Walt Disney World's Downtown Disney has a variety of great restaurants, but many of them are a bit pricey. Here are the best places to eat there on a budget.
Earl of Sandwich – Downtown Disney Marketplace
Though prices at this counter service restaurant have gone up from the time it first opened, it still remains one of the best dining deals at Walt Disney World.
A fresh made-to-order sandwich on artisan bread at Earl of Sandwich costs $5.99. There are about 15 different combinations to choose from off the menu boards, but substitutions can be made for no additional cost. The Kid's menu is great for light eaters as it has smaller, more basic sandwiches (grilled cheese, peanut butter & jelly, etc) for $3.95.
By itself, a sandwiches is filling, but the restaurant also has soups, salads and other side dishes ranging in price from $1.95 to $5.99.
Beverage tip: skip the bottled soda and order a fountain soda instead. It's cheaper and offers free refills. Great for hot days!
House of Blues – Downtown Disney West Side
This chain restaurant celebrates the food of New Orleans and has entrees from $10 and up.
Savvy budget-minded travelers, however, will want to show up between 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. or from 10 p.m. to close. These are the times when the House of Blues Orlando offers its happy hour with almost all appetizers going for half price.
This puts dishes like spicy Buffalo chicken wings, pan-seared shrimp with cornbread, catfish nuggets and fries and pepperoni pizza in the $5 range. Each appetizer is the perfect size for a single person or order a few and pass them around the table.
As a bonus, the restaurant also offers drink specials during the two happy hours, such as $2 draft beers.
Bongos Cuban Cafe – Downtown Disney West Side
This Cuban-influenced restaurant is co-owned by singer Gloria Estefan and her husband Emilio, and can be a bit of a splurge.
Budget travelers wanting to sample the delicious food without putting a dent in the wallet should bypass the inside area of the restaurant and head to the outside counter service window.
Here one will find yummy empanadas (beef or chicken-filled pastry pockets), papa rellenas (little round potato balls with a Cuban-spiced beef filling), and guava or cream cheese-filled pastries, all in the $1 to $2 range. Order several of each for a low cost light meal.
Goofy's Candy Company – Downtown Disney Marketplace
Got a sweet tooth? Satisfy the craving with a visit to this store which sits in the back area of the Marketplace, across from the Rainforest Cafe.
Inside, there is a "make your own" counter where for $4 to $5, one can pick from a number of base ingredients like pretzel sticks, apples and Mickey Mouse-shaped crispy rice treats. Then this base item can be covered in any number of toppings, such as milk, white or dark chocolate, caramel, sprinkles, crushed candy bars and Oreo cookies, nuts and so much more, all for no additional charge.
This is the perfect sweet snack to share with family or friends.
Bonus tip: Have more than one kid? Get the trio of pretzel sticks as the base and ask for each one to be customized separately.
Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop – Downtown Disney Marketplace
Craving just a little bite of something sweet? Then head over to the Ghirardelli store where a staff member is usually giving out free square samples of their chocolate. It's usually just enough to tide one over until the next meal.
Whether you want a complete meal or just a sweet snack, there are plenty of delicious options to choose from in Downtown Disney that won't drain the wallet. Enjoy the meal and the savings!
Michelle Snow - Michelle Snow been a freelance journalist and photographer for over twenty years, specializing in travel and entertainment. She got her ...
