​We've all got to eat, right? And we all know when you are on vacation, food costs a bit more. But how much does it got to eat at Disney for a day? 

There are some variables, and it really depends on if you are a quick service diner, like to sit table service, or if you are a snack and go kinda person. Prices are also going to be much higher if you are doing character dining. Depending on where you choose to eat is going to determine your price. 

But...how vague is that? You already know that, right? So how about a breakdown for you. 

Let's pretend that you are spending three days at Disney World. One day for Magic Kingdom, one day for Hollywood Studios, and one day for Animal Kingdom. 

I'm going to present three days worth of meals. Of course, you can mix and match, but this gives you an idea of the general costs. No two days are going to be the same, this is just pure research. Each comes with a pretend scenario. 

For our purposes, we will assume that these are adult meal, and that there are no alcoholic drinks bought. If you enjoy those, awesome! But budget, because you know they aren't cheap! We will also assume that there are no character meals. ​Each meal is bought from a Disney owned place. We will also assume two snacks a day, but no dessert at meals. We are also not buying drinks except for at meals, but plan for those too, if you buy them outside of mealtimes.

Create these sample menus for yourself, mased on what you enjoy eating. The prices will guide, but you might also see how you can cut back a little. Disney generally has generous portions. Perhaps you want to skip a salad or bread. Maybe at lunch you drink water. 

This also allows you to see snacks and meals come in all different price ranges. And...quick service isn't just burgers or chicken fingers!

Day One Magic Kingdom

With so much to do at Magic Kingdom, you plan to get an early start. Therefore, you are going to be grabbing a bite to eat from the resort grab and go while waiting for resort transportation. You'll eat a quick service lunch, and splurge on a nice dinner. 

Breakfast - Pastry and a coffee from grab and go
$4.29 pastry
$4.49 coffee

Lunch - Cosmic Ray's
$10.99 Greek salad with chicken strips
​$3.99 fountain drink

Snack: 
$7.19  Mickey Pretzel

Dinner - Tony's Town Square
$11 Garlic bread for the table 
$36 Butcher's Steak
$3.99 fountain drink

Snack: 
$5.99 Dole Whip

​Day One Total for Food: $88.13 (Does not include dinner's gratuity)

​
Day Two: Hollywood Studios

You got up that morning with plenty of time to spare, so you pop into your resort for breakfast. You'll drab a sit down lunch, but plan to do a quick dinner, so you don't miss the nighttime spectacular! 

Breakfast- Resort food court
$10.99 Ham and cheese omelet 
$4.99 Orange juice

Lunch- Sci-fi Dine-in
$18.00 Over roasted turkey sandwich
$3.99 fountain drink

Snack- 
$5.50 popcorn

Dinner- Backlot Express
$11.99 Cuban Sandwich
$3.99 fountain drink

Snack- 
$6.79 Funnel cake

Day Two Total for Food: $66.24 (Does not include lunch's gratuity)

Day Three: Animal Kingdom

​

It's another grab and go on the way to Animal Kingdom! Lunch is your favorite spot, and sitting next to the river to watch the wildlife. Dinner is a second quick service stop, as there is really only one Disney owned sit down there, but that's okay, you've a long line to stand in for Flight of Passage and don't want to waste time. 

Breakfast: Resort
$6.99 Breakfast bagel
$3.99 apple juice

Lunch: Flametree BBQ
$15.69 Chicken and ribs combo
$3.99 fountain drink

Snack: 
$4.99 Soft serve

Dinner: Satu'li Canteen
$12.79 Cheeseburger pods
$3.99 fountain drink

Snack: 
$9.29 Buffalo chicken chips

Day Three Total for Food: $61.72 

One thing I find really interesting is that you'll leave each of these meals full. You might not even want a snack or if you do, maybe you'll split one. Also, none of these meals are boring. They aren't standard theme park fare. In fact... my stomach is growling just reading these menus! 

Using these sample menus, you can easily see that a day of quick service, plus two snacks will run around $60. Depending on the location AND the item ordered, around $70 or so (without gratuity) for sit down, per person. Take those numbers from your own sample menus, and use that to guide how much you'll need to plan for meals!

