Thrifty Thursday: Eat This, Not That for Dinner in Downtown Disney

After a long evening of shopping, you need a hearty, filling meal to face the long bus ride back to your resort, am I right? I scoured Downtown Disney to find some ways to cut costs on several classic menu items.

Half Chicken

The Expensive Version 
At T-Rex Café, $19.99 will get you half of a rotisserie chicken, slow-roasted and served with your choice of sides (garlic mashed potatoes are among the options).

The Less-Expensive Version
In the Marketplace area, WolfGang Puck Express serves up half of a rotisserie chicken covered with garlic butter and rosemary and served with mashed potatoes for only $16. 

Potential Savings: $3.99

Filet Mignon

The Expensive Version 
At both Fulton’s Crab House and The Dining Room at Wolfgang Puck Café, you can get a char-grilled filet mignon for $45. The sides are different, though: at Fulton’s, you get mashed potatoes, while Puck serves roasted squash, sautéed spinach and a grilled portobello.

The Less-Expensive Version
For 30.99, you can get a filet of the same size at either T-Rex Café or Rainforest Café. Again, the sides are different: garlic mash and roasted veggies at T-Rex, and grilled portabello and Napa veggies at Rainforest.

Potential Savings: $14.01

Fish and Chips

The Expensive Version 

At Raglan Road or T-Rex Café, you can get an English-style filet of fish with fries and tartar sauce for $19. (T-Rex adds coleslaw to sweeten the deal.)

The Less-Expensive Version
At my favorite Downtown Disney counter service spot, Cooke’s of Dublin, you can have the classic meal for only $10.95.

Potential Savings: $8.05

Citrus-Glazed Salmon

The Expensive Version 
At Fulton’s Crab House, your salmon comes with crispy skin and a citrus reduction with butternut squash risotto on the side for $31.  

The Less-Expensive Version
For only $24.99, T-Rex Café serves a salmon glazed with an orange-basil reduction and a side of rice and roasted veggies. 

The Least-Expensive Version
In the Marketplace area, Cap’n Jack’s will bring you salmon with citrus-caper butter sauce. On the side, you’ll find steamed potatoes and seasonal veggies for only $19.99.

Potential Savings: $11.01

Shrimp Caesar Salad

The Expensive Version 
Cap’n Jack’s shrimp-topped salad will set you back $14.49.

The Less-Expensive Version
For only $10.95, Fulton’s Crab House offers a Caesar topped with blackened shrimp.

Potential Savings: $3.54

Chicken Caesar Salad

The Expensive Version 
Big appetite? The Big Islander Caesar Salad at Rainforest Café is topped with grilled chicken for $14.99.

The Less-Expensive Version
For $13.95, Wolfgang Puck Café serves up a traditional take on the dish.  

The Least-Expensive Version
At Cap’n Jack’s, their version of the classic goes for $12.99.

Potential Savings: $2.00

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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.