There’s a common misconception among some guests (especially those on their first trip) that dining at Walt Disney World only comes in two varieties: greasy fast food or super expensive haute cuisine. However, this isn’t exactly true, as there are a number of amazing meals you can grab at Walt Disney World’s dozens of quick service eateries that will satisfy guests looking for something a little more interesting than burgers and fries, without breaking the bank. And while $10 won’t exactly get you fillet mignon (we have to set expectations here), depending on where you go, you can actually get a great meal for less than the cost of a single PhotoPass picture print!
1. Pot Roast Macaroni & Cheese
Image: Nancy RK BacktotheMouse, Flickr (license)
Location: Friar’s Nook (Magic Kingdom)
Cost: $9.49
Short on time and need a fast fill up? Friar’s Nook offers several varieties of gourmet macaroni and cheese served in generously-sized bowls that will satisfy even the most voracious appetite. One of the best variations of this classic menu item is the Pot Roast Macaroni & Cheese, which features a healthy amount of beef piled on top of cheesy pasta. While this dish may not be expensive, it certainly is filling, so even though you might want to check out other attractions in Fantasyland after lunch at Friar’s Nook, we’d recommend holding off on Dumbo the Flying Elephant (or anything that moves faster than It’s a Small World!) for at least a little while after your meal!
2. All-Beef Gyro Flatbread
Location: Harambe Market (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
Cost: $9.49
The Harambe Market has a number of amazing food options, but one of the entrees that provides the best value is the Beef Gyro Flatbread sandwich, which features hamburger-like beef patties doused a tangy tzatziki sauce and topped with diced veggies. And like other entrees at this location, this option is served with a cold broccoli, tomato and onion salad.
3. Butter Chicken
Image: Disney
Location: Namaste Café Food Truck (Disney Springs)
Cost: $9.50
Leaving the theme parks, but still looking for an economical bite to eat? No problem! Though Disney Springs has been phasing out many of its quick service locations over the past few years and converting them to full-service restaurants, one nice addition has been the food truck park, which offers some excellent options for a budget price. One of our favorites is the butter chicken, which is served at the Namaste Cafe truck (which features a menu inspired by Disney’s Animal Kingdom). This dish features tender and flavorful chicken served over basmati rice with naan on the side and a selection of vegetables. Though you can eat this dish with a fork, our favorite way to experience this amazing entree is to pile everything on top of the provided naan to make an impromptu sandwich!
4. Norwegian Club
Image: Disney
Location: Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe (Epcot)
Cost: $8.49
Though you can find a club sandwich pretty much anywhere on Walt Disney World property, there’s only one place where you can find this classic turkey, ham, and bacon sandwich enhanced with Jarlsberg and Muenster cheeses plus lingonberrry mayonnaise. Put all that on thick, toasted multigrain bread with some onions and tomatoes for good measure, and you’ve got a hearty meal on that’s portable, delicious and inexpensive.
5. Bratwurst
Image: Disney
Location: Sommerfest, (Epcot)
Cost: $9.49
Next to hamburgers, hot dogs may be the most common quick service entree found at Walt Disney World. However, if you’re looking for a gourmet twist on this theme park classic, you have to head over to Sommerfest in the German pavilion at Epcot for a filling bratwust piled high with authentic saurkraut and served on a thick, crusty roll.
6. Fontina & Tomato Basil Grilled Cheese
Image: Disney
Location: Taste Track (Epcot)
Cost: $9.25
Grilled cheese is the ultimate comfort food, but at Walt Disney World, this family favorite gets a gourmet twist at Taste Track, which serves several varieties of this classic sandwich. One of our favorites is the Fontina and Tomato Basil, which is sophisticated enough to please grown-ups, but with a taste that hearkens right back to childhood. This sandwich is served with tomato soup, and is perfect for dipping!
7. California Roll
Image: Disney
Location: Starring Rolls Café (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
Cost: $9.49
Though sushi is pretty easy to find at the Japan pavilion at Epcot, it’s not as prevalent at other parks, and if you find yourself craving a California Roll, you might be surprised to learn that the Starring Rolls Cafe (which is tucked away on the corner of Hollywood and Sunset Bouelvards at Disney’s Hollywood Studios) serves pre-packaged sushi after 11AM for lunch. While the portion isn’t overly generous, the California roll here always tastes fresh and is a great “hidden find” at a park that is otherwise lacking in diverse (and inexpensive) menu items.
8. Barbecue Pork Waffle Fries
Image: Disney
Location: Golden Oak Outpost (Magic Kingdom)
Cost: $7.99
Though the Golden Oak Outpost isn’t always open, when it is guests can partake in a number of “loaded” waffle fry entrees, including our favorite, the barbecue pork fries, which are topped with coleslaw and also served with choice of either sliced apples or baby carrots to make a complete meal that isn’t just filling, but also has the distinction of being the least expensive on this list!
9. Caprese Flatbread
Location: Pinocchio Village Haus (Magic Kingdom)
Cost: $8.99
While families might stop by the Pinocchio Village Haus for its child-friendly entrees (which include pepperoni pizza and chicken nuggets), that doesn’t mean that there aren’t a few adult-friendly options on this menu as well. The Caprese Flatbread may not be the most generously-sized item on this list, but this flatbread is nicely stacked with cheese, tomatoes, basil, and a delicious balsamic glaze that will help those with grown up tastes power through their afternoon without spending a lot.
10. Watermelon Salad
Image: Disney
Location: Flame Tree Barbecue (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
Cost: $9.99
Salads, even at Walt Disney World, are often boring. However, just because you’re trying to eat healthy on vacation, doesn’t mean your taste buds have to suffer. Thankfully, the Watermelon Salad at Flame Tree Barbecue is one of the tastiest salads on property, featuring not just standard mixed greens and watermelon, but also pickled red onions, arugula and chunky pieces of feta cheese as well.