If you'd rather be rope dropping than taking time to linger over breakfast, you aren't alone! But, the fact of the matter is people have to eat. Even if you aren't a huge breakfast eater, chances are someone else in your party is, and you really do need a little fuel to keep you going! 

You could grab something at the park once there, and many do, but just as many would rather watch their dollars, and breakfast in the room or while waiting in the transportation line.

These ideas are all perfect for those staying in a value resort. There's a fridge, but no microwave except for in the food court. If you are are in a room with a microwave or a small kitchen, then you have a LOT more options! 

Chances are you already know how easy a few of these are, but there could be some surprises!  I've got a list of 25 for you! Chose one or combine a few for a fast, easy breakfast and spend your money on more important things! Like souvenirs! 

1. Cold cereal (You can buy milk from a resort food court or have delivered!)
​2. Thawed breakfast sandwiches (heat in the food court microwave)
3. No-cook overnight oatmeal
4. Pastries (donuts, honeybuns, etc)
​5. Yogurt and granola
6. Fresh fruit and cheese
7. Granola bars
8. English muffins and jam
9. Fruit cups / Applesauce 
10. Precooked bacon or sausage
11. Bagels and cream cheese or avacado
12. Muffins
13. String cheese
14. Cottage cheese
15. Graham crackers
16. Crusty loaf, cheese, and olives or pesto
17. Biscuits and apple butter
18. Instant breakfast shakes
19. Dried fruit
20. Beef jerky or meat sticks
21. Instant oatmeal (using water from the well washed coffee maker)
22. Crackers and sunbutter
23. Smoothies (there are several refrigerated brands)
24. Bread with cheese, tomatoes, and avadaco
25. Last night's leftovers!

While there are so many more things you can do, maybe some of these will give you ideas for your next trip. We always pack breakfasts, (budget, time, and food allergies!) but I actually really love doing that, because my kids and I are not huge eaters first thing in the morning. By tossing some of these into our park bags, we end up having a snack when we are hungry, but save a ton of time and money! 

It's time for the final installment in the differences between Disney World, Dollywood, and Hershey Park. If you've been following along, and need a reminder of what's already been covered, or if you are just joining, here's the links to get caught up! 

Part 1 An overview of each park. 
Part 2  Entry methods, fast passes, staff and maps
Part 3 The Rides, games, and app
Part 4 The Food
Part 5 A Comparison between the three for an overall opinion (You are here!)


As I've thought about each park carefully, one thing strikes me. Each park has it's strengths, and it's weaknesses. Each of the three parks is unique in different ways. I'm not sure there is a winner.

​Disney World and Dollywood seemed the most family friendly. Their rides were designed where they were an experience, not just a county fair style, like most of the not coasters were at Hershey Park. 

The clear winner when it comes to entry method and staff is Disney. It's always easy to get the help you need when you need it, the lines are well managed and not chaotic, where no one knows where to stand, and they move easily. By comparison, we felt like Dollywood was similar, but Hershey Park, there were no staff members around at all. While it's possible that's a covid staffing problem, it's hard to say. 

When it comes to food, Hershey Park and Disney knocked it out of the park for counter service treats of all kinds. It's kind of hard NOT to fall in love with a bucket of French fries, but the food was pretty blah and basic tasting. Meanwhile, Dollywood, they sure do have their home cookin down pat! Our meals were tasty and the service was great. We never felt rushed, a contrast to Disney and Hershey Park. 

One thing Magic Kingdom didn't have that we really enjoyed at Dollywood and Hershey Park were the midway games. We loved the games where kids win every time, and Hershey Park was our favorite for the games, midway and arcade. 

At all three parks, parking is ample. If staying at the park owned resort, transportation is offered. 

As you see, pros and cons for each. So, who won? 

Planning a trip to one of these parks might need to go a little deeper based on these questions. 

1. Do you need to drive out of your way to get there? 
2. How epensive is it? 
3. Is there enough to do for several days? 

For us, Dollywood was fun, because we happened to be nearby. I don't think we'd ever go out of our way to go there again. Hershey Park is pretty close by, and their cost is fairly reasonable. It's likely we will go again, but oddly enough...not really for the rides. We didn't enjoy the ride choices, and the problems with it being at the ride operator's discretion who got on. We would return for the games, and the Disney Outlet nearby, plus the fact it's just a few hours away. Disney...now Disney, we make that 13 hour drive for. We are always excited to plan and go. There's that sparkle of magic that we got there, we just didn't feel elsewhere. Not just because Tinkerbell is flying around, but because they really do make you feel welcome and valued at Disney. 

