate go-to for hearty American smokehouse comforts. Between the abundant plated helpings and impressive sides, there are plenty of options to fill up.
But one of the most raved-about offerings we hear about is their Kansas City Smoked Half Chicken entrée. At just $14.29, you get a helping of half a chicken that’s been slow-smoked and smothered in sweet barbecue sauce and your choice of side.
Oak-Grilled Rotisserie Chicken (Sunshine Seasons)
Sunshine Seasons food court, housed within the Land Pavilion in EPCOT, is one of our favorite counter-service operations in all of Disney World. Not only do they feature a vast and versatile abundance of options, but all meals fall below the $15 marker despite some being pretty abundant.
One of the top-rated suggestions we hear many fans raving about is their Oak-Grilled Rotisserie Chicken. Here, you get a half-portion of chicken packed onto a plate with other filling fixings of black beans and yellow rice. All this comes at the price of just $12.79.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios is home to a variety of unique dining experiences, offering something for every taste and budget. Whether you’re looking for quick bites or hearty meals, this park has plenty of options to satisfy your hunger while staying within your budget.
A Sampling of Mom’s Favorite Recipes (50’s Prime Time Café)
Even if it weren’t a reasonably priced table-service operation, 50’s Prime Time Café at Hollywood Studios has such generous comfort-food portions that many would readily agree to any price. Just the same, nothing is too pricey here, not even their multi-faceted sample platter, which may serve as multiple meals all in one.
For $28, you can order A Sampling of Mom’s Favorite Recipes, comprising fried chicken, pot roast, and meatloaf with all the fixings.
Disney Springs
Disney Springs is a dining paradise with various affordable and delicious options. From creative chicken dishes to gourmet sandwiches, this shopping and entertainment district has something for every budget and taste.
Related: PHOTOS: Disney Must Think Guests Won’t Notice as Food Portions Are Halved While Prices Go Up
Multiple Options at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’
As the epitome of hearty home-style helpings, Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ in Disney Springs packs in a filling feast, whatever you happen to order from the menu here. But what’s perhaps most surprising is that nothing on the menu exceeds $40.
That’s a pretty good price considering so many entrées here (and even some appetizers) could easily feed multiple Guests opting to share. Some mutual favorites with diners include Thigh High Chicken Biscuits, Country-Fried Steak, Fried Chicken and Doughnuts, and many others.
Pro Tips for Saving Money on Meals at Disney World
- Share Meals – Portions at many quick-service restaurants are big enough to share, which can save money and let you try more dishes. This is one of the best money-saving Disney dining tips to stretch your budget while still enjoying a variety of flavors.
- Bring Your Own Snacks – Disney lets you bring snacks and drinks into the parks. Packing granola bars, fruit, or trail mix can help energize you and save you from buying expensive snacks.
- Opt for Water – Instead of buying bottled drinks, ask for free ice water at any quick-service spot. Bringing a refillable water bottle can also help you stay hydrated without extra costs.
- Eat at Off-Peak Times – Avoid the crowds by eating lunch early or dinner late. This can also make for a more relaxing meal experience.
- Look for Discounts – If you’re an Annual Passholder or Disney Vacation Club member, check for dining discounts at certain restaurants. You can also find deals through the My Disney Experience app.
- Plan Ahead – Check menus online before your trip to find the best value meals. Knowing your options ahead of time can save you time and money during your visit.
Related: This Favorite Disney Springs Chef Just Opened a New Restaurant at Orlando International Airport
Closing Considerations
Getting the most for your buck when dining in Disney World entails making careful judgment calls. When opting for quick-service options, for instance, it’s essential to seek out filling fare to match quantity pricing. You don’t want to snag a “good deal” only to find that the offerings are skimpy.
We also mentioned sharing specific robust entrée selections and appetizers at various table-service restaurants. You may even want to consider the benefits of all-you-can-eat establishments, like buffets and family-style restaurants.
Not only are some of the best character meals at Disney World located in such establishments but given that the average pricing of all-you-can-eat feasts hovers around $35 to $59.99 a person, it’s up to you to decide whether such considerations are worth it. Some options stand out, though, like Liberty Tree Tavern’s starting price of $39 per adult for endless eats. There’s also Boma’s breakfast buffet at Animal Kingdom Lodge, which costs $35.
Affordable dining at Disney World is possible. With so many tasty and budget-friendly options, you can enjoy satisfying meals without overspending. From barbecue platters to customizable bowls and classic sandwiches, there’s something for everyone. Use these tips and recommendations to make your Disney dining experience magical and affordable!
What are the most generously portioned yet affordable eats you’ve ever encountered at Disney World? Let us know in the comments.