Thrifty Thursday: Eat This, Not That in the Magic Kingdom

Dining in Disney is a joy, but it can also quickly become one of the most expensive parts of your trip. But, with a couple of quick substitutions, you can save a bundle! Here are a few options for  cost-cutting in the Magic Kingdom. 

Pasta with Meatballs

The Expensive Version
With choice of meatballs or Italian sausage, Tony’s Town Square Spaghetti will set you back $16.99 at lunch or dinner.

The Less-Expensive Version
The penne with meatballs at Pinocchio Village Haus only costs $8.49.

Potential Savings: $8.50

New England Clam Chowder

The Expensive Version
At Liberty Tree Tavern, a lunchtime bowl of New England Clam Chowder costs $6.99.

The Less-Expensive Version
You can get the same chowder at Columbia Harbour House for only $4.49 a bowl.

Potential Savings: $2.50

Meatball Sub

The Expensive Version
At Tony’s Town Square, three meatball sliders, served on focaccia with provolone and arugula, costs $12.49 at lunch time. For your money, you’ll also get housemade chips.

The Less-Expensive Version
Pinocchio Village Haus does it again, with a meatball sub smothered in melted cheese for only $8.49. And this one comes with fries or apple slices.

Potential Savings: $4

Tuna Sandwich

The Expensive Version
At The Plaza, your tuna comes on a croissant with broccoli slaw, homemade chips or French fries for $11.99.

The Less-Expensive Version
The Anchors Aweigh Sandwich served at Columbia Harbour House is served on a toasted multigrain bun with potato chips for $8.99.

Potential Savings: $3

Chicken Parm

The Expensive Version
For $17.99 at lunch or dinner, Tony’s Town Square will serve you chicken and spaghetti topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella.

The Less-Expensive Version
Order this at Pinocchio Village Haus and you’ll get essentially the same meal with penne pasta for only $8.79.

Potential Savings: $9.20

Angus Chuck Burger

The Expensive Version
The Plaza serves an Angus burger with cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion. You can also request bacon, mushrooms and onions. For $13.99, this is served with choice of broccoli slaw, homemade chips or French fries.

The Less-Expensive Version
For $9.69, you can get a 1/3 pound Angus burger with cheese, bacon, onion rings and BBQ sauce at Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn. Served with fries or apple slices, your burger includes a trip to the toppings bar, which offers mushrooms, onions and peppers and other condiments.

The Least-Expensive Version
At Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café, your 1/3 pound Angus burger comes topped with bacon and cheese and is served with apple slices or fries for $9.19. Ray’s also has a topping bar, so you can add additional items, like mushrooms, onions and plastic cheese.

Potential Savings: $4.80

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Melissa Sue works in higher education communications in upstate New York, where she lives with her husband Robert, a secondary school teacher, and her cavapoo George (as in King George). Melissa began visiting Disney World when she was six and today owns a piece of the magic at Bay Lake Tower. She blogs at Mouse on the Mind and tweets @msorrellsgalley. She’ll be contributing money-saving tips to The Affordable Mouse.

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9 thoughts on “Thrifty Thursday: Eat This, Not That in the Magic Kingdom

  • Pingback: Thrifty Thursday: Eat This, Not That in the Magic Kingdom | DisneyDigest

  • March 15, 2012 at 11:45 am
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    LOL Plastic cheese at Cosmic Ray’s 😉

    Reply
  • Pingback: Thrifty Thursday: Eat This, Not That Part I | Mouse on the Mind

  • March 16, 2012 at 11:30 am
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    This is a really great article. I don’t normally do a lot of eating in MK. Basically just snacks or a stop at Casey’s but it’s nice to know there are these other options in the park. I haven’t been to Tony’s since my first trip in 1996, and while I feel I want to give it another try, there are so many reviews that dissaude me from doing do. I would rather make use of my time and ride attractions. haha. Great read!

    Reply
    • March 16, 2012 at 10:42 pm
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      Thanks for stopping by Estelle and good luck with your next visit. You should try Tony’s…and be sure to let us know what you thought!

      Reply
    • March 17, 2012 at 11:31 am
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      Thanks, Estelle!!

      If I’m going to have a sit-down in MK, it’s almost always at Liberty Tree Tavern for lunch. Tony’s can’t compete!

      If you do get around to trying Tony’s, I hope you’ll blog about it!!

      Reply
  • March 31, 2012 at 12:06 pm
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    We ate at Tony’s for the first time on our last visit in September and have already made reservations there for our next visit this coming September. The prices may be a bit steep but the meal that we got was good. You don’t mind the extra cost if you get value for your buck! Jan

    Reply
    • March 31, 2012 at 4:19 pm
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      Great point Jan. When you get value for your dollar, you don’t mind nearly as much! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂

      Reply
  • March 2, 2019 at 2:18 am
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    Note: pasta w/meatballs is not generally served in Italian restaurants in Italy except for tourist traps. In Italy, pasta and meat entrees are separate courses on the menu. BTW, where is the commentary on the turkey legs available throughout MK? I wouldn’t mind gnawing on one of those as a snack or a whole meal. What about the fruit wagons? Aren’t they a good healthy snack?

    Reply

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