As I think back over our last trip to each park, I realized I only rode three rides at Hershey Park. My youngest was either too scared or too big to ride wat he wanted, so the ones he could do, I spent the two days standing out so he could enjoy himself. At Dollywood, I rode maybe a half dozen. At Magic Kingdom, I don't do the coasters, but you have to pull me off of some of the others! I love them so much! 

Dollywood and Disney are similar in pricing, and Hershey Park offers discounts that make the tickets quite reasonable. You've followed along and seen my thoughts...but the best way for you to decide is to visit yourself! 

​If you've been to all three, which did you like best? Or, like me, did you feel like each had good things and bad? 

It's time for another installment in the differences between Disney World, Dollywood, and Hershey Park. If you've been following along, and need a reminder of what's already been covered, or if you are just joining, here's the links to get caught up! 

Part 1 An overview of each park. 
Part 2  Entry methods, fast passes, staff and maps
Part 3 The Rides, games, and app
Part 4 The Food (you are here!)
Part 5 (Coming soon) A Comparison between the three for an overall opinion

Though these are theme parks and share some similarities, each is different. 

For many, eating out while on vacation is an absolute highlight! For the budget minded, they try and cut a few corners on the things that don't matter to allow more towards those things that do. For a family with food allergies? Every meal is like a well planned tactical maneuver. 

Theme parks seem to have these three things in common when it comes to food. Snacks, counter service, and casual (or deluxe) meals where you can sit and be waited on.

I'm sure you know we're pretty experienced Disney World eaters! I've even written a Disney book about how to navigate dietary needs among other things there. If you've been a reader of my blog for a while, I give a break down of these three types of eating establishments. I go more in depth within the book. I'm not as much of an expert at Dollywood and Hershey Park, which it was so interesting to discover the similarities and the differences between these theme parks.

Let's talk a bit about each way you get refuel your body at Disney World, Dollywood, or Hershey Park.

Counter Service

These three parks share similarities in the counter service food as well. Fries, burgers, pizza, sandwiches, along with salads, hot dogs, and nachos on occasion. Disney's Magic Kingdom has the most counter service spots, but not the widest variety, the menus do tend to repeat themselves. 

At Dollywood, staffing continues to be a major concern, and because of that, a great number of their places are not open to eat at, reducing the choices further. Luckily, Dollywood is right in the heart of town, so if you were not able to get a good meal in the park, especially with such short park hours as they have been having, you'll find plenty of places outside the gates.

Hershey Park doesn't fare much better on the staffing situation, however, because they operate very few eating establishments and allow chains in, the food choices are more varied. You'll find a Moe's Southwest Grill near Chic f'ilet, not too far from a gyro house. Again, outside of Hershey Park you have tons of choices, in case you don't want to eat all of your meals on property.

In terms of variety, Hershey Park has the most. You'll find very little on the menus repeated, which can make it difficult if you have a chicken fingers and fries kinda need for most meals. 

Casual/Sit Down

If you'd like to be waited on, you likely already know you have to plan ahead at Disney! Reservations for these meals start six months out for on property places. You'll find a wide variety of food, and some from multiple countries. As far as variety, Magic Kingdom might be the winner here. 

Dollywood is more limited, they are a smaller park after all. What you will find though, is home cookin' and comfort food in each door you enter. Salads, fish, chicken, sandwiches, BBQ, chicken, and pleanty of kid food, like mac and chicken fingers. Dollywood's menus seem to be pretty all American, but also family friendly. 

Hershey has less to choose from as well, though they do boast a restaurant that uses chocolate in well...almost everything! It's a very popular spot, and pretty unique! 

The winner here is a toss up...it really depends on what you like! If southern style cooking is what you crave, Dollywood is the winner, with comfort mood and kid favorites. Something a bit more sophisticated or with a cultural flair? Disney is the choice for that. Unique, fun, and covered in chocolate? Hershey Park for dinner!

​We've talked about pretty much everything between these three parks..so which one did we enjoy most? Which one do we want to go back to? And which one do we plan to skip next time? You'll find out soon!

It's time for another installment in the differences between Disney World, Dollywood, and Hershey Park. If you've been following along, and need a reminder of what's already been covered, or if you are just joining, here's the links to get caught up! 

Part 1 An overview of each park. 
Part 2  Entry methods, fast passes, staff and maps
Part 3 The Rides, games, and app (you are here!)
Part 4 (Coming soon) The Food
Part 5 (Coming soon) A Comparison between the three for an overall opinion

Though these are theme parks and share some similarities, each is different. 

The Rides

When you go to Disney, you are going to get more rides than you might be able to do in a day, especially if you go to Magic Kingdom, which is the park we are using for comparison in this series. You'll have a wide variety of rides. Some will be indoors, some outdoors. There's a great mix and so many that just about everyone can go on. In fact, when you are little, there isn't much you can't go on! If you are Pooh sized, there are some seat styles that fit better, but again, not too much is off limits. As I said, there's a fantastic mix of rides. 

Dollywood was similar. There were many for the small ones, thrill rides for the big ones, and a good family mix in between. I admit, it was a little strange at first, to see all of these rides among all the trees and natural setting, a stark contrast to Magic Kingdom's themed worlds and concrete, but it was a relaxing atmosphere, and in our party, there were rides everyone enjoyed. Additionally, while there were country style fair rides, there were also rides on par with Disney, rides where time, effort, and thought were put into them. Wait times at Disney World are usually longer.

At Hershey Park, the rides are done based on what size you are. Additionally, it is at the ride operator's discretion if you can ride. My 8 year old, who doesn't like thrill rides was heartbroken when on our first day there, the operator refused him a ride on the kiddie swings. It happened several times, though other children taller than him got to ride. The following day, guess what? He was allowed on those rides by a different operator! It was frustrating and upsetting, and other parents and children had the same complaint. Wait times were not too bad, except for the roller coasters. 

Rides at Hershey Park were primarily country fair style rides or roller coasters. There was no in between. The one and only Disney-esque ride was Cupfusion, it was a very short track, and the switchback warned it was two hours wait once it was filled. For the most part, other than the roller coasters there was no wait time, however, the lack of in between rides meant that I went on a grand total of three rides at Hershey Park, the merry go round, the small cars you drive, and the scrambler, because the rest of the time I was either waiting for someone at a ride everyone else was too big to ride, or else waiting with my youngest at a ride he was too small to ride. 

Games

Magic Kingdom doesn't really have games, but Dollywood had several midway games. If there was an arcade, we never found it, and usually we can sniff those out! The games were a bit pricey, but there was one that for $5, one turn per day, it's play til you win. MY youngest was able to get a nice plush, which made him happy. 

Hershey Park goes over the top with games! There were two arcades, one quite massive and filled with vintage arcade games. Most of them started at a quarter to play, and we spent quite a while in those arcades. The midway games got some attention too, and while you got a fair number of tries, the only games we had success at were those that were play to win. There were a few, and I was glad the prizes were fairly good. 

The App

The app is sorely needed at any of the parks. At Hershey Park, they have NO paper maps! Prepare to get lost and miss part of the park without a map to navigate by. It's hard to find your way around with a small screen and people running through the park. Hershey Park's app is quite strange, almost our entire trip there, it shows that all the rides were closed, which wasn't true, but made seeing wait times impossible. 

From an allergy standpoint, I did apprecate being able to see the menus and ingredients for everything before ordering.

Dollywood's app is just fine. It's nothing special, it's factual, and gets you around and shows wait times. 

Disney's app is standard, the wait times, where things are, very similar to Dollywood. I do with that I could see ingredients on Disney's app. Hershey Park's app was amazing, and is my favorite of the three. 

Over all, who won this round? For rides, I'm a Disney girl. Dollywood would be second place. Hershey, yes, little wait times, but it's hard to navigate and most of the rides aren't ones we liked. The games? Hershey Park was a winner there! We'd go back just to spend a day in their arcade. The app winner is a tie. Each had good aspects and bad. 

​Next time, we talk about...the food!